Dubai’s Emirates Airline has ordered a further 32 A380s from Airbus, raising its firm order total for double-deck transport to 90 aircraft. The parties signed the contract, worth $11.5 billion at list prices, in a ceremony today at the Berlin Air Show, witnessed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Emirates Airline group chairman and CEO Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum and Airbus president and CEO Tom Enders.

“This latest order, adding to 58 A380s previously ordered, affirms Emirates’ strategy to become a world-leading carrier and to further establish Dubai as a central gateway to worldwide air travel,” said Sheikh Ahmed. “The A380 is our flagship in terms of passenger comfort, innovation, operating and environmental efficiency and revenue generation. Our latest commitment signals Emirates’ confidence in the growth to come in a thriving aviation sector.” 

Following delivery of its first Engine Alliance GP7200-powered A380 in July 2008, Emirates now operates 10 aircraft serving eight international destinations, comprising London Heathrow, Toronto, Paris, Jeddah, Bangkok, Seoul, Sydney and Auckland. The airline expects the list of destinations to increase as more airports around the world become A380 ready. Emirates’ tenth A380, received on June 7, sits on static display at the ILA Berlin Air Show. 

“Emirates has supported the development of the A380 from the earliest days, and today’s order–the single largest A380 order ever–is the best endorsement I can imagine,” said Enders. “On behalf of all of us at Airbus, we thank Emirates for their confidence and support.”

Now flying with five airlines, the A380 in-service fleet has accumulated more than 15,000 commercial flights. Nearly 5.5 million passengers have flown on the 30 A380s in service, taking them to 20 major international destinations. Airbus now has firm orders from 17 customers for 234 A380s.