Airbus rival Boeing has struck what is potentially its biggest ever commercial order within days of breaking its previous sales record at the Dubai Air Show. The American planemaker has secured a commitment from Indonesia's Lion Air to buy 230 single aisle Boeing 737 MAXs and 29 Next-Generation 737-900 ERs (extended range) worth $21.7bn at list prices.
Final details are being finalised before a firm is order posted on the Boeing Orders and Deliveries website. The deal also includes purchase rights for an additional 150 airliners worth $14bn.
The deal has come within days of Boeing receiving the biggest firm order in its history at the Dubai Air Show – worth $18bn - to sell 50 of its double-aisle 777 airliners to Emirates.
Boeing spokesman Wilson Chow declined to give a timeframe for delivery of the aircraft but noted that the 737 MAX, one of the models including in the sale, will not be ready for delivery until 2017. To date, the 737 MAX – Boeing's answer to the best-selling Airbus 320neo – has commitments for more than 700 airplanes.
Overall, Airbus – whose airliner wings are designed and partially made by GKN in Filton – is well ahead of Boeing in terms of firm orders so far this year. Airbus has 1,587 compared with Boeing’s 597.
Among the latest Airbus customers is Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris which has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 44 eco-efficient Airbus A320 aircraft, comprising 30 A320neo and 14 A320 family aircraft. The order makes Volaris the first airline to order the A320neo in Mexico. Engine selection will be announced by the airline at a later date.
Meanwhile Honolulu-based Hawaiian Airlines has grown its order for Airbus A330-200s by signing up for an additional five aircraft. Hawaiian became a new Airbus operator last year and now has a commitment of 22 A330 aircraft including four that are leased. The airline currently operates five A330-200s.
"This has been our best week of the year in terms of sales, outside the Paris Airshow and it is very gratifying that Hawaiian tops it off with an order for five new A330 wide-bodies to fulfil their ambitious growth plans, " said Airbus Chief Operating Officer John Leahy. “Just a year-and-a-half ago, I said I hoped that Hawaiian‘s passengers and employees would come to love this aircraft, and that hope has proven to be a reality.”
