Despite the celebratory framework surrounding the delivery of Emirates’ first Airbus A350, the airline’s president, Tim Clark, also took the opportunity to renew his criticism of Boeing over the delays in the entry into service of the Boeing 777X.
In statements made to the press on-site, and as reported by Reuters, Clark described Emirates as a «frustrated entity«, given that by now they should have a fleet of 86 Boeing 777-9s if Boeing had met its delivery commitments. He emphasized that, as an airline with an expansionist character, this situation has «clipped their wings.»
Focusing solely on the new generation of the 777, Emirates has orders for 170 B777-9s and 35 B777-8s, in addition to pending deliveries from Boeing for another 16 B787-8s, 15 B787-10s, and 18 B777-200LRFs. Reuters reported that when asked if they planned to reevaluate their orders with Boeing given the delays (further worsened by the strike that paralyzed Boeing’s plants in the Seattle area), Clark said that for now, they are simply waiting and observing.
«I hope that with the $21 billion they just injected into the company and the end of the strike, they are now working over the coming months to figure out what they’re going to do. We are watching this very closely,» added Clark. Boeing’s latest information indicates that the first 777X delivery will occur in 2026.
Last month, Tim Clark had already stated that «Emirates has had to make major and extremely costly modifications to our fleet plans as a result of Boeing’s multiple contractual breaches,» and that «given Boeing’s current situation, I don’t see how they can make realistic projections about delivery dates.» The executive had previously mentioned in July, during the Farnborough Airshow, that he did not foresee the 777X entering commercial service before 2026.
According to data collected by Aviacionline via Cirium Fleets Analyzer, both versions of the 777X have accumulated 481 firm orders, in addition to options and letters of intent for another 202 aircraft. Emirates Airlines is the main customer, followed by Qatar Airways with 104 aircraft and Lufthansa with 27.
