Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo division of the world-renowned international carrier, has just inked a new order for more Boeing 777 Freighters. Let's examine this order and explore Emirates SkyCargo's future.

New Freighters

Emirates SkyCargo recently confirmed an order for five newly built Boeing 777 Freighters, which will be delivered between 2025 and 2026.

This $1 billion order follows the carrier's previous order for the 777F. That last order was for four brand-new 777 Freighters, which will arrive throughout 2024, and one more in 2025.

The carrier noted that once the new freighters enter service, its available main deck cargo capacity will increase by 30%. This will allow Emirates SkyCargo to meet demand in key markets. However, the airline did not specify if the "30%" figure applies to all ten upcoming 777Fs or just the five newly ordered examples.

Emirates SkyCargo has already seen an 18% increase in cargo volume between 2023 and 24. It has also seen a strong start to the 2024-25 fiscal year, with consistently high load factors and numbers topping those of 2019. 

Emirates SkyCargo currently has 11 777Fs in its fleet and will eventually add ten 777-300ERs that were converted from passenger configurations to freighter use. It does not plan to order newer-generation cargo planes like the Airbus A350 Freighter or Boeing 777-8F.

Emirates says it plans to retire older freighters eventually. However, the only aircraft it has in its fleet are Boeing 777Fs, none of which are especially old (especially in the cargo aircraft realm).

Regarding retirement, it can be inferred that the carrier would plan to remove older 777Fs and sell them to other carriers, as it previously did with Lufthansa Cargo. No timeline has been provided for the retirement of older aircraft.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said the following about this new order:

“Demand for our world-class product and services is growing exponentially, further amplified by Dubai's Economic Agenda, which aims to double foreign trade and reinforce the city's position as a global trading hub. This investment in additional Boeing 777 capacity enables us to cater to customer demand and marks a step forward on our long-term strategic growth plan.”
 

According to Emirates SkyCargo's website, the 777F can carry a maximum cargo tonnage of up to 107,000 kilograms and store up to 550 cubic meters of cargo.

The 777F is basically a 777-200LR without the passenger seats. As such, the aircraft has an impressive range of up to 5,716 miles or 9,200 kilometers. This has made the aircraft a popular choice for many intercontinental cargo airlines, such as Qatar Airways Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, FedEx, and, most recently, Maersk Air Cargo.

Boeing has delivered more than 265 777 Freighters to date, making it the manufacturer's best-selling freighter airplane of all time.

Boeing's President and Chief Executive of Commercial Airplanes, Stephanie Pope, expressed that the company was "honored" that Emirates SkyCargo once again selected the 777 Freighter for growing its global operations.