ACW - Air Cargo Week
11/21/2011
Airshow bonanza includes B777F orders
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Emirates Airline stole the commercial headlines at the recent Dubai Airshow by placing an order with Boeing for an additional 50 widebody B777-300ER (Extended Range) aircraft, worth approximately US$18 billion at list prices.
The order also included 20 options for B777-300ER equipment, valued at $8 billion, for a final total of 70 aircraft at a list price value of $26 billion.
The new equipment will add to the airline's existing fleet of 95 B777 aircraft of various types, including three freighters.
Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, called the deal "the single largest order in dollar value in Boeing's history".
He added: "As the largest operator of the 777 in the world, Emirates has played an important role in development of the airplane and its input over the years has be invaluable in the development of the 777 programme."
In separate news from the Dubai Airshow, the aircraft leasing division of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) is to lease nine new 103-tonne payload B777 freighters on a long-term basis to Emirates SkyCargo, the airfreight wing of the Dubai carrier.
These aircraft are from the DAE order book with Boeing and will be delivered in the 2012-15 timeframe.
"This agreement ensures Emirates SkyCargo will receive a pipeline of new, state-of-the-art, freighter aircraft over the next four years," commented Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group.
DAE Capital leased a B777 freighter to Emirates SkyCargo in September this year.
Doha-based Qatar Airways then announced a $6.5 billion deal with the European aircraft manufacturer for five A380s and around 50 fuel-saving A320neo aircraft.
In a separate deal, Qatar place an order for two more B777 freighters, valued at $560 million at current list prices. The carrier currently operates 28 B777s of various types, including three freighters.
"As we accelerate efforts to boost our global cargo network, we are expanding our fleet with airplanes like the Boeing 777 freighter that allow us to deliver cargo further and more efficiently than ever before," commented Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al Baker.
In a briefing at the airshow, Airbus upgraded its Middle East market forecast. It now believes there will be enough demand in the region for up to 1,882 new passenger aircraft (worth $336.3 billion) and 39 new freighter aircraft (at a list price value of $11.1 billion) for delivery between 2011 and 2030.
Airbus ended the show with orders for aircraft worth $17.6 billion. US low-cost carrier Spirit AIrlines made the largest single commitment, for 30 A320 and 45 A320neo aircraft.
>>Oman AIr used the Dubai Airshow to announce an order with Boeing for six all-new B787-8 'Dreamliner' aircraft. The direct order from the Omani flag-carrier replaced its pre-existing option on the Boeing order book for six Dreamliners through Kuwait-based leasing company ALAFCO.
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