DUBAI, UAE — Emirates airlines will renovate more of its Airbus A380 aircraft than previously planned due to the delays in deliveries of new Boeing jets and assurance concerns over the Airbus A350 jets it ordered.
The chief commercial officer of Emirates, Adnan Kazim, told reporters that the airline would spend over USD1 billion to renovate more airplanes in the fleet, including installing the new premium economy cabins.
According to the current plan, Emirates will now refurbish 120 aircraft from its existing A380 fleet, 15 more aircraft than previously announced. 67 A380 jets will be retrofitted instead of 52, while the planned 53 Boeing 777s remain unchanged.
Kazim also said Emirates had always planned to refurbish some of its older jets, but the 777X program delay announced by Boeing forced them to operate more older aircraft to fill the gap. Emirates has 115 777X on order and was expected to receive the first aircraft in 2023. But Boeing has recently confirmed that there will be no 777X deliveries until 2025.
Also read: Boeing likely to delay 777X until early 2025, sources
On the other hand, Boeing has been working to resume 787 Dreamliner deliveries suspended over structural flaws. Emirates has 30 787-9 Dreamliner on order, but none have been delivered yet.
The gulf-based operator is also seeking assurances from Airbus for the A350s it has ordered, which are due to join the airline's fleet from 2023. Emirates seeks a guarantee from the European planemaker not to meet surface painting deterioration issues that are subject to a legal case between Airbus and Qatar Airways in a London court. Emirates has 50 Airbus A350-900 on order.
On the other hand, Boeing has been working to resume 787 Dreamliner deliveries suspended over structural flaws. Emirates has 30 787-9 Dreamliner on order, but none have been delivered yet.
The gulf-based operator is also seeking assurances from Airbus for the A350s it has ordered, which are due to join the airline's fleet from 2023. Emirates seeks a guarantee from the European planemaker not to meet surface painting deterioration issues that are subject to a legal case between Airbus and Qatar Airways in a London court. Emirates has 50 Airbus A350-900 on order.