Asiana Airlines places order for six A380s

Asiana Airlines signed (06-Jan-2011) a firm order with Airbus to acquire six A380s. The order is valued at USD1780 million at list prices according to a regulatory filing. Deliveries will commence from Apr-2014 through 2017. The carrier is yet to make an engine selection for the order. The aircraft will be used on key routes to Europe and the US with the carrier adding that it has "made the decision to accelerate our growth". The agreement case as eased visa rules on visitors to the US have increased demand for lucrative long-haul services to the US. CEO Yoon Young-Doostated the long-haul services are expected to increase by more than 5% p/a due to free trade agreements with the US and the EU and the visa waiver programme (AFP, 06-Jan-2011). Asiana's major rival, Korean Air, has orders for 10 A380s, with deliveries due to commence in May-2011. Korean Air's A380s will be configured with just 407 seats, the lowest seating density announced for the aircraft to date. [more]