Dubai Show

[BC Tam 2]

Jaw droppingly astounding read !

 

BBC news

[Imran K. 0]

potong stim la BC.. > (another beer for you when we meet)

Pix will be up within the week...

[Andrew Ong 1]

From Airbus:

 

Saudi Arabian Airlines chooses the Airbus A320 for fleet renewal

12 November 2007

 

Saudi Arabian Airlines, Saudi Arabia’s national airline, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 22 Airbus A320 aircraft as part of the fleet modernisation plans. The agreement allows Saudia to increase the order by eight further A320s.

 

The agreement marks a period of rapid expansion of the aviation market in the region with Saudia experiencing unprecedented demand for air travel.

 

The agreement is particularly significant as it marks the first time Saudi Arabian Airlines have placed an order with Airbus in some two decades. Previously, Saudi Arabian Airlines were the launch customer for the Airbus A300-600, which was delivered in 1984.

 

"Investing in a new fleet of Airbus single aisle aircraft enables us to benefit from an aircraft that is unquestionably right for our needs and for those of our passengers, one that combines cabin comfort with operational cost-efficiency, while enabling us to grow", said Khalid al Molhem, Director General Saudi Arabian Airlines.

 

"Saudi Arabian Airlines is one of the biggest and the longest-established airlines in the Middle East, and we are very pleased the company has decided to expand with our A320 family of Aircraft", said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO.

 

The A320 Family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Each aircraft features fly by wire controls and share a unique cockpit commonality across the range. Over 5,450 Airbus A320 Family have been sold and over 3200 delivered to more than 200 operators worldwide, making it the worlds best selling commercial jetliner ever.

 

Uniquely, the A320 family offers a containerised cargo system, which is compatible with the worldwide standard wide-body system.

 

Airbus is an EADS company

 

[Pieter C. 5]

Airbus, Boeing Dubai Deals Top USD$83 Billion

 

November 13, 2007

Airbus and Boeing ensured 2007 smashes all records for plane sales as deals announced at the Dubai air show topped USD$82 billion on Monday, powered by demand from Gulf Arab states.

 

Airbus moved ahead of Boeing in their annual battle for orders, with both scoring key wins at Dubai, including orders for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A350 XWB.

 

State-owned Dubai Aerospace Enterprise signed letters of intent for 100 planes from each maker on Monday, among them 30 A350s and 30 large Boeing models, including the 787, 777 and 747-8 freighter.

 

Air Arabia, the Middle East's largest low-cost carrier, ordered USD$3.5 billion of aircraft from Airbus, including 34 A320s and options for 15 more.

 

State-owned Saudi Arabian Airlines ordered USD$1.7 billion of Airbus A320s, including 22 firm orders and options for eight more to replace older aircraft. It was the carrier's first Airbus order since 1981.

 

Boeing said it won an order for six 787 aircraft from leasing company LCAL worth USD$972 million, and another for two 787s from Royal Jordanian Airlines for USD$320 million.

 

Airbus Chief Operating Officer John Leahy said the planemaker was at 1,122 orders for the year to Sunday, its highest ever. He predicted the A350 would have 300 orders by year's end.

 

The A350 got off to a slow start and has seen fitful design changes over the last two years but the DAE deal and Emirates' order for 70 plus 50 options on Sunday have provided a boost.

 

Airbus Chief Executive Tom Enders told reporters the planemaker was focused on demonstrating "we can not only get orders, but deliver," referring to the company's efforts to overcome costly delays in its A380 superjumbo.

 

He said the orders in Dubai showed airlines and lessors backed not only the A350, but the company after its troubles with the superjumbo.

 

"It's not the numbers but the confidence in the long run," he said, referring to winning orders for deliveries spread out to 2018.

 

The deal from DAE comes as the Dubai-based firm launches an aircraft leasing company, part of broader plans to invest USD$15 billion over five years in aerospace-related businesses.

 

"Today, we are laying down a significant marker," said Bob Genise, chief executive officer of DAE's aircraft leasing unit, DAE Capital. "We have fairly ambitious goals."

 

DAE has joined airline Emirates as a symbol of the region's surging growth as Dubai positions itself as a major hub airport and destination for both industry and tourists.

 

Dubai is building one of the world's biggest airports, capable of handling up to 120 million passengers per year as it seeks to capitalize on its location between Europe, Asia and Africa.

 

Airbus's Leahy noted Dubai was the world's 28th busiest hub airport 10 years ago and was now 10th.

 

"That's why the record number of A380s are going to Emirates," Leahy said, referring to a back order of 58 of the double-decker planes held by the airline, included 11 added on Sunday.

 

Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal was named as the first private A380 buyer, dubbed a "Flying Palace", on Monday.

 

(Reuters)

 

[Pieter C. 5]

Emirates Picks Airbus A350 In USD$35 Bln Deal

 

November 12, 2007

Dubai-based airline Emirates picked the Airbus A350 airliner over Boeing's 787 in orders potentially worth up to USD$35 billion on the first day of the Dubai Air Show.

 

Deals this week could make 2007 the biggest year in history for planemakers as soaring crude oil prices drive orders for new, more fuel efficient airliners such as the A380 superjumbo and Boeing's mid-sized 787 Dreamliner.

 

The Gulf's biggest airline ordered 70 A350s and took options on 50 more while extending its lead as the biggest buyer of the Airbus A380 superjumbo by adding another 11.

 

Emirates' orders included 12 long-range 777-300ERs from Boeing worth USD$3.2 billion.

 

The industry is in the third year of a record level of demand spurred by new aircraft as well as the spread of budget airlines.

 

Boeing's biggest deal came from Qatar Airways, which ordered 30 787s and options to buy 30 more. It also bought 27 777s and took five options.

 

Boeing entered the air show leading Airbus in their annual race for orders but the gap narrowed on Sunday.

 

While the 787 is already the fastest-selling new Boeing in history, the Emirates order for the A350 XWB (Xtra Wide Body) is a major boost for the new Airbus plane, which has been the subject of fitful design changes over the last two years.

 

The battle between the 787 and A350 for sales to industry heavyweight Emirates was being closely watched by industry analysts.

 

"The 787-9 is a smaller aircraft with fewer seats," said Tim Clark, Emirates airline president, explaining the decision to go with the Airbus.

 

"The 10 is just not being offered," he said, referring to a stretched version of the 787 which some airlines have urged Boeing to launch.

 

Separately Rolls-Royce said it would supply engines for the A350s in a deal that could be worth USD$8.4 billion if Emirates firms all options.

 

Industry sources said Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), Saudi Arabian Airlines and Air Arabia are among those expected to announce orders this week. The air show runs until Thursday.

 

(Reuters)

 

Referring to the above QR order:

 

Qatar Orders 57 Boeing Aircraft In USD$13.5 Bln Deal

 

November 12, 2007

Qatar Airways said on Sunday it had ordered 57 aircraft from Boeing, including 30 787 Dreamliners, in a deal worth USD$13.5 billion.

 

The state-owned carrier would also buy 27 Boeing 777 aircraft, including seven freighters, Chief Executive Officer Akbar al-Baker told reporters. The airline had an option to buy 30 more 787s and five more 777s, he said.

 

The deal was worth USD$13.5 billion excluding options, Baker said.

 

(Reuters)