Emirates agrees purchase of 13 777's worth $3 billion

FARNBOROUGH, England (Reuters) — Dubai-based airline Emirates announced a deal for 13 Boeing Co. 777 jets worth up to $3 billion at the Farnborough air show on Monday.

The deal includes orders for four of the wide-body 777-300ER extended-range planes and options to buy nine more.

Emirates said it was on course to expand its 777 fleet to 51 by 2007, including leased planes.

Emirates Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said a decision on whose engines would power the new planes had not yet been made.

“On the existing fleet (of 777s), it’s a Rolls engine,” he said, referring to British aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce. He declined to comment further.

Boeing’s European rival Airbus said it would make a commercial announcement on Tuesday as the world’s two dominant planemakers compete for attention at the Farnborough show near London, one of the aerospace industry’s largest gatherings.

“I know you would be disappointed if we did not have something to say at the show,” Airbus Chief Executive Noel Forgeard told reporters, regarding prospects for an announcement on its next all-new plane, the A380.

Airbus has forecast it will gain one new A380 customer a year until deliveries of the mammoth 555-seat jet begin in 2006. Analysts expect Airbus to secure an order from Asia next.

Emirates is the largest customer for the A380, with plans to acquire 45 of the planes, far more than any other carrier.

Sheikh Ahmed told Reuters the airline was interested in planes from both companies, including Boeing’s planned 7E7 Dreamliner due in 2008.

“We think the 7E7 is a fantastic aircraft… We are in discussions with Boeing about whether it can seat more passengers and go further,” he said.

Airbus is owned by European Aeronautic Defence & Space (EADS) and BAE Systems.

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