Emirates Eyes 777-8F Or A350F Order

After confirming a purchase of five Boeing 777 Freighters for its SkyCargo division, Emirates is reportedly set to decide on the future of its business.

The primary decision involves the subsequent purchase of freight aircraft. Rather than continuing to top up on the readily available and proven 777F, this will be for the next-gen upcoming freighters.

Considered a new era for freight flying, Airbus and Boeing have released their new large freighters to compete against each other in future flights.

While these planes are expected to slash operating costs, they aren’t ready yet. With ongoing supply chain issues, they will likely encounter delays in their certification, production, and delivery schedule.

The two options are the Airbus A350F and the Boeing 777-8F. Both units are expected to enter service in the second half of 2020, assuming no further delays.

As a result, while operators such as Emirates will need to commit to the aircraft, the 777F has proved to be a safer option with the knowledge this will be delivered sooner rather than later.

However, that doesn’t remove the need to study the options for the future, given that these next-gen freighters will be flying for at least the next three decades.

Emirates is expected to decide which direction to take for its future flying needs across its freight division by the end of the 2024 calendar year.

Emirates is already familiar with the 777 series through passenger and freight flights. Meanwhile, it is about to take delivery of its first A350-900. Therefore, the company’s overall direction is up for grabs, with deals, availability, and performance all playing a role.

Converted Freighters Coming

While Emirates knows it must decide on the direction of its next-gen freighter purchase, further confirmation was also given that plans were underway to convert existing passenger aircraft, albeit delayed.

As Boeing 777s enter the final stages of their passenger operation life at some carriers, third-party companies are starting the early stages of a process to offer conversions to extend the overall operational life.

In Emirates’ case, this presents an opportunity to retain the aircraft it has come to know and love but in a different way rather than sending them to the scrap yard when, realistically, more life could be brought out of them.