Airbus’ Paris Act
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HongKong Airlines and Indonesia’sMandala Airlines together posted 76 purchases, and Singapore’s Tiger Airlines signedan MoU for 30 more. This brings Airbus’ Paris Air Show total to a record 688.
Boeingappears to be taking this in stride, focusing more on year-end results. Airbus,on the other hand, seems to have orchestrated a PR blitz to boost its batteredimage.
“It is the best air show any manufacturer hasever had in terms of orders,” touted Airbus commercial director John Leahy.He added that orders for the year are closing in on 900. Boeing’s totals are closerto 500.
Somesay these figures skew the real picture, and the A380 production fiasco droveairlines to Boeing, stretching its capacity. Demand continues to climb, andcarriers seeking quick delivery on new orders must turn to older Airbus models.
Thiscould be the case with Mandala Airlines purchase of 25 A320s. Airline presidentDiono Nurjadin said the aircraft would replace old generationBoeing 737-200s on its network of 20 domestic destinations.Mandala is Airbus’ first Indonesian customer.
Accordingto Chairman Ren Wei Dong the fast-growing airline will use the 30 new A320s toadd destinations and build frequencies in the near term. The 20 A330s areneeded for planned long-haul journeys.
Isthe Paris Air Show “Sky Wars” really a war, or simply a battle as Boeing sitson its five-year technology head start waiting for another Airbus blunder?
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