‘Predators’ poised to dominate

MARC Boudier, the long-serving ex-executive vice-president of Air France Cargo, once described the growing Middle East carriers as ‘predators’ as they syphoned off growing amounts of the legacy carrier’s air cargo trade – particularly between Europe and Asia.

It now appears that rather than a growing irritant, Middle East carriers are set to increasingly dominate both passenger and cargo transportation, thanks to massive capital expenditure on modern and increasingly massive widebody fleets.

After its extraordinary order in June for an additional 32 A380s (taking it up to 90 in total), worth US$11.5 billion at list prices, Emirates stole the show at Farnborough by confirming orders for 30 B777-300ERs at a list price of $9.1 billion. This adds to 71 B777-300ERs already ordered, of which 53 are already in service.

These two new orders alone add bellyhold cargo capacity equivalent to some 14 B747 freighters.

“Since we took delivery of our first 777 14 years ago, the airplane’s reliability, performance and operating economics have firmly established it as the backbone of our fleet,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group.

For the full story read the latest free digital edition of Air Cargo News, dated 24 July, here

Share this story