Emirates Airline president Tim Clark emphasized the need for Boeing to be led by engineers and prioritize safety and quality in its governance model to address its current crisis, following a series of mid-flight technical failures and increased scrutiny from regulatory agencies. Critics have highlighted the reported sidelining of engineers in Boeing's senior management ranks, as the company undergoes a major management shakeup. The Federal Aviation Administration's recent audit found non-compliance issues in Boeing's manufacturing process control, parts handling, and product control, prompting the need for a comprehensive corrective action plan to address systemic quality-control issues and safety culture.
Boeing secured a major order at the Dubai Airshow as Ethiopian Airlines agreed to purchase 11 Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets and 20 737 MAX airplanes, with an option for additional purchases. This marks the largest purchase of Boeing airplanes by an African company. Emirates Airline also dealt a blow to rival Airbus by ordering 95 of Boeing's widebody jets, including 55 Boeing 777-9s, 35 777-8 jets, and five 787 planes. FlyDubai also announced plans to purchase 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, while SunExpress committed to purchasing up to 90 Boeing 737 aircraft. Meanwhile, Emirates signaled it will hold off on new Airbus A350 orders due to concerns over the engine supplied by Rolls-Royce.
Emirates Airline President, Tim Clark, has stated that the airline will not order Airbus A350-1000s unless Rolls-Royce makes significant improvements to the Trent XWB-97 engine, including a thrust increase. Clark expressed concerns about the engine's performance and durability, stating that it is not meeting the airline's expectations. Rolls-Royce acknowledges the need for improvements but rejects the idea that the engine is defective. The issue cannot be resolved through a lower-cost maintenance agreement, and Emirates is requesting guarantees for up to 2,500 cycles on wing. Clark also pushed for a 10,000 lb. thrust increase. Emirates recently placed an order for 90 Boeing 777Xs and is negotiating a deal with Airbus for up to 50 A350-1000s.
Boeing stock surged after securing major orders at the Dubai Airshow, including a $52 billion order from Emirates Airline for 95 widebody jets. Flydubai also announced plans to purchase 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, while SunExpress committed to buying up to 90 Boeing 737 aircraft. In addition, there are rumors that China may lift its commercial sales freeze on Boeing 737 Max jets, potentially resuming purchases. Boeing stock rallied 4% on the news.
Emirates Airline has placed an order for 95 Boeing aircraft worth $52 billion, including 55 Boeing 777-9s, 35 Boeing 777-8s, and an update to their order of Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The order also includes 202 engines from General Electric. This reaffirms Emirates' position as the largest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft and highlights the Middle East's importance as a hub for long-haul journeys. The region's strong recovery in air travel demand since the pandemic has fueled airlines' optimism and orders for wide-body aircraft.
