DUBAI – Emirates, the largest customer for the A380 superjumbo, will receive the first of its 58 A380 aircraft on order from Airbus on July 28.
The 58 A380s on Emirates’ order book are worth US$18.8 billion at current list prices.
Emirates’ A380 interiors and onboard product, which has been kept under wraps so far, will be revealed for the first time during a delivery ceremony in Hamburg.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Emirates chairman and CEO, said: “The A380, with its large capacity and excellent operating economics, will be one of the pillars of Emirates’ future growth.
“We’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.”
He 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.â€
In its current financial year (ending March 2009), Emirates will receive delivery of five A380s, all featuring its ultra long-haul configuration of 489 seats: 14 in First Class, 76 in Business and 399 in Economy.
Emirates has already announced plans to deploy its first A380 aircraft on its routes from Dubai to New York, London Heathrow and Sydney-Auckland; and will shortly announce details of its first commercial A380 service.
