UAE’s Emirates airlines signed on Saturday a leasing contract for two Boeing 777-300s and options for two more for delivery in 2003, reported the Gulf News.
The two aircraft are expected to be delivered in July and September 2002.
The ten-year lease was signed by Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Robert Martin, managing director of Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE), said the paper.
"We have a long and fruitful relationship with Boeing which is evident in the growing number of aircraft we are acquiring as part of our fleet expansion. This leasing contract will allow us to maintain operating flexibility when planning future routing and fleet strength," Sheikh Ahmed said.
Emirates previously leased two 777-300s from SALE.
"We are very pleased to enter into this leasing contract with Emirates for Boeing 777-300 aircraft. The placement of the two aircraft, for delivery in July and September 2002 means that we have placed all six firm 777-300 orders that SALE originally placed with Boeing," Martin said.
The Emirates fleet now stands at 35, including four 777-330s and nine 777-200s, said the paper.
The airline is also a launch customer for the Airbus A380 superjumbo, having ordered five passenger and two freighter versions, for delivery from 2006 – Albawaba.com
