Emirates orders jets from Airbus

By John Oyuke

Dubai-based Emirates airline has placed a firm order for another 32 A380 super-jumbo jets from Airbus, giving the European plane maker a major turnaround boost for its giant aircraft.

The latest order, worth $11.5 billion plus 58 A380s previously ordered, takes Emirates A380 fleet to 90, making it the largest customer of the super jumbo passenger plane.

Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said the order "affirms Emirates’ strategy to become a world leading carrier and to further establish Dubai as a central gateway to worldwide air travel.

The agreement was signed recently during a ceremony at the Berlin Air Show by Al-Maktoum and Airbus President Tom Enders and witnessed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Al- Maktoum said in a statement the A380 jet is Emirates airline’s flagship in terms of passenger comfort, innovation, operating and environmental efficiency and revenue generation.