Emirates takes delivery of first A380 superjumbo in Germanyposted on 29/07/2008Emirates airlines has taken delivery of the first of its record-breaking order for 58 Airbus A380 superjumbos at a glittering ceremony in Germany – and simultaneously agreed to buy more aircraft. Surrounded by hundreds of staff at the company's Hamburg delivery centre, the roll-out of the huge next-generation carrier was witnessed by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation and Emirates airline, Tim Clark, the company's President, Tom Enders, President and CEO of Airbus, and Bruce Hughes, CEO of Engine Alliance. "The delivery of Emirates' first A380 has made history and adds to the chemistry that Emirates shares with Europe – in particular with Germany," said Sheikh Ahmed, moments before the aircraft was unveiled and handed over to the rapidly expanding company. "When I flew in the A380 for the first time – it was an exciting trip – I knew we had made the right choice," said Sheikh Ahmed. And, in true Dubai tradition, there quickly followed an announcement by Sheikh Ahmed – that the airline was signing a letter of intent for an additional 60 Airbus aircraft, worth another US$13 billion (Dh47.7bn). The additional planes ordered today include 30 Airbus A330-300s and 30 Airbus A350 XWBs. Sheikh Ahmed said: "We are forging ahead with our expansion plans and the A330-300s and A350 XWBs will enable Emirates to continue its growth using modern fuel-efficient aircraft." Sheikh Ahmed also revealed that Emirates has committed €32 billion (Dh185bn) to the A380 development programme. Emirates airline is the largest customer for the A380, with orders worth US$18.96bn at list prices. Emirates has ordered 58 A380s, with the first delivered today. That Emirates is a strong customer for Airbus was evident with the presence of top officials from the company, including CEO Tom Enders. "[Sheikh Ahmed] is the visionary who provided the vital tailwind behind the A380 project," said Enders. "Tim Clark is one of the most demanding cabin designers we've ever worked with," he joked, pointing to the excruciating details that Emirates airline went to while placing its aircraft specifications. "The 58 orders placed by Emirates will enable it to grow in the future, minimising environmental impact," he said. When asked if the UAE was Airbus' saviour, bailing it out with huge orders despite the delays, he pointed to Sheikh Ahmed and said: "Make no mistake – they're hardcore businessmen – there are no free gifts for Airbus here." Bruce Hughes, CEO of Engine Alliance, the company whose engines come fitted in the Emirates' A380, said: "High goals require Herculean efforts. This engine would be gathering dust in a museum were it not for a visionary aircraft builder and its largest customer. "More than any other airline in the world, Emirates had a grand vision to build a new gateway to every continent in the world," he said. "Emirates is the customer beacon to have guided this aircraft and its engine," he said. He went on to say: "Without Emirates, there wouldn't be an Engine Alliance." Although Emirates was the first to order the jumbo aircraft, Singapore Airlines was the first to take delivery in 2007 as it went with a Rolls Royce engine as opposed to Emirates, which has ordered it planes be fitted with Engine Alliance engines. "We may not be the first to fly the A380," said Sheikh Ahmed, "but we were the first to sign up to the A380 programme." He also revealed that with the A380's huge passenger capacity, Emirates will be spending less than three litres of fuel per passenger per 100km, making it the best performing long-range aircraft in its fleet. "With this engine, Engine Alliance will help us save 500,000 litres of fuel every year (once all aircraft are delivered)," said Sheikh Ahmed, adding that, "that's the legacy we'll leave behind". He added: "The future has arrived, and Emirates is proud to be playing a leading role in it." Airbus has a total of 202 orders (198 firm orders and four commitments) from 17 customers for the A380. With 20 orders, Qantas is the second-largest customer for the A380, followed by Singapore Airlines (19), Lufthansa (15), and Air France and British Airways (12 each). Etihad, the Abu Dhabi based carrier, has also placed orders for 10 A380s. While Qatar Airways has ordered five A380s, it is the launch customer for the A350. The first A380 will fly to the JFK airport in New York on Friday, with further flights planned to London, Australia and New Zealand, said Sheikh Ahmed, while Enders said that 28 airports are A380-ready. "It is estimated that, by 2011, 60 airports will be A380-ready," said Stefan Schaffrath, deputy to VP, media relations, Airbus. When asked if, in his capacity as the head of Dubai Aerospace enterprises, Sheikh Ahmed was gunning for Airbus to set up a manufacturing base in Dubai, he said there were indeed discussions going on but he'd rather stick to today's news. Emirates is the best customer The man dubbed the father of the A380 programme said Emirates airlines is the best customer he has yet worked with. Jürgen Thomas said: "The design and size of the A380 is a result of the vision of Emirates airline Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum," he said. "He had very clear ideas about what he wanted from the aircraft." he said. Emirates airline has been involved with Airbus since the conception of the A380 programme, and have made huge investments in it. "We have stood firm on our commitment to the A380," said Sheikh Ahmed. "Our investment in the aircraft, including engines and in-flight features, exceeds €32 billion, with €12 billion spent in Germany alone. "We congratulate Airbus for having created the 'greener, cleaner, quieter, smarter' aircraft." Thomas said that Tim Clark encouraged him, the 'founding father' of the A380 to go jumbo. "Tim Clark said: 'Don't be afraid of the size of the aircraft'," said Thomas, after whom the aircraft manufacturer has named the A380 delivery centre. Thomas was the former head of the Airbus Large Aircraft Division and in charge of the development of the A3XX – which became the A380 – from 1996 to 2001. – Emirates Business 247
