Emirates gets first Airbus A380 superjumbo
Thursday, 31 July 2008
Emirates took delivery of its first Airbus A380 'superjumbo' at the planemaker's new Jurgen Thomas A380 Delivery Centre recently, said a press release.
The aircraft was received by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed AI-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, at an official handover ceremony, also attended by President of Emirates Airline Tim Clark, Airbus CEO Tom Enders, former Engine Alliance President Bruce Hughes, Jurgen Thomas, the 'founding father' of the A380, and the 2,000 Hamburg Airbus staff directly involved in production of the A380.
Emirates may not have been the first airline to receive the new generation aircraft, it was the first to place a firm order for it eight years ago, Sheikh Ahmed noted.
In July 2000 Emirates became the first airline to sign a firm commitment and place a deposit for the world's biggest commercial aircraft, initially for seven aircraft, with five further options, collectively worth US$1.5 billion. By November 2007, the award-winning carrier had placed firm orders for 58 A380s.
The aircraft was received by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed AI-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, at an official handover ceremony, also attended by President of Emirates Airline Tim Clark, Airbus CEO Tom Enders, former Engine Alliance President Bruce Hughes, Jurgen Thomas, the 'founding father' of the A380, and the 2,000 Hamburg Airbus staff directly involved in production of the A380.
Emirates may not have been the first airline to receive the new generation aircraft, it was the first to place a firm order for it eight years ago, Sheikh Ahmed noted.
In July 2000 Emirates became the first airline to sign a firm commitment and place a deposit for the world's biggest commercial aircraft, initially for seven aircraft, with five further options, collectively worth US$1.5 billion. By November 2007, the award-winning carrier had placed firm orders for 58 A380s.