Emirates Airlines CEO not worried about fate of open skies agreements with US

Emirates Airlines CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum told Al-Arabiya.net that he was not worried about the fate of the open skies agreements with the US.

“Donald Trump is a president and a businessman; therefore, he is fully aware of the interests of countries. There is a lot of cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and America on all levels,” Maktoum said.

Asked whether Gulf carriers will collectively buy Boeing and Airbus airplanes or discuss possible mergers, Maktoum said he did not rule out that cooperation among Gulf carriers will reach developed stages in the future.

He added that cooperation is not limited to mergers or promotions but is also relevant to spare parts and insurance.

Maktoum added that Emirates Airlines is ready to receive 27 new airplanes out of the confirmed order that consists of 219 airplanes, an investment that’s worth more than $108 billion. These airplanes will be added to the fleet that consists of 260 Boeing and Airbus airplanes.

He also said that Emirates Airlines will launch new routes to East Asia’s markets and Africa, adding these will be announced soon.