Emirates Invests $5 Billion in Aircraft Retrofit Program Amid Delays in New Models

Emirates President Tim Clark announced that the airline is spending close to $5 billion to retrofit its current fleet, including the Airbus SE 380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. The move is to fill the gap left by the delays in getting new planes, especially from Boeing. The airline which operates a huge fleet of A380s is retrofitting the aircraft with new cabin interiors and other features to make them last longer.

Clark added Emirates took charge of its own destiny, bracing for the upcoming delays. The airline also verified it won’t take delivery of the Boeing 777X this year, since the aircraft continues to wait for final certification. Although Boeing’s delays are problematic, Clark stated Emirates would also look at the Airbus A350-1000, assuming Rolls-Royce’s engines prove reliable. The airline currently flies a handful of the A350-900 variants.

Retrofitting by Emirates is done at its Dubai engineering centers with the aim of ensuring its fleet’s operational performance and service levels until new planes are delivered.

Clark also had words regarding the general economic issues such as tariffs which potentially can affect consumers discretionary spending and demand for travel. He was hopeful that world leaders would come up with a balanced approach to resolving trade matters.

Through these investments, Emirates hopes to stay strong despite industry challenges while continuing to provide top notch service.