Emirates and Qatar Airways sign for more Airbus aircraft
Emirates has signed for eight additional Airbus A380s, bringing its total order to 55.
The deal is worth an estimated $2.6 billion in list prices.
Meanwhile, Qatar Airways confirmed a $16 billion order for 80 Airbus A350s.
This makes the airline the single largest customer of Airbus’ newest commercial aircraft.
The airline has also increased its orders for the widebody Airbus A380s from two to five aircraft.
Emirates chairman and chief executive HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum said: “Every single one of the A380s we have ordered has been carefully planned for Emirates’ present and future requirements.
“The A380 will be instrumental in helping Emirates meet its growing passenger demand using one of the most efficient, quietest and greenest aircraft ever produced.
“It will give us some of the lowest seat costs in the industry, and will allow us to offer more passenger comfort and amenities onboard.”
Emirates will take delivery of its first A380 in the third quarter of 2008.
The eight additional aircraft ordered today are expected to be delivered over 16 months, starting from July 2011.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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