Emirates firms order for additional A380s

 
The agreement was signed at the World Government Summit by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group; and Mikail Houari, Airbus President for Africa and Middle East. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, ruler of the Emirate of Dubai and Edouard Philippe, Prime Minister of France were also present.

Deliveries are set to start as early as 2020.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said: “This agreement underscores our commitment to the A380 programme, providing stability to the A380 production line and supporting thousands of high-value jobs across the aviation supply chain. For Emirates, the A380 has been a successful aircraft for our customers, our operations, and our brand. We look forward to continue working with Airbus to further enhance the aircraft and onboard product.”

“We thank Emirates, HH Sheikh Ahmed, Tim Clark and Adel Al-Redha for their continued confidence in the A380, which has so successfully transformed air travel in the 21st century,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President Commercial Aircraft and Chief Operating Officer. “This latest agreement further demonstrates the strength of our valued partnership with Emirates in support of their impressive growth.”

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “Firming up the additional A380 order allows Emirates to use these jets to replace the vintage 2008-built A380s as they start to come off lease. While there’ll be limited growth added as a result of these extra A380s coming to the fleet, the bigger challenge remains the programme’s viability for the future.

“Emirates has made the A380 its signature airplane and has used the leviathan to showcase its premium products and in-flight entertainment. However, as a machine, the A380 is fast losing technological and performance ground to new game-changing and smaller jets like the 787 and soon-to-arrive 777X family, of which Emirates is the biggest buyer. This has also put buyers off from investing in the A380.

Ahmad added: “Engine makers on both sides of the Atlantic will be fighting hard to win Emirates’ business – particularly as both Rolls-Royce and the rival Engine Alliance each have engines powering Emirates’ current A380 fleet.”