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Airbus S.A.S.

Airbus Secures Crucial Order from Qatar Airways in Bid to Compete with Boeing

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Airbus, the European aircraft maker, has secured its first major commitment to buy the A350 with an order announced at the Paris Air Show from Qatar Airways for 60 aircraft valued at $10.6 billion before discounts. This significant order is a crucial step for Airbus in developing the A350 as a competitor to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which has already secured 266 orders and commitments from 21 customers. Qatar Airways, the largest all-Airbus operator in the Middle East, is also planning to buy at least 20 Boeing 777s, worth $4.6 billion before discounts, to introduce as its standard large wide-bodied aircraft.

Key Takeaways:

  • Airbus has secured an order for 60 A350 aircraft from Qatar Airways, valued at $10.6 billion before discounts.
  • The order is a crucial step for Airbus in developing the A350 as a competitor to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
  • Qatar Airways plans to buy at least 20 Boeing 777s, worth $4.6 billion before discounts, to introduce as its standard large wide-bodied aircraft.
  • The deal marks a critical win for Airbus, as the European aircraft maker has recently lost several sales campaigns against the 787.
  • Qatar Airways will order a mix of 253-seat A350-800s and 300-seat A350-900s, with deliveries set to begin in the third quarter of 2010 and run to 2015.
  • The A350 is at the forefront of the trade battle between the US and the European Union over state subsidies for the development of new large aircraft.

Statistics:

  • 60 A350 aircraft ordered by Qatar Airways
  • $10.6 billion value of the order before discounts
  • 20 Boeing 777s to be bought by Qatar Airways
  • $4.6 billion value of the Boeing 777 order before discounts
  • 253 and 300 seat configurations for the A350-800 and A350-900 aircraft, respectively
  • Third quarter of 2010 to 2015 delivery period for the A350 aircraft

Sources:

  • "Airbus wins first major deal for A350 at Paris Air Show," Dow Jones news agency
  • "Qatar Airways to buy 20 Boeing 777s, valued at $4.6bn," The Financial Times, by [Author]
  • "Airbus Is Expected to Get Aid for A350 Programme," The Wall Street Journal, [Author]
  • "Airbus Seeks Loan Aid to Help Fund A350," The New York Times, by [Author]

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