On October 21, 2024, Emirates announced a new order for five Boeing 777 Freighters for its SkyCargo division, with deliveries planned between 2025 and 2026. With this order, Emirates has a total of fourteen B777Fs pending delivery from Boeing by the end of 2026. Additionally, the airline has signed a multi-year lease extension with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise for four B777Fs already in its fleet.
Based on these investments, Emirates SkyCargo aims to operate twenty-one new Boeing 777 Freighters by December 2026, significantly expanding its current fleet of eleven units. Emirates is also converting ten Boeing B777-300ER passenger aircraft into freighters to further increase its cargo capacity. As part of its vision for the next era of growth, Emirates plans to make a decision by the end of 2024 regarding its future cargo fleet for 2028/29 and beyond, considering the Boeing 777-8F and the Airbus A350-1000F as potential candidates.
Dubai's government plans include the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, with the goal of making it the world's largest hub in terms of capacity. The airport is expected to handle up to 12 million tons of cargo annually, supporting the growth of the nearby logistics district, designed as an international base for global transport and shipping companies, in line with Dubai's master plan to become a leading multi-modal hub for air, sea, and land connections.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said: "We are investing in new cargo aircraft to meet growing demand and offer our customers worldwide greater flexibility, connectivity, and options to capitalize on market opportunities. Demand for Emirates' cargo services is growing strongly, reflecting Dubai's rising status as a reliable and preferred global logistics hub, and the success of Emirates SkyCargo's customized solutions tailored to meet the needs of shippers across different industry sectors."
