Emirates is looking to take delivery of its first Boeing 777X wide-body aircraft in late 2027, following years of delays in the program. The airline is also in talks with Boeing to increase the number of aircraft scheduled for delivery in the initial batch.
Emirates President Sir Tim Clark told a press conference in Berlin on Tuesday that the airline, alongside other global carriers including Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines, is eagerly awaiting the new aircraft’s entry into service.
According to Reuters, Emirates is negotiating to increase its aircraft deliveries next year to between three and five, with the possibility of receiving up to ten the following year.
These developments come as Emirates faces challenges stemming from delayed aircraft deliveries. This has prompted the carrier to continue relying on and modernising its existing fleet until the next-generation jets arrive. The airline ordered the aircraft years ago, with initial expectations of deliveries starting in 2020. However, delivery dates were repeatedly postponed due to development and technical certification challenges at Boeing.
Emirates is the largest customer for the 777X program, holding total orders for approximately 270 aircraft across the family, including the 777-9 and 777-8 passenger models. The airline previously confirmed that it would not accept early units manufactured before design and production modifications were completed, preferring to receive new aircraft that meet the latest manufacturing and quality standards.
The 777X’s entry into service represents a significant milestone in the airline’s long-term fleet strategy, particularly as the aircraft is designed to offer greater capacity and operational efficiency on long-haul routes. Emirates’ future plans also include the potential development of a stretched version to accommodate additional passengers, forming part of its gradual preparations to replace portions of its current fleet.
In a separate development, Sir Tim Clark revealed that he had been considering stepping down after many years at the helm, before recent war and regional developments caused a second postponement of his retirement plans.
Speaking at the annual economic summit hosted by Süddeutsche Zeitung in Berlin, he said: “I thought the time was right, and then suddenly the war broke out, and so we found ourselves here again.” Media reports indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic had also previously delayed his departure, allowing him to guide the carrier through successive global crises.
Clark is widely regarded as one of the most prominent executives in global aviation, having joined Emirates’ founding team in 1985 before assuming the presidency in 2003. His retirement decision follows a challenging operational period marked by regional air traffic disruptions and rising fuel costs. The airline’s first-half results for the 2026–2027 financial year showed a 66% drop in profits, according to media reports.
Source: Emirates 24|7