Emirates airline has signed a host of agreements worth more than $4 billion at the Farnborough International Air Show 2004 in the UK.
These include deals worth $1.13 billion for products ranging systems and suites to simulators as well as an order for upto 13 Boeing aircraft, worth $2.96 billion. The contracts were signed in Farnborough by Emirates chairman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
The deal with Boeing is a confirmed order on four 777-300ER (Extended Range) aircraft, with an option on nine more. The first four will be delivered in 2006, while the purchasing rights for the rest extend through 2012, Emirates said in a statement..
The extra capacity for passengers and cargo, the low operating costs and the revenue capability are among the reasons the airline chose the 777-300ER. The aircraft has a flight range of 8,900 km as against 6,700 km for the standard 777. Emirates said it would use the new planes to further its expansion and increase frequency on major trunk routes.
The airline has signed a $1bn agreement with Matsushita Avionics Systems Corporation (MAS) for the eX2 inflight entertainment system, which includes interactive audio, video, games, communication and connectivity support, for the airline's new Airbus fleet including A380-800 double-deckers and A340-600HGWs. The agreement includes new systems for existing and new aircraft on order, making MAS sole supplier of inflight entertainment systems to the Emirates fleet which will total 169 by 2012. The majority of the airline’s aircraft already offer MAS’ inflight entertainment systems, including the brand-new A340-500 aircraft. Emirates’ 43 passenger A380s are to enter the fleet from October 2006 and the 20 A340-600s from June 2007.
Emirates has also inked an $80 million deal with B/E Aerospace Inc, the world’s leading manufacturer of aircraft cabin interior products, ordering First Class Suites for its fleet of A380-800s. B/E will design, manufacture and deliver First Class Suites for all 31 of Emirates’ A380s designed in a three-class configuration. Each First Class cabin will house 14 suites in a 1-2-1 configuration.
The avant-garde blueprint for the seats is the brainchild of Emirates’ in-house design team, in collaboration with the renowned French designer Jacques Pierrejean, and is based largely on the First Class Suites currently installed in its innovative A340-500 aircraft. Emirates’ First Class seats mimic the luxury and ambience found in an opulent hotel suite or in an extravagant private jet. Features include private wardrobes, electrically controlled doors, seats upholstered in leather with built-in massage options, touch-screen technology, large personal interactive LCD screens, mini-bars and more.
The airline has also contracted CAE of Montreal for three full-flight simulators to support its flight training requirements. The deal, valued at some C$65 million ($50 million) at list prices, is for two A380-800 and one A340-600 full-flight simulator for the Emirates Aviation College in Dubai. Under the $5m agreement, CAE will become the airline's exclusive provider of full-flight simulators for 10 years with products that give the airline the most advanced training simulation available.