It’s the last business day of the year – so airframers have been firming up some of those orders that have been floating around during the year, and putting them on the books before they head off to pop some champagne corks.
Airbus
Indigo Partners (who fly Frontier, Wizz Air, Volaris and Jetsmart) have concluded their order for 430 A320neo family aircraft, with the order signed.
Frontier, Wizz Air, Volaris and Jetsmart – all new planes, all ordered – Image, Airbus
China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited have signed for 50 Airbus A320neo aircraft for leasing
AerCap is also joining them with an order for 50 Airbus A320neo aircraft
Bombardier
Bombardier has some good news for its C Series programme, with EgyptAir converting its Letter of Intent signed at the Dubai Air Show. The order is for 12 CS300 aircraft along with purchase rights for an additional 12 CS300 aircraft.
Bombardier C Series CS300 – Egyptair – Rendering, Bombardier
It’s a pretty important order for Bombardier, with the first confirmed order of the type in 18 months.
Meanwhile, Bombardier secured an order for six more CRJ-900 regional jets, with options for another six. The customer has “requested to remain unidentified”.
I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough who it is.
Boeing
Not so much a flurry, with an order for four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from Royal Air Moroc.
Royal Air Moroc Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner – Image, The Boeing Company
The order is made up two 787-9s order in December 2016, and two ordered in December 2017 – with the orders now fully attributed to the airline.
More importantly for Boeing, the company finalised an order with FlyDubai for 175 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft
FlyDubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 being delivered – Image, The Boeing Company.
A last minute push for the accountants and order book for the end of the year makes for entertainment – and for those who play with numbers a fun activity.
The cycle begins anew on the 1st January when the airframers compete for orders from airlines and lessors.
And hopefully some passable passenger experience products to go inside the planes.
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