Skift Take

As president of the world’s largest international airline, Sir Tim’s comments on a series of hot topics carry extra relevance and cut through. 

Ajay Awtaney, Skift

When it comes to international scale, airlines don’t get bigger than Emirates. The Dubai-based operator has an all-widebody fleet, composed of both Airbus and Boeing planes. It also has a company president who isn’t afraid to speak his mind. Sir Tim Clark has been on hosting duties this week during the IATA Annual General Meeting. 

Speaking on the fringes of the event, Sir Tim had a freewheeling discussion with reporters that covered everything from Boeing to the ballot box.  Here are six of his most notable insights: 

1. Boeing Took its ‘Eye Off the Ball’

“The message to Boeing is absolutely crystal clear. They must get their production capability and their quality issues sorted out. I think Boeing needs to step back and say, 'What did we get wrong'? Where they find themselves today is a result of taking the eye off the ball and the governance, shifting its focus into other areas. Now they need to go back to where they were. And if they do that, the whole process is salvageable.

“Only