Emirates has announced an order for 15 additional Airbus A350-900s at the Dubai Airshow 2023, worth US$ 6 billion.
This announcement follows Emirates President Tim Clark saying the airline would hold back ordering the A350-1000 on Tuesday. Clark expressed concerns about the durability of the Rolls-Royce Trent 97-XWB engines on this aircraft. For their part, both Airbus and Rolls-Royce argued the engines are sound and used in airline operations worldwide. Nonetheless, Rolls-Royce agreed to work with the airline to address their concerns.
This new order for A350-900s takes Emirates’ total A350 order book to 65 units.
Emirates A350 Will Serve New Markets and 15-hour Long-Haul Flights
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said: “The A350-900s will add to our fleet mix, and we are pleased to announce additional orders for this aircraft type. We plan to deploy our A350s to serve a range of new markets, including long-haul missions of up to 15 hours flying time from Dubai. We will work closely with Airbus and Rolls-Royce to ensure our aircraft deliver the best possible operating efficiency and flying experience for our customers.”
“Emirates’ orders this week are all carefully planned to support our future growth and the Dubai economic vision set out by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Emirates experience is often the first visitor experience of Dubai – and we want it to be the best.”
Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International said: “With this agreement, we mark another solid step forward in the long-standing relationship agreement between Emirates and Airbus. A relationship founded on a pursuit of innovation, efficiency and operational excellence. Just as the A380 established itself at the heart of Emirates operations, we are equally proud of what the A350 will do in the years to come.”
The first A350-900 will join Emirates’ fleet in August 2024. With today’s additional orders, Emirates will receive A350 deliveries until early 2028.
With 95 additional Boeing aircraft announced on Monday, Emirates’ order book of wide-body aircraft stands at 310.
About the Airbus A350
The A350 is a modern and efficient widebody aircraft with a long-range capability, suitable for various routes. Its design incorporates advanced technologies, lightweight materials, and fuel-efficient engines. This results in significant advantages in fuel burn, operating costs, CO₂ emissions, and noise reduction compared to previous competitor aircraft. As of October, the A350 received over 1,000 orders from major global airlines.
Emirates Fleet
Emirates operates an all-wide-body fleet of efficient and modern aircraft. They include the iconic Airbus A380 and the popular Boeing 777. From its hub in Dubai, the airline serves over 140 cities on six continents.
