PARIS – Emirates airline said on Thursday it would take delivery of two Airbus A380 superjumbos in December as it pursues its expansion plans despite the Dubai financial crisis.

The carrier reaffirmed the plans in a statement announcing new services to Amsterdam from May 2010, using Boeing planes.

The two A380s will be deployed to Seoul from Dec. 14 and Paris two weeks later, the airline said.

Emirates is the largest customer for the A380, with 53 still on order worth $17.4 billion at list prices. It has already taken delivery of five of the world’s largest airliner.

Emirates and EADS unit Airbus earlier this week both moved to contain fears that the Dubai crisis would hamper the European planemaker’s largest customer.

Airbus sales chief John Leahy told Reuters the airline was up to date with all payments and was expected to continue growing. The A380 sells for $328 million before discounts, with most of the purchase price payable at delivery.

The commitment to take A380 deliveries is also seen as important for Airbus which has been struggling to reach a target of 13 superjumbo deliveries in 2009. It delivered 7 up to the end of October.

Source: business.maktoob.com