Emirates is facing operational challenges due to significant delays in engine maintenance across its Airbus A380 fleet. Speaking at the Routes World 2026 conference in Frankfurt, Emirates President Tim Clark revealed that engine overhauls, which are contractually expected to take 85 days, are now taking more than 350 days.
As a result of these delays, seven Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft have remained out of service for more than a year. Although the engines are technically serviceable, they have reached their operating limits and require scheduled overhauls. Supply chain disruptions and spare parts shortages have contributed to delays in maintenance carried out by Engine Alliance, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney. The exact timeline for returning the aircraft to service remains uncertain.
Approximately two-thirds of Emirates’ A380 fleet is powered by Engine Alliance GP7200 engines, while the remaining aircraft use Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines. Clark stated that the maintenance delays are limiting the airline’s ability to expand its route network, emphasizing that the A380 remains the most profitable aircraft type in Emirates’ fleet.
Emirates plans to keep its Airbus A380 aircraft in service until the early 2040s. Clark also suggested that a modernized A380 incorporating next-generation technologies from the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 could reduce operating costs by approximately 25%.
