Boeing enjoyed a highly successful Dubai Airshow 2011, highlighted by strengthened alliances with partners in the Middle East, landmark commercial airplane orders, high-level customer engagement and an unprecedented display of technologically advanced aircraft.
“Dubai 2011 has been a very positive air show for Boeing. We have sealed key agreements that mark a significant step forward in our partnerships in the United Arab Emirates and across the Middle East region. And our Middle East customers have heavily endorsed Boeing’s innovative family of commercial airplanes with outstanding orders,” said Charlie Miller, vice president, International Communications. “We also had the opportunity to share with customers, partners, suppliers and government officials our current family of commercial and defense products and technologies, which created real excitement.”
Boeing reinforced its partnership with Mubadala Aerospace with the announcement of agreements with Mubadala subsidiaries Strata and Advanced Military Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Center (AMMROC) to progress the commercial and military aviation industry in the United Arab Emirates. One agreement defines a strategic roadmap for Strata to become a major Tier 1 supplier to Boeing. And AMMROC and Boeing are working together to ensure the right support infrastructure is in place for the operational readiness of UAE Armed Forces aircraft, including Boeing-built Apache and Chinook rotorcraft and C-17 transport aircraft.
Boeing subsidiary Insitu Inc. announced a new alliance with Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments Company (ADASI), which will allow for support and sustainment of Insitu’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance unmanned aircraft system products and services.
As evidence of the extraordinary growth of the Middle East commercial aviation market, Emirates Airline announced an order for 50 Boeing 777-300ER passenger jets plus options for an additional 20. Valued at $18 billion at current list prices excluding options, this is the single largest commercial airplane order in Boeing’s history by dollar value. It also makes 2011 the best-selling year for the 777 program.
Oman Air has become a new customer for the 787 Dreamliner after announcing an order for six Boeing 787-8s. And Qatar Airways announced an order for two Boeing 777 Freighters. Valued at $560 million at list prices, the airplanes will increase the airline’s 777 Freighter fleet to eight when delivered.
These commercial orders, in total valued at nearly $20 billion excluding options, are a powerful validation of the demand for Boeing’s fuel-efficient and market-leading products and also of the strength of the Middle East market. Boeing forecasts that airlines in the Middle East will need an estimated 2,520 airplanes worth $450 billion over the next 20 years.
Dubai Airshow 2011 saw the Middle East debut of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the world’s most advanced passenger jetliner, attracting the keen attention of many thousands of visitors, and the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, a tiltrotor military transport aircraft. Other Boeing products included a flydubai 737-800 featuring the new Boeing Sky Interior; a Qatar Airways Boeing 777-200LR; a UAE Land Forces AH-64D Apache; a UAE Air Force C-17; a US Air Force C-17; a AH-6i light attack/reconnaissance helicopter; a Turkish Air Force Boeing 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Peace Eagle; an F-15 Eagle and an F/A-18E Super Hornet.
