Emirates picks up Airbus superjumbo, orders more jets

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

HAMBURG, Germany (AFP) — The Gulf airline Emirates took delivery on Monday of its first Airbus A380 superjumbo jet after repeated delays and promptly said it would buy 60 other planes from the European firm.

Emirates chief executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum and his Airbus counterpart Thomas Enders offered hundreds of reporters a peek at Emirates' luxury version of the double-decker aircraft and touted its ecological clout.

"We congratulate Airbus for having created a greener, cleaner, quieter, smarter aircraft," Sheikh Maktoum said.

"With its very low fuel burn and quietness the A380 also sets new standards in environmental performance. It will definitely help air transportation and Emirates grow, while reducing the impact on the environment."...