The president of Emirates, Sir Tim Clark, anticipates that the company may have a new stage of expansion in Latin America. Considering the arrival of new aircraft such as the Airbus A350-900 and the Boeing 787, for example, new opportunities open up.
When asked about expansion in existing markets and new markets, he said that Latin American countries are in Emirates’ plans. By betting on its global hub and airline model, the region could have new links with Dubai in the future.
“Yes of course”Clark tells Aero-Naves. “Latin America is definitely in our plans. I’m not going to say exactly where, but we are going and we will continue going.”.
His comments were made within the framework of the General Assembly of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). On the occasion, it coincides with the landing of Emirates in Bogotá, its new destination in Latin America.
As planned, on June 3, Emirates begins its daily flights on the Dubai – Miami – Bogotá route. The Colombian capital could be the first of the new destinations that the airline of the emirate of Dubai has in the region. To promote the route, it signs an agreement with Avianca.
Bogotá happens to be Emirates’ fourth destination in Latin America. Currently, it serves Sao Paulo (GRU), Rio de Janeiro (GIG) and Buenos Aires (EZE). In these last two cities, it plans to increase its weekly flights to five by the end of the year.
Santiago is the only destination that, at the moment, is not in the plans. However, it is not ruled out that this possibility exists in the future considering the incorporation of smaller capacity aircraft, which also have features to fly long-distance routes.
New fleet
In the coming days, Emirates will be inducting its first Airbus A350-900. It is the first model with ultra-long distance capacity with which it will develop new routes from Dubai.
The first destinations announced are Bahrain, Kuwait and Muscat to fly from September. These are nearby cities that will allow you to train crews and test the aircraft while new units are added to the fleet. Later, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lyon, Bologna and Edinburgh will be added.
The A350-900 network is not very different from the current one. However, the reception of all the ordered aircraft will allow us to expand the network of destinations around the world. Something similar will happen with the B787-9/-10 that is in charge.
Both the A350-900 and the B787-9/-10 will allow Emirates to have a more versatile fleet to meet changes in demand. Unlike previous years, it faces new competition. In addition, to its neighbors Qatar Airways and a recovered Etihad, there is the growth of Turkish Airlines, Saudia, the arrival of Riyadh Air and the rebirth of Air India. You also have to deal with low-cost airlines (LCCs) like flynas, IndiGo or Wizz Air.
The A350-900 and B787-9/-10 will also allow further growth. Due to their lower capacity, they will be able to increase frequencies to destinations they have already returned to and from there open new routes. An operation similar to the one Emirates has been doing for seven years in Latin America when it flies to Sao Paulo (GRU) with the A380, but with the B777-200LR it adds a new frequency to open the route to Santiago de Chile.
Emirates’ expansion prospects remain auspicious. For the region, Sir Tim Clark’s statements during the IATA General Assembly are confirmed. It will only be a matter of time to see the new routes, something that in aviation can change depending on how governments create conditions to promote the development of air transport.
Cover photo – Emirates
