(Correction of paragraph 4 of the May 7 article referring to twin “aisle” jets, not “engines”)
DUBAI (Reuters) – The chairman of Dubai-based Emirates Airline said on Tuesday he was not happy with Boeing Co (NYSE: ), which he said had promised him it would fix problems plaguing the U.S. planemaker, including Its 777X project.
Emirates is Boeing’s largest customer of the 777X, which will be the industry’s largest twin-engine jet with approximately 400 seats. But its entry into service has been delayed by about five years due to certification delays and other issues.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, a prominent member of Dubai’s ruling family and a member of the government, said he believed certification would take place in the first quarter of 2025.
But he said uncertainty over when the deliveries would take place was putting pressure on Emirates, by far the largest airline in the Middle East that operates only large twin-aisle jets.
Sheikh Ahmed said the airline will continue to use existing aircraft for longer than expected due to delays in 777X flights.
“I’m not happy,” he told reporters at the Arab Travel Market travel trade show in Dubai.
Asked about the problems facing Boeing, he said of Boeing’s new management: “They are committed to doing their best to solve this problem.”
Boeing is overhauling its management as it responds to growing pressure from airlines, regulators and investors to deal with a growing crisis triggered by an in-flight panel explosion on a 737 MAX aircraft in January.
