Emirates To Certify 90,000-Pound-Thrust Engine On Boeing 777

LE BOURGET, France, June 15, 1995 -- Emirates, the international airline of the United Arab Emirates, today became the first Boeing 777 customer to select an engine for operation at 90,000-pounds thrust.

The Rolls-Royce Trent 890 engine on the Emirates 777-200, scheduled for delivery in February 1997, has the highest certified thrust rating in the world at 90,000 pounds thrust.

The airline, which has a total of seven 777s on order with seven options, will take delivery of their first three 777s beginning in March 1996.

Emirates has also accelerated delivery of its four remaining 777 aircraft, with the first delivery scheduled in February 1997, followed by further deliveries in April, July and September. The previous delivery schedule was June, July, August and September 1997.

In addition, Emirates will increase the maximum certified takeoff gross weight of the Trent 890-powered 777-200s to 632,500 pounds from 590,000 pounds.

"We're delighted that Emirates has taken a leadership role with the 777," said Ron Woodard, president of Boeing Commercial Airplane Group at a signing ceremony during the air show. "This is a major step in the 777 program," he added.

Emirates' Group Managing Director, Maurice Flanagan, commented: "The 777 is key to our future expansion. The increased capability of this airplane provides us greatly increased flexibility in range and payload performance."

By being the first Boeing customer to contract for both the higher gross weight and the 90,000-pound thrust engine, Emirates will be capable of flying non-stop from the Gulf to North America, all points in Africa and more distant Far East destinations with a full commercial payload.

Also attending today's signing ceremony was Dermot Mannion, corporate treasurer of Emirates and John Cheffins, managing director of Rolls-Royce Civil Engines.