Dubai AirshowEmirates expands A350-900 order as A350-1000 discussions remain stalled
Emirates has placed an additional order for eight Airbus A350-900s, taking its total for the type to 73 aircraft.
The US$3.4 billion deal follows the delivery of 13 A350-900s to Emirates and is intended to reinforce the airline’s widebody fleet expansion. The new aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2031.
“The entry into service of the A350 with Emirates in November last year provided us with welcome additional capacity,” said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, CEO of Emirates.
A350-1000 still without orders
The reinforcement of the -900 backlog contrasts with the ongoing impasse over the A350-1000, which the airline has not advanced since a near-announcement collapsed at the 2023 Dubai Airshow.
At that time, Airbus inadvertently published artwork showing both A350-900 and A350-1000 jets in Emirates colours, reflecting a planned agreement for roughly 35 aircraft before negotiations broke down.
Talks stalled over durability requirements for the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97, which Emirates considers inadequate for long-term operations in high-temperature, sandy environments.
Tim Clark said at the time that the engine offered only about a quarter of the time-on-wing the airline needs. Rolls-Royce has said improvements are in progress, but they have not yet met Emirates’ expectations, leaving the A350-1000 without forward movement.
The latest A350-900 order was announced alongside confirmation that Emirates will take additional 65 Boeing 777-9s, maintaining the 777X family as its primary high-capacity widebody solution while the A350-1000 remains effectively on hold pending engine performance gains.
About the Author
Ricardo Meier
Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.
