Ian Sheppard/LONDON
Emirates Airlines is preparing to make a decision on its long-awaited requirement for ultra-long-range aircraft. The airline signed a letter of intent (LoI) with Airbus for up to A340-500s in November 1997, but has kept the manufacturer waiting because of Boeing's last-minute attempt to meet performance demands for its yet-to-be-launched 777-200X.
Maurice Flanagan, managing director of the Middle East carrier, says that it is "-awaiting [777-200X] final payload/range performance figures" from the US manufacturer, after a team from Boeing visited Emirates' base in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in January.
Flanagan confirms that an LoI was signed with Airbus in late 1997 for six A340-500s, plus six options, and that Airbus is anxious to see the order firmed up. Boeing, meanwhile, has been endeavouring to line up enough customers to launch the -200X/ 300X, so far unsuccessfully.
Speaking at the Royal Aeronautical Society in London on 28 January, Flanagan said: "We realise we have to move quickly [to remain an A340 launch customer]-We will sign for a long-range aircraft soon. Which aircraft we will select is not absolutely clear."
He adds that Emirates' ambition is to have the capability to fly direct to New York, Sydney and, ultimately, Los Angeles from Dubai. Emirates is an established operator of the 777-200, but it has always been a major Airbus customer.
Flanagan also indicates his concern over the effect of Boeing's recent production delays on any commitment to develop the 777-200X, particularly in the light of Boeing's decision earlier this month to push the proposed in-service date of the -200X/300X back from September 2000 to early 2001. "Boeing has a number of us puzzled," says Flanagan, referring to its flirtation with various derivative and new large-aircraft options during 1997.
Source: Flight International
