Summary
- The Emirates A350 commercial service launch was reportedly delayed due to Airbus supply chain issues.
- The first A350 flights are set for Edinburgh, Bahrain, and Kuwait in early November 2024.
- Airbus expects to deliver fewer aircraft in 2024, with production rate increases delayed.
Emirates has reportedly postponed the launch of its inaugural Airbus A350 service due to aircraft delivery delays. This news comes as Airbus was forced to adjust its year-end aircraft delivery goals amid supply chain issues.
Emirates A350 service set for early November
According to a report by Bloomberg, Emirates will launch its Airbus A350 service in early November 2024, with the first flights to Edinburgh, followed by services to Bahrain and Kuwait later that same month.
The Dubai-based airline had originally planned to launch the Airbus A350 service in September 2024, but due to supply chain issues with Airbus, it had to postpone it by two months.
Photo: Thor Jorgen Udvang | Shutterstock
In 2019, during the Dubai Airshow, Emirates ordered 50 Airbus A350s. Four years later, at the Dubai Airshow 2023, the carrier purchased an additional 15 A350s, bringing the total A350 order book to 65 aircraft.
In the latest update regarding the A350 service launch and its destinations, Emirates announced that the first ten Airbus A350s are scheduled to join the fleet by March 2025. However, due to current delivery delays, it is likely that the ten expected Airbus A350 deliveries by March 2025 will also be postponed. Commenting on the delay, an Emirates spokesperson told Bloomberg:
“Once we begin receiving our A350s, we will expedite their entry into service as quickly as possible and will work hard to minimise the impact of the delays.”
Simple Flying has asked Airbus and Emirates for a comment.
Shortages of aerostructures
Airbus has been dealing with persistent supply chain issues, resulting in shortages of engines, cabin equipment, and other aerostructures, as stated in an updated guidance on June 24, 2024, by the European aircraft manufacturer.
Photo: Airbus
In light of this, Airbus will deliver fewer aircraft than previously anticipated. The European plane maker announced it would deliver approximately 770 aircraft in 2024, down from its earlier expectation of 800 deliveries.
Related
Airbus Cuts A320 Delivery Targets Amid Supply Chain Issues
Airbus’ previous guidance of 800 aircraft deliveries in 2024 was reiterated twice, during its 2023 and Q1 2024 financial results presentations.
Additionally, the planned increase in production rate to 75 Airbus A320neo family aircraft per month was postponed by a year, now expected to commence in 2027 instead of 2026. In formulating its revised 2024 guidance, Airbus assumes no further disruptions to the global economy, air traffic, supply chain, internal operations, or its capacity to deliver products and services.
Airbus is not the only one grappling with aircraft delays. The American aircraft manufacturer is also experiencing delays. Emirates, the world’s largest future operator of the Boeing 777X widebody, is likely to face potential delays with the 777X until at least 2026, indicating further setbacks for the program, which was originally planned to enter service in 2020.
Related
Emirates CEO Warns Boeing Could Delay 777X Deliveries To 2026
This would mean that Boeing would deliver the first 777X six years after the initially planned delivery date.
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