Boeing won’t change Dreamliners despite Emirates’ request

Boeing won’t change Dreamliners despite Emirates’ request

BOEING says it will not change its stretched version of its Dreamliner plane regardless of client Emirates’ request for better execution in hot climates.

Meanwhile, the Chicago-based aircraft manufacturer forecasts a 6.2 per cent annual growth in demand, valued at $1 trillion, for planes in the Middle East over the next 20 years.

“The plan is not to change the aircraft, we really like what we have,” Boeing’s Randy Tinseth said.

Last month, Emirates, Boeing’s biggest 777 operator, said it would wait until next year to decide if it will order nearly 100 long-range planes from either Boeing, for its 787-10, or with European-based competitor Airbus, for its A350-900s.

The manufacturing giants were reported to be modifying their respective aeroplane models to conform to Emirates’ needs, according to Reuters.

Boeing President Tim Clark questioned the 787-10’s ability to carry heavy passenger and cargo loads for distances greater than eight hours due to the aircraft’ performance abilities in hot climates.

Clark noted that 85 per cent of Emirates’ flights did not exceed eight hours — versus Airbus’ A350 which flies up to 14 hours.

Meanwhile, Boeing has forecasted that it expects demand in the Middle East to require 3180 new planes over the next 20 years. Seventy per cent of demand is expected from the region’s rapid fleet expansion.

Boeing expects single-aisle aeroplanes to command the largest share of new deliveries, with airlines in the region needing approximately 1410 planes — which the company said will stimulate growth for low-cost carriers and replace older, inefficient aircraft.

“Traffic growth in the Middle East continues to grow at a healthy rate and is expected to grow 6.2 per cent annually during the next 20 years,” said Tinseth.

“About 80 per cent of the world’s population lives within an eight-hour flight of the Arabian Gulf. This geographic position, coupled with diverse business strategies and investment in infrastructure is allowing carriers in the Middle East to aggregate traffic at their hubs and offer one-stop service between many city pairs that would not otherwise enjoy such direct itineraries.”

Boeing sees twin-aisle aircraft accounting for just under half of Middle East new deliveries over the period, compared to 23 per cent globally.

Boeing expects long-term global demand for 38,050 new aeroplanes, valued at $7.8 trillion.