By Joanna Plucinska
BERLIN, June 9 (Reuters) – Dubai’s Emirates expects to receive its long-delayed first Boeing 777X by June next year, but has yet to see progress on Rolls-Royce engine improvements that would allow it to order the competing Airbus A350-1000, its president said.
Emirates is the world’s largest buyer of wide-body jets and has frequently complained about lengthy delays on Boeing’s largest model, as well as the engine durability on Airbus’ own biggest model, which it has held off ordering.
“Anything can go wrong … but it’s in good shape,” Emirates President Tim Clark told Reuters on the sidelines of an industry conference in Berlin, referring to the 777X order.
The airline expects to receive its first 777X in May or June next year, 14 years after Emirates led a wave of initial orders for the 400-seat jet. Development of the GE-powered plane has been held up for years, in part by certification delays.
QUESTIONS OVER REMUNERATION PACKAGE
Clark reiterated concerns about wear and tear in hot and sandy Gulf conditions of the Rolls-Royce engine, known as the Trent XWB-97, for the slightly smaller Airbus A350-1000. Emirates has said it will not order the plane until this is resolved.
“The story of the (XWB-)97 is as it was. I know they (Rolls-Royce) are working hard to get it sorted,” he said.
Clark, who has clashed publicly with Rolls-Royce in the past, questioned a remuneration package of potentially more than ÂŁ100 million ($134 million) awarded to Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic.
Erginbilgic has been credited with a fundamental overhaul of the group, driving a sharp turnaround in profits and shares.
INDUSTRY-WIDE SPAT OVER PRICES AND DELAYS
Rolls-Royce declined to comment on the pay package and did not immediately comment on Clark’s engine durability comments.
Airlines are embroiled in an industry-wide spat with engine makers over high prices and delivery delays.
Clark expressed little sympathy for engine makers, who have failed to keep up with demand, leaving some planes idle.
“I can’t say to my government, I can’t fly because I haven’t got this; they’d kick me out. So it’s brutal, but that’s the way it is. You need to do better than you’re doing, but it’s not only him (Erginbilgic), it’s all the others as well.”
Global airlines group IATA accused engine makers at the weekend of “gouging” airlines over parts prices. Engine makers say they have borne significant financial risks to generate fuel improvements and have blamed some delays on supply chain issues.
“Listen, guys, that’s not my problem, that’s your problem,” Clark said, addressing engine makers over supply constraints.
($1 = 0.7461 pounds)
(Reporting by Joanna Plucinska; Additional reporting by Sarah Young; Writing by Tim Hepher; Editing by David Holmes)
By Joanna Plucinska | Reuters | © Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026.
