Emirates airline has reaffirmed its order for 43 Airbus A380s and has signed a contract for a further four aircraft. Dubai’s government-owned airline, which already has the largest number of the ‘superjumbos’ on order, will now receive 47 of the $300million planes.

The first aircraft will be delivered in the third quarter of 2008, according to a statement by Airbus parent company EADS. Last month Emirates hinted that it could use the superjumbo for anew low-cost arm of the business.

“We are thinking a bit about (a low-cost carrier),” Maurice Flanagan told the Reuters news agency. “It’s something for the next few years. The A380 could be a very good aircraft for that.” Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Emirates Group, said in a statement issued by EADS that the “Airbus A380 will be instrumental in helping Emirates meet its growing passenger demand”.

“We have repeatedly said we are committed to the A380 and, having now fully settled all past issues, this latest agreement should leave no one in any doubt about our faith in Airbus, the company and the quality of the aircraft we are committing to,” said Sheikh Ahmed.