Emirates expects to handle 250,000 passengers at its Dubai home in the first three days of 2017 but the future doesn’t look so rosy for both it and neighbouring competitor Etihad.
The last 777-200 jet has been taken out of service by Emirates but it delays deliveries of new A380 super jumbos.
Meanwhile, Qatar Airways looks towards a more positive 2017 and Dubai World Central plans for the future of commercial aviation in the Emirate.
Emirates withdraws last remaining 777-200 from service
21st December 2016 – Courtesy ch-aviation
Emirates operated its last 777-200 commercial flight on 30th November having withdrawn the rest of the fleet in late October. The airline now only operates two types of aircraft – The Boeing 777-300 and Airbus A380.
Qatar Airways remains upbeat as rival Gulf airlines suffer
28th December 2016 – Courtesy Arabian Business
Qatar Airways remains positive for the new year and reports new routes and jets coming in 2017. The Centre for Aviation (CAPA) has reported that Qatar Airways is the only one of the three largest Gulf carriers to have grown during the first six months of 2016.
A busy New Year period forecast for Emirates and Dubai International Airport
28th December 2016 – Courtesy Emirates Press Office
According to the latest booking figures from Emirates, an estimated 250,000 passengers are expected to pass through Emirates’ terminals at Dubai International Airport in the first three days of 2017. Emirates is reminding customers to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before flight departure, and plan extra time to get to the airport to avoid heavy traffic expected during this period.
Etihad and Emirates expect job redundancies over the coming months
27th December 2016 – Courtesy Gulf News Journal
News reports continue to emerge, claiming that job redundancies will be made at Etihad and Emirates. The new has been confirmed at Etihad with a spokesperson claiming that the majority of losses will be made through natural attrition.
Emirates delays delivery of 12 new A380 jets
27th December 2016 – Courtesy Bloomberg
The delivery of 12 A380 super jumbos from Airbus to Emirates will be delayed across the next two years. 6 of the jets due for delivery next year will be put off until 2018 and another 6 due in 2018 won’t be delivered until 2019.
The problem is allegedly down to a new type of Rolls Royce Trent engine that Emirates had chosen over their previous A380 engine from GE.
A spokesperson from Emirates stated that the airline will still be taking delivery of other jets over the next two years.
Dubai World Central Airport still has a long way to go
28th December 2016 – Courtesy Runway Girl Network
DWC currently has a passenger terminal designed to handle 5-7 million passengers annually but served just 600,000 passengers in the first 9 months of 2016. Regional low-cost carrier flydubai intends to move all operations from DXB to DWC in 2018 but this will still be a long way short of reaching the airport’s target of 130-150 million annual passengers.
Photo Credit: Emirates
