Etihad kicks off Dubai airshow with mamomth Boeing 777-9X, 777-8X and 787-10 order

by Devesh Agarwal

From top, clockwise, Boeing CGI of Etihad 787-10, 777-8X, 777-9X

United Arab Emirates' (UAE) national carrier, Etihad Airways PJSC, kicked off the Dubai Air Show with a massive order for 56 wide-body Boeing aircraft with options to purchase for an additional 26 aircraft taking the quantity up to 82 at a list price valuation of $25.2 billion.

The Abu Dhabi-based carrier's order includes 25 777X airplanes, comprising 17 777-9Xs and eight 777-8Xs, subject to program launch. Etihad Airways is the first airline to order the 777-8X and will be a launch customer of the airplane, which is expected to enter service around the end of the decade. The order includes options and purchase rights for 12 additional 777X airplanes.

The airline also ordered 30 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, the high-capacity, medium-haul, and longest member of the Dreamliner family. Combined with the carrier's previous orders for 41 787-9s, today's order makes Etihad the world's largest airline customer for the Dreamliner family with a total of 71 787s on order. The order includes options and purchase rights for an additional 12 787-10s.

Today’s announcement also includes the milestone 1,000th Boeing 787 Dreamliner to be ordered.

Etihad also ordered one Boeing 777F freighter which is based on the 777-200LR.

The 777X is the upgrade of the venerable Boeing 777 family featuring new composite wings as seen on the 747-8 and 787 family aircraft, along with new GEnx engines which GE promises will be about 10% more fuel efficient. The 777X

The Boeing 777-9X is a stretched, more fuel-efficient version of Boeing ultra-popular 777-300ER. Typically seating 400 passengers, the 777-9X will be capable of flying the same distances as its predecessor, but with up to 40 more passengers, with lower operating costs and reduced fuel consumption per seat. The 777-9X was launched less than two months ago with an order from German flag carrier Lufthansa. Eithad is expected to start receiving its 777-9X from 2020.

The Boeing 777-8X is an upgraded version of the ultra long-haul Boeing 777-200LR, which Etihad recently purchased from Indian flag carrier Air India, to serve the Abu Dhabi – Los Angeles route. The -8X will replace the LRs when the start arriving in 2022. [Read our analysis on why the 777-200LR is ill-suited to Air India's operations]

The Boeing 787-10 is the largest and latest version of the Dreamliner family, typically carrying more than 320 passengers, up to 50 more than the 787-9 which Etihad Airways will introduce late in 2014. The aircraft will be capable of flying between Abu Dhabi and medium-haul destinations such as Dublin or Johannesburg, and it is expected to be deployed on high capacity medium haul routes by the airline. Final assembly and flight test of the 787-10 are set to begin in 2017, with first delivery targeted for 2018. Boeing launched the 787-10 earlier this year, at the Paris Air Show.

All the aircraft in this order will be powered by General Electric GE9X, GEnx and GE90 engines. Etihad ordered 57 GE9X engines which will power Etihad Airways’ 25 new Boeing 777X aircraft, 68 GEnx-1B engines for the airline’s 30 new Boeing 787-10 aircraft, and two GE90-115B engines which will be used on its new Boeing 777-200F freighter.

Etihad Airways currently has 86 aircraft in operation, with more than 80 aircraft on firm order. Its last major aircraft deal was made at the Farnborough Air Show in 2008, where Etihad Airways announced firm orders for 100 aircraft, including 45 Boeing aircraft, in a long-term order which was at the time one of the largest in aviation history.

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Boeing, Korean Air finalize order for 12 Twin-Aisle Airplanes

By BA Staff

Flag carrier Korean Air has finalised an order on US airframer Boeing, for five 747-8i Intercontinentals and six 777-300ER (Extended Range) jetliners that was originally announced as a commitment during the Paris Air Show earlier in June.

In addition to that commitment, the airline also ordered one additional 787 Dreamliner. The value of the combined order is valued at $3.9 billion at current list prices.

With this order the airline's backlog of 747-8 Intercontinentals and 777-300ERs expands to ten aircraft of each type. The order also increases Korean Air's 787 backlog to 11.

Korean Air is currently the only airline in the world to order both the passenger and freighter variations of the 747-8, the 747-8i and 747-8F. The airline also became the first international carrier to simultaneously operate both the 747-8F and 777F Freighter. The airline, along with German flag carrier Deutsche Lufthansa, are the only two carriers to simultaneously operate both the VLA (very large aircraft) of Boeing and Airbus, the 747-8i and A380-800.

Korean Air's current fleet of operates 90 Boeing passenger airplanes in its fleet; 737s, 747s and 777s.

The airline also operates an all-Boeing cargo fleet of 27 747-400F, 747-8F and 777F freighters. The airline's Aerospace Division is also a key Boeing partner on both the 747-8 and 787 programs, supplying the distinctive raked wing-tips for each model.

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Photo: FedEx freighter aircraft line-up at New Delhi. One of the planes has a very interesting history.

A shot of the cargo ramp at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi international airport, FedEx Express' main hub in India.

If you observe the photo correctly, there is something unusual about this photo. Don't fully scroll down. Try to see only the photo and see if you can spot the feature? The answer is below the photograph.

