Emirates expects that it will receive any new aircraft in 2024. The Middle-Eastern carrier has 200 aircraft on order, including the Boeing 777X, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and Airbus A350-900.
In its latest financial results, Emirates claims it will not induct any new aircraft for at least a year following a record-breaking half-year performance. Despite a large order book of 200 aircraft in the wings, ongoing delays with the Boeing 777X's development and Boeing 787 Dreamliner delivery setbacks mean we won't see any new planes arrive at Emirates until 2024.
While Boeing has now resumed Dreamliner deliveries, Emirates boss Tim Clark wants Boeing to prioritize the 777X, adding that the airline would be happy to scrap its 787-9 Dreamliner order if it meant getting its hands on the 777X sooner.
Emirates has the following aircraft on order:
• 115 Boeing 777Xs
• 50 Airbus A350-900s
• 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners
As Simple Flying reported this week, Emirates also announced a firm order for five more Boeing 777 freighters after inducting two 777Fs into its fleet this year. These two freighters are the only aircraft Emirates has welcomed within the past six months. Emirates added that its entire Boeing 777 fleet was back in service by September 30th, while the airline had returned 73 of its 119 Airbus A380s to action at this point.
Fleet retrofitting
Emirates' mass retrofitting program officially began on November 1st with its first Airbus A380 premium economy refit taking place at the Emirates Engineering Center in Dubai. The ambitious program, the largest of its kind in modern commercial aviation, will see 120 aircraft in the Emirates fleet undergo a cabin revamp at a rate of around four planes per month.
Emirates said,
"With new passenger aircraft only expected to arrive in 2024, Emirates this month began its multi-billion dollar programme to retrofit 120 aircraft with its latest cabin interiors and products. Emirates continued to introduce new product and customer initiatives to deliver on its ‘fly better’ promise, including enhanced menus across all cabin classes, and the launch of a new hospitality programme to uplift service training and delivery."
A total of 67 Airbus A380s and 53 Boeing 777s will be furnished with Emirates' latest cabin interior, with all 120 aircraft expected to be ready by early 2025.
Source: simpleflying.com