In a recent update from the aviation sector, Emirates has officially postponed the debut of its Airbus A350 flights, now scheduled for early November 2024. Originally slated for September, the inaugural flight will connect Dubai to Edinburgh, with subsequent routes to Bahrain and Kuwait unfolding within the month. This adjustment follows an announcement by Airbus addressing ongoing supply chain difficulties that have impeded timely deliveries.
The delay traces back to issues at Airbus, which recently amended its aircraft delivery projections for the year, now expecting to deliver around 770 aircraft, a decrease from the previously forecasted 800. The European aircraft manufacturer cited significant shortages in engines, cabin equipment, and other aerostructures as the primary hindrances. Furthermore, the escalation in production rates for the A320neo family aircraft to 75 units per month has been deferred to 2027 from an earlier projection of 2026.
Emirates’ engagement with the A350 began at the 2019 Dubai Airshow with an order of 50 aircraft, which expanded by an additional 15 at the 2023 show, bringing the total to 65 aircraft. Despite the current setbacks, the first ten A350s are anticipated to join the Emirates fleet by March 2025, although this timeline remains tentative due to the ongoing delivery delays.
An Emirates spokesperson, quoted by Bloomberg, emphasized the airline’s strategy in response to these setbacks: “Once we begin receiving our A350s, we will expedite their entry into service as quickly as possible and will work hard to minimise the impact of the delays.”
In crafting its revised guidance for 2024, Airbus has taken an optimistic stance, assuming there will be no further disruptions to the global economy, air traffic, the supply chain, its internal operations, or its ability to deliver products and services. As the aviation industry continues to navigate these turbulent times, the resilience and adaptability of major players like Emirates and Airbus will be closely watched.