Carrier Buys 787s As It Waits For Word On A380

Singapore Airlines continues to wait for word -- like everyone else -- on just how long they'll have to wait for the A380 jets they ordered from Airbus. In the meantime, the carrier has finalized a $4.52 billion order first announced in June for 20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

Singapore Airlines -- the world's second-largest airline based on market value, according to Bloomberg -- is the first delivery customer for the superjumbo. The 20-plane order for Boeing's 787 came almost directly on the heels of Airbus's last A380 delay announcement.

As Aero-News reported at the time, there was speculation the airline might be sending Airbus a message by not opting for that company's A350 competitor to the 787.

Since the airline's June order with Boeing, Airbus announced a major overhaul of the A350 design, dubbed the A350XWB. Airbus says the new design will have greater capability and provide flexibility for future modifications.

Apparently, that wasn't enough to change Singapore Airline's mind about buying 787s.... as aside from choosing engines, this one's a done deal. Some have speculated the airline -- its confidence in Airbus perhaps shaken by three separate delays on delivery of the A380 -- doesn't want to take that chance again for its medium-range airliners.

FMI: www.singaporeair.com, www.airbus.com, www.boeing.com