Airbus tops Boeing at Farnborough
F-35 roars across the skies in stunning display
FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 12, (AFP): European planemaker Airbus took top honours at the Farnborough Airshow on Tuesday, winning a vast $12.5-billion jets deal from airasia, as the F-35 stealth fighter screamed across the skies in a stunning display.
Malaysia’s low-cost airline airasia placed the blockbuster order for 100 single-aisle fuel-efficient A321neo jets, worth the equivalent of 11.3 billion euros at list prices, delivering the airshow’s biggest deal so far in a major blow to Airbus’ fierce US rival Boeing.
In a centrepiece to this year’s airshow, the US military’s supersonic F-35 warplane — the most expensive in history — made its Farnborough debut in a deafening roar, having already delighted the crowds at the Royal International Air Tattoo last weekend.
The F-35 — whose programme has a ballooning price tag of almost $400 billion — was supposed to fly here in 2014 but was grounded due to an engine fire.
The airasia deal was meanwhile unveiled on the second day of the airshow by its boss and founder Tony Fernandes and Airbus president and CEO Fabrice Bregier.
airasia, the region’s biggest budget carrier by fleet size, added the fuelefficient A321neo would seat up to 240 passengers, while enjoying greater capacity and the lowest operating costs in the single aisle category.
“The A321neo will help us to meet ongoing strong demand as well as further reduce our cost per available seat kilometre across the group, which will translate to lower air fares for our guests,” Fernandes said.
Operations
“We would like to congratulate Airbus for producing the state-of-the-art A321neo aircraft that meets our requirements for efficient operations.”
On Tuesday alone, Airbus won a firm orders for a total of 129 aircraft worth $15.6 billion at catalogue prices.
Airlines typically negotiate sizeable discounts to catalogue prices so the actual cost of aircraft is likely to be lower.
Airbus had already scored big on Monday, when it clinched a Virgin Atlantic order for 12 wide-bodied A350-100s worth $4.4 billion.
On Tuesday, Germany’s Germania also ordered 25 single-aisle fuel-efficient Airbus A320neos worth $2.6 billion.
Berlin-based Germania Group flies to destinations in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East from mainly German, Swiss and British bases.
Iceland’s low-cost carrier WOW then agreed to buy four A321s worth $460 million.
Indian budget carrier Go Air signalled its intention to buy another 72 Airbus A320neos worth $7.7 billion.
Boeing fought back Tuesday with a volley of deals for the sale of its commercial aircraft — with particularly keen demand from China.
Chicago-based Boeing — which celebrates its centenary this year — finalised an order with German travel giant TUI Group for ten single-aisle 737 Max 8 jets plus the option for a long-haul 787-9 Dreamliner, worth a total of $1.4 billion. TUI, the world’s largest tourism group, said it was seeking to expand its long-haul holiday programme to offer more choice of flights and destinations.
Air Lease Corporation meanwhile doubled an order to six 737 MAX 8s worth a total of $660 million.
Turning to emerging markets, the US planemaker added upbeat news from Asian powerhouse China.
China’s Kunming Airlines has indicated an interest in purchasing ten 737 MAX 7 airplanes with a value of $902 million.