Johannesburg - Emirates is pursuing an aggressive fleet renewal programme that will ensure it has one of the world’s most modern and efficient fleets, with aircraft that on average are 75 months old.
With Emirates having taken delivery of 24 new aircraft in 2014/15, retiring older aircraft helps it maintain one of the youngest fleets in the skies today.
The airline operates 234 wide-body aircraft, comprising six types. It has the largest numbers of the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 in the world.
“Our modern and efficient aircraft not only help reduce environmental impact, but enable Emirates to offer the latest facilities and provide our customers with a better experience on board,” says Adel Al Redha, executive vice-president and chief operations officer of Emirates.
“Our investment in modern wide-bodied aircraft has been the cornerstone of our strategy and success.”
Seven aircraft were phased out last year and 10 are to be retired this year.
The Emirates Aircraft Assets team are busy around the clock managing the retirement of older aircraft. This entails significant paperwork and returning the aircraft in a condition similar to that in which it was received.
Emirates has phased out A6-EMF: the last remaining Boeing 777-200 in its fleet left Dubai International last month for Arizona, flying by way of Boston, for de-registration. Since joining the Emirates fleet in 1996, A6-EMF had flown an estimated 60 million kilometres, taking thousands of passengers to destinations as varied as Warsaw in Poland and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
“To keep our fleet modern, efficient and appealing to our customers, we regularly phase out some of our older aircraft.
“In 2014 and 2015 we have phased out three B777-200s and eight A340-500s on schedule. For the year 2015/2016, we’re planning 10 phase-outs,” said Philip Audsley, manager of aircraft assets.
Depending on the agreement, Emirates returns the aircraft to the lessor at the end of the lease term, or presents the aircraft to the market for sale.
“The process of giving back a leased aircraft begins up to a year before and includes meetings with the leasing company, providing service history records, liaising with the procurement department regarding the high-value items fitted to the aircraft and physical inspections,” Audsley said.
Physically, the aircraft goes through a number of processes, including removing the Emirates livery and branding.
Emirates pilot Captain Costantinos Nicolaou, who flew A6-EMF to its final destination, said: “She’s been good to us. Who would have thought, when we first received this Boeing 777-200, that less than two decades later, Emirates would emerge as the world’s largest wide-body airline, and the world’s largest operator of Boeing 777s?
“I wonder what the next two decades will bring?”
Saturday Star