32 Airbus A380s for Emirates

32 Airbus A380s for Emirates

New order is worth $11.5 billion, and will bring fleet of A380s up to 90.

June 8, 2010 3:40 by Samuel Potter

The biggest carrier in the region, Emirates, has announced an order for 32 more Airbus A380s.

Using the list price for the aircraft, the value of the order is in the region of $11.5 billion, says Gulf News. It brings to 90 the total of A380s ordered by Emirates so far. The airline already has 147 aircraft in its fleet, says the report, and its orderbook contains 143 more.

“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,” said Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group. “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 as we build our fleet for tomorrow.”

In a year where the aviation industry was rocked by the economic downturn, Emirates Airline recently reported its 22nd year of profit, up 416 percent to close at US$ 964 million, says the article.