Emirates has warned Boeing that it will not accept its first 777-9 aircraft unless they are “performing 100 per cent to contract”, as the Dubai based carrier continues to raise concerns about when deliveries of the aircraft will begin according to Flight Global.
Speaking at the Arabian Travel Market, Emirates Airline president Sir Tim Clark said that he was “not altogether clear as to when we’re going to get them”.
Boeing has already built 11 777X aircraft for Emirates but Mr Clark says he hasn’t “seen any data on propulsion [for the GE9-X], even though it’s been in the test programme, flying.”
“I’ve seen nothing on what the engines do.”
Mr Clark says there are “issues on that aeroplane”, and warns Boeing that even when “they get that sorted”, Emirates will “not accept an aeroplane, unless it is performing 100 per cent to contract”.
Flight Global quoted Boeing’s response as; It ”continues to execute a rigorous test programme to demonstrate the safety, reliability and performance of the 777X. We remain committed to delivering an aeroplane that meets regulatory requirements and the high expectations of our customers”.
“I want the 777X doing flight tests out of Dubai fully loaded in summer to really stress the engines.”
“Brand new engines always have problems but this time we will not accept anything less than guarantees.”
The 777X’s General Electric’s GE9X engine was certified in late September 2020.
The FAR (Federal Aviation Regulation) Part 33 certification involved eight test engines and was made up of 5,000 hours of flight tests and 8,000 cycles.
The GE9X engine is designed to achieve 10 per cent lower specific fuel consumption (SFC) compared to the GE90-115B and five per cent better SFC than any other engine in its class.
GE Aviation is also conducting another 3,000 cycles of additional ground testing on the GE9X engine to support Extended Operations (ETOPS) approval.
“The 737 MAX situation has derailed Boeing and now we have an entirely different FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) certification process. The FAA will be applying the microscope to the 777X and examining every aspect of the design and build.”
And Emirates is looking to the 777X as the flagship of its future and will come with the airline’s new premium economy product.
Boeing now has four 777X aircraft flying in the flight test program and is continuing to produce the aircraft and then store them to await the completion of the certification.
Emirates was originally due to get the first 777X in late 2019 but a series of delays and COVID has pushed that back to late 2023.
Emirates has 115 777X aircraft on order made up of 101 777-9s and 14 of the ultra-long-range 777-8s.
