Airbus widens lead over Boeing on final day of Dubai Airshow

The region's largest aviation showcase, Dubai Airshow 2017, ended an action-filled five-day run by recording total aircraft deals and orders close to $114 billion, besides several billions in defence deals.

The bustling exhibition venue at the Dubai World Central, where the latest aircraft designs, innovative technologies and solutions in aviation were on active display, saw the world's two leading aircraft makers, Boeing and Airbus vying for orders in a neck and neck battle.

While Airbus widened its lead over its rival on the final day by selling two A330neos to Air Sénégal, raising its order tally to $62.5 billion, Boeing ended its innings at the show with $50.67 billion in orders for 302 aircraft, including the two landmark deals with Emirates airline and low-cost carrier flydubai.

On Thursday, the US aircraft maker and Kazakhstan-based SCAT Airlines announced an order for six 737 Max 8s valued at $674 million at current list prices on the final day of the 2017 Dubai Airshow. Boeing's order book includes a $15.1 billion Emirates order for 40 Boeing 787-10 and low-cost carrier flydubai's commitment to a $27 billion order for 225 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, hailed by the US plane maker as the "largest-ever single-aisle jet order" from a Middle East carrier.

Airbus, on the other hand, secured the biggest-ever single order in its history for 430 A320neos, besides firming up orders for 90 aircraft of the same family. The deal inked with US investor Bill Franke, valued at $50 billion, was for the supply of medium-range A320 family of aircraft to US investment firm Indigo Partners.

The European plane-maker's second deal was with Dublin based CDB Aviation Lease Finance DAC for 90 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft. The value of the deal was not disclosed, but is estimated to be well above $10 billion if the average unit price range of $116 million of the first deal is taken as a yardstick.

In a separate deal on Wednesday involving 15 Airbus 320neo, AerCap Holdings and Egyptair announced at the air show that they had reached agreement on the long-term operating lease of 15 Airbus A320neo aircraft. These aircraft are from AerCap's order book with Airbus and are scheduled to deliver in 2020. The value of the deal, although was not disclosed officially, is estimated to be above $2 billion.

Airbus marked the end of a successful show harvest by signing Memorandum of Understanding with Air Senegal for two of the wide-body aircraft, which is the new re-engined version of the best-selling A330 airliner for an estimated value of over $500 million.

At the end of the show's final day, the order book stood at almost $113.8 billion with Michele van Akelijen, managing director of organisers, Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East, said: "The figures speak for themselves - it's been another successful year. Dubai is geographically at the centre of the global aviation world, and Dubai Airshow is where the sector comes to do business. We have seen incredible, unmatched deals, innovations and ideas."

The show has marvelled aviation enthusiasts with a breathtaking array of over 160 of the latest commercial, business and military aircraft on static display. These included Sukhoi Superjet 100 and the Japanese Air Force Kawasaki C2. In addition, first time exhibitor Calidus displayed two aircraft: the B-250 Bader and the TX-C.

Also on static display were the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, Airbus A350X Wide Body, newly unveiled 777-300ER, Airbus A400M and Ukraine's Ahtohob - 70.

Emirates and Etihad Airways showcased their flagship A380s. The star of the static display is Emirates 100th Airbus A380 with the portrait of Sheikh Zayed, the Father of the Nation, on it livery. Flydubai is showed its Boeing 737 Max 8. Among other aircraft on the static park were Honeywell Boeing 757-200 and Diamond DA50 Super Star.

Military aircraft line-up on display included SU35, Dassault Rafale, the Taqnia/Antonov AN-132, the IOMax S2R-T660 Archangel and a PAC JF-17 Thunder. In addition, helicopters are well represented with a Turkish Aerospace Industries T129 Atak helicopter, the Motor Sich Mi2 and Mi8 MSB-T.

The display also featured unmanned aerial vehicles, such as the Turkish Aerospace Industries Anka MALE Class UAV.

Flying displays included aerobatic teams PLAAF August 1st Air Demonstration Team from China; the Russian Knights and the UAE's Al Fursan. Also fascinating were the display by Airbus A350 and a Beriev BE200 ES demonstrating its firefighting ability.

Source: Khaleej Times