EK Fleet expansion
We all know that the Ek order for 45 A380's is in line with the huge expansion plans that the carrier has over the next several years. Now that there has been a substantial delay in the program, original deliveries due in October '06 (could you imagine that with the chaos at present!) & TC saying in this weeks Flight International he would "be surprised to see any deliveries to Emirates in 2007", how are Ek to make good this shortfall in capacity?
Ek management is expected to meet with Airbus this week. I wonder whether the on/off 346 deal is now on again as I presume they would be had for next to nothing to appease the Ek management. If not, what possible other ways off providing aircraft to fill the passenger numbers projected in line with the expansion plans. Are there any large aircraft out there available for this purpose? Quite apart from the effect it has on the long suffering pilot body, many who have based their career move here on rapid expansion, and future command prospects, the carrier must be as concerned with their business plan been knocked off course.