Emirates increases Expo 2020 livery A380s and Boeing 777s in its fleet to 40

The Dubai airline said it has been one of the largest decal projects it has undertaken

There's an extra tinge of excitement when flying on an aircraft with a special decal.

Whether it was the Year of Zayed, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix or the Real Madrid-themed design among the fleet based in the UAE, it certainly adds to the experience.

Now, there's a higher chance of flying on a special livery Emirates plane after the Dubai airline confirmed it has completed its Expo 2020 livery on 40 aircraft.

The livery was first seen in 2017 on a Boeing 777-300ER with the blue "mobility" decal, and the mini-fleet has since embarked on 15,000 flights.

Emirates said the source of inspiration for the Expo 2020 liveries was the event's logo, which is based on a 4,000-year-old ring excavated at an archaeological site in Dubai.

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Airbus A380 special liveries:

Emirates is ramping up operations via its A380 jets to meet travel demands. Photo: AP

The A380 is the world's largest passenger jet. Photo: Getty Images

Emirates is the world's biggest A380 customer and offers shower spas and an upper-deck lounge for premium passengers. Photo: Emirates

Emirates A380 economy class. Photo: Emirates

Inside Emirates new A380 Premium Economy cabin. Courtesy Emirates

The Emirates super jumbo is known for its luxury. Photo: Emirates

The grand staircase on an Emirates airline Airbus A380. Photo: AP

A custom A380 livery dedicated to Dubai’s Museum of the Future. Photo: Emirates

The United for Wildlife Emirates A380 before its first flight to London. Photo: Emirates

The Emirates Year of Zayed A380 makes a scenic landing in Hong Kong. Photo: Emirates

The Emirates FA Cup branded A380. Photo: Emirates

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The livery comes in three different colours with each representing the sub-themes of Expo 2020 - amber-tinged orange for opportunity, emerald green for sustainability, and cerulean blue for mobility.

They are now spread across 20 Airbus A380s and 20 Boeing 777s after 15,000 hours of work was spent over 14 months implementing them.

"The Expo 2020 Dubai decals are also among the largest to be applied on the Emirates Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 fuselages, in addition to covering each aircraft type’s engine cowls," Emirates said.

Seventy per cent of the 25 million people targeted to visit Expo 2020 are expected to utilise air transport, according to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

The airline has also introduced special-edition Expo 2020 amenity kits in six different designs under the sub-themes and colours.

Expo 2020 begins on October 20, 2020.

Special liveries are becoming ever-more frequent among airlines keen for extra exposure.

British Airways recently introduced a retro livery series as part of its centenary celebrations.

The first was the BOAC livery used from 1964 to 1974, which was painted on to a Boeing 747.

Next came the repainting of an Airbus A319 in the British European Airways livery, which was originally used between 1959 and 1968.

This was then followed by the Landor design on a Boeing 747 to mark the period between 1984-1997.

And, finally, it painted a Boeing 747 with the Negus livery, which adorned the BA fleet from 1974-1980.