Configuring on the Fly

Emirates, the world’s fourth-largest airline and one of the United Arab Emirates’ two flag-carriers, is contemplating the future of its wide-body fleet and the best means by which to ensure the stability and profitability thereof.

Speaking on 06 June at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) annual general meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, Emirates president Tim Clark set forth: “We are looking at buying a number of extra aircraft.”

While Mr. Clark withheld details pertaining to the airline’s acquisitional aims, he hinted Emirates is about the business of retrofitting 140 of its extant wide-body jets—primarily Boeing 777-300ERs and Airbus A380s—with new cabins. The revamped interiors are intended to compete with those of newer aircraft, thereby extending the service lives of the more road-weary specimens of Emirate’s long-haul fleet pending deliveries of new jets long-delayed by COVID and post-COVID supply-chain shortfalls and unprecedented demand for airliners.

Emirates wide-body fleet currently comprises an impressive 116 A380s and 157 777-300ERs—the entirety of which must be replaced in relatively short-order. What’s more, Emirates is badly in need of increased capacity over the medium and long-terms.

The air-carrier has firm orders in place for eighty 777-9s and 35 777-8s. Emirates also holds options for an additional thirty 787-9s and fifty A350s. The 777-9 options, however, are currently “under discussion,” according to Mr. Clark—who’s indicated his airline may forgo such.

At present, the aforementioned A350s are slated to be delivered in July or August 2024. Mr. Clark is hopeful, as, no doubt, is Boeing, that the much-delayed 777-9s will be handed over to Emirates in the second-half of 2025—more than five-years behind schedule.

Clark, by his own admission, is “irritated” with Boeing. Notwithstanding an extensive backlog of 777-8 orders—to include several airframes destined for Emirates—Boeing willfully postponed deliveries of subject model, redesigning the machine and up-prioritizing the 777-8F, a heavily modified freighter version of the passenger aircraft.

Had Boeing stayed its original course, Emirates would have taken delivery of its 777-8s in 2024. Regrettably, the plane-maker’s inconstancy has relegated Emirates to an unproductive, unprofitable, and increasingly untenable limbo of sorts.

Mr. Clark remarked: “It would have been nice if Boeing had asked us first.”

Contrariwise, Clark has reviewed the preliminary specifications of Boeing’s redesigned 777-8 and conceded the jet may prove “a very good aircraft.”

To the question of birds in the hand vs birds in Everett, Washington, Mr. Clark stated: “It is imperative to us [Emirates] that Boeing get their act together and deliver the [777-9]. …and the FAA needs to arm itself with more human resources.”

FMI: www.emirates.com