Boeing and Airbus continue to defy gloomy predictions

By Ian Goold

July 17, 2008
Air Transport and Cargo

For the third day running, Airbus and Boeing defied pessimistic predictions of softening demand for airliners with new contracts collectively worth almost $6 billion.
Airbus notched up another order for the A350, with South Korea’s Asiana Airlines placing almost $5 billion worth of firm orders for 30 of the new widebody aircraft and optioning 10 more. Deliveries will begin in 2016 and will include all three versions of the A350. The carrier plans to operate the aircraft on regional and long-haul routes. Orders for the new Airbus now total more than 350 units, from 20 customers.
U.S. lessor Aviation Capital Group announced an order for 15 Boeing 737-700s that by the end of the 2013-15 delivery period will take its fleet to 91. The $934 million total includes 15 jets previously earmarked for Delta Air Lines, from which ACG obtained the delivery positions.

Chief executive Stephen
Hannahs plans to take 737 orders to 100 “in the near future.” ACG has received seven jets to date, including one this month, and will take three more this year, plus 10 in 2009 among its regular receipt of about 25 per year. Hannahs is also “very keen” to acquire more 787s beyond the five already booked.

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) was identified yesterday as the customer for 35 Boeing 737-800s ordered from the U.S. manufacturer in June. The Kuala Lumpur-based operator also has taken purchase rights covering 20 more such aircraft. The new equipment, to be delivered from September 2010, will replace the carrier’s current 37-strong fleet of 737-400s as MAS expands its core network in the ASEAN economic region through new services (to previously unviable destinations) and increased frequencies.

“Provided the economy stays good and we don’t get [a lot of] cancellations, we’d like to bridge the gap to the [top of] the next cycle,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief executive Scott Carson. “We’re essentially sold out to 2014.”

Back

Republic 170s To Spell Midwest 717s September 04, 2008 Midwest Airlines will replace all but nine of its Boeing 717s with 12 Embraer 170s flown by Indianapolis-based Republic Airways as part of an... [more]
‘Watch Listed’ Pilot Returns to Work September 04, 2008 Manassas, Va.-based regional airline Colgan Air has allowed pilot Erich Scherfen to return to work after he and his wife sued the U.S.... [more]
SkyWest to Take Stake in Brazilian Airline September 04, 2008 SkyWest Airlines has agreed to buy a 6-percent stake in Brazilian regional airline Trip Linhas Aereas, SkyWest vice president of finan ce Mike... [more]
TSA Blunder Delays 40 Flights September 01, 2008 American Eagle had to ground nine Embraer ERJ regional jets at Chicago O’Hare Airport on August 19 after a TSA officer used the airplanes’ total... [more]
Delta To Take Back Mesa CRJ900s September 01, 2008 Delta Air Lines has notified Mesa Air Group that it plans to cancel its contract to fly Bombardier CRJ900s. The notice, sent August 1, marks the... [more]