Airlines

Emirates Scaling up A380 operations

Emirates will give passengers more options and a better experience as it builds up A380 services to 42 destinations by the end of March 2023,

First look ! Catch a glimpse at Dubai air show 2015

Emirates will give passengers more options and a better experience as it builds up A380 services to 42 destinations by the end of March 2023, taking advantage of the strongest travel demand in more than two years. Parallel to this, the airline is expanding its current schedules to include over 400 A380 departures from Dubai, offering 460,000 weekly A380 seats by March 2023, including 81,000 seats in its premium cabins, providing the highest level of passenger experience.

With the inclusion of new locations including Houston, Bengaluru, Perth, Auckland, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur—as well as others that will be revealed in the coming weeks—the airline will be able to serve almost to a third of its network by year’s end with its flagship on 85 A380s. Emirates will have restored 75% of its pre-pandemic A380 network after adding more cities to the list of destinations. In order to improve its operation’s resilience and stability, the airline is also increasing the number of frequencies it offers to well-known cities that are currently covered by its flagship.

Raising the bar for premium air travel

The Premium Economy cabin on an Emirates A380 with four classes is at the front of the main deck and has 56 seats arranged in a 2-4-2 layout. The cabin’s large seat pitch and width for working and relaxing, as well as specially designed facilities like in-seat charging stations and a side cocktail table, all anticipate the needs of the passengers. The experience is completed by thoughtfully chosen in-flight facilities, creative food, and a wide range of beverage choices.

Emirates recently announced intentions to begin its fleet upgrade program, which will need a multi-billion dollar investment to guarantee that passengers continue to enjoy the greatest in-flight experience. With one aircraft entering service every 16 days, the airline will start heavy work in November to update and convert the interior cabins of 67 Airbus A380 and 53 Boeing 777 aircraft. By 2025, approximately 5,000 Business Class seats will be upgraded to a new look and feel, 728 First Class suites will be renovated, and nearly 4,000 new Premium Economy seats will be placed.

Emirates is the world’s largest operator of the A380, with 118 double-decker aircraft in its fleet. Since A6-EVF, the first A380 reactivated in 2020 began flying, the operating fleet has clocked in more than 31,000 trips worldwide, carrying over 10 million passengers.

Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

DAMAC Air: Dubai’s New Luxury Airline Offers Free Flights for Registration

The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.