Dubai-based Emirates Airlines said Thursday it has struck a $16 billion deal to buy 36 Airbus A380 superjumbos. The company said it had placed firm orders for 20 of the double-decker aircraft with options for a further 16. "This order will provide stability to the A380 production line," the airlines chairman and CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum said. "Weve made no secret of the fact that the A380 has been a success for Emirates," he said in a statement.  "Our customers love it, and weve been able to deploy it on different missions." Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2020. The airline said that with the new order it will have commitments for a total of 178 A380s worth $60 billion. Emirates is already the worlds biggest customer for the A380 with 101 in its fleet and 41 more firm orders previously placed. The deal came just days after the European manufacturer said it would have to halt production without new orders. "Quite honestly, if we cant work out a deal with Emirates there is no choice but to shut down the program," Airbus sales director John Leahy said Monday. On Thursday, Leahy seemed relieved that Airbus strategy of staring down Emirates appeared to have paid off. "This new order underscores Airbus commitment to produce the A380 at least for another ten years. Im personally convinced more orders will follow Emirates example and that this great aircraft will be built well into the 2030s," he said.