FARNBOROUGH, England — Airbus beat rival Boeing in the aircraft order stakes at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow, garnering nearly twice as many orders and commitments.
Airbus said Thursday that its orders and commitments for 496 aircraft were valued at $75 billion. Demand for its A320neo, or “new engine option,” was particularly strong.
Chicago-based Boeing secured business worth $40.2 billion for 201 airplanes. Deals worked out at the airshow bring the company’s net orders for 2014 to 783.
“Over 40 years of exhibiting at Farnborough, Boeing has consistently demonstrated its commitment and drive to innovate and develop game-changing products, equipment and services across the commercial and defense sectors,” said Charlie Miller, Boeing’s vice president of international communications. “Farnborough 2014 was filled with excitement and enthusiasm among our customers, partners and suppliers and strong endorsement of our product line.”
Meanwhile, Boeing Co. said Emirates Airlines and Eithad Airways might order as many as 175 more 777X jets to increase capacity and move into new markets, The Wall Street Journal reported.
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“The orders and commitments we’ve received at this record-breaking Farnborough for both the A330 neo and A320 neo families are together an unequivocally resounding endorsement for these most cost-efficient aircraft,” said John Leahy, Airbus’ chief operating officer.
The A320 new engine option incorporates the latest technology together with sharklet wing tips that help deliver fuel savings.
Airbus’ orders intake included the largely updated versions of its A330 wide body aircraft, which launched this week. Airbus says the plane is more fuel efficient and has a longer range to help it compete against Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.
Edward Hunt, a senior consultant with IHS, put Airbus’ win in part to the fact that the Airbus plane was sort of an old standby. The A330 has sold well and is widely in use, making it simple to service. It also avoids the need to train pilots on a new aircraft.
But he said both Boeing and Airbus had similar offering and what airlines are looking for are good deals.
“Airbus has definitely caught up,” he said. “If I were Boeing, I would be a little bit worried.”
Airbus closed out the show with the announcement that Hong Kong Aviation Capital is to buy 70 of the A320 neo family aircraft. No financial details were disclosed. Another deal was announced with Transaero Airlines, Russia’s second largest airline, for 20 A330 aircraft — again financial details were not disclosed.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
