Airbus Signs $16 Billion Deal with UAE for Double-decker 380s

Following a year during which virtually no jumbo jets were sold and the venerable grand-daddy of the jumbo fleet, the 747, has become all but obsolete, January ends up a big month for the Airbus company with a contract worth $16 to sell 36 double-decker A380s to the United Arab Emirates flag carrier, Emirates Airways. Known as a “super jumbo,” the massive aircraft carries – depending on the model – between 489 and 615 passengers, some aircraft featuring closed suites in first class. Emirates has become the airline of the A380 with 141 already in its fleet and including the new order, 77 waiting to be made. According to the French news agency AFP, the Airbus company said only days ago that production would be suspended unless new orders were placed.