Article Posted on : - Nov 21, 2013

The new 777X aircraft of Boeing.

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

More than USD 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 USD 44 billion, with Emirates placing the biggest by value worth USD 20 billion for 50 A380s.

The total takings or about USD 145 billion by the two rivals at Dubai were about twice those recorded at the Paris Air Show in June, when Airbus announced USD 39.3 billion in orders and Boeing unveiled USD 38 billion for a total of about USD 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 USD 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 USD 18.9 billion.

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