Emirates has officially introduced the first Airbus A350-900 to its fleet, marking a significant milestone for the carrier. The aircraft, registered A6-EXA (MSN 684), was revealed at an exclusive event in Dubai, attended by key figures in the aviation and business world. The unveiling was led by Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, alongside His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy. The ceremony drew VIP guests, aerospace partners, dignitaries, media representatives, and aviation enthusiasts.
This new addition is the first new aircraft type to join Emirates’ fleet since 2008. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline & Group, highlighted the strategic significance of the A350 in the airline’s future plans. “This aircraft sets the stage for Emirates to spread its wings farther by offering added range, efficiency, and flexibility to our network, enabling us to meet customer demand in new markets and unlock new opportunities in the cities that we serve,” he said. He further noted that the A350’s modern features align with the UAE’s broader goals, particularly Dubai’s D33 Strategy, which aims to establish the city as a global economic hub.
The aircraft will operate with a capacity for 312 passengers, including 32 next-generation Business Class lie-flat seats, 21 Premium Economy seats, and 259 generously pitched Economy Class seats.
The introduction of the A350 will expand Emirates’ ability to serve a broader range of destinations, particularly mid-sized airports that are not suitable for larger aircraft. The airline will receive a total of 65 A350s in the coming years, divided into two versions: one for regional routes (15 aircraft) and another for ultra-long-haul routes (50 aircraft). The A350’s versatility will allow Emirates to meet growing demand for travel across its global network.
Emirates plans to operate its first commercial A350 flight on January 3, 2025, from Dubai to Edinburgh. In the months following, the aircraft will also serve existing destinations such as Bahrain, Muscat, Kuwait, Lyon, and Bologna, as well to cities in West Asia Ahmedabad, Colombo and Mumbai. Additional destinations up to 15 hours from Dubai will be announced in 2025.
The A350 will play a vital role in establishing the newly announced Dubai World Central (DWC) mega hub, further strengthening Dubai’s position as a global aviation leader, as part of the airline’s’ broader plans to support Dubai’s’ Economic Agenda, which aims to add 400 cities to Dubai’s foreign trade map over the next decade.
Image Credit: Emirates
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