The chairman of Emirates, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, expressed frustration with Boeing on Tuesday regarding the continued delays in resolving issues plaguing the 777X program. Emirates is the flagship carrier of Dubai and holds the distinction of being the largest customer for the 777X, a widebody aircraft designed to be the industry's biggest twin-engine jet with a capacity of close to 400 passengers.
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The 777X program has been beset by delays for nearly five years, pushing back its entry into service. These delays stem from certification issues that Boeing has yet to resolve. This lack of a clear delivery timeline is causing significant strain for Emirates. As a major airline reliant solely on large twin-engine jets, the uncertainty surrounding the 777X deliveries is putting pressure on Emirates' seat capacity.
Sheikh Ahmed acknowledged receiving assurances from Boeing's new management that they would address the problems. However, the lack of concrete progress has left Emirates with no choice but to extend the service life of its existing fleet. This multi-billion dollar retrofit program upgrades the interiors of older aircraft to keep them operational for a longer period than initially planned.
The Emirates chairman emphasized his dissatisfaction with the situation during a press conference at the Arabian Travel Market tourism trade fair held in Dubai. "I'm not happy," he bluntly stated to reporters when questioned about the issues with Boeing. While acknowledging the promises made by Boeing's new leadership to expedite solutions, Sheikh Ahmed made it clear that concrete action is needed. The delays have significant implications for Emirates' future growth and fleet management strategies.