Emirates places order for 50 A350 XWBs; a $16 billion deal
At the Dubai Airshow 2019, Emirates announced a firm order for 50 A350-900 XWB aircraft worth $16 billion (Dh58.7 billion) at list prices.
November 18, 2019: At the Dubai Airshow 2019, Emirates announced a firm order for 50 A350-900 XWB aircraft worth $16 billion (Dh58.7 billion) at list prices. The deal was signed between Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates chairman and chief executive; and Guillaume Faury, CEO from Airbus.
The A350 XWB powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines is expected to join Emirates fleet in May 2023 and will continue until 2028. This purchase agreement replaces the heads of agreement signed in February where Emirates announced its intent to purchase 30 A350s and 40 A330Neos. Emirates even slashed its order for the A380 double-decker by 39 planes to 123. Fewer than 10 of the superjumbos remain to be delivered.
.@Emirates Chairman and Chief Executive @HHAhmedBinSaeed announces an order of 50 Airbus A350 jets worth a total of $16 billion at @DubaiAirshow.#Dubai pic.twitter.com/W12Qfid3Pc
Al Maktoum said, "Complementing our A380s and 777s, the A350s will give us added operational flexibility in terms of capacity, range and deployment. In effect, we are strengthening our business model to provide efficient and comfortable air transport services to, and through, our Dubai hub."
"We are honoured by Emirates' strong vote of confidence in our newest widebody aircraft, taking our partnership to the next level. The A350 will bring unbeatable economics and environmental benefits to their fleet," said Faury.
The A350 will enable Emirates to serve long-haul missions of up to 15 hours of flying time from Dubai. Emirates currently operates an all wide-body fleet of efficient and modern aircraft, comprising the iconic A380 and the popular B777.
The announcement comes as the biggest long-haul airline grapples with a slowing regional economy and an early end to the production of the A380 superjumbo, of which it’s the biggest operator.