Emirates has signed a contract during the World Government Summit for 20 additional A380 aircraft and 16 further options.

The airline announced the memorandum of understanding for the order in January 2018.

According to Emirates, which has yet to decide between General Electric or Rolls-Royce engines for the new planes, deliveries will begin in 2020.

“This agreement underscores our commitment to the A380 programme, providing stability to the A380 production line and supporting tens of thousands of high-value jobs across the aviation supply chain,” said Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum [right in photo], chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group. “For Emirates, the A380 has been a successful aircraft for our customers, our operations and our brand.”

Emirates already has 101 A380s in service with another 41 on order. The new order brings the airline’s commitment to the A380 programme to 178 aircraft, worth over US$60 billion.

“We thank Emirates, HH Sheikh Ahmed, Tim Clark and Adel Al-Redha for their continued confidence in the A380, which has so successfully transformed air travel in the 21st century,” said Fabrice Brégier, president of commercial aircraft and chief operating officer of Airbus. “This latest agreement further demonstrates the strength of our valued partnership with Emirates in support of their impressive growth.”

Emirates is the world’s largest operator of the A380.