Emirates, the Arab world's largest airline, placed an $11 billion order for 32 A380 jets from EADS's Airbus unit, the biggest ever for the company's superjumbo passenger plane.

The vote of confidence came as EADS prepared to show off the capabilities of its embattled A400M military transporter plane at the Berlin Air Show, and as it faces a simmering dispute with German military bosses over problems with two of its new helicopters.

Emirates' order would be worth $11.09 billion at a list price of $346.5 million per plane and brings the airline's total A380 order to 90 planes.

Emirates became Dubai's flagship company and one of the biggest contributors to the local economy after the property crisis devastated real estate firms. The government-owned group expects to earn $1.16 billion in 2010.