Tim Clark in narrowbody aircraft talks

In an interview with CNN’s Richard Quest, Emirates president Sir Tim Clark said the airline is considering narrowbody aircraft given their “tighter cabins and fewer amenities”.  This is an about turn by a carrier previously adamant that the only way forward was bigger and bigger.

During the conversation Clark noted that three studies had been submitted to the carrier for consideration. As such, over the next 18 months, a decision will be made on whether to add Airbus A320 series or Boeing 737, combining that with an order for smaller widebody jets, or continuing to buy widebody aircraft exclusively, he said.

Coupled with Dubai World Central's greater terminal and gate capacity, the smaller jets could allow the carrier to develop thinner routes currently unsuited to its existing fleet of 92 A380-800s, 10 B777-200(LR)s, 10 B777-300s, and 128 B777-300(ER)s.

The Dubai-based carrier has yet to make a decision on whether to order the A350 or B787 given it axed an order for 70 A350s back in June 2014. Among the types under consideration are the A350-900/-1000 and the B787-9/-10.

"When the time is right we will decide," he said. "But so far, we are just biding our time to see which way it all pans out."

https://www.emirates.com

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