Follows Order For 35 737s From FlyDubai
ANN REALTIME UPDATE: 07.14.08 1145 EDT: The
orders are starting to roll in from Farnborough... and so far,
Middle Eastern customers are choosing Boeing. On the heels of a
50-plane deal announced earlier Monday from new low-cost carrier
FlyDubai, Boeing and Etihad Airways announced an order for 35 787-9
Dreamliners and 10 777-300ERs (Extended Range) airliners.
Valued at $9.4 billion at current list prices, the order has
been attributed on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries Web site to an
unidentified customer.
"The new-generation Boeing aircraft we have ordered are among
the most fuel efficient and will help maintain Etihad's fleet as
one of the youngest and greenest in the sky," said James Hogan,
Etihad Airways' CEO. "The size of our order also mirrors the rising
prominence of the Middle East and its increasing emergence as a new
focal point of global aviation offering the fastest air links for
travelers and freight forwarders."
Since beginning commercial operations in November 2003, Etihad
Airways has grown rapidly to offer service to 45 destinations. The
Abu Dhabi-based airline carried 2.8 million passengers during the
first six months of 2008, compared to nearly 2 million for the same
period in 2007.
"We count Etihad as an outstanding, world-class customer, and we
congratulate the airline on its remarkable growth," said Boeing
Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney. "Boeing's commitment to
provide the world's most fuel-efficient airplanes is clearly
demonstrated by both the 777 and 787, and we know Etihad will
benefit from the reliability and efficiency these airplanes bring
to twin-aisle operations."
Original Report
0830 EDT: It's a major order, to be sure... but
compared with the 100+ plane deals we've seen from Farnborough and
Paris in recent years, perhaps it's also a sign of a waning market.
Boeing and Dubai's recently launched low-cost airline FlyDubai
announced Monday an order for 50 737-800s at the Farnborough
International Airshow.
Valued at approximately $3.74 billion at current list prices,
the order includes substitution rights allowing FlyDubai to convert
its 737-800 orders to 737-900ERs (extended range) in the
future.
"The Boeing Next-Generation 737 is ideally suited to our mission
to bring some two billion regional inhabitants affordable,
efficient and flexible travel options to and from Dubai," said
Emirates Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, who is also
chairman of the new low-cost airline. "FlyDubai will be the first
step for a new set of passengers seeking out high-demand tourist
destinations in the Gulf States and surrounding countries, while
bringing connectivity to all parts of the globe."
The Dubai government initially formed FlyDubai in March. Since
then, the airline has been building a business model based on
flexible flight operations with a high degree of interactivity with
its customers, giving them greater control in booking flights and
tailoring their in-flight services. The low-cost airline's
operations will be entirely separate from Emirates Airline and
Group.
Boeing Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer CEO Jim
McNerney hosted a ceremonial signing and press conference held at
the air show.
"Our relationship with the UAE is something we truly value and
have worked to strengthen over time," McNerney said. "Today's order
is the result of a thorough analysis of the contributions the
Next-Generation 737 can make to FlyDubai's innovative business
model. We foresee the unmatched efficiency and operability of this
incredible airplane bringing the same success to our partners in
Dubai as it does to so many of the world's most successful low-cost
carriers."
Boeing says 116 customers have ordered more than 4,800
Next-Generation 737s, and the planemaker has more than 2,200
unfilled orders for the Next-Generation 737 valued at more than
$160 billion at current list prices.