Dubai-based Emirates on Thursday (Nov 16) announced an order for 15 long-haul Airbus A350-900s, bringing to 110 the number of additional aircraft the company has ordered at this year’s Dubai Air Show.

“The A350-900s will add to our fleet mix, and we are pleased to announce additional orders for this aircraft type, said Emirates chief executive Sheikh Ahmed Saeed Al Maktoum in a statement.

“We plan to deploy our A350s to serve a range of new markets, including long-haul missions of up to 15 hours flying time from Dubai.”

The deal is worth US$6 billion, the statement said, and all-told Emirates has committed to spending US$58 billion on new aircraft at this year’s event in Dubai, the statement said.

On Monday, Emirates announced a much larger order, worth US$52 billion, for 55 Boeing 777-9s, 35 777-8s and five 787 Dreamliners.

Its sister airline flydubai, a budget carrier, separately ordered 30 Boeing 787-9s valued at US$63 billion – its first wide-bodied, or large-capacity, planes as it looks to expand to new routes.

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Airbus chief commercial officer Christian Scherer said in a statement that Thursday’s deal represented “another solid step forward in the longstanding relationship agreement between Emirates and Airbus”.

He added: “Just as the A380 established itself at the heart of Emirates operations, we are equally proud of what the A350 will do in the years to come.” AFP