Airbus wins Air Lease order for seven A350 freighters
Airbus is stepping up efforts to challenge rival Boeing for a bigger slice of the booming cargo market
15 November 2021 - 16:48
byTim Hepher and Alexander Cornwell
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The Airbus logo is seen at the entrance of its factory in Blagnac near Toulouse, France. File photo: REUTERS/BENOIT TESSIER
Dubai — European plane maker Airbus secured a provisional debut order for seven A350 freighter jets from leasing company Air Lease (ALC) on Monday, stepping up efforts to challenge Boeing for a bigger slice of the booming cargo market.
The expansion of e-commerce has accelerated since the global pandemic, while upcoming international rules on plane emissions are putting pressure on freight operators to modernise fleets.
“It is very clear that ... e-commerce is a very stabilising factor in the freighter market place and a growing factor,” said Air Lease CEO John Plueger.
A letter of intent for the freighters signed at the Dubai Airshow on Monday includes more than 100 passenger jets: 25 A220-300s, 55 A321neos, 20 A321XLRs and four wide-body A330neos.
The order will be finalised in coming months, Airbus said, without giving a value for the deal.
Airbus and ALC said they would launch a multi-million dollar ESG fund initiative that would contribute towards investment into sustainable aviation development projects.
Boeing is expected to launch a competing freighter version of its 777X wide-body passenger plane within weeks. It said on Sunday it was in advanced talks with potential customers. Reuters
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Airbus wins Air Lease order for seven A350 freighters
Airbus is stepping up efforts to challenge rival Boeing for a bigger slice of the booming cargo market
Dubai — European plane maker Airbus secured a provisional debut order for seven A350 freighter jets from leasing company Air Lease (ALC) on Monday, stepping up efforts to challenge Boeing for a bigger slice of the booming cargo market.
The expansion of e-commerce has accelerated since the global pandemic, while upcoming international rules on plane emissions are putting pressure on freight operators to modernise fleets.
“It is very clear that ... e-commerce is a very stabilising factor in the freighter market place and a growing factor,” said Air Lease CEO John Plueger.
A letter of intent for the freighters signed at the Dubai Airshow on Monday includes more than 100 passenger jets: 25 A220-300s, 55 A321neos, 20 A321XLRs and four wide-body A330neos.
The order will be finalised in coming months, Airbus said, without giving a value for the deal.
Airbus and ALC said they would launch a multi-million dollar ESG fund initiative that would contribute towards investment into sustainable aviation development projects.
Boeing is expected to launch a competing freighter version of its 777X wide-body passenger plane within weeks. It said on Sunday it was in advanced talks with potential customers.
Reuters
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