Airbus soars past Boeing at Dubai Airshow

[Heracles 417]

Airbus soars past Boeing at Dubai Airshow

November 19, 2009 - 10:52AM

Airbus said yesterday it has received US$5.3 billion (A$5.7 billion) in orders and letters of intent for new aircraft at the Dubai Airshow, while rival Boeing announced two orders for less than US$800 million (A$860 million).

"We had a good airshow, better than many expected," said Airbus chief operating officer John Leahy in a statement released a day before the biennial show ends, with overall sales down sharply on 2007.

The Airbus orders were for 15 aircraft worth more than US$3.6 billion, in addition to memorandums of understanding on another 18 valued at around US$1.7 billion.

The largest came from Ethiopian Airlines for 12 A350-900s worth US$2.9 billion, while Air Austral ordered two A380 superjumbos worth US$655 million. Air Austral plans to be the first airline to fly the A380 with an all-economy class fit-out of more than 800 seats.

Swiss-based charter airline Comlux placed a firm order for one Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ) worth US$75 million.

Meanwhile, Airbus signed an MoU to supply Yemenia Airlines with 10 A320s worth US$770 million, and an MoU with Senegal Airlines for two A320s and two A330-200s valued at US$670 million.

An MoU was also signed with Nepal Airlines for one A320 and one A330-200 worth US$258 million.

Arch-rival Boeing received orders from the Algerian national carrier Air Algerie for seven Boeing B737-800s. The price was not disclosed, but it should range between US$493 million and US$553 million according to catalogue prices.

Boeing also confirmed an order for four B737s by the Algerian domestic carrier Tassili Airlines, valued at US$228.4 million.

Sales are sharply lower for the two companies that than in 2007, when they received orders and letters of intent worth around US$75 billion, mostly from Gulf carriers.

Show organisers said yesterday that orders by the next to last day have exceeded US$13 billion -- way below US$155.5 billion in 2007.

Leahy warned that the aviation industry is still struggling to overcome the impact of the global financial crisis.

"Our industry is not out of the woods yet. There will be a difficult winter ahead of us," he said.

"But with the deals we made in Dubai and the interest in our products that we saw here, spring may not be that far away," he added.

AFP

This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/travel/travel-news/airbus-soars-past-boeing-at-dubai-airshow-20091119-inea.html

Edited November 19, 2009 by Booyah!

[William33 110]

Air Austral plans to be the first airline to fly the A380 with an all-economy class fit-out of more than 800 seats.

Nothing like comfortable seating on long haul flights......How innovative.....

[Heracles 417]

Air Austral plans to be the first airline to fly the A380 with an all-economy class fit-out of more than 800 seats.

Nothing like comfortable seating on long haul flights......How innovative.....

Air Austral is budget (Southwest like). I know Qantas is using them to LA and London and the feedback has been extremely positive. The seats are much wider, recline further and have more space than their Boeing equivalent aircraft.

Edited November 19, 2009 by Booyah!

[William33 110]

Air Austral plans to be the first airline to fly the A380 with an all-economy class fit-out of more than 800 seats.

Nothing like comfortable seating on long haul flights......How innovative.....

Air Austral is budget (Southwest like). I know Qantas is using them to LA and London and the feedback has been extremely positive. The seats are much wider, recline further and have more space than their Boeing equivalent aircraft.

Examples would be helpful, as seating arrangements are airline specific....not by aircraft manufacturer.....

[Heracles 417]

Examples would be helpful, as seating arrangements are airline specific....not by aircraft manufacturer.....

Trying to think of the website that has that info.

The legroom and wider seats is a big part of the A380's selling point. While I totally agree with what you are saying, flying a 747 with similar seat configurations would not be feasible. Also why sales of the newer 747-8 are pretty much dead in the water.

[DEDixon 39]

and while this post is purely for the purpose of downgrading america and boeing, what aircraft manufacture of meaningful size is there in aussie land? airbus doesn't have any operations in aussie land yet they do in america.

just saying... what does aussie land produce rather than just use? i don't know of any innovation coming out of aussie land... please share. yes, i could look it up, but you probably have the short list in front of you.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Airbus soars past Boeing at Dubai Airshow

November 19, 2009 - 10:52AM

The Airbus orders were for 15 aircraft worth more than US$3.6 billion, in addition to memorandums of understanding on another 18 valued at around US$1.7 billion.

The largest came from Ethiopian Airlines for 12 A350-900s worth US$2.9 billion,

I first wondered whether Ethiopian Airlines has given up on the Dreamliner altogether and opted instead to buy the A350's but it seems they will buy the 12 A350's in addition to the ten 787's they have on order with Boeing. Good to see them grow their operation.