Boeing gets boost at airshow as Emirates orders 65 planes

Less than three weeks after Boeing Co unveiled another delay for its flagship 777X airliner, Emirates is doubling down on the giant aircraft by placing a major order for 65 units.

- LEEN AL-RASHDAN

The deal, which Emirates valued at $38 billion, was announced on the first day of the Dubai Air Show, confirming an earlier Bloomberg News report. The accord gives Boeing an early edge over arch-rival Airbus SE, which is also hoping to finally land a deal with Emirates for its competing A350-1000 plane.

The purchase cements Emirates' status as the biggest operator of Boeing's largest aircraft, as it looks to renew its fleet of current-generation 777s and eventually phases out its behemoth Airbus A380s.

The airline said it has an option to convert the order announced on Monday if Boeing decides to pursue a longer variant dubbed the 777-10 at the urging of Emirates executives.

"We're always listening to customers," Boeing said. "Our focus right now is on the 777-9 and -8F" referring to an air cargo model that is in its development pipeline.