Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, has signed a contract for an additional four Airbus A380 Super-jumbos.

The airline is the main launch customer for the aircraft and already had the largest number of A380s on order which has now been increased from 43 to 47.

Emirates will take delivery of its first A380 in the third quarter of 2008.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman & Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said: "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.

"The Airbus A380 will be instrumental in helping Emirates meet its growing passenger demand and will do it using one of the most efficient and greenest aircraft ever produced."

"A repeat order for the A380 from a leading airline like Emirates is a huge vote of confidence for Airbus. Emirates has great ambitions and we are delighted that our partnership with dates back to 1985, continues to grow from strength to strength. I'd like to thank Emirates for their faith in Airbus and in our most modern aircraft - the world's 21st century 'green giant'," said Louis Gallois, Co CEO EADS and CEO Airbus. "We are committed to satisfying our customers as they are to theirs."

The order for the four additional A380s has been added to Emirates' current order book for 107 new aircraft, worth approximately US$30 billion in list prices. Over the next eight years, the airline will continue to receive delivery of one new aircraft per month on average.

The Emirates Group recently reported its 19th consecutive year of profit with a new record performance backed by continued double-digit growth.

Group net profits increased 23.5 per cent to a new high of US$942 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2007.

Emirates Airlines' profits of US$844 million also surpassed the previous year's record profits of US$674 million.