“We will revisit both the A350 and 787 in the first half of next year,” Clark told ATW in an email Tuesday. “By that time, the A350-900 will be flying, as will the 787-9. That way, we will get a much better handle on performance and economics of both aircraft and it could be that we will be back in the market for 70 aircraft.”
Emirates made big news June 11 when Airbus announced the airline was canceling its order for 70 A350 XWB aircraft. The Emirates order of 50 A350-900s and 20 A350-1000s was originally placed in 2007 with first delivery slots scheduled from 2019.
“The A350 cancellation was not in the public domain during the IATA AGM. Emirates did not make an announcement at all; Airbus took the lead at the media day in Toulouse a couple of weeks ago,” Clark added.
Airbus said the decision follows ongoing discussions with Emirates in light of its fleet requirement review.
Dubai-based Emirates ordered 50 additional A380s at the Dubai Air Show in November.
The A350, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, is scheduled to enter service with launch customer Qatar Airways at the end of this year. Firm orders stand at 742 after the Emirates cancellation, which will be logged in Airbus' June orders and deliveries book.
(Kurt Hofmann - ATWOnline News)
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