At the Paris Air Show, Emirates announced its intent to place the biggest order in civil aviation history - worth US$19 billion (approximately 70 billion dirhams). The airline confirmed purchase orders for 21 more Airbus A380-800s, and leasing orders for two A380-800s. The additional 23 aircraft bring Emirates’ total order for the giant double-deck jetliner to 45, the most ordered by any airline.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum

At the same time, Emirates announced operating lease orders for 26 Boeing 777-300ERs, 14 from General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) and 12 from the International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), and powered by General Electric GE90-115B engines. They will provide much-needed extra capacity on existing routes and help the airline continue to expand its network, that has already risen to 66 cities in 46 countries since 1985.

Emirates also announced orders for more four-engined A340s, purchasing two more ultra-long-range A340-500 and 18 of the larger A340-600 Higher Gross weight aircraft, as well as leasing two A340-600s from ILFC, the International Lease Finance Corporation. This also makes Emirates the launch customer for the A340-600 HGW.

Revealed HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman of Emirates, “We need many more aircraft to continue our plans to become a truly global airline, and had already announced a major aircraft order at the 2001 Dubai International Air Show. Now we are placing more multi-billion dollar orders, and have chosen A380s, A340s and 777s to meet exceptionally strong demand from passengers and cargo customers. We will fund them from our own reserves, from banks and institutional investors, and through operating leases.”

The extra Airbus A380 enter service from 2006. Deliveries of A340-500 start, this year and of A340-600s from June 2007.

The expanded order book will increase Emirates’ fleet to 125 aircraft by 2012, as part of long-term plans to serve many new countries. The new fleet will also boost flights on existing routes to Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.