Boeing dominates Airbus with $101.5 bn orders at Dubai show

Dubai: US aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday announced up to $101.5 billion in aircraft orders at the Dubai Air Show, as its new 777X model propelled total demand to more than twice that booked by European rival Airbus.

More than $95 billion of the Boeing orders were for the 777X long-haul aircraft, making it the "largest product launch in commercial jetliner history by value", said the firm.

European giant Airbus meanwhile totted up orders worth $44 billion, with Emirates placing the biggest by value worth $20 billion for 50 A380s.

The total takings or about $145 billion by the two rivals at Dubai were about twice those recorded at the Paris Air Show in June, when Airbus announced $39.3 billion in orders and Boeing unveiled $38 billion for a total of about $77.0 billion.

Boeing`s performance in Dubai was underpinned by demand for its new 777X, which was snapped up by Middle Eastern airlines.

Dubai`s flagship Emirates placed an order worth $55.6 billion for 115 777-9X aircraft designed to carry more than 400 passengers. It also ordered 35 777-8Xs, which has a capacity of 350 passagers.

Etihad Airways ordered 17 of the bigger model and eight of the smaller 777-8X, while Qatar Airways bought 50 777-9Xs worth $18.9 billion.

Boeing claims that the aircraft, which is to enter service around 2020, would be 12 percent more fuel efficient than the Airbus A350.