Boeing broke all the records for launching a new jetliner. Airbus scored a super-jumbo-sized order for the A380. And both aircraft makers combined to shatter the one-day order record at an air show by compiling orders and commitments for a whopping 623 aircraft from four airlines.
“This is a good way to start the show, isn’t it,” a smiling Ray Conner, chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, told the press.
Conner was speaking only seconds after Etihad Airways opened the show by signing a stunning deal worth up to $25.2 billion at list prices for up to 82 aircraft, including 56 firm orders split between the 777-8X, 777-9X and 787-10.
But even that order was quickly relegated to almost a footnote in a day-long orgy of commercial aircraft orders inside the Al Maktoum exhibition centre.
In a region full of big spenders, Emirates Airlines again topped them all. The Dubai-based carrier signed firm orders for 150 777X aircraft and 50 A380s, plus options for 50 more 777X aircraft, with a combined list value of $99 billion.
By the end of the day, Emirates had placed new orders and pledges for 229 aircraft from eight different types.
Emirates Group-owned FlyDubai contributed commitments for up to 111 737 aircraft, including 100 of the re-engined and updated Max derivative. Qatar Airways committed to buy up to 50 777X aircraft and ordered five A330-200 Freighters, after which Etihad swooped for up to 117 A320neos, A330 Freighters and A350 XWBs.
But the star of the air show’s first day was definitively Boeing’s latest product – the 777X. The 269 orders and commitments, including 34 previously announced by Lufthansa, push the 777 family past the 747 as the highest-selling widebody in history.
As it happened:
Etihad orders 25 777Xs and 30 787s
Emirates, Qatar sign for 777X, Flydubai for 737 Max
Boeing formally launches 777X family with 259 commitments
As the Flightglobal order tracker below illustrates, day one finished with an incredible 484 firm commitments. To keep in touch with the the latest orders as they happen, follow the Flightglobal order tracker in the FG Club or our full Dubai Airshow coverage. To access, the tracker, sign in or register now.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
