Emirates orders another 4 A380's

Emirates followed through on its interest in increasing its A380 order, signing a contract for an additional four, Airbus said yesterday. It now has committed to 47 of the jumbo aircraft and is due to receive its first in the third quarter of 2008. “We have repeatedly said we are committed to the A380 and, having now fully settled all past issues, this latest agreement should leave no one in any doubt about our faith in Airbus, the company and the quality of the aircraft we are committing to,” Chairman Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum said. The “settled all past issues” likely refers to compensation for the program’s delay, according to press reports. An EK spokesperson told Reuters that a compensation deal has been reached but that it was not linked to the order for four more aircraft