The raft of cargo aircraft orders racked up by Boeing at the Farnborough air show highlights a lack of competition that must be addressed, Airbus's chief commercial officer Eric Schulz has admitted.
Orders for 88 freighters were announced by Boeing at Farnborough, including deals for new 747-8Fs and 777Fs as well as used 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters. Airbus meanwhile had no news on the cargo front – its only new-build cargo offering is the A330-200F – and Schulz acknowledges that the European airframer has work to do.
"It's pretty clear from the result that our competitor has sold a lot of airplanes. The operators would love a bit more competition," he says. "We are going to do things that we will talk about a bit later."
One A330-200F operator confirmed during the show it was disposing of its fleet. Etihad Airways says it is in "advanced stages" of selling its five A330-200Fs as part of moves to boost cargo yields and focus on "core" routes from Abu Dhabi.
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Source: FlightGlobal.com
