Emirates (EK, Dubai International) is aiming to become the world's first truly global carrier following news that it is studying the possibility of launching Trans-Pacific flights using its fleet of A380-800s and B777-300(ER)s. Speaking at the IATA AGM in Cape Town, Emirates President Tim Clark said plans would hinge on transporting passengers on a fifth-freedom basis using Open Skies agreements the United Arab Emirates had signed with the US, Singapore and Thailand and a more liberal bilateral air services agreement with Japan. As part of fleet requirements needed to denominate the planned expansion, Mr Clark said Emirates would consider the 777X, to be available from 2020 or 2021, 18 months later than initially promised, and the A380-900, a stretched version of the -800 series that Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) has not yet committed to.