EADS: A380 contract with Emirates Airlines proves strong confidence in the commercial aircraft market and the Airbus Superjumbo
Dubai, 04 November 2001
Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich, the Chief Executive Officers of EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, congratulate both Emirates Airlines and the EADS subsidiary Airbus on the signing of the contract for 22 A380 superjumbos (firm orders) and 10 options. The agreement also contains an order for 3 A330-200 and a letter of intent for 8 A340-600. The signature took place on Sunday at the 7th International Aerospace Exhibition 2001 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
"Our most cordial thanks go out to Emirates for the trust it has placed in the A380" Camus and Hertrich said. Last year, Emirates was one of the first airlines to commit publicly to a future investment in the A380. "By ordering more than three times of the original number, Emirates has now sent out a signal with an economic significance far beyond the borders of the aviation industry", continued the two CEOs.
"This contract demonstrates customer confidence in both the market and the A380", said Hertrich and Camus. "It confirms also EADS's belief that the sound mid- and long-term prospects of the aviation industry will prevail over the current turbulence: Aviation remains a strong growth market and needs new and innovative products providing 21st century technology."
Camus and Hertrich underlined, that "today's contract signature provides further clear evidence that the market proves what EADS and Airbus have always maintained: that the A380 superjumbo is the right aircraft at the right time. The A380 programme is fully in line with our objectives in terms of cost, timeframe and marketing".
EADS is the largest European aerospace company and No. 2 world-wide. Airbus is an EADS company with BAE Systems.
Contact for Communications:
| Rainer Ohler | +49 89 607 34235 |
| Miguel Sanchez | + 34 91 585 77 89 |
| Roland Sanguinetti | + 33 1 42 24 24 26 |
