Company steals the airshow with 163 orders worth $28b
Airbus is flying high. Despite all the flak it received from the aviation community following delays in the delivery of its much-touted A380 superjumbo aircraft, the EADS company and one of the biggest aircraft manufacturers in the world was the clear winner at the 10th Dubai Airshow with 163 firm orders from 10 customers, comprising Middle East international carriers, low-cost airline operators, aircraft leasing companies, and even one private VIP version of the A380, all worth over $28 billion.
Its largest customer for the A380 in the region, Emirates Airline, which now has a total of 58 A380s on order, expressed its continued confidence with the Pan-European aircraft manufacturer by placing new firm orders for 70 A350 XWBs and 11 more A380s.
John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer, said that the orders reinforced customer confidence in Airbus' leading product range.
"This air show has confirmed that Airbus is very much back on the market, continuing to satisfy customers with the right products," Leahy said. Furthermore, according to Leahy, the A380 and A350 XWB have been the highlight of their participation at the air show for having received tremendous endorsement from customers.
As the number of orders shows, there has been a very strong demand for the A350 XWB, with a total of 80 firm orders from two customers - 70 from Emirates and another firm contract from Yemenia for 10 A350s.
In addition, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Capital (DAE-Capital) committed to acquire 30 A350s, while C Jet Limited of Hong Kong became the first customer for the VIP version of the plane, the A350XWB Prestige. Total firm orders for the type now stand at 276 from 11 customers.
Likewise, showing strong performance in terms of the number of orders is the A380. Emirates ordered an additional 11 A380 aircraft, while HRH Prince Waleed Bin Talal of Saudi Arabia made the first order for a private VIP version of the A380 dubbed as the 'Flying Palace' opening a new market for what is referred to as Airbus' 'gentle green giant'.
Airbus' Single Aisle Family received 66 firm orders, plus commitments for an additional 101 received from nine customers, including 20 from NAS, 70 from DAE Capital, 22 from Saudi Arabian Airlines, 34 from Air Arabia, eight from Air Blue, nine from Nile Air and four from private customers.
By Albert Alba
© The Business Weekly 2007
