Emirates 777x

By Alexander Cornwell

Introducing the 777X The new Boeing 777X will be the world's largest and most efficient twin-engine jet, unmatched in every aspect of performance. With new breakthroughs in aerodynamics and engines, the 777X will deliver 10 percent lower fuel use and emissions. MIAMI – Emirates Airlines (EK) is considering switching between 30 to 40 of its Boeing 777x orders for those of the smaller Boeing 787 Dreamliner. This is more than a third of the airline's initial 777x order. Though COVID-19 has had a massive impact on the demand for twin-aisle aircraft, EK had. 2 days ago  Emirates, one of the 777X's initial customers, declined to comment. It had previously signalled its intention to swap more of its 115 orders for Dreamliners after whittling down its original order in late 2019. The Dubai-based carrier may have more leverage to do so if its contracts have provisions – standard in the industry – that allow. Emirates Airline President Tim Clark on Wednesday said Boeing Co's 777X might not enter into service with airlines until 2023 or even later.

Emirates 777x Delivery

DUBAI (Reuters) - Emirates Airline President Tim Clark on Wednesday said Boeing Co's 777X might not enter into service with airlines until 2023 or even later, amid uncertainty over the development timeline of Boeing's biggest twin-engine jet and when it will be certified.

Boeing has been developing the widebody jet, a new version of its popular 777 aircraft, with the goal of releasing it in 2022, already two years later than planned.

The 777X will be the first major jet to be certified since software flaws in two Boeing 737 MAX planes caused fatal crashes and prompted accusations of cozy relations between the company and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

'It is a question of when that aircraft is going to be completed and certified and offered for entry of service. That could be '22, could be '23, it could be even longer,' Clark told Reuters in an interview.

'So we will just wait and see as to what Boeing will do with regard to that and we will take a view as to how they fit into the fleet at that particular time.'

Boeing could not be immediately reached for comment.

Clark said he expected regulators to place the new jet under higher level of scrutiny as a result of the MAX crisis, and Boeing's Chief Financial Officer Greg Smith has warned the market entry would be influenced by the requirements of regulators.

But Clark doubted this would add significantly to existing delays.

'This is essentially a modern 777, which of course is a workhorse for international travel and it has been a thoroughly reliable, excellent bit of Boeing design so I don't see why the 777X should be any different,' Clark said.

Emirates Cancel 777x

European regulators have said in particular that they will subject the 777X to extra scrutiny after the fatal crashes prompted the 20-month grounding of the 737 MAX.

Boeing has been developing the widebody jet, a new version of its popular 777 aircraft, with the goal of releasing it in 2022, already two years later than planned.

The 777X will be the first major jet to be certified since software flaws in two Boeing 737 MAX planes caused fatal crashes and prompted accusations of cozy relations between the company and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

'It is a question of when that aircraft is going to be completed and certified and offered for entry of service. That could be '22, could be '23, it could be even longer,' Clark told Reuters in an interview.

'So we will just wait and see as to what Boeing will do with regard to that and we will take a view as to how they fit into the fleet at that particular time.'

Boeing could not be immediately reached for comment.

Clark said he expected regulators to place the new jet under higher level of scrutiny as a result of the MAX crisis, and Boeing's Chief Financial Officer Greg Smith has warned the market entry would be influenced by the requirements of regulators.

But Clark doubted this would add significantly to existing delays.

'This is essentially a modern 777, which of course is a workhorse for international travel and it has been a thoroughly reliable, excellent bit of Boeing design so I don't see why the 777X should be any different,' Clark said.

Emirates Cancel 777x

European regulators have said in particular that they will subject the 777X to extra scrutiny after the fatal crashes prompted the 20-month grounding of the 737 MAX.

The MAX crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people within five months in 2018 and 2019 and triggered multiple investigations and weakened U.S. influence over global aviation.

Emirates 777x Picture

Emirates originally ordered 150 of the 777X series, which seats up to 406 people, and now has 126 on order. Analysts say the COVID-19 crisis has clouded the demand for such big jets.

Emirates 777x Delivery Date

The plane was originally due to enter service with Emirates in June 2020.

Emirates Boeing 777 300er Seating Chart

(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Chris Reese and Aurora Ellis)