Emirates signs for four Airbus A380 super jumbos

Chennai, May 7 (UNI) Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, has signed a contract for an additional four Airbus A380 super jumbos.

In a press release here tonight Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum said the airline was the main launch customer for the aircraft and already ordered maximum number of A380s, which was now been increased from 43 to 47.

Emirates would take delivery of its first A380 flier in Q3 of 2008, he added.

He said "we have repeatedly said that we are committed to A380 and, now settling all the past issues, this latest agreement should leave no one in any doubt about our faith in Airbus, the company and the quality of the aircraft we are committing to".

He said "the Airbus A380 will be instrumental in helping Emirates meet its growing passenger demand, and will become one of the most efficient and greenest aircraft ever produced." He said the order for the four additional A380s had been added to Emirates' current order book for 105 new aircraft, worth approximately Dhs 111 billion ( billion) in list prices. Over the next eight years, the airline would continue to receive delivery of one new aircraft per month on average.

The Emirates Group recently reported its 19th consecutive year of profit with a new record performance backed by continued double-digit growth. Group net profits increased from 23.5 per cent to a new high of 2 million, for the financial year ended March 31 2007, he added.

UNI