Emirates grounds 20 jets during sluggish travel period - The National

Emirates grounds 20 jets during sluggish travel period - The National:

"Emirates, the biggest operator of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777s, has grounded 20 jets as sluggish demand from business and regional travellers during Ramadan coincides with the typically low-season for international travel in May. The grounded jets, a mix of A380s and 777s, are expected to return to service after Eid, which will take place around mid-June, with the fleet returning to its maximum capacity by September or October, Emirates president Tim Clark said on Monday. The aircraft are currently parked in Dubai’s second hub at Al Maktoum International Airport and Emirates’ home base Dubai International Airport. He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association annual meeting in Sydney. “On top of Ramadan we have May, so demand for travel is down significantly in the Muslim world," Mr Clark said. "It’s not easy” doing business at that time, when traffic falls 50 per cent on the month before."



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