Airbus delivered its 100th A380 this week, with the landmark aircraft handed over to Malaysia Airlines (MAS) in Toulouse.
The new double-decker jet becomes the sixth and final A380 to be received by MAS, and comes equipped with 494 seats – eight in first class, 66 in business class and 494 in economy.
“We are delighted that our 100th A380 delivery is to Malaysia Airlines as this gives us an early glimpse into the future shape of aviation,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus’ President & CEO. “We see a growing demand from dynamic, competitive airlines such as MAS for larger aircraft, with many markets and routes, and in particular in the fast developing Asia Pacific region, being ideally suited to A380s.”
Indeed, out of the 100 A380s so far delivered, 82 are operated by airlines in Asia and the Middle East. Emirates is the aircraft’s biggest customer with 31 A380s, followed by Singapore Airlines (19), Qantas (12), Lufthansa (10), Air France (8), Korean Air (6), MAS (6), China Southern Airlines (5) and Thai Airways (3).
A further 159 A380s have been ordered, with British Airways expected to take delivery of its first aircraft later this year, followed by Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Asiana Airlines and Skymark Airlines in 2014.
