Emirates has provided details of its fleet retirement schedule for 2016.
The Gulf carrier intends to retire a total of 26 aircraft, including 12 A330-300s, four A340-300s, one A345-500, six B777-200ERs, two B777-300s and one B777-300ER.
The removal of these aircraft will enable Emirates to maintain a fleet average age of 15.7 years, which is comfortably below the average industry retirement age of 25. However, this pales in comparison to the average fleet age of Asian heavyweights Cathay Pacific (8.5 years) and Singapore Airlines (7.4 years).
To balance the gradual retirement of its older aircraft, Emirates expects to take delivery of 36 new aircraft next year. This will include 20 A380s and 16 B777-300ERs. The new deliveries will bring the Gulf carrier's average fleet age down to 5.6 years, dramatically younger than the global average – particularly when compared to airlines in North America (13.6 years) and Europe (10.7 years).
“We are fully committed to flying a modern fleet that is better for the environment, and provides our customers with a superior level of comfort and safety,” said Emirates president Tim Clark.
“With the retirement of older aircraft and the introduction of new, more fuel-efficient aircraft in 2016, Emirates will continue to lead the industry in reducing the age of our fleet, while at the same time defining new levels of service that our customers have come to expect."
For more information, visit emirates.com
Clement Huang
