Emirates is planning to retire more than 50 aircraft in the next three years under its fleet modernisation plan.
In 2016, the carrier will retire 26 planes, including 12 A330-300s, four A340-300s, one A340-500, six Boeing 777-200ERs, two Boeing 777-300s and one Boeing 777-300ER.
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Emirates will also add 36 new aircraft next year, including 20 Airbus A380s, the world’s largest passenger aircraft and 16 Boeing 777-300ERs.
The fleet modernisation plan will improve the airline’s environmental performance and passenger comfort.
These two categories of aircraft that will be acquired from Airbus and Boeing are among the most fuel efficient and quiet commercial airplanes available as they emit 12% less CO2 compared to others.
All aircraft planned to be retired next year will reach the average age of 15.7 years, which is far below the average industry retirement age of 25. With new aircraft to be added next year, Emirates’ average fleet age will be 5.6 years, which will be much younger than the global average.
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By GlobalDataAfter completing next year’s fleet modernisation plan, Emirates is planning to retire another 13 aircraft in 2017 and 13 in 2018.
Emirates Airline president Tim Clark said: "Emirates has a global footprint as the world’s largest international airline, and we have a responsibility to our customers, the communities we serve, and the planet.
"We are fully committed to flying a modern fleet that is better for the environment, and provides our customers with a superior level of comfort and safety.
"With the retirement of older aircraft and the introduction of new, more fuel efficient aircraft in 2016, Emirates will continue to lead the industry in reducing the age of our fleet, while at the same time defining new levels of service that our customers have come to expect."
The carrier will take delivery of Boeing 777Xs in 2020, which will feature more fuel efficient designs than its previous models and will be 20% more fuel efficient.
Emirates fleet currently includes 243 aircraft.
This year, the airline took delivery of 26 new aircraft, including 15 A380s, ten Boeing 777-300ERs and one Boeing 777 Freighter.
It has a previous order of 263 aircraft, including 71 Airbus A380s, 42 Boeing 777-300ERs, 115 Boeing 777-9Xs and 35 Boeing 777-8Xs, valued at more than $120bn at list prices. Its order book includes 71 Airbus A380s and 42 Boeing 777s.
Image: Emirates to retire more than 50 planes over the next three years. Photo: courtesy of the Emirates Group.
