Emirates plane order expected

Dubai: Emirates airline might place new aircraft orders by the end of the second day of the Dubai Air Show 2009, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman and chief executive of Emirates airline and Group, told Gulf News at the opening of the show.

When asked about new orders for the A330, he said, "Not today," but then said there would be some announcements "by the end of tomorrow" when asked about general orders.

There has been speculation in the industry recently that Dubai's carrier, already awaiting the delivery of about 160 aircraft at book value of over $50 billion (Dh183.7), is in negotiations for up to 10 A330s, but might begin with a firm order for four aircraft.

It has about 19 A330s in service and uses them on all short-haul flights within the Middle East, Asia and Africa and some medium haul European flights.

At the end of the year ended May, the total number of aircraft on Emirates' order book, excluding options, was 161, worth approximately $52 billion.

In the past year, the carrier received 20 new aircraft and is still pursuing an aggressive purchase plan.

Tim Clark, president of Emirates, told Gulf News at the World Travel Market in London last week that it could purchase new aircraft if they are "readily available," as it faces delays with deliveries.

The current delays for the A380 will leave the airline short of five by the end of next year. Its initial plan was to have 20 in operation to keep up with demand.

"We need a couple more to expand to new routes and increase frequencies to others as we believe the demand is going to pick up soon and we want to be able to meet that demand," he said.

The airline posted net profits of Dh752 million during the first half of its current financial year that ended September 30, compared to the same period last year.

It made an estimated direct contribution of Dh10 billion, and an estimated indirect contribution of Dh14 billion to the UAE economy, carrying more than 13 million passengers and over 700,000 tonnes of cargo during the period, the airline said in an earlier statement.

Clark said the company is expecting a 20 per cent growth in profits at the end of its current fiscal year as oil prices have fallen much lower this year. "We were greeted by a drastic fall in oil prices… we expect to beat forecasts and could make more than 20 per cent growth in profits," he said.