Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing airlines, placed the single largest aircraft order in dollar value in Boeing's history for an additional 50 777-300 ER aircraft, worth approximately US$ 18 billion (AED 66 billion) in list price, on November 13, 2011. The order also included 20 777-300 ER options valued at U$8 billion (AED 29.4 billion), for a total of 70 aircraft valued at US$ 26 billion (AED 95.4 billion). This long-range aircraft order, adds to Emirates existing world,s largest fleet of 95 777s in service including 9 200 ERs, 10 200 LRs, 12 300s, 61 300 ERs and 3 freighters. Emirates had 40 777-300 ERs already on the order books, so with recent's order that now stands at a firm order of 90 777-300 ERs. The agreement was signed on November 14 during a ceremony at the Dubai Air Show by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and CEO, Emirates Airline and Group, and Jim Albaugh, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The signing was also witnessed by Emirates senior executives, Tim Clark, President, Emirates airline and Adel Al Redha, Emirates Executive Vice President, Engineering and Operations as well as David Joyce, President and CEO of GE Aviation, whose GE 90-115B engine will power the 777-300 ER aircraft. "The Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft plays a pivotal role in Emirates development of a modern fleet to meet the demand for global air travel for the future," said Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum. The 777-300ER will be operated in a three-class configuration with 8 First Class suites, 42 Business Class seats and 310 Economy Class seats and offers an additional cargo payload of 20.1 tonnes. "Today's 777-300 ER order gives Emirates the ability to replace some of our older existing aircraft allowing us to maintain our leadership in fuel efficiency as well as providing our customers with an updated superior product", said Tim Clark, "Our passengers can look forward to continued innovations in aircraft comfort, entertainment and service for which Emirates is renowned." Emirates currently has a fleet of 162 wide-bodied aircraft, flying to 115 destinations in 67 countries. The airline is on track to become one of the largest airlines in the world. In addition to the 50 777-300 ERs announced currently, Emirates has 73 Airbus A380s, 70 A350s, 40 777-300 ERs and 6 Boeing freighters on order, for a total of 239 wide-body aircraft worth more than US$92 billion (AED 337.6 billion).(mar)