A380

UAE-based carrier Emirates Airline has placed an order with Airbus to buy two more A380 superjumbo aircraft, with deliveries scheduled in the last quarter of next year.

Claimed to operate the largest Airbus A380s fleet in the world, Emirates currently has 75 A380s in service and another 65 on firm order.

Valued at $865.2m on list price, the newly ordered double-decker A380s will be powered by Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Emirates Airline president Tim Clark said: "From now until the end of 2017, Emirates will retire 30 older aircraft from our fleet.

"At the same time, to meet our growth expectations, we will receive delivery of 24 new Boeing 777, and 33 new A380 aircraft including these two additional A380 aircraft just ordered.

"This is in line with our strategy to operate a modern and efficient fleet and offer the best possible experience for our customers."

"This is in line with our strategy to operate a modern and efficient fleet and offer the best possible experience for our customers."

The two additional jets will feature two-class configuration and Emirates’ products such as an onboard lounge, where business class passengers can socialise during their flight; Emirates’ in-flight entertainment with more than 2,500 channels, and free Wi-Fi.

The carrier is planning to introduce flights to Prague, Taipei and Vienna, increasing its flagship A380 aircraft route network to 42 destinations worldwide.

Clark also added: "We’ve always been open about how the A380 has been a big success for Emirates.

"In fact, demand from customers for our A380 product is growing, as we expand our A380 network and more travellers have had the opportunity to experience it first-hand."

Image: The newly ordered double-decker A380s will be powered by Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines. Photo: courtesy of Emirates.