After a quiet first day for aircraft orders, the second day of the Dubai Airshow saw Airbus triumph over long-time rival planemaker Boeing with two megadeals worth a total US$30 billion.
The first of the two massive Airbus deals was with Emirates Airline (Emirates) for 50 350-900 wide-body aircraft valued at US$16 billion at list price. Emirates is looking to restructure its fleet having previously reduced its order for the A380 superjumbo by 39 units, which led Airbus to call time on further plans for the aircraft. Having then agreed a deal with Airbus to replace the A380s with a combination of 30 A330neos and 30 A350s, today’s deal supersedes this. Sheikh Ahmed said the decision “follows a thorough review of various aircraft options and of our own fleet plans”, though he did not rule out the possibility of acquiring a number of A330neos in the future.
Airbus’ second major deal was with United Arab Emirates low-cost carrier Air Arabia for 120 A320s, worth approximately US$14 billion at list price. Currently operating a fleet of 53 Airbus A320 and A321 jets, Air Arabia recently announced an agreement with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways to launch a new low-cost carrier, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi. Deliveries for the order should commence in 2024, allowing it to move ahead with plans to add new routes to its network which takes in 170 destinations.
