Emirates' Boeing 787 Dreamliner deal is a nightmare for Airbus
The press release was printed, the media invited, the first dignitaries began filing into the room. Such was the scene on the first day of the Dubai Air Show, when Airbus had planned to unveil a keenly awaited lifeline for its A380 superjumbos from the aircraft’s biggest fan: Emirates.
Instead: nothing. In fact, worse than nothing.
An initial delay, not unusual at these major signing ceremonies, gave way to confusion. Bewilderment turned to humiliation when a model aircraft was carried into the briefing room and the gray cloth covering it slipped off – revealing the Boeing logo on its tail.
Out of nowhere, the U.S. planemaker suddenly conquered Room 6 on the upper level of the main exhibition hall, with its representatives taking the stage.
Airbus officials who dominated the room on arrival quietly slipped out during the press conference as their rival landed a stinging blow: Emirates committed to buying 40 of Boeing’s 787-10 Dreamliners, representing a staggering US$15.1 billion at list price. That was similar to the order value that Airbus had planned.
It was a surprise twist in the air show’s first-day choreography and one that marked twin setbacks for the European planemaker.
With scant demand from other airlines for the double-decker A380, Airbus is more dependent than ever on Emirates. Boeing’s Dreamliner pact added insult to injury since the Dubai-based carrier had originally ordered 70 Airbus A350 jetliners before pulling out of the deal in 2014 to review its requirements.
“Boeing has scored an absolutely huge victory here. You can’t play it down,” said Saj Ahmad, an analyst at StrategicAero Research in London. “That all the talk was about the A380 and nothing materializing for Airbus was a bit of a dampener for the opening.”
Comeback knack
Even with the first-day setback, Airbus has a knack for staging high-profile comebacks at major air shows. Airbus and Emirates declined to comment on the back and forth of the negotiations.
Emirates is set to order about 36 A380s, according to people familiar with the negotiations – a deal that would carry a list value of about US$15.7 billion and which would push the order book for the giant jetliner to more than 170.
Earlier this month, Emirates President Tim Clark took delivery of the 100th A380, cementing Emirates’ de facto status as the only buyer of Airbus’s biggest and most expensive aircraft.
The biennial Dubai expo is an important venue for both manufacturers to secure deals for their biggest and most expensive jetliners. Two years ago, orders slowed to just US$4 billion, compared with more than US$170 billion at the previous event, placed largely by the three major carriers in the region: Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways.
The mood was more upbeat at this year’s event, with Clark saying demand remains strong, even for the most expensive seats. Clark unveiled a new first-class suite that will feature on its Boeing 777 models and will gradually rolled out across its entire fleet.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2014
Total posts 49
I have a soft spot for Boeing (how can anyone who loves the 747 not?) but I really appreciate the incredile engineering feet Airbus performed with the A380 and it's genuinely a very pleasant aircraft to fly in. It's sad to see what is potentially another nail being hammered into the A380s coffin?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Aug 2016
Total posts 54
had to look twice but the Emirates plane in the cover photo only has one wing
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Sep 2013
Total posts 188
And the 'only' wing has no winglet..
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
15 Aug 2012
Total posts 171
Wow, massive call. Airbus have been strategically pushed into a corner by Emirates, the future of the A380 will be answered soon.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Sep 2012
Total posts 236
A nice way for Emirates to get a further discount on their next A380 order...
24 Apr 2016
Total posts 23
Well, the A380 is kind of dead.
24 Oct 2017
Total posts 5
Karma has struck Mr John Leahy for ridiculing Boeing in the fashion he did,
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Nov 2017
Total posts 1
Looks like the bigger planes are to become dinosaurs. First it was the B747 and now the A380 will follow suit. I have travelled on the A380 and what a marvelous plane. So quiet and comfortable. An engineering feat just as the 747 before. Sad to see it go. Unfortunately the airlines have changed their business models/strategies and the smaller planes are the go. Have not been on the new B787 or A350. Looking forward to flying in one of the newer birds. My travels and loyalty to a particular airline always restricts me to the A330. Definitely not one of my favorite planes.
29 Jan 2012
Total posts 183
The large wide bodies of the 747 and A380 are made for the ULH legs being flown by todays airlines. The spaciousness of their premium zones, the onboard lounges, etc are what passengers enjoy to help pass the long hours. The 787 and A350's which are taking over are not in the same league for these marathon legs, as they are simply to small and cramped, but do make profits for the airlines - customer comfort unfortunately no longer a concern. Passengers will ultimately choose their aircraft types in time but I feel the airlines may have lost touch and now only blinded by the bottom line. Lets hope there is a turn around in the next decade or so.
28 Sep 2011
Total posts 3
What a start for emirates with 787-10....though it has a smaller range and may never come to australia....we’d be stuck with the bigger horse for foreseeable future...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Mar 2015
Total posts 94
Having just complete a r-t-w flight on 380/777/787/747, the 380 and 787 both knock the socks off the 777 and despite its age the 747 is not far behind its way newer sibling. The sheer space on the 380 made it our "winner" on this trip, so I, too, will be sad to see the end of them.
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