Strengthens Partnerships In The Middle East At The 2013 Dubai Airshow

Boeing’s participation at the 2013 Dubai Airshow was marked by the launch of the innovative 777X – the world’s largest and most-efficient twin-engine jetliner – and the announcement of historic orders and new strategic agreements signed with key partners in the Middle East and around the world. Boeing Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jim McNerney launched the 777X with 259 orders and commitments from Emirates (150), Qatar Airways (50), Etihad Airways (25) and a previously announced order from Lufthansa (34). The combined value of the agreements is more than $95 billion at list prices, placing the 777X as the largest product launch in commercial jetliner history by value.

Key innovations will make the 777X 12 percent more fuel efficient than its competitor: an all-new composite wing based on the innovative wing developed for the super-efficient 787 Dreamliner, aerodynamic advances such as a hybrid laminar flow control vertical tail and natural laminar flow nacelles, and all-new GE9X engines developed by GE Aviation. “Dubai 2013 has been a truly historic and record-breaking air show for The Boeing Company,” said Charlie Miller, vice president, International Corporate Communications. “We would like to thank our hosts for the organization of such a momentous event at the stunning new air show venue.”

Boeing highlighted its family of efficient commercial airplanes in both the single and twin-aisle market segments. Customers Qatar Airways and Royal Brunei Airlines displayed 787s at the show and flydubai showcased a 737-800 featuring the Boeing Sky Interior. Two customers displayed Boeing Business Jets this week as well.

Boeing platforms in service with the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces displayed at the show included a UAE Land Forces AH-64D Apache helicopter and a UAE Air Force C-17 Globemaster III airlifter. Also on display were the MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor, P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, AH-6i reconnaissance and attack helicopter, F-15 Eagle and F/A-18 Super Hornet and an Integrator Unmanned Aerial System.

Boeing announced during the show several key partnerships that reaffirm its strong commitment to support the UAE aerospace industry. Boeing will establish with Tawazun Precision Industries a production aerospace surface treatment facility in the UAE. The project is scheduled to be commissioned in 2016 in Tawazun Industrial Park in Abu Dhabi. Boeing also announced a new strategic agreement to increase the development of Mubadala as a Tier 1 supplier to Boeing. Through this agreement, Mubadala has the opportunity to supply as much as $2.5 billion in advanced composites and machined metals to Boeing commercial programs, including the 787 and 777X. Both companies will work together to develop pre-preg and carbon fiber manufacturing capabilities in Abu Dhabi.

Other significant partnerships announced at the show include the selection of Bombardier's Challenger 605 business jet (pictured) as the platform for its Maritime Surveillance Aircraft program, which offers the global market a capable, low-risk maritime surveillance system based on Boeing’s proven P-8A mission system technology. Boeing and Rostec further enhanced their partnership with an agreement to expand their joint venture by establishing a second Ural Boeing Manufacturing production facility in Russia’s Titanium Valley.

In addition to the record-breaking orders from Middle East customers Etihad Airways, Emirates Airline and Qatar Airways that are at the center of the launch of Boeing’s new 777X, Etihad ordered 30 787-10s, including the 1,000th Dreamliner order and becoming the world’s largest customer for the 787 family with a total of 71. The 787 has reached the 1,000th order milestone faster than any other twin-aisle airplane in aviation history.

Boeing and flydubai announced another historic agreement for up to 100 737 MAX 8s and 11 Next-Generation 737-800s, the largest ever Boeing single-aisle airplane purchase in the Middle East. Already a market success, the 737 MAX has accumulated more than 1,600 orders to date.

Boeing orders and commitments (excluding options and purchase rights) announced at the Dubai Airshow reached 342 airplanes, valued at $101.5 billion.

(Images provided by Boeing)

FMI: www.boeing.com