Airbus signs over $28bn in deals at show
AIRBUS, which has already signed $28bn (£18.3bn) in deals, topped the last days of the Farnborough show after announcing a bumper order from Virgin America for 60 planes.
The EADS-owned manufacturer said yesterday that its total commitments, signed at the
show, had reached 255 aircraft valued at $28bn.
Airbus has seen firm orders for 133 planes worth more than $13bn, helped by a mammoth order from GE Aviation Capital for 60 A320 aircraft worth $4.9bn.
Orders for a further 122 aircraft have been agreed to through a memorandum of understanding, or purchase agreement, valued at $15bn.
John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer – customers, said: “Before the Farnborough Air Show we already had 131 orders, and we predicted that by the end of the week we’d double that.
He added: “This clearly proves that the market is back, and that our new end of year target for over 400 orders is within reach.”
Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin America also signed up to a $3.3bn order for 40 A320 single-aisle aircraft, with buying potential for another 20 jets.
Branson said: “I am happy to celebrate my 60th birthday this week and I can’t think of a better present than getting 60 new planes.”
The deal will triple the size of the US budget airline’s Airbus planes.
Meanwhile, US rival Boeing signed a purchase agreement with Azerbaijan Airlines to substitute two next-generation 737 airplanes for one 767-300ER and two 767 freighters.
Azerbaijan Airline’s latest agreement is on top of an existing order for two 767-300ERs, two 767 Freighters, two Next-Generation 737s and two 787-8s.
“With our centralised geographic location, Azerbaijan is becoming a busy hub in the region between east and west and north and south,” said Jahangir Askerov, president of Azerbaijan Airlines.
The vast number of orders in the commercial aviation sector has signalled a return to confidence amongst manufacturers and airlines. Business levels by the midweek point of the show already totalled £37.5bn.