Airbus isn’t known for its freighters.
Within the last year, the company not only slated the end of production for its A300-600 Freighter but also halted work on its A380 cargo jet. (For more on Airbus’ decision to put its A380 freighter on hold, http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/07/03/02/100bus_cargo001.cfm)
Over the same time, Boeing continued to pick up cargo orders, adding 81 requests in 2006 that amounted to 18 percent of the company’s sales. The planemaker has received a strong industry response to its latest two freighter offerings: the 777 F and the 747-8 F. (Click here to read my story on Boeing’s cargo orders, http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/07/01/06/100bus_cargo001.cfm)
On Wednesday, however, Airbus managed to steal away one from its rival.
India’s Flyington Freighters opted for Airbus’s new A330-200 cargo jet over Boeing’s 777 freighter. Flyington firmed up a previous commitment to Airbus, signing a deal for six A330 freighters in Mumbai, according to an Airbus press statement. In January, Airbus scored its first firm order for the new A330-200 Freighter (http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/07/01/16/100bus_a4airbus001.cfm).
Flyington had announced its intent to buy four 777 freighters last July. However, a Boeing spokesman said the carrier didn’t finalize the deal. Boeing never listed Flyington’s request as a firm order. The Boeing spokesman said the company will continue to work with Flyington to meet its future freighter needs.
An Airbus executive told Reuters that Flyington would pay $175 million for each A330 freighter, making the deal worth more than $1 billion. Boeing lists its 777 Freighter at $232.5 million to $240 million.
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