São Paulo – Last Sunday (17th), the first day of the Dubai Air Show, in the United Arab Emirates, Middle Eastern airlines announced purchases of new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus in order to expand their fleets. Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways, both based in the Emirates, have placed orders worth US$ 99 billion and US$ 67 billion, respectively. Qatar Airways signed a letter of intent to purchase 50 units of the Boeing 777-X, the American aircraft maker’s new model, which had its official launch at the Dubai Air Show. A new airline from Libya and the low cost airline FlyDubai have also placed orders.
Etihad Airways announced in a press statement that it has placed orders for 25 Boeing 777-X units, 30 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner units and one Boeing 777F for cargo transport. From Airbus, the airline has ordered 50 A350 XWB units, 36 A320NEO units and one A330-200F cargo aircraft. The first aircraft will join Etihad’s fleet in 2018. The deal also includes options for the purchase of another 56 aircraft.
Three of the models ordered by the Abu Dhabi-based company are new and not operating yet. The Boeing 777-X was officially launched by the American aircraft manufacturer in this edition of the Dubai Air Show, which opened on Sunday. The aircraft will have two versions, 777-8X and 777-9X, with capacities for 350 and 400 passengers respectively. The 777-8X will have a flight range of up to 17,220 km and a list price of US$ 349.8 million. The 777-9X will have a range of 15,185 km and will sell for US$ 377.2 million.
The Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner is a larger version of the 787, which began operating in 2012. Its range is 12,900 km and the seating capacity is 330. The model’s first flight should take place in 2017 and deliveries should start in 2018. The Airbus A350 XWB is a new jet family by the European manufacturer. The family will comprise three versions (A350-800, A350-900 and A350-1000), with flight ranges between 14,800 km and 15,300 km and seating capacities ranging from 276 to 369 passengers.
In the press release, Etihad’s CEO James Hogan said the new jets will be used in expanding the airline’s fleet and replacing less efficient, still-operating aircraft. ““These aircraft orders provide the next step in our long-term growth strategy. They are about meeting the needs of the next 10 years, and beyond, as we grow further and faster than ever before”, said Hogan.
Emirates Airline announced a US$ 76 billion order for Boeing aircraft. According to a press statement, it has ordered 115 units of the 777-9X model and 35 units of the 777-8X. The deal includes an option for 50 units of the 777-X model. Emirates has also confirmed the purchase of 50 aircraft by Airbus A380, for US$ 23 billion, as per the aircraft’s list price. The Dubai-based airline is already the world’s leading operator of the A380, the largest passenger aircraft in operation. Currently, the airline flies 39 A380 aircraft, and had already placed orders for another 51. After the new order, the company will be operating 140 A380 aircraft.
“Air transport is a key enabler of world trade, and we see that demand for aviation services will continue to grow globally. What we’re announcing today is a continuation of our commitment and vision to connect the world through our efficient hub in the Middle East”, said Emirates Group chairman Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum.
More orders
Qatar Airways signed a letter of intention for the purchase of 50 units of the 777-9X model. The deal may reach US$ 19 billion if it goes through. Apart from Qatar Airways, FlyDubai, Dubai’s low-cost airline, has ordered 100 Boeing 737MAX units and 11 737-800 NG units, in a deal worth an estimated US$ 11.4 billion. Just like the Airbus A320NEO units purchased by Etihad, the 737 model units are smaller than the other models ordered by the region’s airline, and will be used in regional passenger flights.
This Monday (18th), Airbus has announced the sale of three A350-900 and four A320NEO aircraft for the new Arab airline Libyan Wings. The Libya-based company is expected to start flying in 2014, using two leased A320 jets. Libyan Wings’ first flights will be domestic routes to nearby countries like Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Turkey.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
