Emirates Network Expansion Continues Despite Aircraft Delivery Issues

Frankfurt, October 24. Emirates airlines president Sir Tim Clark has expressed concern over the supply chain issue affecting the aviation industry, consequently impacting induction of aircraft by airlines, including Emirates.

Speaking at Routes World 2026 in Frankfurt, Clark said airlines were faced with the problem of deliveries, as manufacturers have not been able to deliver aircraft to meet the growing demand. He suggested that the manufacturers should build more factories with the kind of demand that exists.

Besides supply chain issues, the industry is facing geopolitical instability, labour shortages, and rising operational costs. These challenges have led to a multi-year backlog of aircraft deliveries, with over 17,000 aircraft still waiting for delivery. Airlines are flying older, less efficient aircraft while waiting for new deliveries.

Clark said despite these issues, Emirates decision to expand its network will remain unaffected as it has extended the service lives of its Airbus A380s and 777-300ERs while awaiting new deliveries. It has also initiated a major cabin refurbishment program. The airline expects its first 777-9s in 2027, a delay of nearly seven years.

Emirates’ long-term fleet strategy depends heavily on the 777X as the eventual replacement for much of its existing widebody fleet. Clark said the airline would continue operating its A380s into the early 2040s, but their retirement would create a substantial capacity gap. “The A380 will go out of our fleet in the early ‘40s, and therefore we will have to be content with the 777X, trying to get that stretched to the ‘777-10’ to give us more seats,” he said.

Clark said the current challenges were part of a recurring cycle of disruption, comparable to the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite regional tensions, Emirates was operating at around 91% of its previous production levels.