This show follows the usual pattern – orders get announced for maximum media coverage. And the orders are big. Boeing started with a massive order – it’s biggest ever – Lion Air of Indonesia finalized a firm order for 201 737 MAXs and 29 Next-Generation 737-900ERs. The agreement, first announced last November, includes options for an additional 150 airplanes. Lion is launch customer for the MAX-9. With orders for 230 airplanes valued at $22.4 billion (list prices), the deal is the largest commercial airplane order ever in Boeing’s history by both dollar value and total number of airplanes.
Not to be outdone, Airbus also made an order announcement. ALAFCO Aviation Lease And Finance Company, a Kuwait-based international aircraft leasing company, finalized a purchase order for 35 A320neo Family aircraft bringing its total backlog for the type to 85. The firm contract is an increase from the previous agreement signed at the 2011 Dubai Airshow for 50 A320neo aircraft.The 2011 neo order included P&W GTF engines so we assume the same applies to the new order as well.
Then another unexpected order popped up. BOC Aviation said it has ordered 20 C919s. There has been little news from COMAC and the C9191 for a while. And keeping the order game going, Bombardier announced and order for five Q400s. This follows news last week of an order for up to 24 CRJ1000s. Interestingly the customers have not been announced though the assumption is that the CRJs are going to Garuda.
As some one with a soft spot for Bombardier, here’s hoping that the order for six CRJ1000s is not in fact the Garuda order. Guess we’ll find out tomorrow.
And thumbs up on the five Q400s. I cannot fathom why the Q400 lags the ATR 72 so badly on orders given its many strengths. Looks like Bombardier has been beefing up their sales and service team worldwide so perhaps the Q400, after an awful year, is on the up and up from here on. (Hello, Westjet!)
Any news on a potential COMAC – Bombardier partnership?