Qatar orders 14 Boeing 777s as Paris Air Show opens
Qatar Boeing 777
Boeing says Qatar Airways is buying 14 new 777 passenger and freighter jets worth up to $4.8 billion, as industry professionals gather at the Paris Air Show.
The U.S. plane maker announced Monday that Qatar Airways ordered 10 of the 777-8X jets — a more fuel-efficient model of the 777 — and four 777 freighter jets.
Customers routinely work out discounts off list prices.
Qatar has been a major customer of rivals Boeing and Airbus in recent years.
Boeing and Airbus are announcing a flurry of plane orders on Monday, the first day of the air show.
Airbus argues for big planes
Airbus says increasing the frequency of flights on major routes is “getting a little on the silly side” — and both travelers and airlines would be better off if larger aircraft were used instead of smaller planes flying more often.
John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer for customers, made his case for the move to bigger planes as he presented the European plane maker’s forecast for the next two decades at the Paris Air Show Monday. Airbus’ A380s are the largest passenger jets flying today.
Airbus projects that 32,600 new planes worth a total of $4.9 trillion will be needed by 2034. Leahy projected the very large aircraft segment would grow to about 1,500 planes over that span, though smaller single-aisle planes are expected to be the biggest sellers at this year’s air show.
He argued that airlines could save fuel costs by flying passengers on fewer, larger flights.
GE Capital buys 60 Airbus planes
Airbus has announced a firm order for 60 single-aisle jets from leasing company GE Capital Aviation Services at the Paris Air Show, worth at least $6 billion at list prices.
The U.S. leasing company is purchasing A320neo and A321neo jets, according to Airbus. The plane maker didn’t provide a breakdown of how many of each type of jet. The fuel-saving versions of the A320 family jets have been a big seller for Airbus in recent years.
Customers routinely negotiate discounts off list prices. The deal was announced Monday, the first day of the Paris Air Show.
Indonesian airline on buying spree
Garuda Indonesia airline is on a buying spree at the Paris Air Show.
Boeing announced Monday a tentative order by Garuda Indonesia for up to 60 jets. The planemaker said Monday that Garuda signed a letter of intent to buy up to 30 of its popular single-aisle 737 MAX and 30 of Boeing’s 787-9 jets. The 60 jets, if confirmed, would cost 10.8 billion dollars at list prices, though airlines usually negotiate discounts.
Airbus, meanwhile, announced that the Indonesian flagship carrier signed a letter of intent for 30 wide-body A350 jets, which could serve routes from Jakarta or Bali to Europe. If confirmed, the order would be worth up to $9 billion at list prices, though airlines usually negotiate discounts.
Asian carriers are expected to dominate global aircraft demand over the next two decades, with Boeing estimating that roughly two out of every five new planes will head to Asia.
Troubled A400M flies at Air Show
Airbus Defense and Space has flown an A400M military plane over thousands of viewers at the Paris Air Show, a month after a deadly crash that raised questions about the jet.
The cargo plane landed safely after the demonstration flight at the Le Bourget airfield outside Paris on Monday — with French President Francois Hollande looking on. A French Rafale fighter jet also performed morning acrobatics.
Airbus says three of the four engines on another A400M failed before it crashed near Seville, Spain, last month, killing four people.
Five countries already have A400Ms, a costly and ambitious joint European project. Britain, Germany, Malaysia and Turkey grounded the plane after the crash, while France is only using it for urgent operations.