Emirates sure is in a tough spot, as all of the Dubai-based carrier’s aircraft deliveries are delayed significantly, and the airline won’t take delivery of a single new jet for the next two years.
In this post:
Emirates’ fleet & aircraft orders
Emirates currently operates a fleet of 250+ aircraft, consisting exclusively of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s. At this point the carrier has no more Airbus A380s or current generation Boeing 777s on order, but rather Emirates is looking at future generation aircraft for renewing its fleet.
Currently Emirates has the following aircraft on order:
I’d argue this order represents an overall strategy shift for Emirates. Emirates couldn’t singlehandedly keep the A380 alive, so the airline had to look for smaller aircraft.
While the 777X makes perfect sense (since it’s the latest generation 777), the A350 and 787 are a bit more surprising. The planes are lower capacity, and it’s also noteworthy that Emirates is diversifying its fleet rather than going for simplicity. Diversification makes sense in terms of not putting all of your eggs in one basket.
Unfortunately even that will only help you so much, when both Airbus and Boeing are having issues with delivering planes.
Emirates won’t get 787s and A350s until 2024, 777Xs until 2025
At this point all three of Emirates’ future delivery aircraft are delayed significantly. Emirates management has expressed disappointment and frustration with both Airbus and Boeing, and that’s understandable.
We already knew that the new Boeing 777X is delayed by at least five years, as it was initially supposed to enter service in 2020, but will now enter service in 2025 at the earliest. That’s the single biggest issue.
However, there are also now significant delays with both the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787. Emirates was supposed to start taking delivery of both of these planes as of 2023, but that’s no longer happening:
- Emirates will now take delivery of its first Airbus A350 in August 2024 at the earliest (vs. May 2023 previously)
- Emirates will now take delivery of its first Boeing 787 at some point in 2024 at the earliest, but the airline doesn’t even think that timeline is a sure bet
The 787 delays are due to Boeing’s ongoing production issues with the aircraft, which are impacting many airlines, as Boeing is unable to deliver new jets.
In the case of Airbus, I’m not 100% sure about the cause of the delays. Emirates’ president has in the past stated that he won’t take delivery of A350s if they have the same surface issues that Qatar Airways is having, though I haven’t seen that explicitly referenced with this latest update.
Bottom line
Emirates’ fleet renewal is up in the air, as the airline is experiencing significant delays with the 777X, 787, and A350. The 777X is delayed by at least five years (through 2025), while the 787 and A350 are delayed by at least one year (through 2024).
Emirates took delivery of its last jet in late 2021, so for at least two calendar years (and probably more), the airline won’t get any new jets. That’ll be a first in the carrier’s history.
What do you make of Emirates’ ongoing delivery delays?
The economic benefits of a common fleet type decreases dramatically after a fleet of 25-30 aircraft are in service. Beyond that the incremental benefit is less than 1% and betters the case for additional types in the fleet.
Without the 787 and 350 the 77X would be the entry level aircraft for new routes and thats a boat load of seats.
Emirates has always chosen to have a split Airbus/Boeing fleet. So with the end of the A380 production they will use the 777X for capacity and the A350 for thinner and maybe longer routes.
It's not a huge surprise that the A330N went and the 787 will go too.
I don't believe this article is accurate to suggest that the A350 is delayed. It is EK who pushed back the deliveries for fear of...
Emirates has always chosen to have a split Airbus/Boeing fleet. So with the end of the A380 production they will use the 777X for capacity and the A350 for thinner and maybe longer routes.
It's not a huge surprise that the A330N went and the 787 will go too.
I don't believe this article is accurate to suggest that the A350 is delayed. It is EK who pushed back the deliveries for fear of over capacity.
Now that 777X is delayed, expect them to push Airbus for the A350s and squeeze out extra life from the A380s in service.
I guess, good news for A380s? They will be staying longer. Good thing
Emirates was sorely in need of "entry level" aircraft, as the smallest thing they had to open a new route was 772LR designed to fly 18hrs+... not exactly your cost-efficient opener.
789 and A359 should do wonders for that-- when they can finally get them.
This is getting pretty embarrassing for all 3 parties involved. Given the current economic instability god knows what the world will look like in 2 years. My bet is just one type eventually ends up in Emirates service.
What about the A330-900NEO?
It is a similar size to the 787-9 or -10, and as far as I know has no production delays.
Also what about buying used A380s or 777s? With the A380 in particular there are a lot going cheap right now and if Emirates is renovating the cabins of its existing A380s and keeping them flying an extra 10 or so years, what the difference with buying used? Many...
What about the A330-900NEO?
It is a similar size to the 787-9 or -10, and as far as I know has no production delays.
Also what about buying used A380s or 777s? With the A380 in particular there are a lot going cheap right now and if Emirates is renovating the cabins of its existing A380s and keeping them flying an extra 10 or so years, what the difference with buying used? Many of them will be very low cycle so these would be some of the newest in Emirates fleet, regardless of age.
They had A339s on order, and cancelled. Then came back with a fresh A350 order.
Is it really Airbus’ /Boeing’s fault with the delays to the A360 & B787 or is it Emirates who clearly aren’t that interested in getting these models?
Dreamliners will start being delivered from the 1st week of June according to sources. Airbus hasn’t had issues with deliveries and could deliver when needed. Will EK ever fly the 787?