Day 3 at the Dubai Airshow: Boeing scores and Airbus picks up a new customer
Tuesday was the third day of the five-day Dubai Airshow, and it looks like the third time is the charm for Boeing.
The U.S. planemaker scored a major order from new low-cost Indian carrier Akasa Air, which will purchase 72 of Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft.
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The deal is valued at $9 billion at list prices, although customers never actually pay full price — the actual sale values are usually kept confidential.
The order includes two variants — the 737-8, and the higher capacity 737-8-200.
Deliveries will start next year, and Asaka Air plans to begin service in summer of 2022.
Boeing also confirmed a smaller order — one of several commercial orders for under 10 airplanes it's locked down over the show.
That order, from Air Tanzania, will see a 767-300 Freighter, two 737 Max jets, and a 787-8 Dreamliner, was already on Boeing's public order book, but the buyer had not yet been identified.
Boeing was not the only one selling airplanes in Africa. European rival Airbus announced the sale of 10 A220s to upstart Nigerian airline Ibom Air.
Ibom, which is owned by the Nigerian state of Akwa Ibom, began flying in 2019 with a fleet of CRJ-900s. It currently also wet leases two A220s along with its five owned CRJs.
The order is currently split between three A220-300s and seven smaller A220-100s, although Airbus and representatives for Ibom Air said that mix is likely to change based on needs as the aircraft are delivered.
More: First look: Inside Boeing’s first prototype 777X
Airbus also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways for the purchase of 20 A320neos and eight A321neos, although this order still has to be firmed.
Aside from that, it was another day of planespotting and touring unique aircraft for show-goers.
While the biennial Dubai Airshow typically falls secondary compared to the Paris and Farnborough airshows, Dubai 2021 is the first pandemic-era gathering, significantly elevating the stage on which the show is taking place. Passenger airlines were not necessarily expected to place major orders this show, which has focused on industry recovery on the civil aviation side.
The Dubai Airshow runs through Thursday, Nov. 18, so be sure to check back for more on-the-ground reporting from TPG.
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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
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- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
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- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
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Rewards Rate
3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
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Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees