Emirates marked a milestone this week with the arrival of its first Airbus A350-900 at Dubai International Airport. Tim Clark, Emirates’ president, shared the airline’s interest in expanding its Airbus order while closely monitoring Boeing’s ongoing challenges with the 777X certification program. Clark emphasized the importance of acquiring new aircraft quickly, though delays from Boeing have forced Emirates to consider alternatives, enhancing its Airbus orders.
Clark expressed frustration with the delays, explaining, “Had the Boeing 777-9 been delivered to us, we would have 85 [new aircraft] by now […]. I’m hoping that with the USD21 billion they’ve just had injected into the company and the end of the strike, they will take the next few months to sort out what they’re going to do. We are watching that very carefully.”
Consideration for A350-1000 Orders
While Emirates evaluates a potential order for Airbus A350-1000s, the decision depends on resolving specific engine issues. The Trent XWB-97 engines, used in the A350-1000, must first demonstrate improved durability before Emirates finalizes any commitments. “As soon as they have those issues resolved and can prove that,” Clark said, “we are ready to have a conversation about expanding our Emirates Airbus orders.”
Emirates’ existing Airbus order includes 64 remaining A350-900s. The airline’s order with Boeing is significantly larger, comprising 170 777-9s, 35 777-8s, 15 787-10s, 15 787-8s, and 13 777-200 freighters. This large fleet further illustrates the magnitude of Emirates Airbus and Boeing orders.
Deliveries and Future Plans
Airbus anticipates that between 25% and 30% of its A350 deliveries in 2025 will go to Emirates, accounting for approximately 12 to 20 aircraft. Emirates expects A350 deliveries to span from 2024 to early 2028, signaling its intent to integrate these aircraft into its operations quickly. These deliveries play a crucial role in fulfilling Emirates Airbus orders.
The airline plans to debut its A350-900 operations on January 3, 2025, with a flight to Edinburgh. The A350-900 arrival reflects Emirates’ ongoing efforts to modernize its fleet amid the challenges posed by delays from Boeing.
Emirates’ immediate focus remains on ensuring it can meet its expansion goals while addressing operational challenges related to aircraft availability. With potential commitments to both Airbus and Boeing, the airline continues to explore options that align with its strategic vision for expanding Airbus orders.
