Emirates is reportedly close to signing a deal with European plane maker Airbus for more A380 superjumbos worth at least $14 billion.
Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that Airbus could sell more than 30 A380 to the Dubai-based airline.
The deal is expected to be announced at the opening of the Dubai Airshow on Sunday, Reuters reported.
It quoted a spokeswoman for Emirates, which is the largest A380 buyer with 142 on order and 100 already delivered, as saying: “We do not comment on rumours or speculation.”
Emirates chairman and CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said last week that it was working with Airbus on a follow-up deal, which would bring much-needed relief to the A380 programme that’s running out of orders as carriers pick smaller more fuel-efficient aircraft.
The Airbus A380, which is the European manufacturer’s largest and most expensive plane at a list price of $436.9 million, has become a tough sell for the company.
Emirates represents the only major customer for the double-decker, with 142 of the jet’s 317 net orders as the airline uses the model as its flagship.
Airbus has cut back production of the superjumbo over the past few years to adapt to the slowing order flow, moving from 28 deliveries in 2016 to just eight a year from 2019.
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