Airline operators in the Middle East have announced investments totalling more than US$150bn in new fleet at the 2013 Dubai Airshow, where Boeing and Airbus have been showcasing their latest models
According to Reuters, Boeing chairman James McNerney said the plane maker has received 259 orders worth US$100bn at the 2013 Dubai Airshow.
?The response to the 777X has been astounding,? McNerney stated.
Emirates placed a US$76bn order for 150 of Boeing?s revamped 777 mini-jumbo jets (777X). The airline has also ordered 50 Airbus A380s, worth a total of US$23bn.
Boeing's new 777 come in two models - a 350-seater, known as the 777-8, and the larger 777-9 edition, which is capable of carrying 406 people and will be delivered from 2020.
Airbus?s new 350-seat model, the A350-1000, is due to enter service in 2017.
Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said he was confident that his airline would be allowed to dock at more airports in the West in the coming days.
Some of the other major deals during the Dubai Airshow include Abu Dhabi-based Etihad?s order for 25 of Boeing's 777X airplanes and 30 of the 787-10 Dreamliners, along with one 777 freighter for its cargo fleet. The airline announced that the total order is valued at around US$25.2bn. Etihad has also ordered for 87 Airbus planes worth US$26.9bn.
Qatar Airways has placed an order for five new Airbus A330-200 freighter aircraft for close to US$2.8bn, as well as ordering 50 of Boeing?s 777X. Boeing has also agreed to supply Dubai?s budget carrier flydubai 100 new 737 planes.
Earlier this month, Boeing forecast that demand for new aircraft in the Middle East would touch US$550bn over the next 20 years.
READ MORE...
Boeing forecasts US$550 billion demand for new aircraft in Middle East
