CHRISTMAS came early for the world’s two major airliner manufacturers – Boeing and Airbus – on the opening day of the Dubai Airshow yesterday.
Boeing was the clear winner with its yet-to-be-launched Boeing 777X garnering a staggering commitment for 225 aircraft from Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways.
Taken together with a previous order for 34 aircraft, the B777X is now officially launched with 259 aircraft booked and a further commitment in the form of purchase rights and options for 92 aircraft.
Meanwhile the Airbus A380 received a shot in the arm from Emirates with a top-up order of 50 aircraft. Emirates now has a total of 140 A380s in operation and on order.
The following is a summary of the orders, purchase rights and options booked by Airbus and Boeing on the first day of the Dubai Airshow:
- Etihad – 17 B777-9Xs and eight B777-8Xs with purchase rights for another 12 aircraft; 30 B787-10s with purchase rights for another 12 aircraft; 40 A350-900s and 10 A350-1000s; 10 A320neos; 26 A321neos
- Emirates – 150 B777Xs with options for another 50 aircraft; 50 A380-800s
- Qatar Airways – 50 B777Xs
- Flydubai – 100 B737-MAX8s and 11 B737-800s
Separately, Air New Zealand will be the world’s first operator of the B787-9 Dreamliner when it takes delivery of its first aircraft (out of 10) in 2H2014.
With a three-class configuration, the B787 will initially be deployed on the Auckland-Perth route starting October 15, 2014 and subsequently on the Auckland-Tokyo (Narita) and Tokyo-Shanghai routes when the airline receives its third aircraft by end-2014.
