Emirates, the world's biggest long-haul airline, expects continued growth in the next six months of its current fiscal year despite geopolitical challenges, according to its chairman.
The airline is recording only a minimal effect from the Israel-Gaza war, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said at Dubai Airshow on Tuesday.
"When it comes to whether it will really affect the business we are in today, we see there is a small effect and we hope that it will not continue and they will be able to find a way to solve this issue," he said.
"We did so good in the first six months [of the financial year] and we anticipate that the next six months should be also a good number."
However, he acknowledged other pressures on performance including higher fuel prices.
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An Emirates plane accompanied by the UAE's Al Fursan aerobatic team during a flying display at the Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
UAE craft flying in formation during a flying display at the Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
The Italian Air Force during a display at the Dubai Air show at DWC in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
A Bader 250 craft during the flying display at the Dubai Air show. Pawan Singh / The National -
An F16-60 during a display at the Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
Day one of the Dubai Airshow at Al Maktoum Airport. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The Embraer stand. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The SANAD stand. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Exhibits on show on day one. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The space agency stand at Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Military aircraft on show. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Visitors at Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
The engine of a plane on display at Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
The Dubai Police stand. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Visitors looking at missiles at Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
An exhibit with a bird-themed paint scheme the Dubai Airshow at Dubai World Central. Pawan Singh / The National -
A drone on display at the stand of UAE military technology company EDGE, at Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors at the Dubai Airshow. The event has attracted more than 1,400 exhibitors from 95 countries. Pawan Singh / The National -
A helicopter on display at the Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
An EDGE drone at Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
An Etihad Airways passenger jet on display at Dubai Airshow. Pawan Singh / The National -
UAE military aircraft at Dubai Airshow, Al Maktoum International Airport. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Emirates crew with an Emirates plane at the Dubai Airshow, Al Maktoum International Airport. Leslie Pableo for The National -
UAE military aircraft at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Abu Dhabi Police aircraft at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
A flydubai plane at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Crew preparing an aircraft for Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Emirates chalet at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Emirates planes on display at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Riyadh Air's chalet at Dubai Airshow, Al Maktoum International Airport. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Visitors attend the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
A Boeing plane on display at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National -
UAE military aircraft at the Dubai Airshow. Leslie Pableo for The National
The airline last week said it was "keeping a close watch" on headwinds such as rising fuel prices, the strengthening US dollar, inflationary costs and geopolitics, after posting a record first-half profit.
Its profit jumped to Dh9.4 billion ($2.6 billion) in the April to September period, up 135 per cent from the same period last year.
Emirates' sister airline flydubai is similarly registering a minimal impact from the war, airline chief executive Ghaith Al Ghaith said on Tuesday at a press briefing during the Dubai Airshow.
However, the carrier has a diverse route network and is optimistic about the busy winter season and mega-events taking place in the UAE, he said.
Emirates' wide-body orders
On Monday, Emirates ordered an additional 55 Boeing 777X-9 and 35 Boeing 777X-8, backing the long-delayed 777X wide-body programme, as it maps out the future of its wide-body fleet once its Airbus A380s are gradually phased out. The plane is no longer in production and Emirates is currently rebuilding, with new orders for a post-A380 fleet.
"Is there another choice?" Sheikh Ahmed said of the 777X selection.
Emirates' Airbus A380 super-jumbos will remain in the fleet until the mid-2030s to 2040.
"The A380s, as everybody knows, is at the end of the programme," he said. "What we have today, it will take us that far and that's it. But what's available today in the market is the 777 or the A350.
"So we hope that somebody else will come up with something which is different, who will it be? Is it the Brazilians? Or the Canadians? Who else?" he said, referring to plane makers Embraer and Bombardier.
Asked if he had received guarantees from Boeing for receiving the 777X deliveries starting in 2025, Sheikh Ahmed said Emirates was "taking those dates very seriously" and pushing for that time frame.
Sheikh Ahmed also said the airline would not be buying more of its flagship A350-1000 from Airbus until issues with the Rolls-Royce engine had been addressed.
"When we feel that we have a good deal, we will sign," he said.
The airline requires specific guarantees from engine-maker Rolls-Royce on the performance of the engine that powers the A350s.
"I need guarantees on when, at what price and the maintenance cost per hour. That would solve it," he said.
Emirates already has an existing order for 50 units of the smaller A350-900 wide-body model. The first delivery is expected next summer.
