Super-duper jumbo is on the way

The Emirates A380 plane.

Emirates has confirmed that it intends to start flying the new superjumbo Airbus A380 aircraft into Auckland next year.

The plane will join the Dubai-based airline's fleet in October 2006.

Emirates flies long-haul aircraft across the Tasman as an addition to its major routes between Australia and Dubai.

After Singapore Airlines, Emirates will be the second airline in the world to fly the new superjumbo, which is expected to fly for the first time this month.

Designed to carry about 555 seats, many airlines are expected to install fewer seats, keeping them around the 500-seat level. It will be used on the world's most congested routes, particularly those that use constrained airports, such as Heathrow.

Auckland International Airport has begun work on expanding its runway to accommodate the plane with a section of the main runway to be widened by 7.5 metres to take into account the larger engine overhang.