Airbus and Boeing set to do battle at Dubai Air Show

Paris: Aircraft manufacturing giants Boeing and Airbus are set to go head-to-head in a bruising battle to win new business at the upcoming Dubai Air Show, setting their sights on the booming Gulf airline sector.
Dubai-based Emirates airlines could announce plans during the five-day exposition, which opens Sunday, to buy 100 long-haul carriers, choosing between Boeing's 747 Dreamliner and the A350 XWB, made by the US group's European rival Airbus.
Emirates is already Airbus' leading client for the A380 superjumbo, the world's largest civilian airliner. Emirates has ordered 55 A380s.
The A380, which can carry between 525 and 853 passengers, is seen as a promising acquisition for Emirates, which aims to make the Gulf state of Dubai a huge aviation "hub," connecting fliers with all four corners of the world.
Two other Gulf carriers, Qatar Airways and the smaller Etihad Airways based in Abu Dhabi, have adopted the same objectives.
Emirates and Qatar Airways are therefore considered crucial to the future of Airbus, which has lately lost ground to Boeing.
Boeing through the end of September had booked 893 orders to 854 for Airbus, according to the latest available figures.
Indian and Chinese companies, also operating in growing markets, could in addition place big orders in Dubai, according to Morgan Stanley analyst Penelope Butcher, as well as Latin American carriers anxious to expand their fleets.
09/11/07 AFP

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Categories: Dubai Airshow 2007, Foreign Nov 2007