Well it seems both Airbus and Boeing have rolled out the big guns on the last day of the Dubai Air Show, with both announcing massive orders.
Airbus
Airbus were first out of the traps today with an MoU by Indigo Partners for an order for… 430 A320neo aircraft.
You read that right… 430 A320neo aircraft. These aircraft will be for Frontier Airlines (United States), JetSMART (Chile), Volaris (Mexico) and Wizz Air (Hungary), upon completion between Airbus and the four airlines.
Frontier Airlines, JetSMART, Volaris and Wizz Air A320neos – Rendering, Airbus
The aircraft will in type terms will be split between 273 A320neos and 157 A321neos worth $49.5 billion at list prices. The actual splits are:
- Wizz – 72 A320neo, 74 A321neo
- Frontier – 100 A320neo, 34 A321neo
- JetSMART – 56 A320neo, 14 A321neo
- Volaris – 46 A320neo, 34 A321neo
Airlines in the Indigo Partners family previously have placed orders for 427 A320 Family aircraft – making them one of Airbus’s biggest narrow body customer.
Indigo Partners’ Bill Franke states
“This significant commitment for 430 additional aircraft underscores our optimistic view of the growth potential of our family of low-cost airlines, as well as our confidence in the A320neo Family as a platform for that growth,”
“Our airlines know that a great aircraft coupled with a great business plan will create value for our customers. We look forward to bringing comfort and low fares to more passengers around the world as Wizz Air, Volaris, JetSMART and Frontier continue to expand.”
John Leahy of Airbus sttes
“Indigo Partners have been a tremendous customer and supporter of the Airbus single-aisle fleet for many years. An order for 430 aircraft is remarkable, but it’s particularly gratifying to all of us at Airbus when it comes from a group of airline professionals who know our products as well as the folks at Indigo Partners do. We are proud to augment their airline fleets in Latin America, North America and Europe with the single-aisle aircraft that offers the lowest operating costs, longest range and most spacious cabin: the A320neo Family.”
Meanwhile Airbus capped off the show with a confirmed order of 90 Airbus A320neo family aircraft from CDB Aviation (China Development Bank)
CDB Aviation Airbus A320neo – Rendering, Airbus.
The order firms up is based on two orders, based on previously signed agreements and memorandum of understandings, with 45 A320neo aircraft signed for in 2014, 30 A320neo and 15 A321neo signed for at Paris 2017.
Boeing
With Boeing holding most of the hits so far this air show, it’s not surprising they had an order to announce on the last day, with Fly Dubai ordering up to 225 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
FlyDubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 at Seattle Delivery Centre – Image, The Boeing Company
According to Boeing, the deal represents the largest-ever single-aisle jet order – by number of airplanes and total value – from a Middle East carrier.
And it has a list value of US$27 Billion.
The order calls for commitment of 175 aircraft and 50 purchase rights. More than 50 of the first 175 aircraft will be for the larger Boeing 737 MAX 10, with the rest of the order split between the MAX 8 and MAX 9.
flydubai Chairman His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum states:
“We welcome the continuation of our long partnership with Boeing. Their airplanes have provided a foundation for the success of our business model, providing us with the operational flexibility and range to build a network of 95 destinations in 44 countries,”
“Understanding the demand for travel across our network, our innovative approach to our cabin design and developing a product unique to our market has allowed us to exceed our passengers’ expectations in their flying experience.”
Kevin McAllister – Boeing Commercial Airplanes President & CEO states
“We are extremely honored that flydubai has selected to be an all-Boeing operator for many years to come. This record-breaking agreement builds on our strong partnership with flydubai and the other leading carriers of this region,”
“With flydubai’s proven business model and ambitious growth plans, we look forward to hundreds of flydubai 737 MAXs connecting Dubai with the rest of the world.”
Bombardier
Oh yes. There’s an order for Bombardier, who scored an order for two Q400 TurboProp aircraft for Nordic Aviation Capital, to be leased to JamobJet Ltd of Nairobi, Kenya. At list prices this is a coll US$64 million.
So not a total disaster for any of the big air-framers at Dubai. What was looking like an “Boeing Show” has come out fairly balanced – with Airbus getting a hell of a lot of planes on the last day, whilst Boeing did well stealing the show thunder with the order of Boeing 787-10 aircraft.
None the less, Airbus will be smarting over no signature over A380s. The massive A320neo order should cushion the blow a bit I suspect…
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