Emirates Eyes Hypothetical Airbus A350-2000 While Pushing for Larger Widebody Jets
The world’s largest international airline is once again setting the industrial agenda. Emirates has confirmed that it would seriously evaluate the purchase of a hypothetical Airbus A350-2000—a higher-capacity version of the current A350—provided the European manufacturer decides to move forward with the program.
The statement, made by Tim Clark, President of the airline, reinforces the group’s long-standing position: the market requires larger, more efficient, and more robust widebody aircraft for ultra-long-haul operations. These remarks were made to Reuters during an interview in Dubai at the World Governments Summit, occurring at a pivotal moment of strategic redefinition for major manufacturers.
A350-2000: A Conceptual Variant with Attentive Customers
Airbus confirmed in November that it is internally studying a potential version designated as the A350-2000, which would be positioned above the A350-1000, currently the largest model in the family.
This analysis does not exist in a vacuum. Airbus is reacting to a similar move by Boeing, which agreed to evaluate an even larger version of the 777X as part of a deal to secure 65 new orders for that aircraft, a program currently facing significant delays.
In this context, Tim Clark was direct:
“We would definitely look at it. Of course we would look at it,” he stated when asked about Emirates’ interest in an A350-2000.
While this phrase does not imply a firm purchase commitment, it clearly indicates that a potential “anchor customer” exists should Airbus formally launch the model.
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Why Emirates Bets on the A350-900, but Not the -1000
Currently, Emirates is a customer of the A350-900, the base long-range version of the program, but has so far rejected the A350-1000—the stretched variant and direct competitor to the Boeing 777X. The reason is technical and operational rather than commercial.
Clark was notably complimentary regarding the -900:
- Excellent operational reliability
- High punctuality and availability
- Engines that perform well in the demanding conditions of the Gulf
- configuration highly valued by passengers
“The A350-900 is a beautiful aircraft,” the executive noted. “Its engines work very well for us. The dispatch reliability is excellent and, the way we have configured it, everyone loves it”.
However, the problem arises when scaling up.
Achilles’ Heel of the A350-1000: Engine Durability
The entire A350 family is powered by Rolls-Royce engines. In the case of the A350-1000, Emirates maintains clear reservations regarding engine durability during intensive operations and in extreme climates.
The airline has been explicit: it will not purchase the A350-1000 until the intervals between workshop visits are significantly extended. A senior executive from Rolls-Royce confirmed this week that the manufacturer is “on the right track” with a durability improvement program.
According to the company:
- Improvements already allow for 60% more time between overhauls.
- Additional progress is expected starting in 2028.
Despite this, Emirates still considers these advancements insufficient for its operational standards.
A350-2000: More Capacity, Same Challenges
A potential A350-2000 would not only imply greater size and capacity but also increased structural and propulsion demands. For Emirates, any new variant must demonstrate from day one:
- Sustained reliability in extreme environments.
- Maintenance intervals compatible with a high-utilization fleet.
- Operating costs aligned with ultra-long-haul missions.
For now, Airbus has not revealed the actual progress of internal discussions or whether a tentative schedule for the program exists.
Beyond the specific model, Emirates’ message remains consistent and strategic: global airlines need larger, more efficient, and more durable aircraft, and they are willing to actively influence the design decisions of both Airbus and Boeing.
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