Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers John Leahy concedes that the Emirates order for 50 Boeing 777-300ERs could be linked to the delay of the Airbus A350-1000. “There was no case for a 777 today if I had an A350,” he said at the Dubai air show. “But if you need lift now, you are going to buy a 777. It is what it is.”
The 50 777-300ERs are to be delivered from 2015, but the A350-1000 is now only expected to arrive in 2017, almost two years later than originally planned. Emirates has 20 A350-1000s on order, along with 50 A350-900s. It has recently indicated it might move away from the -1000 and go for more -900s instead.
Leahy insisted that Airbus will keep the A350-800. “We have absolutely no intention to drop the A350-800,” he said. The type’s entry-into-service date has moved to 2016 with several customers having converted orders to larger versions. “As we are ramping up production, it is more profitable for us to shift to the 900, but we will keep the -800.”
Airbus is watching possible consequences of the euro zone debt crisis, but believes that it does not have much effect on aircraft financing. “Financing usually does get arranged one way or the other, if the airline really needs an aircraft,” Leahy stated.
He confirmed that “we are in discussions with Mr. al-Baker (Qatar Airways’ CEO) and his people” about a possible order. The airline was expected to announce an order for five more A380s and A320NEOs on Monday, but Qatar Airways cancelled a press conference at the last moment.
The 50 777-300ERs are to be delivered from 2015, but the A350-1000 is now only expected to arrive in 2017, almost two years later than originally planned. Emirates has 20 A350-1000s on order, along with 50 A350-900s. It has recently indicated it might move away from the -1000 and go for more -900s instead.
Leahy insisted that Airbus will keep the A350-800. “We have absolutely no intention to drop the A350-800,” he said. The type’s entry-into-service date has moved to 2016 with several customers having converted orders to larger versions. “As we are ramping up production, it is more profitable for us to shift to the 900, but we will keep the -800.”
Airbus is watching possible consequences of the euro zone debt crisis, but believes that it does not have much effect on aircraft financing. “Financing usually does get arranged one way or the other, if the airline really needs an aircraft,” Leahy stated.
He confirmed that “we are in discussions with Mr. al-Baker (Qatar Airways’ CEO) and his people” about a possible order. The airline was expected to announce an order for five more A380s and A320NEOs on Monday, but Qatar Airways cancelled a press conference at the last moment.
