SINGAPORE, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Australia’s Qantas Airways Ltd said on Thursday it formally cancelled a longstanding order for eight Airbus SE A380 superjumbo jets.

“Following discussions with Airbus, Qantas has now formalised its decision not to take eight additional A380s that were ordered in 2006,” a Qantas spokesman said.

“These aircraft have not been part of the airline’s fleet and network plans for some time.”

Qantas has 12 A380s in its fleet and the spokesman said it would proceed with plans to refurbish the cabins starting in the middle of this year, with the jets set to remain flying with the airline “well into the future”. (Reporting by Jamie Freed; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)