Etihad Airways orders 26 777s and 30 787-10s
Etihad Airways ordered (17-Nov-2013) 56 Boeing widebody aircraft with options and purchase rights for an additional 26 aircraft. The order comprises 17 777-9Xs, eight 777-8Xs, 30 787-10s and one 777-200F and options and purchase rights for 12 777Xs, 12 787-10s and two 777Fs. Etihad Airways is the first airline to order the 777-8X and will be the launch customer for the aircraft, which is expected to enter service from 2022. The 777-9Xs are expected to enter service from 2020. The order also makes Etihad Airways the largest airline customer for the 787 family, with 71 on order, and marks the 1000th order for the 787. The 787-10 order is valued at USD8.7 billion at list prices. Final assembly and flight test of the 787-10 are scheduled to commence in 2017, with the first delivery targeted for 2018. The airline purchased 57 GE GE9X engines to power its 777Xs, 68 GEnx-1Bs for its 787-10s and two GE90-115Bs for the 777-200F. The carrier intends to use the aircraft to commence new services, add capacity in existing markets and replace existing, less-efficient aircraft. The airline will also be able to redirect orders to members of its equity alliance, allowing capacity to be allocated where required, improving fleet commonality and sharing cost synergies. Etihad Airways president and CEO James Hogan said, "This is a significant, timely and essential order for us, as we celebrate our tenth anniversary and plan for our next decade and beyond." Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner said, "It is gratifying that as one of the world's fastest growing airlines, Etihad continues to have confidence in Boeing's products by ordering the 777X as well as by increasing its order for the 787. We look forward to further strengthening this partnership as Etihad continues to build its position as a forerunner in the global aviation industry." [more - original PR - Etihad Airways] [more - original PR - Etihad Airways 2] [more - original PR - Boeing] [more - original PR - Boeing 2] [more - original PR - GE] [more - original PR - GE 2]