Paris Air Show delivers commitments worth $12.9 billion for Airbus
20 Jun 2009
Le Bourget, Paris: Airbus has announced commitments during the 2009 Paris Air Show for 127 aircraft, valued at some $12.9 billion. These commitments include firm orders for 58 aircraft worth almost $6.4 billion, plus 'memoranda of understanding' (MoU) agreements for a further 69 aircraft totalling $6.5 billion.
According to the Toulouse-based commercial aircraft manufacturing giant, firm-orders included three large ones from carriers in the Middle East and Asia.
While Qatar Airways placed an order for 24 single-aisle aircraft valued at $1.9 billion, comprising the purchase of 20 A320s and four A321 aircraft, Vietnam Airlines signed a $1.4 billion firm order for 16 A321s. Malaysian low cost carrier Air Asia X placed a firm order for 10 A350-900s, valued at $2.4 billion.
Other firm airliner orders made during the show include; Cebu Pacific, which ordered five A320s; Aigle Azur for one A319; and Zest Air of the Philippines which became a new Airbus customer with an order for one A320.
It is also worth mentioning an order for one Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ) A320 Prestige from a private customer.
Airbus received MoU commitments for a further 69 aircraft. These MoUs comprised: 50 A320s for Wizz Air worth $3.8 billion; 10 A321s for Indian based Paramount Airways worth $900 million; two A330-200s plus five A330-300s for Turkish Airlines together worth $1.4 billion; and two A350-900s for Vietnam Airlines worth $480 million.
John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer, customers commented: ''Airbus' commercial performance shows that the airline industry continues to invest in the most fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly aircraft. Our customers are addressing both the long-term industry growth as well as the necessary replacement of older less efficient aircraft.''
