Long-haul carrier Emirates signals it will hold off on major Airbus purchase over engine worries
Long-haul carrier Emirates has signaled it will hold off on a major purchase of Airbus A350 aircraft over concerns about their Rolls Royce engines, marking a major blow for the European manufacturer as it hopes to close the sale during the Dubai Air Show this week
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Long-haul carrier Emirates signaled Tuesday it will hold off on a major purchase of Airbus A350 aircraft over concerns about their Rolls Royce engines, marking a major blow for the European manufacturer as it hopes to close the sale during the Dubai Air Show this week.
Emirates President Tim Clark's comments to journalists at the show came the day after his airline announced a $52 billion purchase with Airbus' rival Boeing Co., while its sister airline FlyDubai bought another $11 billion of aircraft from Boeing.
Airbus has yet to strike a major deal at the show, which comes as global airlines like Emirates have bounced back from the lockdowns of the coronavirus pandemic with increased global demand for travel.
In his comments to journalists at the Emirates chalet on the runway of Al Maktoum International Airport, Clark raised concerns about the maintenance required for the Rolls Royce engines on the A350.
