Emirates Expresses Concerns Over Rolls-Royce Engines on Airbus A350-1000s

Emirates has raised concerns about the Rolls-Royce engines powering the Airbus A350-1000 during the 2023 Dubai Airshow. Emirates President Sir Tim Clark openly expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the Trent XWB-97 engine on the A350-1000, emphasizing that improvements are needed before the airline considers placing an order for this high-capacity variant of the A350 program.

While Emirates has ordered a total of 65 A350-900 aircraft from Airbus, with deliveries set to begin in the near future, the airline is reevaluating its future fleet, creating the possibility of including the A350-1000 as a natural progression of its existing commitment. The first A350 delivery is expected in August 2024, and the rest will be delivered until early 2028. Emirates plans to use the A350s to serve new markets and long-haul missions from Dubai.

Emirates is seeking guarantees related to engine performance before committing to the A350-1000, particularly regarding the engine’s wing endurance of up to 2,500 cycles and a maintenance cost per hour that meets the airline’s criteria. Although the engine for the A350-900 raises no concerns, the A350-1000 is currently considered unsuitable.

Emirates and Airbus were reportedly in discussions about a potential A350-1000 order during the 2023 Dubai Airshow, highlighting that public statements may not necessarily represent final decisions in the aviation industry.

Additionally, Emirates has been engaged in discussions regarding enhanced engine performance for its A380 fleet. The airline believes that improving A380 engines could significantly reduce operating costs and enhance the flagship aircraft’s operations. However, Airbus has been cautious about pursuing this endeavor, especially after the closure of the A380 program and production cessation.

Emirates acknowledges that, as part of its commitments for various aircraft types, including the A350-1000, A350-900, 787, and 777X, it needs to consider alternatives for the A380 in the long term if a suitable double-decker replacement does not emerge.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, emirates.com, flightglobal.com