Aircraft sales soar past $80b

Dubai: Plane sales soared to new heights in the first two days of the Dubai Airshow, with orders topping $80 billion (about Dh293 billion) on Monday.

Deals for the purchase of more than 515 aircraft were announced at the world's third largest aerospace event. They include two letters of intent by Dubai Aerospace Enterprises (DAE) involving 200 aircraft, split between Airbus and Boeing and the rest are firm orders including options.

The number of firm orders reached 206 including Emirates's 93, Qatar Airways's 57, Air Arabia's 34 and Saudi Arabian Airline's 22, and about 103 were options at last count. These exclude the DAE's 200 which are not firm orders.

European manufacturer Airbus secured more orders, 310 out of the 515, while Boeing managed 205.

"Day Two sent the show's record sales tally soaring when Dubai Aerospace Enterprise signed a $13.5 billion (about Dh49 billion) letter of intent with Airbus for up to 100 aircraft, which included an associated deal with Rolls-Royce for Trent XWB engines to power the A350 XWBs," organisers said.

"Within hours DAE capital went on to sign a letter of intent for 100 aircraft, worth approximately $13.7 billion (about Dh50 billion) with Boeing, for 70 Boeing 737 next generation aircraft and 30 widebody planes with the price incorporating a deal with General Electric for engines to power the aircraft."

Boeing won an order, worth around $972 million, (about Dh3.5 billion) for six additional 787-8 Dreamliners from Dubai-based LCAL, an aircraft leasing company.

Emirates set the stage with its $34.9 billion (about Dh128 billion) orderbook for 131 Airbus and 12 Boeing planes, closely followed by a $13.5 billion (about Dh49 billion) order for 57 Boeing aircraft with 30 on option.