Emirates has strengthened its partnership with Airbus by placing an order for an additional 15 A350-900s at the Dubai Airshow, bringing its total order to 65 aircraft. HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and The Emirates Group, expressed excitement about the extended fleet mix stating that: “The A350-900s will enhance our operational capabilities and we are delighted to announce additional orders for this aircraft type. Our plan is to deploy these A350s on long-haul missions of up to 15 hours flying time from Dubai, catering to a variety of new markets. We look forward to collaborating closely with Airbus and Rolls-Royce to ensure optimal operating efficiency and a superior flying experience for our customers.”
In another significant development at the Dubai Airshow, Ethiopian Airlines Group, the flagship carrier of Ethiopia, has committed to expanding its Airbus A350 fleet by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the acquisition of 11 additional A350-900s. This strategic move supplements the existing fleet and brings Ethiopian Airlines’ total order book and commitment for the A350 to 33, including four A350-1000s. With a current fleet of 20 A350-900s, this commitment solidifies Ethiopian Airlines’ position as the largest A350 customer in Africa. The MoU was signed in the presence of Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew and Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, Christian Scherer, highlighting the strong partnership between the airline and the aircraft manufacturer.
