Emirates places further orders at Farnborough in excess of USD1.13 billion
On the second day of Farnborough International Air Show 2004, Emirates signed a host of agreements worth more than USD1.13 billion, ranging from systems and suites to simulators, on the heels of the first day's order for 13 Boeing aircraft worth USD2.96 billion.
The contracts were signed in Farnborough by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Emirates' Chairman, in the presence of the airline's senior management including Maurice Flanagan, Vice Chairman and Group President; Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline; and Ghaith Al Ghaith, Executive Vice President Commercial Operations Worldwide.
The airline has signed an agreement with Matsushita Avionics Systems Corporation (MAS) for the eX2 inflight entertainment system, which includes interactive audio, video, games, communication and connectivity support, for the airline's new Airbus fleet including A380-800 double-deckers and A340-600HGWs.
The agreement also includes new systems for existing and other new aircraft on order, making MAS the sole supplier of inflight entertainment systems to the Emirates fleet which will total 169 by 2012. The majority of the airline's fleet already offer MAS' inflight entertainment systems, including the brand-new A340-500 aircraft. Emirates' 43 passenger A380s are expected to start entering the fleet from October 2006 and the 20 A340-600s from June 2007.
The overall value of the order is approximately US$1 billion of which up to 30 per cent will be invested in manufacturing and digital media facilities in Dubai.
