Dubai: Emirates' Airbus A380 double-decker touched down on schedule in Dubai yesterday evening. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, was on board the new generation double-decker plane, which arrived in Dubai at 17:46 hours.
He led a delegation of senior Emirates executives that arrived from Hamburg on the aircraft. A media group numbering around 70 was also on board.
The new super-jumbo, which features five-minute long showers in first class and lounge areas for premium passengers, will make its maiden flight from Dubai to New York on Friday (Aug. 1) in what will be the first commercial A380 flight to touch down in the US.
"The arrival of our first A380 in Dubai is hugely significant for the city, Emirates and the Middle East aviation market. This new generation aircraft takes the aviation industry to another level and will provide passengers with an unrivaled flying experience. Emirates is proud to be the A380 launch customer in the Middle East, the base for one of the world's fastest growing aviation markets," said Sheikh Ahmed.
"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," he added.
"We have stood firm on our commitment to the A380," he said. "Our investment in the aircraft, including engines and in-flight features, exceeds 32 billion euros, with 12 billion euros spent in Germany alone.
Emirates is the second customer of A380 after Singapore Airlines. Emirates has ordered 58 of the A380s, the largest number of orders yet placed with the planemaker, worth $18.8 billion at current list prices. Emirates is due to receive five super-jumbos in the current financial year, which ends March 31, 2009, and will receive the remaining 53 by June 2013.
The A380 entered commercial service last October with Singapore Airlines on flights to Sydney. This service has since been extended to London with the delivery of four more aircraft. The planemaker is paid the bulk of the A380's hefty $300 million price-tag when the jets are delivered.
A380 has exclusive, spacious and luxurious cabin, featuring 489 seats -- 14 first class suites, 76 business and 399 economy. For added passenger relaxation, innovative ceiling mood lighting throughout creates a calming starry night sky effect. The jewel in the aircraft's crown is without a doubt the First Class Shower Spa, two fully equipped bathrooms in its First Class cabins, including shower facilities. Here passengers will be able to take a shower at 43,000 feet.
"Fulfilling the A380 dream has required vision, innovation, a lot of courage and determination. Emirates shared in this vision early on and today the result is the world's most modern, innovative and eco-efficient aircraft ever built. The A380 is changing the way people travel. Airbus is proud of all the engineers, staff and customers such as Emirates who have made the A380 a magnificent reality," said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO.
Powered by Engine Alliance's GP7200 engines, Emirates' A380s are capable of flying up to 15,000km on a full load, and offer fuel economy as low as 3.1 liters per 100 kms. This will enable the carrier to save 500,000 liters of fuel per aircraft per year over any other engine alternative currently available
K.T. Abdurabb
© Arab News 2008
