By DPA
London : British Airways (BA) Thursday announced the biggest update in its fleet in a decade with orders for the new Airbus A380 superjumbo and Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner estimated at a total of some four billion pounds ($8 billion).
The massive order is also good news for Rolls Royce, whose engines will power the 12 Airbus A380s and the 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
BA has also placed an option for a further seven A380s and 18 787s.
The new aircraft, described by BA as “greener, quieter and more fuel-efficient”, are to replace 34 of the airline’s long-haul fleet and will be delivered between 2010 and 2014.
“This is an exciting day for British Airways with our largest fleet order since 1998. It’s great news for our business, our customers and the environment,” BA chief executive Willie Walsh said.
Walsh said the airliners would make a significant contribution to BA’s aim of improving fuel efficiency by 25 per cent by 2025.