Emirates may build galleys

Dubai's international airline, Emirates, may decide to go in for downstream production activity such as manufacturing of some interior structures of the aeroplanes that comprise its fleet, according to a top airline official.

The airline proposes to take a decision on whether it will go into production or not in about six to 18 months, Emirates President Tim Clark told Emirates Business on-board the A380 superjumbo's inaugural commercial flight from Dubai to New York.

"We have been looking at the possibility of manufacturing things like galleys [on-board kitchens] and some of the interior monuments [like stowage, closets and bulkheads] of an aeroplane," Clark said. "We have not made a decision – not yet. We are assessing the option to go for it or not. The notion has been there for some time. We may have a decision in six to 18 months."

The decision seems to have been forced upon Emirates because of issues with suppliers.

"Our job is to run an airline and not to build. It is a defensive strategy rather than a proactive one simply because we have a galley manufacturer who has been causing us some problems," Clark explained.

"We are almost reluctant. It's like buying a car – if you don't like the seats, it is not smart to decide to build them yourselves. But we don't like what we are given. Ideally galley manufacturers should get their act together," he said.

Asked if Emirates goes ahead with the proposal, would it seek partners or go it alone, Clark said: "Airbus expressed an interest in doing something along these lines. Likewise Boeing. Both companies have been hugely supportive and I told them that they should be doing this and not us.

"But part of the possibilities is going it alone or in partnership with someone."

The airline is in the process of assessing the option to see if the move is feasible.

Asked if the assessments included the manufacture of aircraft seats or other parts, Clark said it was a natural progression from galleys, but appeared to rule it out.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.