06 June 2008

Emirates confirms first A380 delivery date

Emirates is to take delivery of its first Airbus A380 next month.

The Dubai-based carrier, the largest customer for the superjumbo, will receive the first of a $18.8 billion order for 58 aircraft on July 28.

Emirates plans to deploy its first A380 aircraft on routes from Dubai to New York, Heathrow and Sydney-Auckland.

Details of its first commercial A380 service will be announced shortly, according to the airline.

Emirates' A380 interiors and onboard service will be revealed for the first time during the delivery ceremony in July.

Emirates will receive five A380s between July and the end of March 2009, all featuring an ultra long-haul configuration of 489 seats: 14 in first flass, 76 in business and 399 in economy.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline & Group said: "The A380, with its large capacity and excellent operating economics, will be one of the pillars of Emirates' future growth.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœWe've been working very closely with Airbus since the A380 programme's inception back in 2000, and all through the ups and downs from the drawing board to production, we have remained unshakable in our belief that this is the aircraft for the next chapter of aviation."

Sheikh Ahmed added: "Despite the high oil prices, for us, demand remains strong and the A380's combination of range, capacity and fuel efficiency will help Emirates to continue achieving our growth targets."

by Phil Davies