Julian Moxon/DUBAI Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC
Emirates is considering the acquisition of long range 360-380-seaters which could see it firming up Airbus A340-500 options as the larger -600, or modifying a recent agreement with International Lease Finance (ILFC) to include the 777-300ER.
According to Emirates managing director Maurice Flanagan, the airline is studying the A340-600 following a 4t maximum take-off weight increase which could enable the 380-seat aircraft to fly direct from its Dubai hub to New York.
The airline has firm orders for six of the smaller, ultra long-range A340-500s along with 10 options which it ordered for direct services from Dubai to Australia, South America and the US West Coast. Flanagan says the airline may convert "up to three options" to the A340-600.
The extra 4t brings a minor increase over the specified 13,900km (7,500nm) range. Emirates is reported to have payload range concerns about the A340-500/600. Flanagan says that in any case the -600 will be operating "below the 42.5°C at 600ft [180m] pressure altitude take-off specification agreed with Airbus, so we don't think it will have a range problem on the [New York] route".
The airline is also studying the 365-seat 777-300ER, deliveries of which are due to begin in September 2003. Emirates signed a deal with ILFC for the long-term lease of six new Boeing 777-300s, and according to ILFC, the airline has the right with 20 months advance notice to convert the aircraft to the extended-range 777-300ER model, which is powered by the General Electric GE90-115B.
The lease brings the airline's 777-300 total to 10, in addition to the nine 777-200s already in operation, all of which are Rolls-Royce Trent 800-powered. It supersedes a previous letter of intent to order additional -300s directly from Boeing. Emirates will now lease the six 777-300s each for 10 years with deliveries taking place in April, May and September 2002, and February, March and September the following year.
Source: Flight International
