The president of Emirates, Tim Clark, revealed on Tuesday his ambitious plans for the Dubai-based carrier. He indicated that the Emirates might place orders for additional Airbus A350, Boeing 777X, or 787 jets. This fleet renewal initiative is in response to the anticipated passenger demand stretching into the 2030s. “We are looking at both more A350s, more 777-9, and possibly the 787 range,” Clark shared with reporters at a global airlines meeting. He tactfully sidestepped questions about the specific number of aircraft involved. “All I will say is that we are looking at buying a number of extra aircraft,” he added.
The Potential Fleet Additions
The Boeing 777X, a family of large twin-engine aircraft, consists of the 400-seat 777-9 and the smaller 777-8. The model’s entry to service has encountered around a five-year delay due to certification and engine development issues. However, Clark expressed newfound confidence in Boeing’s capabilities to deliver the new aircraft, anticipating the reception of the first unit in the final quarter of 2025. This aligns with Boeing officials’ announcement last week, confirming that the 777X is set to be certified and delivered by 2025.
In 2019, Emirates trimmed its order for 150 777X jets to 126 as part of a deal that also saw the airline order 30 787 Dreamliners.
Emirates’ Strong Recovery and Future Endeavors
Last month, the Emirates Group reported a record 2022-23 profit of 10.9 billion dirhams ($3 billion), signaling a “full recovery” from the pandemic. “The demand for our services continues to outpace our ability to get the capacity in place,” Clark acknowledged. In fact, the carrier’s performance during the first two months of this year has already eclipsed last year’s achievements.
Clark also discussed progress on a critical project: expanding the terminal at Dubai’s secondary hub. This move will enable Emirates to shift operations and continue its growth trajectory. “On the new airport, we are close. I think the government is fairly close to making a decision very soon,” he stated. Ideally, Emirates would like to see this project completed by 2032 or 2033.
However, the expansion of Dubai’s Al Maktoum International, designed to accommodate 120 million passengers annually by 2025, has been delayed since approximately 2018. Despite this, the airport, which began operations in 2013, aspires to rank among the world’s largest. Currently, it handles a fraction of Dubai’s traffic, with the lion’s share still managed by Dubai International.
Tim Clark’s revelation underscores Emirates’ forward-thinking approach and readiness to meet future demand with a robust fleet. As one of the leading carriers in the aviation industry, Emirates potential expansion and investment in state-of-the-art aircraft like the Airbus A350, Boeing 777X, or 787 jets is an exciting development. This not only aligns with their strategy for the 2030s but also symbolizes the resilience of the airline industry recovering from the pandemic.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
