Emirates Announces New Orders & Big Future Plans

Emirates has revealed it enjoyed a massively successful 2023 Dubai Airshow as the show ended last week.

The Dubai-based carrier announced several critical developments for the Emirates Group as it looks ahead.

Announcements included aircraft orders from Airbus and Boeing, major investments in the current and upcoming fleets, and key partnerships.

Emirates’ Boeing 777X & 787 Order

Emirates committed to 90 Boeing 777Xs and adjusted its Boeing 787 Dreamliner orders.

The 777X deal comprises 55 777-9s and 35 777-8s. Emirates’ overall contract solidified its position as a critical customer with the American plane maker.

Away from the 777X, Emirates has also committed to 35 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. As part of the deal, the airline will acquire 15 787-10s and 20 787-8s.

The contract, signed at the 2023 Dubai Airshow, brought the Boeing 787-10 back into the order books. Emirates had previously ordered this variant but cancelled it as part of a thorough fleet review in recent years.

Emirates said it would convert 30 787-9s to 20 787-8s and 10 787-10s as part of the company’s ongoing order adjustments. Additionally, it would order five extra units.

Emirates Commits To Additional A350s

On one of the final days of the 2023 Dubai Airshow, Emirates announced it had committed to additional Airbus A350s.

A deal included 15 A350-900s but notably left out the A350-1000, which Emirates criticised during the airshow over the engine capabilities of Rolls-Royce.

The Dubai-based carrier said it wouldn’t place an order for the high-capacity variant until it received assurances that the engines would perform to its liking.

The contract with Emirates was worth USD 6 billion at list price. However, customers rarely pay the list price value and often obtain substantial discounts. The list price is a general indication of value, not the price paid.

Planning For The Airbus A380

Emirates announced several partnerships at the Dubai Airshow to maintain its Airbus A380 fleet.

The carrier relies heavily on the world’s largest passenger plane and is the largest operator of the series.

Emirates has signed deals with Collins Aerospace, Safran Landing Systems, Lufthansa Technik, Pratt & Whitney, and several other high-profile aviation companies.

All these partnership announcements represent a substantial investment in maintaining the quality of its Airbus A380s as they continue to show signs of age.

Emirates ideally wants to be the last operator of the A380 and retain units until at least the early 2040s.

Emirates Prepares For 777X & A350

In 2024, Emirates will acquire its first Airbus A350, and one year later, the first Boeing 777X is slated to arrive, allowing it to begin certification.

As part of this, Emirates is preparing for the arrival of its next two critical aircraft types, with an investment of over USD 1 billion in cabin products.

The contracts awarded to Safran will furnish Emirates’ new fleet of A350s and 777-9s. Additionally, Emirates will configure existing 777-300ERs with the latest-generation seats to enhance customer satisfaction.

New Facility At Dubai World Central

At the Dubai Airshow, Emirates revealed an upcoming USD 950 million investment in a game-changing engineering facility.

The upcoming facility will be located at Dubai World Central to support Emirates’ ever-growing fleet and operating requirements well into the 2040s.

Emirates’ fleet will change dramatically over the coming decades. Only two aircraft series are in service: the A380 and 777. Soon, the carrier will fly the A380, 777, 777X, 787, and A350, marking a shift in direction.

As a result, the new facility will be hugely essential to maintaining this fleet. Emirates says the structure will be world-class and one of the best globally. The facility will span 1 million square metres.