Airbus has won a huge order at the Dubai Air Show, which started today in the United Arab Emirates.
The European plane maker walked away with a highly anticipated order from Emirates, which had talked about ordering either 100 A350s or 787s. The $31 billion deal turned out to be for 70 A350 Extra Wide Body jets and 11 A380 super jumbo jets. Emirates also took options for an additional 50 A350s.
For Airbus, the deal is not only a win over rival Boeing but a shot of confidence in its delayed A380 and A350 programs.
The chairman of Emirates had this to say about the deal in a press release:
“The A350 XWBs and A380s will play an important role in supporting Emirates’ and Dubai’s growth plans. As the leading international airline for the 21st century, it made sense for Emirates to choose the A350 XWB – an aircraft designed with 21st century technologies. It offers the latest efficiencies in operational economics and environmental performance, balanced with the latest passenger comfort. We are also adding more A380s to our order, to match our new growth plans which are aligned to Dubai’s aim to attract 15 million visitors a year by 2012.”
Emirates has long been interested in the 787-10, a larger version of the Dreamliner that Boeing has not launched officially. Just last month, Emirates also questioned the power of the engines available on Boeing’s 787.
Emirates didn’t snub Boeing completely, giving the Chicago-based jet maker an order for 12 777-300 Extended Range jets. I imagine this will help tide Emirates over until it begins receiving its A350s, which won’t be ready until at earliest 2013.
Qatar Airways finally made public an order for 30 787 Dreamliners. The carrier’s logo showed up on the first 787 when it was rolled out of the Everett factory in July, but Qatar didn’t confirm the order then.
At the air show, Qatar announced that it has ordered the 30 787s as well as five 777 Freighters from Boeing. Qatar also took options on an additional 30 Dreamliner jets.
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