Emirates has raised over US$1.13 billion for the financing of six new Airbus A380 aircraft. Reflecting the airlines robust delivery schedule Emirates will receive the first of these aircraft this week, with a second arriving in late December and the remaining four A380's due for handover in 2010.

These six aircraft will form part of the 53 Airbus A380 aircraft that Emirates currently has on firm order.

Tim Clark, president of Emirates said: "Emirates remains in a secure financial position despite the global financial crisis. We have never encountered difficulties in obtaining finance for our aircraft acquisition programme, with both international and regional banks comfortable with our financial stability."

The financing for these six aircraft was arranged and funded under two separate finance agreements. The first agreement, covering three A380 aircraft, has been undertaken with Citibank, backed by a guarantee from the European Export Credit Agencies (ECAs).

A second financing agreement has been arranged through Doric Asset Finance and covers the remaining three A380 aircraft. The delivery of the A380 aircraft brings Emirates' A380 fleet to six with the aircraft deployed on the Seoul, Korea route. Later this month Emirates will also receive its seventh A380, scheduled to service the Dubai - Paris route three times per week from December 29, becoming daily from January 17, 2010.

Independent and financially self-sustained, Emirates is one of the world's most successful international airlines. Emirates operates an all-wide bodied fleet of 141 aircraft to 101 destinations in 62 countries including Malta.