Emirates has become the only airline in the world to operate a fleet of all Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft for its passenger flights.
The Dubai-based carrier, which yesterday revealed a 75% slump in half-year profits, has retired the last Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft from service.
The last of a 29-strong fleet of A330s and the final A340, which joined the fleet in 2004, have been replaced with modern wide-body aircraft which the airline claims offer a superior passenger experience and improved environmental performance.
Emirates has retired 18 A330s and five A340s from its fleet since January 2015. The average age of the aircraft phased out from the fleet is 16.5 years, well below the industry standard retirement age of 25 years.
The airline also plans to phase out a further 25 aircraft in 2017 and 2018 to ensure that the fleet remains modern and efficient while offering passengers a higher level of comfort and safety.
The retirement of older aircraft is balanced by the induction of more modern aircraft.
This has resulted in Emirates operating one of the youngest fleets in the industry with an average age of 5.2 years.
The two youngest aircraft in the fleet – Emirates’ 85th A380 delivered last month and its 125th Boeing 777-300ER – are less than two weeks old.
Emirates’ fleet of all Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft will also have a smaller environmental impact as both aircraft types have better fuel efficiency and emissions performance than the retired aircraft.
Emirates will have taken delivery of 36 new aircraft by the end of the year – 20 A380s and 16 777s, including the next generation 777-300ER with upgraded business class seats and other features including a lower fuel burn ratio.
Out of the 234 aircraft worth more than $112 billion that Emirates has in its order book, 150 will be the new Boeing 777X aircraft to be delivered from 2020.
The aircraft will feature larger windows, higher ceiling and a wider cabin in addition to being more fuel efficient than older aircraft.