Latest news with #A350
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Airbus's huge deal with Saudi Arabia's new airline is a major win for the A350
Riyadh Air ordered 25 A350-1000s at the Paris Air Show, worth over $4 billion at list prices. Emirates criticized the type's engines, and Qatar Airways temporarily grounded its A350s. It's a big win for Airbus, as Saudi Arabia's new airline could have used Boeing's 777X instead. Airbus's enormous A350-1000 plane has attracted a lot of attention at this week's Paris Air Show. The star passenger jet of the flying display, many people stopped in their tracks to watch it twist and turn above Le Bourget Airport, while a Johann Strauss waltz played over the show's loudspeakers. But for Airbus, the real victory was Monday's order from Riyadh Air. Saudi Arabia's ambitious new airline ordered 25 A350-1000s, with options for up to 25 more. The prices weren't disclosed, but according to Ishka, an aviation data and advisory firm, one of these planes delivered this year would be worth around $172 million. That would make the deal worth over $4 billion, although planemakers typically give discounts for big deals with airlines. These enormous jets will play a vital role as Riyadh Air seeks to help turn the Saudi capital into a top tourist destination — a key part of the kingdom's Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy. Riyadh Air, set to start flying later this year, is expected to operate a hub-and-spoke route model — connecting destinations around the world via its home base. This requires owning large-capacity planes for the most popular routes. Emirates operates similarly, hence its big bet on the double-decker Airbus A380. Riyadh Air kicked off its program with an order for up to 72 Boeing 787 jets, but tapped Airbus for its first narrow-body order of 60 A321neos. Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas previously told Business Insider its extra-wide-body planes would "almost certainly" include a first-class cabin, unlike the 787s. The A350-1000 can carry up to 410 passengers in a typical three-class layout and has a range of over 9,000 miles. It competes with Boeing's 777X, which has a wider fuselage and more modern technologies, but has been hampered by delays. While Boeing showed the plane at the last Paris Air Show in 2023, it wasn't displayed at Farnborough last year during the planemaker's safety crisis, nor this year due to ongoing flight tests. It was initially supposed to launch in 2020, but has since been postponed until 2026 as it awaits certification. However, the A350-1000 has also faced some challenges. It has a checkered history with Middle Eastern carriers, primarily due to issues from the hot and sandy climate in the region. This made headlines at the 2023 Dubai Air Show after Emirates boss Tim Clark slammed the plane's Rolls-Royce engines. In harsher environments, the engines require more frequent maintenance. Emirates instead placed a smaller order for the A350-900, which uses a different type of Rolls-Royce engine. Meanwhile, it is Boeing's biggest customer for the 777X, responsible for nearly half its 551 orders. Rolls-Royce has invested over $1 billion to improve the durability of its Trent engine family, which its president of civil aerospace referenced in its Riyadh Air announcement. Qatar Airways has also been unhappy with the A350 in the past, temporarily grounding its fleet. The type's launch customer sued Airbus in 2021, alleging that safety was compromised because cracked paint exposed the copper mesh, which protects the plane from lightning strikes. Airbus said the problem was only cosmetic and filed a countersuit before the dispute was settled in 2023. Now with a sizable order from Riyadh Air, it's clear the A350's reputation is improving with a new lease of life. Read the original article on Business Insider Sign in to access your portfolio
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Paris Air Show 2025 turns in Airbus's favour with multi-billion dollar deals as Boeing reels from 787 Dreamliner crash fallout
The Paris Air Show , one of the biggest global events for the aerospace industry, is underway, but 2025's atmosphere feels different. While Airbus celebrated $21 billion worth of aircraft orders, rival Boeing maintained a quiet presence following the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash, which killed over 270 people last week. Airbus Takes the Lead With Major Orders European aircraft maker Airbus signed multiple new deals at the show, including: 10 long-haul jets ordered by Starlux Airlines from Taiwan 2 A350 freighters ordered by MNG Airlines 6 A350-900 jets revealed to be ordered by EgyptAir 40 A220 aircraft for LOT Polish Airlines Up to 150 single-aisle jets in a deal with VietJet Big wins in Saudi Arabia, including orders from Riyadh Air and AviLease In total, Airbus secured 148 firm orders worth around $14.2 billion, and another 102 provisional orders estimated at $6.7 billion, according to Cirium Ascend. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo Airbus's planemaking CEO, Christian Scherer, opened each announcement with condolences for the victims of the India crash. 