Emirates places largest ever A380 order
Emirates Airline has just placed the largest ever A380 order when HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum signed an $11.5 billion contract for 32 of the superjumbos.
This brings Emirates total order to 90 of the iconic flagship .
The agreement was signed in a ceremony today at the Berlin Air Show witnessed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel .
Sheikh Ahmed was asked why he needed so many of the world's largest passenger jets. "It is not for a collection, they are much too big," he joked.
“This latest order affirms Emirates’ strategy to become a world leading carrier and to further establish Dubai as a central gateway to worldwide air travel. The A380 is our flagship in terms of passenger comfort, innovation, operating and environmental efficiency and revenue generation. Our latest commitment signals Emirates’ confidence in the growth to come in a thriving aviation sector,” Sheikh Ahmed said.
Airbus president and CEO Tom Enders said “Emirates has supported the development of the A380 from the earliest days, and today’s order - the single largest A380 order ever - is the best endorsement I can imagine. On behalf of all of us at Airbus, we thank Emirates for their confidence and support. The A380 is indeed a remarkable eco-efficient aircraft, a profit generator for airlines and a great flying experience for passengers,” said
Following delivery of their first A380 in July 2008, Emirates now operates ten aircraft serving eight international destinations including London Heathrow, Toronto, Paris, Jeddah, Bangkok, Seoul, Sydney and Auckland.
The airline expects the list of destinations to increase as more and more airports around the world are A380 ready.
Emirates’ tenth A380, was received yesterday in Hamburg is on static display at the ILA Show.
All Emirates’ A380 are powered by Engine Alliance GP7200 engines.
Sheikh Ahmed told Arabian Aerospace that he was still keen to see Airbus produce a stretched dash 900 version of the aircraft. Enders said that he believed it would be built but first the European manufacturer wants to ramp up production of the existing dash 800 series.
The third concourse at Dubai International will have 20 gates for the A380 - taking the airport to 25 in all. According to Emirates president Tim Clark, All 90 A380s will be operating at the same time in the future.
"The first aircraft we ordered will be retired from the fleet in 2020, and the last of this order will be delivered in 2017." he said.
Sheikh Ahmed said the A380s were central to the Emirates strategy.
"We have just come from the IATA meeting," he said. Many airlines lost money last year and Emirates recorded profits of near $1 billion. That suggests we have our strategy right."