Emirates shifts focus to Airbus amid Boeing 777 delays
(MENAFN) Adel Al Redha, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Emirates Airlines, has revealed that the airline has made an internal decision to exclude Boeing 777 aircraft from its future plans due to ongoing challenges. Speaking on the sidelines of the 80th meeting of the International Air transport Association (IATA), Al Redha highlighted that agreements between airlines and manufacturers include penalty clauses for failure to deliver aircraft on time. He noted that Emirates Airlines is entitled to invoke these penalties, as Boeing has delayed the delivery of the Boeing 777-9 model by approximately five years, with initial deliveries scheduled for mid-2020.
In response to these delays, Emirates Airlines will start receiving Airbus A350 aircraft from September this year. Although the Airbus A350 has a smaller capacity compared to the Boeing 777, it offers the airline greater flexibility to enter new markets and operate flights to new destinations. This strategic shift underscores the airline's adaptability in maintaining its operational efficiency and expanding its global reach despite setbacks with Boeing.
Additionally, the delivery delays have prompted Emirates to undertake the largest identification and renewal program in its history, involving the modernization of 191 aircraft. This extensive program includes the addition of 43 more Airbus A380s and 28 Boeing 777s to the fleet. Al Redha emphasized that the airline's annual maintenance costs, including engine maintenance, currently amount to about 11 billion dirhams. This significant investment underscores Emirates Airlines' commitment to maintaining a modern and reliable fleet while navigating the complexities of aircraft manufacturing and delivery schedules.
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