Airbus setback as Boeing wins big orders

Airbus setback as Boeing wins big orders
Boeing

European airframer Airbus has suffered a setback on day one of the Dubai Airshow with a planned announcement for an A380 deal failing to materialise as Boeing wins big orders instead.

Emirates (EK/UAE) was expected to give the Airbus A380 a lifeline but instead has chosen to delay that deal and instead announced a 40 aircraft deal for the Boeing 787-10.

Combined with a 787 order from Azerbaijan Airlines, Boeing secured £17m worth of orders on day one.

In a double-blow to Airbus, Emirates had pulled out of a deal for the Airbus A350 in 2014 as it wanted to review its future fleet. The A350 is Airbus’ competitor to the 787 Dreamliner.

It isn’t a total loss for Airbus however as despite suffering a day one setback, Emirates is still expected to place an order for 36 A380 aircraft.

Emirates is by far the largest operator of the Airbus A380, a program that hasn’t been the success Airbus had hoped. An order for 36 aircraft would take total lifetime sales of the super-jumbo to 170. By comparison, Boeing has built 694 747-400 Jumbo-Jets. Emirates operates 100 A380.

The 787 has proved popular with middle-eastern airlines with Emirates rival Etihad ordering 71 of the type and Qatar Airways has ordered 60.

The Dubai Airshow 2018 is being held at Dubai World Central Airport (DWC/OMDW) and runs from 12th to 16th November.

About Nick Harding 2043 Articles
Nick is the senior reporter and editor at UK Aviation News as well as working freelance elsewhere. He has his finger firmly on the pulse on Aviation, not only in the UK but worldwide. Nick has been asked to speak in a professional capacity on LBC, Heart and other broadcast networks.