Bangkok--12 Nov--Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation After last month linking all the continents non-stop from the one airport, Emirates yesterday announced the biggest single aircraft order in civil aviation history, with a commitment for up to 131 Airbus and 12 more Boeing aircraft. The Airbus contract includes a breakthrough deal for 50 A350XWB-900s, plus 20 series -1000 aircraft. Following ILFC’s recent order, the A350XWB has quickly become a strong competitor to the B787 in the intermediate widebody segment. Emirates has options for an additional 50 A350XWB-900s. The Dubai-based carrier has also lifted its firm A380 order from 55 to 58, plus eight options, while the Boeing order lifts its B777 firm commitment to 57, which will make it the biggest operator of the type (taking over from Singapore Airlines) in a few years. Emirates Chairman and CEO, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, who founded the airline with a USD10 million investment in the 1980s, stated the carrier has “new growth plans, which are aligned to Dubai's aim to attract 15 million visitors a year by 2012”. Most of the aircraft ordered yesterday will deliver after 2014. Sheikh Ahmed added that the airline’s plan in 2003 was to have 100 aircraft by 2010. “We have already surpassed that target - growth and demand has exceeded the most optimistic projections”, said Sheikh Ahmed. “Dubai is investing billions to secure its future as a leading centre for business, tourism, and air transport on the global stage. Likewise, Emirates is investing in a fleet for the future, in order to support Dubai’s development, as well as the growth of air travel demand around the world”, he said. Emirates total order book now stands at 246 aircraft, all widebody, and worth over USD60 billion at list prices. According to Sheikh Ahmed, “this is a massive investment which reflects our confidence in the future of air transport, and our confidence in Dubai”. According to the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation’s recent Middle East Aviation Outlook report, “while there are suggestions that airport and airline expansion in the Gulf will lead to great overcapacity, this overlooks the fact that the fundamentals of the industry are rapidly changing. The value of the Gulf’s near-perfect geographic position as a hub has been enhanced enormously in the past five years by two other main factors: Aviation liberalisation, which allows intermediate ports to become valuable crossroad hubs; andThe introduction of ultra long-haul aircraft, permitting non-stop service to and from almost any point in the world. “Together these features should in fact help the region’s major airlines and airports to be at the forefront of the “Next Generation (“Next-Gen”) Aviation” evolution. In this environment, growth rates can be achieved at levels which were previously impossible”, Qatar Airways meanwhile shed more light on the mystery surrounding its B787 order, confirming orders for 30 B787-8s, plus options for 30 more, with deliveries from 2010 — although Boeing is yet to officially confirm this. The Qatar Airways also ordered 14 B777-300ERs, six B777-200LRs and seven B777-200Fs and five options. Several more big orders from the Middle East are likely soon, with Air Arabia set to announce a new narrowbody order. Stay tuned to Asia Pacific Airline Daily for updates, with full analysis in the Monthly Essential Middle East.Note to editors:About Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) was founded in 1990 and has since built an international reputation as the leading specialist aviation consultancy in the Asia Pacific, the Indian Subcontinent and Middle East regions. CAPA Consulting’s strategic advisory services are supported by the extensive information and data services provided by the Centre’s Market Research Unit to aviation industry leaders every day. The Centre also holds regular Aviation Leadership Summits, which provide unique opportunities for the exchange of ideas and experiences. Head Office, Sydney: Derek Sadubin, Chief Operating Officer Aurora Place, Level 4, 88 Phillip St Sydney PO Box N777, Grosvenor Place Sydney, NSW Australia 2000 Email: [email protected] Southeast Asia Regional Office: Richard Pinkham, Regional Director, Southeast Asia Email: [email protected] Indian Subcontinent and Middle East Office: Kapil Kaul, CEO Indian Subcontinent & Middle East Email: [email protected] UK/Europe Office: David Bentley, UK Associate Email: [email protected] North America Regional Office: Martti Raito, Regional Director, North America Email: [email protected] North Asia Representatives: Korea: Kyung-sup Lee. Email: [email protected] Japan: Reiko Sonoyama. Email: [email protected] More information is available on the Centre’s website: www.centreforaviation.com