During a recent interview with FT, The president of Emirates, Tim Clark said their current fleet of A380s, which will cease to be manufactured from next year, would continue to play an important part in the airline’s future. He expects to have all their planes flying in two years’ time, including their fleet of A380s.
“We’re not getting rid of any of them apart from I think three that are coming out and nine 777s that were scheduled to come out this year.”
Emirates President Tim Clark interview with FT
He said the carrier is planning to fully deploy all their aircraft in the summer of 2022, based on their outlook for a recovery in air travel to take up to two years.
"The A380 has a place in the Emirates international network on the scale it had before. Albeit not today or fully next year, but the year after I think there will be a place for it and I think it is going to be extremely popular.”
Emirates President Tim Clark interview with FT
Sir Tim dismissed speculations that Emirates would permanently decommission a large portion of its 115-strong A380 fleet.
“At the moment, I’ve got 115 sitting there. We’ve always known that up until that point in time . . . in 2022 there are going to be a number that will have to go into long-term storage,” he said.
According to Bloomberg, Emirates plans to take three more of the double-deckers before the end of their fiscal year next March; however they dont want the remaining five, according to people who have asked not to be named as the talks are private. Airbus is proposing a deferral of deliveries or payments, the people said.
Emirates said it remains “in regular dialog with Airbus” regarding fleet requirements and doesn’t comment on commercial discussions. Airbus declined to comment, saying talks with customers are confidential.
Article Source: FT