All eyes on Emirates at 2009 Dubai Airshow

Emirates Airlines, which has shown phenomenal growth despite the ongoing recession, is expected to clinch high value deals at the biennial Dubal Airshow. For the airshow’s previous four showings, the Dubai-based airline signed massive deals for Boeing 777s and A380 superjumbos.

In order to reach its stipulated goals for the airline’s ever expanding fleet, Emirates requires a large number of A330s and A350s. Airplane makers Airbus tends to benefit the most in this scenario. Rumours have been circulating within the industry that letters of intent are being held by Emirates for new aircrafts.

If the airline chooses to exercise options, it could end up with a new batch of airplanes. The airshow will be an ideal venue to make the deals. Orders for Boing’s 777s may also be included. Emirates currently already manages the largest fleets of 777s, which are considered as among the most fuel efficient long range air planes available.

Emirates and other Gulf-based airlines are rising players in the global market. While the economic downturn affected most airlines negatively, Emirates was one of the few to record a large number of passengers. Airlines in the Middle East showed an 18% increase in revenue generation for passenger kilometers flown. But a slight drop in the percentage of yields was noted.

Already, eighty-three A380s and many Boeing 777s are scheduled for delivery to the Emirates. Around eighty A350s will be received by Emirates, but these are expected to be delievered only after 2015. A380s are mid-sized and twin aisle airlines. With the impending addition of aircraft worth tens of billion dollars, there is widespread confidence that Emirates will be looking to expand its routes significantly in the coming years.

However, Emirates also plans to phase out around 58 planes in total. As the statistic goes, 37 airbus aircrafts will be made redundant. Twenty-nine of them will be A330-200s and eight will be A340-300s. Also, 21 B777s will be retired, taking the tally to 58.

For the airshow, Airbus makers have confirmed having at least one contract to announce during the show. Boeing refused to divulge information, but has a number of press conferences scheduled.