Total value of aircraft orders announced at Dubai Airshow
crossed $55 billion (Dh201.85 billion) mark on the third day following
big orders announced by Qatar Airways and US-based Spirit Airlines on
Tuesday.
The order book is bound to grow further with two more days to go for the airshow.
Florida-based Spirit Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding
with Airbus for 75 Airbus A320 family jets worth $7 billion – which
includes 45 A320neo (new engine option) and 30 A320 aircraft. The MoU
should be converted into a firm order by the end of the year.
After resolving its earlier differences with Airbus, Qatar Airways
signed an order for 50 A320neo aircraft and five A380 double-decker
aircraft, with a total list price of $6.4 billion. The Doha-based
carrier, which has taken options on 30 additional A320neos, plus three
additional A380s, will be the A320neo launch customer.
“The A320neo promises to be a great aircraft which is why we have
chosen it to form the backbone of our future single aisle expansion,”
said Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways.
Al Baker earlier on Tuesday dismissed Airbus as "still learning to make airplanes" but later in the day they scrapped through.
On the first day of show, Boeing and Emirates Airline announced an
order for 50 Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) aircraft, plus options
for an additional 20, which, with a value of $26 billion, making it the
single largest commercial aircraft order in Boeing’s 95 year history, in
dollar value.
Boeing’s flight services unit Jeppesen also announced a new contract
agreement with Emirates Aviation College. The deal will provide
Jeppesen’s ‘ab initio’ pilot training courses to the Dubai-based
institute.
"It is a strategic collaboration between Emirates Aviation College
and Jeppesen to offer the region's first of its kind JAA ab initio pilot
training programme,” said Dr Ahmad Al Ali, Senior Vice President
Emirates Aviation College.
Alison Weller, Managing Director of airshow organiser F&E
Aerospace, said: “This year’s Dubai Airshow is certainly a successful
one for Airbus, with orders for its new A320neo, bringing our order book
total to $55.4 billion. Let’s see what’s in store for the next two
days!”
The Airshow will run till November 17, Thursday at the Dubai Airport Expo.
