Emirates Airlines is responding to Boeing’s announcement that certification delays for the 777X program may push deliveries to spring 2027, further complicating its fleet renewal strategy. Emirates has over 200 777X models on order and expected to receive its first deliveries by 2020. The airline’s president, Tim Clark, expressed frustration over the timing of Boeing’s announcement, which came as a surprise after recent meetings where no delays were mentioned.
Emirates relies on its hub-and-spoke model through Dubai International Airport to connect various global destinations, but aging aircraft, particularly the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER, necessitate a fleet refresh. To sustain high service levels, the airline is contemplating refurbishing its A380 fleet while its interior design plans for the 777-9 have been stalled until 2024 due to ongoing production delays. Emirates is also exploring the possibility of an extended version, the 777-10, for higher capacity. Despite these challenges, the airline remains optimistic about future deliveries and its growth trajectory in international aviation.
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