BOEING CAME out on top at the Farnborough air show in southern England by notching up a superior order tally to Airbus, its chief rival.
The US aircraft maker announced orders and commitments by airlines and leasing companies for 373 aircraft worth $35.6 billion at list prices. Airbus unveiled deals by customers to buy 115 aircraft worth $16.9 billion.
Boeing’s superior tally was driven by demand for the 737 Max, its planned narrow-body aircraft that is more fuel efficient.
It saw off a challenge from Airbus to secure an order for 100 Max aircraft from United Continental Holdings, the largest US airline by revenue.
United is also buying 50 current generation 737s, taking the contract value to $14.7 billion at list prices.
Fabrice Brégier, Airbus chief executive, said the company had not expected to repeat its performance at last year’s Paris air show, where it broke its record by securing orders and commitments for 700-plus aircraft, notably the A320neo fuel-efficient narrow-body.
Boeing made progress at Farnborough in its efforts to ensure that the Max catches up with the Neo, though it still has a way to go. The US company has orders for 649 Max aircraft, while Airbus has contracts for 1,454 Neo jets.
Randy Tinseth, vice-president for marketing at Boeing’s commercial aircraft division, predicted more orders for the Max in the coming months.
The main conclusion from Farnborough was that the economic slowdown is curbing demand for aircraft. – (Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2012)