Just when we thought Emirates was done ordering planes, well, they made another move at the Dubai Airshow 2023 by announcing an order for 15 more Airbus A350-900s, valued at US$ 6 billion. This decision expands their total A350 order book to 65 units, marking a significant step in the airline’s growth and expansion plans.
New Markets and Long-Haul Missions
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group, expressed his satisfaction with this expansion. He emphasized that the A350-900s would diversify their fleet and are part of a strategic plan to serve new markets. Specifically, Emirates aims to deploy these aircraft on long-haul missions, potentially covering up to 15 hours of flying time from Dubai. The airline is committed to working closely with Airbus and Rolls-Royce to optimize the operating efficiency and customer flying experience of these aircraft.
The order for the A350-900s aligns with Emirates’ broader goals of supporting the growth and the Dubai economic vision outlined by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum highlighted the importance of the Emirates experience in representing Dubai, aiming to make it a memorable first impression for visitors.
Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International, commented on the agreement. He noted the longstanding relationship between Emirates and Airbus, built on a foundation of innovation, efficiency, and operational excellence. Scherer expressed pride in how the A350 will integrate into Emirates’ operations, much like the A380 has done in the past.
First Delivery and Future Plans
The first of these A350 aircraft is scheduled to join Emirates’ fleet in August 2024. With the latest orders, Emirates will continue to receive A350 deliveries until early 2028. This is a part of a larger expansion strategy for Emirates, which also includes an order for 95 additional Boeing aircraft. With these orders, Emirates’ total wide-body aircraft order book stands at 310 units.
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