International News from World: In another indication of the continued expansion of Middle East airlines, Airbus has received orders worth $30bn (£ 23bn). Emirates revealed on the second day of the Dubai Air Show the acquisition of 50 Airbus A350-900 XWBs-Extra Wide Body-aircraft at a list price of $16bn.
That was followed closely by the fast-growing low-cost Air Arabia airline ordering $14bn worth of 170 Airbus A320s. The manufacturer of European aircraft produces its wings in the UK.
Because of the scale of the orders, both airlines are likely to receive a discount on the catalog price. Chief Executive of Air Arabia Adel Ali told reporters that the airline’s order was a “game-changer.” He said it would allow Southeast Asia and Africa to expand Air Arabia.
Meanwhile, Emirates said its order, announced at a hastily-convened news conference after last-minute negotiations, will be used to help re-shape its fleet as the airline adjusts to a slowing regional market and the early end to production of the A380 super-jumbo jet.
Emirates is the biggest operator of the A380, with more than 100 of the aircraft in its fleet.
The airline’s chairman and chief executive, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, said the A350s would allow Emirates to expand its long-haul network. The first of the A350 aircraft, which flies up to 15 hours and carries 350 passengers, will be delivered in 2023.
