Latest news with #aircraftdelivery
The National
a day ago
- Business
- The National
Emirates boss says Boeing conveying 'cautious optimism', with 777X delivery expected by 2027
Emirates Airline 's president Tim Clark said that Boeing has struck a tone of 'cautious optimism' during its meetings with the US plane maker, with expectations that the long-delayed 777X will be delivered by early 2027. The Dubai-based airline could receive its first 777X wide-body between the third or fourth quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027, and is getting 'clearer messages' from Boeing on that delivery programme, he said on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association (Iata) annual meeting in New Delhi on Sunday. 'We've engaged with the senior management of Boeing recently and they seem cautiously optimistic,' Mr Clark told reporters in the Indian capital. Emirates is still awaiting delivery of the Boeing 777X after the US plane maker faced a series of delays on that programme since 2020. With ongoing delays in new aircraft deliveries, Emirates will now put 219 aircraft through a full cabin refresh at a total investment of $5 billion in its retrofit programme, according to its latest annual financial report. The airline has added the first Airbus A350-900 to its fleet but held off from ordering the larger A350-1000 variant as Mr Clark remains critical of Rolls-Royce's engine performance in the Gulf's harsh and hot climate conditions. Meanwhile, Emirates, a long-standing champion of the Airbus A380, will keep the double-decker in its fleet until the end of the next decade, Mr Clark said. This comes as it seeks to extend the lifespan of the aircraft with a lack of a clear alternative as the 777X is yet to be certified, while the A350-1000's engines are yet to prove their durability for the Gulf's operating conditions. Iata's 81st annual meeting of airline chiefs, with IndiGo as the host carrier, is taking place amid the turbulence of global trade tensions and difficulties around meeting the industry's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
Trade Arabia
18-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Kuwait Airways takes delivery of first Airbus A321neo aircraft
The national carrier, Kuwait Airways, took delivery of its first Airbus A321neo, named Al-Mutlaa, at the Kuwait International Airport, reported Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). In statement to KUNA and Kuwait TV, Kuwait Airways Chairman Captain Abdulmohsen Alfagaan pointed out that Al Mutlaa is one of nine A321neo aircraft on order with the European plane-maker for Kuwait Airways. He described the delivery as a milestone in the company's fleet expansion efforts. Alfagaan noted that Kuwait Airways' A321neo features a spacious and modern cabin with 166 seats across two classes - 16 full-flat business class seats offering premium comfort and 150 economy class seats designed for enhanced passenger space. It is also equipped with modern amenities like in-flight entertainment featuring 4K screens, he added. He shed lights on the new aircraft's economic advantages, particularly in maintenance and fuel efficiency, as it consumes less fuel by 20 per cent. Alfagaan stated that the aircraft is expected to enter service shortly, and the remaining aircraft from the order are anticipated to be delivered soon. Additionally, senior officials from Rolls-Royce convened in Derby, England, to discuss engine system development and support for Kuwait Airways. The Chairman attributed this achievement to the unwavering support of Kuwait's political leadership, and the collaborative efforts of various national entities. British Ambassador to Kuwait, Belinda Lewis, recently visited the Rolls-Royce production facility in Derby, known for manufacturing engines for wide-body Airbus models, and the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France. She admired the advanced European aviation technology that fosters the creation of environmentally friendly and comfortable aircraft.
Free Malaysia Today
13-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
China removes ban on Boeing deliveries after US trade truce
The prospect of newly available Boeing 737 Max jets sparked open interest from India to Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. (EPA Images pic) BEIJING : China has removed a month-long ban on airlines taking delivery of Boeing Co planes, according to people familiar with the matter, following a breakthrough in trade talks with the US that temporarily slashed tariffs on each side. Officials in Beijing have started to tell domestic carriers and government agencies this week that deliveries of US-made aircraft can resume, the people said, asking not to identified because the information is confidential. Discretion has been given for airlines to organise delivery on their own timing and terms, one of the people added. The resumption of deliveries to China will be an immediate boost to Boeing. The thawing comes as the world's two biggest economies agreed to a tariff truce, with the US lowering its combined 145% levies on most Chinese imports to 30% for 90 days. China agreed to slash its 125% duties on US goods to 10%, and remove other countermeasures taken against the US since April 2. Still, the restoration of jet deliveries could be short-lived if the tariff war isn't resolved during the three-month reprieve. Boeing had found itself caught in the middle of the trade spat after president Donald Trump's unveiling of tariffs on most major trading partners was met with retaliatory duties from China. That priced Boeing jets out of the market for Chinese carriers, while Beijing ordered airlines to stop taking deliveries of the company's aircraft. Signs of a potential detente emerged in late April, when China said it was willing to support normal cooperation with US companies. Beijing had offered to suspend higher duties on some US imports, including medical equipment, some industrial chemicals and plane leases. While the lifting of the ban clears the way for deliveries to restart, it's unclear how soon China's carriers can get the planes they need. A spokesman for Boeing declined to comment, while the Civil Aviation Administration of China didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. A handful of jets had been flown back to the US after being refused by Chinese customers. Meanwhile, Boeing had warned it was prepared to find alternative buyers for China-bound aircraft that were yet to be delivered. The prospect of newly available 737 Max jets sparked open interest from India to Malaysia and Saudi Arabia as airlines sought ways to take advantage of the situation. With around 50 Boeing jets to be delivered to China this year, it saves the planemaker the time and cost of finding new buyers, and also guarantees it substantial payments once the planes are in the hands of airline customers. China is forecast to make up 20% of global aircraft demand over the next two decades. In 2018, nearly a quarter of Boeing's output ended up there. However, the US planemaker hasn't announced a major order in China in recent years due to trade tensions and self-inflicted issues. In 2019, China became the first nation to ground the 737 Max following two deadly crashes. Trade disputes with the Biden and first Trump administrations also helped tilt Chinese orders toward Europe's Airbus SE. Then in 2024, Boeing suffered a quality crisis when a door plug blew out mid-flight in January. Boeing's role in trade is becoming increasingly political. The White House announced a UK trade pact last week, including a US$10 billion plane deal for Boeing involving the sale of 32 787-10 Dreamliners to British Airways.
