Airbus A380 orders soar
Dubai based Emirates Airline has signed a staggering order for a further 32 A380s from Airbus, taking its total firm orders for the type to 90 aircraft. The order has a list price of US$ 11.5 billion. The agreement was signed in a ceremony on June 8 at the Berlin Air Show witnessed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, by Emirates Airline Group Chairman and CEO His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, and Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders
“This latest order, adding to 58 A380s previously ordered, 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,” said the Sheikh.
Following delivery of its first A380 in July 2008, Emirates now operates ten of the giant 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, received on 7 June 2010, was on static display at the ILA Berlin Air Show. All Emirates’ A380 are powered by Engine Alliance GP7200 engines and delivered from Hamburg. In Germany more than 30 major suppliers are directly feeding into the A380 programme, which alone adds an estimated 40,000 direct, indirect and induced German jobs.
The A380 in-service fleet has now accumulated over 15,000 commercial flights, and A380 firm orders now stand at 234 from 17 customers. Airbus says its 8,300nm / 15,400 km range, and seating from 400 to more than 800 passengers, the A380 is the answer to alleviate traffic congestion at busy airports, cope with growth and minimise environmental impact. A380 firm orders now stand at 234 from 17 customers.
