Page 24 - AAA JULY - AUGUST 2015 Online Magazine

SPECIAL REPORT PARIS AIRSHOW

Shining Brightly at Le Bourget

Asian Airlines and Aiports correspondents Jay Menon and J K Chandra give a wrap up of the recently
concluded Paris Air Show
passengers on short routes.
John Leahy,Airbus’s commercial-
aircraft head of sales, said there was
“significant market opportunity” for the
plane and that Chinese carriers are also
likely buyers.
Director General of Saudi Arabian
Airlines Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser said
the plane would allow the carrier “to
expand our domestic and regional network
and better absorb growing passenger
traffic.” The first plane is scheduled to be
delivered in 2016.
Boeing also announced that Qatar
Airways has decided to buy 10 777-8Xs
and four 777 Freighters, valued at $4.8
billion at list prices.
“Acquiring technologically-advanced
airplanes such as the 777X is integral
AS ExPECTED, THE 51ST PARIS AIR we will achieve - and I hope exceed - our to our expansion strategy,” said Akbar
Show witnessed a clash of the aviation target that we communicated earlier this Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways. “With the
giants Airbus and Boeing. While Airbus year, which was to have a book-to-bill addition of these 777-8X to the 50 777-
claimed a sales victory, Boeing was not far ratio of above one.” 9X already on order, we are confident of
behind in the dollar value of orders. Brégier explained that the activities continuing the tremendous legacy of the
While, Boeing managed to win orders at the show reaffirmed Airbus 777.
across the spectrum of its newer aircraft, comprehensive jetliner offering, which is “The order for four 777 Freighters
including the 777X and the 787, the two the most modern, comfortable, reliable underpins the value that this airplane
particularly notable sales were Russian and efficient range of commercial aircraft has also brought to our rapidly growing
cargo carrier Volga-Dnepr ordering 20 of available today. “Globally we have never cargo operations,” said Al Baker. “Qatar
the 747-8 jumbo jets and leading airplane been so strong,” he said. “We have never Airways Cargo is an integral part of the
lessor Aercap placing an order for 100 of had such a new family of aircraft in every Qatar Airways Group and we look forward
the new single-aisle 737 MAX airplanes. category.” to enhancing the existing fleet with next-
Airbus continued its performance in generation aircraft.”
the single-aisle category and the larger Clash of the Titans In a bid to expand its domestic
single-aisle A321 and A321neo jets. Airbus Arch rivals Airbus and Boeing took off at market and launch new destinations
announced 421 firm and provisional the air show with several orders from the internationally, Indonesia’s state-run
orders to Boeing’s 331, but the latter Asian and Middle Eastern airlines. Garuda Indonesia also has agreed to buy
included more expensive widebodies. As Airbus launched its A330-300, 30 A350 XWB aircraft, potentially worth
“So the dollar value of orders Saudi Arabian Airlines signed a deal for around US$9 billion, besides committing
announced left the two rivals roughly 20 of these wide-body passenger aircraft to buy up to 30 of Boeing’s 787-9
on par at about $25 billion each after to become its launch customer. The Saudi Dreamliners and 30 737 MAX 8 jets in a
standard discounts, says Avitas, an Arabian Airlines also inked a contract to deal that could be worth about US$10.9
aviation consulting firm. purchase 30 A320neo jets. The two deals billion.
“We had another very successful Paris total about US$8.2 billion at list prices. “We are concentrating on the most
Air Show,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus’ The A330-300 Regional, able to carry efficient aircraft that can support
President and Chief Executive Officer. as many as 400 passengers on flights up our business in the future,” Arif
“It confirms that the market trend is to 3,000 nautical miles, is designed to Wibowo, president of Garuda, said.
extremely positive and it confirms that allow airlines transport a large number of Boeing said the 787 will begin delivery
24 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS JULY / AUGUST 2015 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM