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, significant investments in the current and upcoming fleets and key partnerships being agreed upon.

Emirates’ Boeing 777X & 787 Order

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

A deal for the 777X comprised of 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 a deal with the Dreamliner, the airline will acquire 15 787-10s and 20 787-8s.

The contract signed at the 2023 Dubai Airshow saw the Boeing 787-10 return to the order books. This variant had previously been ordered but was cancelled as part of Emirates’ thorough fleet review undertaken in recent years.

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

Emirates Commits To Additional A350s

On one of the final days of the 2023 edition of the 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 highlighted that an order for the high-capacity variant wouldn’t be placed until assurances could be made that the engines would perform to their liking.

The contract with Emirates was worth USD 6 billion at the list price value. However, customers rarely pay the list price value and often obtain substantial discounts. The list price is a general indication of the value rather than the price paid.

Planning For The Airbus A380

Emirates announced several partnerships during the Dubai Airshow to continue maintaining its Airbus A380 fleet.

The carrier relies heavily on the services of the world’s largest passenger plane, being the largest operator in the world for the series.

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

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 wants to ideally be the last operator of the A380 and retain units until at least the early stages of the 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, permitting certification.

As part of these planes, Emirates is gearing up for the arrival of its following two critical aircraft types with an investment valued at over USD 1 billion in cabin products.

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

New Facility At Dubai World Central

Revealed at the Dubai Airshow was an upcoming USD 950 million investment into 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 over the coming decades will change dramatically. Only two aircraft series are in service, the A380 and 777. Soon, the A380, 777, 777X, 787, and A350 will all be flying with the carrier, representing a change 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 be spread across 1 million square metres.