Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, have made a significant return to the Paris Airshow, marking its first appearance in over 15 years. The airline has showcased its newest aircraft, the Airbus A350, at the 55th International Paris Airshow, which runs until June 19. This public unveiling highlights the A350’s next-generation cabin design, cutting-edge interiors, and advanced technologies.
Attendees at Le Bourget have the opportunity to explore Emirates’ enhanced Business Class and Premium Economy cabins, as well as its sleek and spacious Economy Class.
Mr. Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are delighted to be at the Paris Airshow, presenting the pinnacle of air travel on one of the most vital platforms in the aerospace exhibition calendar. Our return to France’s most important aerospace event underscores Emirates’ unwavering commitment to supporting the country’s aviation industry – not only through our daily operations but also through continuous investments across the entire aerospace supply chain.”
Emirates currently operates 21 weekly flights to Paris, including three daily A380 services. Additionally, the airline provides a daily A380 flight to Nice and a daily A350 service to Lyon, making it the exclusive international carrier to operate an A380 into Nice Côte d´Azur Airport.
Decades of Investment and Partnership in France
For over three decades, Emirates has played a pivotal role in expanding France’s aviation sector and fostering trade and tourism flows between the two nations. Key investments by Emirates in France over this period include:
Emirates’ significant purchases of A350 and A380 aircraft have sustained thousands of jobs at major French aerospace companies such as Airbus, Safran, Thales, and other entities within the aerospace value chain.
Since its establishment in 1985, Emirates has invested more than €114 billion (US$130 billion) in acquiring 254 Airbus aircraft, encompassing various models including the A300, A310, A330, A340-300, A340-500, A380, and A350.
The airline remains a crucial client for French aerospace manufacturers, sourcing essential components like Michelin tires, Safran aircraft components and seating, and Thales avionics systems to support its vast fleet.
In 2023, Emirates announced a series of contracts with Safran, collectively valued at over €1.0 billion (US$1.14 billion). This includes a substantial €896 million (US$1.0 billion) agreement for the latest generation of Safran Seats for Emirates’ new Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X-9 fleets, as well as its existing Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
The airline has also committed over €322 million (US$367.5 million) to integrate Thales’ AVANT Up in-flight entertainment system into its new A350 aircraft.
Emirates SkyCargo provides vital cargo capacity to French customers with weekly rotations between Dubai World Central (DWC), Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), and Lyon Saint-Exupery airports. The UAE stands as France’s largest export partner in the Middle East.
Emirates directly injects over €189 million (US$215 million) annually into the French economy through operational expenditures such as fuel uplift, over-flight charges, inflight catering, aircraft landing and handling fees, crew layover costs, staff salaries, advertising, and sponsorship.
Notably, France is Emirates’ leading global source for wine procurement, with a significant 58% of red wine consumed in Emirates’ First and Business Class originating from the Bordeaux region.
A Glimpse into the Future of Flight
The Emirates A350 on display at the airshow features three spacious cabin classes: 32 next-generation lie-flat Business Class seats, 21 Premium Economy seats, and 259 generously pitched Economy Class seats.
Visitors can experience the airline’s commitment to an enhanced “fly better” experience, which includes more space and storage, extra high ceilings, and wider aisles across all classes. The next-generation Business Class cabin boasts a 1-2-1 seat configuration. Passengers can also look forward to the latest generation of in-flight entertainment with a cinematic viewing experience, enhanced cabin lighting, faster Wi-Fi, and improved seat ergonomics.
By the end of this year, the Emirates A350 fleet is projected to serve 17 destinations. Emirates has already taken delivery of seven A350 aircraft, with 58 more units slated to join its fleet in the coming years.
