Dubai Airshow Day 3: Airbus and deHavilland Canada keep the winning streak

After a heightened activity on Day 2, Day three was a little calmer at the Dubai Airshow 2019. There were a lot of interesting briefings, such as Rolls Royce, which is making serious attempts to start with the electrification of flight, a topic I will save for another day to write about it for you.

Airbus gets Flynas and Air Senegal to sign on the dotted line

While there were a lot of deals happening back in Toulouse as well, Airbus did not lose sight of their goal in Dubai as well, signing up more deals on Day 3.

flynas, Saudi Arabia’s first low-cost airline, signed a firm order for 10 A321XLRs at the 2019 Dubai Airshow. The agreement was signed by Bandar Almohanna, flynas Chief Executive Officer and Christian Scherer Airbus Chief Commercial Officer.
In 2016, flynas signed an agreement for 80 A320neo family and currently operates a fleet of 27 A320ceos and 4 A320neos.

Air Senegal, the new national carrier of Senegal, on the other hand, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for eight A220-300 aircraft. Earlier in 2019, the carrier was the first African airline to fly Airbus’ new-generation widebody aircraft, the A330neo, featuring latest technology engines, new wings with enhanced aerodynamics and a curved wingtip design, drawing best practices from the A350 XWB.

Mr Ibrahima Kane Air Senegal CEO said: “These new 220 aircraft will contribute to developing our long-haul network to Europe and our regional network in Africa. Combined with our recent A330neo aircraft, this new Airbus fleet reveals Air Senegal’s ambition to offer the best travel experience for our passengers.”

Boeing wins an LoI for the 737 MAX, but no order from SpiceJet

Boeing also got a shot in the arm with FlyArystan, a newly established low-cost airline from Kazakhstan, which signed a letter of intent for 30 737 MAX 8 aircraft. This airline is a no-frills airline from Air Astana, the flag carrier of the country.

Amongst all of this, the rumoured order for SpiceJet did not materialise so far at the Dubai Airshow.

Ghana Goes shopping for 787-9 and Dash 8-400s

The Government of Ghana was out shopping at the Airshow, signing up deals with Boeing for three 787-9 aircraft, and then hopping over to de Havilland Canada for some turboprops. The intention is for the country to re-establish its national carrier, which would be largely privately held. While the turbo-props would be used for flying around Ghana and perhaps the neighbouring countries, the 787s would be used for long haul flying. Interesting move here that the government is intending to only keep 10% in this new national airline, but is signing up all the contracts for an airline that does not even exist at the moment.

de Havilland Dash 8 gets more customers

After the small wins over the first couple of days, de Havilland, the new owner of the Q400 programme, now known as the Dash 8-400 programme, got itself big backers. Aircraft lessor Palma Holding signed with de Havilland a letter of intent to purchase 20 Dash 8-400 aircraft. Subsequently, the Government of Ghana signed up for six turboprops and other orders rolled in from Russia, and some leasing companies as well.

Today is the last day of the Airshow, and Emirates still has booked time for one more press conference. Would this be an order for Boeing? We don’t know. Stay tuned.

If you like this exclusive detailed coverage of the Dubai Airshow 2019 from LiveFromALounge.com?
Consider sending over a small amount to allow us
to help you further in keeping you abreast with all the news you need.