'It is an air show with a regrettable tragedy that has affected all of us,' he told Reuters. Boeing Holds Back Amid Grief and Investigation In contrast, Boeing chose not to announce any major orders. The American company pulled back from its usual air show presence to focus on the investigation into the Air India crash. Live Events Top executives, including CEO Kelly Ortberg, cancelled their attendance, with a statement saying they needed to 'be with our team and focus on our customer and the investigation.' At Boeing's booth, visitors noticed bouquets of flowers and a framed message that read: 'Honouring those affected by Air India Flight 171.' Boeing's Turbo Sjogren said the tragedy had 'affected all of our employees,' describing the show's tone as 'very different' for the company. Talks and Missed Deals There had been rumours of a possible AirAsia mega deal at the show, with CEO Tony Fernandes saying discussions are ongoing to buy up to 70 A321XLRs and 100 A220s or Embraer E2 regional jets. However, the deal is likely to be finalised later, after AirAsia completes its financial restructuring. Meanwhile, Embraer confirmed an order for 60 E175 jets from SkyWest Airlines, with rights to buy 50 more. Supply Chain Issues Easing Despite high demand, aircraft makers have been facing supply chain issues, especially with engine deliveries. Airbus said it has seen 40% fewer disruptions in early 2025 compared to the previous year. Inputs from agencies
Arabian Post
a day ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
Egyptair Boosts Fleet with Six More A350-900 Jets
Egyptair has confirmed an order for six additional Airbus A350‑900 wide‑body aircraft, increasing its total commitment to 16 for the type. Chairman and Chief Executive Captain Ahmed Adel said the deal will enable the carrier to meet escalating passenger demand and support an ambitious global expansion set for completion over the next five years. The announcement, made at the Paris Air Show on 18 June 2025, follows the airline's earlier acquisition of ten A350‑900s at the Dubai Air Show in 2023. Egyptair's increasing reliance on the A350 underscores its focus on modernising its international fleet with fuel-efficient, long‑range aircraft. A vital component of the airline's strategy is sustainability. Powered by Rolls‑Royce Trent XWB engines, the A350‑900 consumes approximately 25 percent less fuel than older wide‑body models and emits proportionally fewer CO₂ emissions. Its Airspace cabin offers passengers enhanced comfort with wider seats, higher ceilings, and ambient lighting, all of which align with growing expectations for premium long-haul travel. ADVERTISEMENT Adel highlighted the broader impact of this investment, stating it will 'contribute to Egypt's broader efforts to promote more sustainable air transport'. Airbus Executive Vice‑President Sales Benoît de Saint-Exupéry added that the second A350 order is testament to the aircraft's value as a cornerstone in the carrier's growth and decarbonisation plan. The A350‑900, certified to operate with up to 50 percent sustainable aviation fuel and targeted to be 100 percent SAF‑capable by 2030, provides a critical tool for airlines pushing to lower their carbon footprints. Industry analysts note that global demand for newer, more efficient wide‑body aircraft remains strong, with Airbus reducing supply‑chain headwinds by around 40 percent in early 2025. With over 1,390 A350s on order across 60 airlines as of May 2025, the A350 program has become integral to carriers renewing their long‑haul fleets. Cairo International Airport will serve as the operational base for Egyptair's A350 deployment. The aircraft's 9,700‑nautical‑mile range unlocks new nonstop routes to North America and Asia, while improving efficiency on existing services. This expansion mirrors trends among global carriers embracing larger, eco‑efficient aircraft to meet both strategic growth objectives and environmental targets. The airline's current long‑haul fleet includes Airbus A330‑200s, A330‑300s, Boeing 777‑300ERs and 787‑9 Dreamliners. The staged introduction of the new A350s, expected to begin later this year, will gradually transform Egyptair's fleet mix. As the Paris Air Show concludes, Airbus has secured multiple major orders including freighter deals with MNG Airlines and continuing negotiations with other carriers such as AirAsia, signalling a robust market for next‑generation aircraft as airlines seek both growth and sustainability.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Airbus, Embraer unveil freighter orders at Paris Air Show
