Aircraft
Emirates Throws Airbus Lifeline with A380 Commitment
MOU covering up to 36 superjumbos breathes fresh life into program
Emirates plans to take delivery of six Airbus A380s this year and six in 2019. (Photo: Airbus)
Emirates plans to take delivery of six Airbus A380s this year and six in 2019. (Photo: Airbus)

Emirates Airline ended months of speculation about the immediate fate of the Airbus A380 program Thursday as the Middle East carrier signed a memorandum of understanding calling for an eventual firm order for at least 20 of the superjumbos and options on another 16. Valued at $16 billion based on list prices, the deal would increase Airbus’s A380 firm order backlog to 115 from 95 and, assuming a production rate of six per year, ensure the line’s survival for at least another decade. After delivering 15 of the airplanes last year, Airbus planned to cut the A380’s production rate to 12 this year, eight in 2019, and to six a year starting in 2020. Emirates itself, which took delivery of its 100th A380 late last year, plans to take six this year and another six next year.