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Airbus widens lead over Boeing on final day of Dubai Airshow

Dubai - Total deals of European plane-maker rise to at least $62.5B compared to rival's $50B

On the final day of Dubai Airshow, Airbus widened its lead over rival Boeing by selling two A330neos to Air Senegal, the national carrier of the West African nation.
The European aircraft maker signed a memorandum of understanding with Air Senegal for two of the wide-body aircraft, which is the new re-engined version of the best-selling A330 airliner.
The value of the deal was not officially announced but a typical A330neo, equipped with upgraded Rolls-Royce Holdings engines, comes in two sizes priced at $255 million and $291 million before discounts.
On Wednesday, Airbus recorded total sales of over $62 billion through three deals involving 535 aircraft form the neo family.
With the latest deal, the value of total Airbus deals has risen to at least $62.5 billion compared to Boeing's 296 commercial jet orders and commitments, valued at about $50 billion.
The A330neo will benefit the airline's growth and business expansion in the future. The agreement makes Air Senegal the first airline in Africa to select the A330neo, the carriers said.
The agreement was announced during a signing ceremony at the Dubai AirShow in the presence of Maimouna Ndoye Seck, Senegal's Minister of Air Transport and Development of Airport Infrastructure. Air Senegal plans to use the A330neo to develop its medium and long-haul network with the aircraft offering cutting-edge technology along with more efficient operations, Philippe Bohn, CEO of Air Senegal, said.
"Aviation is a catalyst for economic development and this purchase demonstrates Senegal's ambitions for economic growth in line with the country's strategy to accelerate progress," said Bohn.
The A330neo has proven itself to be the right aircraft, combining low operating costs, long range flying capability and high levels of comfort. We are looking forward to launch operations and offer our customers best-in-class service"
"We are very pleased to welcome Air Senegal among our A330neo customers. The A330neo offers the latest in fuel saving technologies combined with best-in-class comfort, reliability and operational efficiency. The A330 is the ideal choice for Air Senegal to build its network and become West Africa's fastest growing airline,'' said John Leahy, chief operating officer for customers at Airbus Commercial Aircraft.
Launched in July 2014, the latest generation of Airbus' wide-body family, the A330neo builds on the A330's proven economics, versatility and reliability while reducing fuel consumption by 25 per cent per seat. Powered by the latest-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, offering new 'Airspace' cabin amenities, and feature a new larger span wing with Sharklet wingtip devices. On Wednesday, Airbus secured the biggest-ever single order in its history for 430 A320neos, besides firming up orders for 90 aircraft of the same family.
The first deal inked with US investor Bill Franke, valued at $50 billion, was for the supply of medium-range A320 family of aircraft to US investment firm Indigo Partners. The second deal was with Dublin based CDB Aviation Lease Finance DAC for 90 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft. The value of the deal was not disclosed, but is estimated to be well above $10 billion if the average unit price range of $116 million of the first deal is taken as a yardstick.
Franke's Indigo Partners has stakes in four airlines, including Frontier Airlines, Mexico's Volaris, Chilean carrier JetSmart and Hungary's Wizz Air.
In a separate deal on Wednesday involving 15 Airbus 320neo, AerCap Holdings and Egyptair announced at the air show that they had reached agreement on the long-term operating lease of 15 Airbus A320neo aircraft. These aircraft are from AerCap's order book with Airbus and are scheduled to deliver in 2020. The value of the deal, although was not disclosed officially, is estimated to be above $2 billion.
- issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com