Gulf carriers fuelling growth

Even as the battle between the two planemakers Airbus and Boeing has taken a few interesting turns so far this year, the Middle East carriers continue to fuel the global demand for aircraft. Between the three big Gulf carriers — Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad — they make up for a chuck of Airbus and Boeing orderbooks from the region. Emirates' total order book now stands at 199 aircraft, all wide body, and worth over $66 billion (Dh242 billion). Doha-based Qatar Airways — boasting a current fleet size of 97 aircraft — has 182 planes on order at present between the two planemakers. And Etihad Airways, currently operating a fleet of 57 aircraft, announced the largest aircraft order in commercial aviation history at Farnborough International Air Show in 2008, for up to 205 aircraft — 100 firm orders, 55 options and 50 purchase rights. The carrier would see about a 100 planes joining its fleet over the next 10 years, including the Boeing 787s, 777s, and Airbus A350s and A380s. Budget carriers such as flydubai and Air Arabia are raking up orders. Dubai-owned flydubai has more than 50 Boeing 737s on order to carry out its expansion plans. And Sharjah-based Air Arabia, which operates 27 new Airbus A320 aircraft on 67 routes, expects its fleet to reach 55 aircraft by 2015. Article continues below And if you thought, this is it. Think again. There is still Dubai Air Show to be held later this year in November, where Emirates is likely to announce another set of massive aircraft order, as the airline's chiefs have indicated in the recent past. Fleet growth Analysts are of the same view. "Emirates will continue its fleet growth, likely with additional orders of existing types, including additional A380s. There is a possibility, however, that Emirates may wait until the Dubai show to order," Ernest S. Arvai, President and CEO of The Arvai Group, an aviation consultancy, recently told Gulf News. And orders are also pending with Qatar Airways, which almost announced deals for additional A380s and 50 A320neos at the Paris Air Show last month. So while, Airbus and Boeing continue the global race for aircraft orders, the Middle East seems to be constantly providing the required fuel.