FARNBOROUGH- Emirates (EK) has confirmed it will not accept around 10 to 11 of the oldest Boeing 777X aircraft already built due to their age and outdated production standards. The announcement was made by Emirates President Tim Clark during the Farnborough International Airshow 2026.
The Dubai International Airport (DXB) based airline remains committed to the Boeing 777X program and expects deliveries to begin in the second quarter of 2027, subject to certification by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Emirates Declines Oldest Boeing 777X Aircraft
Emirates has decided against taking delivery of the oldest Boeing 777X aircraft that Boeing built during the early stages of the program. Speaking at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, Emirates President Tim Clark told Aviation Week that the airline would reject approximately 10 or 11 aircraft because they are now about eight years old.
According to Clark, the aircraft would require extensive upgrades before entering commercial service. Since these jets were originally manufactured, Boeing has introduced several engineering, production, and system improvements across the 777X program.
Clark explained that bringing the aircraft up to the latest production standard would require significant modifications to the airframe and onboard systems. The cost and complexity of that work make accepting the aircraft impractical.
He also noted that the aircraft have remained parked for years while the program faced repeated certification delays. Boeing has already scrapped one Emirates destined 777-9 rather than investing in the extensive rework required.
Boeing 777X Deliveries Expected in Q2 2027
Despite years of delays, Emirates now expects the Boeing 777X program to move closer to service entry.
According to Reuters, the FAA expects certification of the Boeing 777X by early 2027. Once certification is complete, Boeing will be able to begin customer deliveries.
Tim Clark stated that Emirates expects its first aircraft to arrive during the second quarter of 2027. However, he also acknowledged that this timeline remains challenging because Boeing is simultaneously working on certification of the 737 MAX 7 and 737 MAX 10.
Clark added that no stakeholder benefits from additional delays, describing the Boeing 777X as one of the most extensively tested aircraft developed by the manufacturer.
The expected 2027 deliveries represent a significant delay from the original schedule. Emirates had initially planned to receive its first Boeing 777X aircraft in April 2020 before multiple certification and development setbacks pushed the timeline back several years.
Emirates Continues Strong Commitment to the Boeing 777X
Although the airline will reject some of the oldest aircraft, its long-term commitment to the Boeing 777X remains unchanged.
According to fleet data from ch-aviation, Emirates currently has 270 Boeing 777X aircraft on order, making it the largest customer for the aircraft family.
The airline expanded its order at the Dubai Airshow 2025, purchasing an additional 65 Boeing 777-9 aircraft. Emirates also continues to support feasibility studies for a possible Boeing 777-10 variant.
Emirates’ Boeing 777X Order Breakdown
Emirates’ current Boeing 777X order consists of:
- 235 Boeing 777-9 aircraft
- 35 Boeing 777-8 aircraft
The airline’s total commitment of 270 aircraft accounts for nearly 49% of the global passenger Boeing 777X order book, highlighting its strategic importance to the program’s long-term success.
Once deliveries begin, the Boeing 777X will play a central role in Emirates’ future long-haul fleet strategy, supporting network expansion and the gradual replacement of older widebody aircraft.
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