Clark cautious on 777-9 certification as Emirates awaits schedule clarity

Emirates Airline president Tim Clark is not convinced Boeing is “out of the woods yet” with regards to the certification programme for the 777X, as he awaits definitive details on when deliveries will begin. The Dubai carrier is launch customer for the baseline 777-9 variant of the 777X, which began flight-testing in on 26 January after development delays. However, Boeing disclosed last month that the programme was being delayed again, with deliveries now scheduled to begin in 2022 – two years later than planned at launch. And Clark says that while the delay could be seen as beneficial amid the current industry crisis, it is not necessarily the case if there is a rapid rebound next year. “It will suit Boeing to slow the programme down a little bit. I’m not sure they are out of the woods with regards to the certification programme, given what’s gone on with the Max,” Clark said. “I haven’t had an update of where the [GE Aviation GE9X] engine is at the moment in terms of the problems it had in the early part of last year.” Clark believes the 777X will be affected by the FAA’s increased scrutiny on certification in the wake of the 737 Max accident, with regard to derivative aircraft approved under the FAA’s “changed product rule”.<br/>