Regarding the impact of potential tariffs on the horizon, he said, “It’s a bit early for me to prejudge as we speak today,” but added that the airline remains “very vigilant” about issues that could increase costs for the business. He confirmed seeing shifts in cargo movements, noting that some companies are proactively altering shipping locations.
Commenting on the impact of ongoing regional tensions and global issues on route planning, Sheikh Ahmed said airlines are “very well used to quick reaction” as situations can change instantly. He noted that the world “will never be free from issues” and airlines “will always need to be alert all the time.”
Will Emirates take Boeing planes?
Reports suggest that while many regional and international carriers consider making a play for Boeing aircraft initially intended for Chinese buyers, Sheikh Ahmed offered a cautious perspective. He stated flatly, “It is not as simple as that.” Sheikh Ahmed elaborated on the complexities, noting the ongoing market conditions with only two major manufacturers, “Airbus and Boeing,” who have experienced “a lot of delays.”
He highlighted that these aircraft are configured to “whatever airline’s setup – seats, looks, configuration, you name it.” Integrating such planes into Emirates’ operations would require stripping and retrofitting them to the airline’s specific “Emirates standard,” which he indicated “may be a bit expensive to deal with.”
For Emirates, he stated that adding an aircraft isn’t just about filling seats; it “cannot expect that I just put an aircraft just to put people on board without really fitting into my system and the National carrier standard.”
