The Dubai-based Emirates Airline, the second largest and most profitable Arab carrier, will soon become the world's largest operator of the Boeing 777 aircraft, local newspaper Khaleej Times reported on Monday.

 

"We have on average one 777 aircraft coming off the production line every month for Emirates for the next 5 years. They will soon become the largest 777 operator in the world," Brian D. Walker, an official with Boeing, was quoted as saying.

 

Boeing remains hopeful that Emirates Airline will consider an order for the passenger variant of the Boeing 747-8 aircraft, he added. Earlier this year the airline signed a purchase agreement for ten 747-8 freighters.

 

Established in 1985 by the Dubai government, Emirates Airline currently has 101 aircraft in service, 46 of which are the Boeing 777 aircraft. It operates services to more than 80 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Oceania and North America.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2007)