Yesterday marked the end of the Dubai Airshow 2021, the largest and most hyped-up aviation event this year. During the airshow period, between the 14th to 18th November 2021, a lot of exciting events took place, such as the Boeing 777X International Debut. Let us take a look at them today.
Indigo Partners’ Huge Airbus A320 Family Order.
To kick things off in the 2021 Dubai Airshow, Indigo Partners ordered 1,145 Airbus A321neos and A321XLR. WizzAir is set to receive 102 of the aircraft, consisting of 75 A321neos and 27 A321XLRs, while Frontier will acquire 91 A321neos. Other than that, Volaris is set to take hold of 39 A321neos, leaving the rest to JetSMART.
“This order reaffirms our portfolio airlines’commitment to consistent growth through the next decade. The Airbus A321neo and A321XLR have industry-leading efficiency, low unit costs and a substantially reduced carbon footprint relative to prior models. With these aircraft, Wizz, Frontier, Volaris and JetSMART will continue to offer low fares, stimulate the markets they serve and improve their industry-leading sustainability profile,” said Bill Franke, managing partner of Indigo Partners.
Boeing 777X International Debut
The main highlight of the Dubai Airshow this year was the Boeing 777X International Debut. The 777X is the next generation of the Boeing 777 lineup. The aircraft is efficient and can travel long distances. The stunning 777X was on display to the public at the airshow and was even sent on a dynamic flying display, wowing the crowds in an attempt to garner sales for the type. As of now, the type has 351 orders from various airlines, such as Lufthansa and Emirates.
Akasa Air’s Major Boeing 737MAX order
Another interesting event was Akasa Air’s giant Boeing 737MAX order of 72 aircraft. The order of the aircraft consists of some Boeing 737 MAX-8s and Boeing 737 MAX 8200s, which recently got certified. Vinay Dube, Akasa Air CEO, said:
“We are delighted to partner with Boeing for our first airplane order and thank them for their trust and confidence in Akasa Air’s business plan and leadership team. We believe that the new 737 MAX airplane will support our aim of running not just a cost-efficient, reliable and affordable airline, but also an environmentally friendly company with the youngest and greenest fleet in the Indian skies.”
Airbus A350 Freighter’s First Order
Earlier in the year, Airbus launched a freighter variant of the Airbus A350 to challenge Boeing’s monopoly in the air freighter market. In this year’s Dubai Airshow, a giant order for the type was placed by Air Lease Corporation, for 111 Airbus A350F. This is the first-ever order for the type from an airline.
“This new order announcement is the culmination of many months of hard work and dedication by both organisations to optimise and fine tune the size and scope of this large aircraft transaction in view of the rapidly growing global airline demand to modernise their jet fleets through the ALC leasing medium,” said Steven Udvar-Hazy, executive chairman of Air Lease Corporation. “After lengthy and detailed consultations with several dozen of our strategic airline customers around the world, we are focusing this comprehensive order on the most desirable and in demand aircraft types.”
