05:40 AM EST, 11/27/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Boeing's ( BA ) difficulties have hampered the growth ambitions of Emirates Airlines, the carrier's president said at an event Wednesday, media outlets reported.

"As you know, we've had our wings clipped, because of COVID and supply chain delays," said Tim Clark, president of the airline, on the sidelines of a Dubai event marking the delivery of the carrier's first Airbus A350-900 aircraft, according to the news outlet Zawya. "We are a frustrated entity because we need airplanes and we need them like now."

Clark said the company would now have an 85-plane fleet of 777-9X jets if Boeing ( BA ) had delivered them on time, Reuters reported.

He also said the company was waiting to see if the $21 billion in capital Boeing ( BA ) recently raised and the end of its labor troubles would speed up deliveries.

Boeing ( BA ) did not immediately reply to MT Newswires' request for comment.