Middle Eastern carrier Emirates has agreed to purchase, by the end of this year, another four Airbus A380s which it currently operates under lease.
Emirates is to purchase the four aircraft over the course of August to November, as their leases expire.
It will acquire the jets for a total of just under £132 million ($177 million), including $25 million for title purchase and $20 million for buy-out of return conditions.
The aircraft are being sold by Guernsey-based investment vehicle Doric Nimrod Air Three, which will then be liquidated after proceeds are distributed to shareholders in the first quarter of next year.
This company bought the aircraft – which it identifies as MSNs 132, 133, 134 and 136 – over the span of August-November 2013, subsequently handing them to Emirates on 12-year leases.
All four are equipped with Engine Alliance GP7200 engines.
While one of the jets, MSN133, was acquired in November 2013, Doric Nimrod Air Three states that transfer of title will take place on 27 August to “facilitate required maintenance” outside of Dubai.
Emirates has previously carried out similar purchases of A380s from related investment companies Doric Nimrod Air Two and Doric Nimrod Air One.
