Airbus books order for 50 planes at Dubai Airshow

Airbus scored the biggest deal of the second day of the Dubai Airshow as the Kuwait-based Aviation Lease and Finance Company, or ALAFCO, finalized a purchase order for 50 A320neo Family aircraft. ALAFCO also took options for 30 more to be finalized by the end of this year, according to the statement issued by the Airbus on Monday. The firm contract is an increase of the initial agreement made at this summer's Paris Le Bourget Airshow for 30 A320neo aircraft. "The A320neo is the market's favorite single-aisle aircraft family," said Ahmed Al Zabin, ALAFCO Chairman. "The significant fuel burn savings it offers, combined with the operational reliability and cost effectiveness of the A320 Family, make it an absolute 'must have' in our portfolio to meet the demand and the requirements of our customers." The A320neo is a new engine option for the A320 Family entering into service from 2015. It uses 15 percent less fuel than older models of the single-aisle A320. This reduction in fuel burn is equivalent to 1.4 million litres of fuel -- the consumption of 1, 000 mid size cars. Over 8,100 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,800 delivered to more than 340 customers and operators worldwide, according to the Airbus. Airbus' deals followed an order of 50 Boeing 777-ERs worth 18 billion U.S. dollars from Dubai airline Emirates on Sunday when the biannual airshow opened. It was the largest dollar-value order in the Chicago plane producer's history. Boeing also won a new regional customer, Oman Air, for its 787 aircraft on Monday. Oman Air signed an order for six Boeing 787-8s, completing an arrangement with Boeing and ALAFCO to transfer existing orders for the six Dreamliners from ALAFCO to Oman Air. "Our decision to order the 787-8 is part of Oman Air's long- term growth strategy to expand and modernize our fleet with newer, more fuel-efficient airplanes," said Oman Air CEO Peter Hill. "We see direct benefits because of the Dreamliner's fuel efficiency and operating economics as well as the enhanced travel experience that Oman Air will be able to offer its customers aboard this airplane." The huge orders snapped by the two major aircraft manufacturers are consolidating the growing importance of the Middle East region across the aerospace industry despite the global economic downturn. Carriers in the Middle East will require 1,921 new passenger and freighter aircraft (above 100 seats) in the next 20 years, valued at 347.4 billion dollars, Airbus' latest Global Market forecast said Monday. The strong growth will result in the almost trebling of the region's fleet from over 800 aircraft today to some 2,260 by 2030. The main drivers of the continued strong demand for new aircraft include fleet expansion and replacement, greater urbanization, an increasing number of mega cities and the overall ongoing expansion of the region as a geographical hub and tourist destination, the forecast said. Running until Thursday at the Dubai Airport Expo, the airshow, on its 12th edition since 1987, is the biggest yet, with nearly 55, 000 trade visitors expected in five days. "The Dubai Airshow has proved itself this year as the platform for the region's aerospace industry," said Alison Weller, the managing director of airshow organizer F&E Aerospace. "It is not just about orders, it is also a platform for building strategic alliances and developing relationships in order to further the aerospace industry in the region."