Freighter aircraft took the stage at the Paris Air Show on Wednesday, with Airbus receiving an order for two next-generation A350s from Turkey-based MNG Airlines and Embraer announcing the launch customer for its new E190 regional converted freighter. The MNG order expands Airbus' lead over Boeing in the large next-generation freighter category. Customers have agreed to purchase 75 A350 freighters since sales began earlier this decade. Boeing has about 55 orders for the freighter variant of its new 777-X. On Monday, Saudi Arabia-based startup lessor AviLease agreed to buy 10 A350 cargo jets. The large widebody aircraft is still undergoing final development and testing, with the first production model now slated for delivery in late 2027. MNG Airlines provides scheduled and charter service to Asia, Europe, and North and Central America, on an outsourced basis for express delivery and general freight customers, including e-commerce shippers. In March, it took delivery of a third A330-300 aircraft that was retrofitted from passenger to cargo configuration. It also operates two A300-600s, two A330-200s and two A321 converted A350 cargo jet is designed to carry up to 122 U.S. tons with a range of 5,400 miles. Airbus says it will offer up to a 40% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to previous generation freighters, thanks in large measure to the use of lightweight composite materials. Meanwhile, Brazilian manufacturer Embraer (NYSE: ERJ) announced that Malta-based Bridges Air Cargo, will be the launch operator for its E190 passenger-to-freighter aircraft. Bridges is part of UK-based Bridges Worldwide, which provides regional airlift for DHL Express, FedEx and UPS in Europe as well freight forwarding services. Bridges Air Cargo started flying in late 2023 and currently pays another airline to operate a single ATR 72 turboprop on its behalf. It will lease two E190 aircraft from Regional One, a South Florida-based aircraft trader, which doubled its order to four aircraft during the airshow. Bridges plans to begin E190 operations in the third quarter. The E190 is a small narrowbody jet that slots between the standard Boeing 737 family of converted freighters and large turboprop aircraft. Embraer is pitching the plane as well-suited for e-commerce transport because it is sized to shuttle back and forth between hubs and secondary and tertiary markets and is more efficient than older aircraft. It has a main-deck payload of 23,600 pounds. It's unclear to what extent operators will use underfloor says its E-Jets will have 40% per volume capacity and three times the range of large turboprop freighters, and up to 30% lower operating costs than larger narrowbody jets. The company's conversion design has been approved by civil aviation authorities in Europe, the U.S. and Brazil. 'The size of the aircraft fills a unique and underserved space in the cargo segment. The jet also strengthens our operational capabilities and paves the way for the development of promising new routes. We are excited to partner with Embraer and Regional One, which is a fundamental step forward for regional air cargo transportation,' said Guy Bridges, CEO of Bridges Air Cargo. Bridges Worldwide is expanding its footprint into Africa, the Gulf, Indian subcontinent and Asia. Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch. Saudi Arabia-based leasing company to buy 10 Airbus A350 freighters Air France-KLM trims Airbus order for A350 freighters The post Airbus, Embraer unveil freighter orders at Paris Air Show appeared first on FreightWaves.
Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
EGYPTAIR Expands Fleet with Order for Six Additional Airbus A350-900 Aircraft
TDT | Manama EGYPTAIR has announced a firm order for six more Airbus A350-900 aircraft during the Paris Air Show 2025, reinforcing its strategy to modernize its long-haul fleet and meet rising global travel demand. This new order brings the airline's total A350-900 commitment to 16 aircraft. Captain Ahmed Adel, Chairman and CEO of EGYPTAIR, said the move aligns with the carrier's growth plans and sustainability objectives: 'We are continuously working to modernise our fleet and deliver a more comfortable and optimised travel experience. This collaboration with Airbus builds on a long-standing relationship that spans decades. The A350 will support our network expansion over the next five years and contribute to Egypt's broader efforts to promote more sustainable air transport.' The A350-900, part of Airbus' newest widebody family, is renowned for its fuel efficiency and range. It can fly up to 9,700 nautical miles (18,000 km) non-stop while consuming 25% less fuel compared to previous-generation aircraft, translating to significantly lower CO₂ emissions. Each aircraft will feature Airbus' next-generation Airspace cabin with wide seats, high ceilings, and soothing ambient lighting designed for passenger comfort on long-haul journeys. Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales at Airbus, welcomed the deepening relationship: 'This is the second time EGYPTAIR has placed an order for the A350, and it reflects the value and confidence the airline places in the aircraft. We look forward to supporting EGYPTAIR's success, growth, and decarbonisation ambitions.' The A350 is currently the most advanced widebody aircraft in production. It is certified to fly with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) today, and Airbus aims to make its entire fleet 100% SAF-compatible by 2030. As of May 2025, Airbus has received over 1,390 orders for the A350 family from 60 customers worldwide. This strategic move places EGYPTAIR among leading global carriers investing in next-generation aircraft to offer passengers a superior travel experience while advancing environmental sustainability.