The line-up consists one each of the wide-body freighter aircraft operated to India by FedEx Express. In the foreground is the Boeing 777F, followed by the Airbus A310-300F, and the venerable tri-engined McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) MD-11F, the favourite aircraft of Bangalore Aviation regular and prolific spotter, M. Azizul Islam of London. (See his over 6,300 photos here).

Many people ask why do we spotters go to such lengths to take photographs of planes? Its simple. Apart from their beauty, behind every plane, there is a story, there is a history.

The Boeing 777 freighter in the picture N850FD has a very interesting story.

In keeping with FedEx Express' tradition of naming aircraft after the children of its employees, the aircraft is named Saad, after Saad Zia, the seven-month-old son of New Jersey based staffer Kashif Zia. This very aircraft, N850FD, is featured by FedEx in its media centre to highlight this tradition.

N850FD also has another notable achievement. It was delivered by Boeing to FedEx Express on September 25, 2009. In February 2010 this aircraft was given a special livery (see video of the decal application) and was temporarily called "Panda Express" to commemorate its carriage of two giant Pandas non-stop from Washington DC Dulles airport in the United States, back to Chengdu in China.

The plane returned back to its normal livery in September 2010.

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Korean Air Cargo becomes first airline to operate both Boeing freighters - 747-8F and 777F

Korean Air has become the first airline in the world to operate both freighters from the Boeing stable -- the 747-8F and 777F. Three days ago, the national carrier took delivery of the two aircraft at Everett, Washington, USA.

Korea's flagship carrier, a member of the SkyTeam alliance, is also the first Boeing customer to order both the passenger (747-8i) and cargo variants (747-8F) of the new 747-8 airplane. Incidentally, D-ABYA the first 747-8i passenger version, of launch customer and German flag carrier Deutsche Lufthansa, performed its first flight just a few hours ago.

The carrier is expected to operate the 747-8F on its transpacific routes connecting Seoul, Osaka, Tokyo, Los Angeles and San Francisco, while the 777F will be used to operate new routes in Europe including Vienna, Frankfurt and London.

The four engined 747-8 Freighter offers a range of 4,390 nautical miles (8,130 km) and a maximum structural payload capacity of 148 tons (134 tonnes). This is an increase of 4,221 cubic feet (120 m3) and 16% more revenue cargo volume than its predecessor the 747-400 Freighter.

Boeing claims the twin-engine Boeing 777 Freighter to be the most fuel-efficient airplane with leading economic and environmental performance in its category. It has a cargo capacity of 103 metric tons (113 tons) with a range of 9,038 kilometers (4,880 nautical miles).

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VIDEOS: The application of the "Panda Express" decal to a FedEx 777F

US cargo airline FedEx announced that it painted one of its aircraft with a special panda decal to commemorate the carrier's transport of two giant pandas from the Washington D.C. zoo to a natural reserve in China. The one-time transport flight was conducted in February of 2010 on one of FedEx's 777Fs.

The following video from the official FedEx YouTube Channel shows FedEx painting this decal onto the Boeing 777 freighter.

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Plane spotting video: The Boeing heavies at Bangalore -- 744 Freighter, 777F, MD-11F, 747-400

Today's episode features Boeing heavy aircraft at Bengaluru International Airport, Bangalore.

Three freighters -- Lufthansa Cargo MD-11F, Singapore Airlines Cargo Boeing 744F MegaArk, AeroLogic Boeing 777F and a British Airways Boeing 747-400 heavily loaded with a full load of passengers, their baggage, and tanks full of fuel for its 11 hour flight to London Heathrow.

Observe the steep climb angle of the MD-11F which has the best climb angle of any modern jetliner. See a table of climb angles for Boeing aircraft. Also do observe the wings. Dropping at the start of takeoff, flexed at liftoff.

There is some commentary from fellow spotters. Next time, the video will be more stable as I am learning on how to use the tripod. In the mean time, enjoy the sights and sounds.




As usual, comments are welcome. Praise preferred but brickbats will also help improve.

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Qatar Airway's capricious CEO Akbar Al Baker throws another tantrum in public at Dubai air show

The recently concluded Dubai Airshow on November 15th, became the Akbar Al Baker public tantrum show.

The capricious boss of Qatar Airways is known for his mercurial temper, and public beration of airframe manufacturers.

At the Paris 2009 airshow, it was Boeing that was at the receiving end of his verbal broadsides. At this moment, in Dubai, Boeing is his best friend, while announcing Qatar Airways will buy two additional Boeing 777 freighters, Mr. Al Baker called it the "best freighter aircraft" in the world today. Just a month ago, CargoLux, in which Qatar has a sizeable ownership share, gave Boeing a whole lot of grief, refusing to take delivery of their 747-8F freighters at the very last moment.

Just when the world thought the Qatar chief had quietened down, he reminded the world with a public broadside at Dubai 2011; this time aimed right at European airframer Airbus S.A.S.

Qatar Airways is the lead customer for the A350XWB with orders for about 80 aircraft in the series, and has been disturbed by the recently announced delays in the schedule by Airbus which pushes the aircraft's entry into service (EIS) in to 2014. Zoom back to 2009, Paris, Boeing and the 787 delays, and now the potential of a similar delay for the A350 and there is understandable concern at the airline.

Qatar Airways has also been trying to force Airbus to develop a conversion program for its large Airbus A330 passenger aircraft fleet, in to a cargo version. Again, Airbus has not been obliging.

So, at the very last minute, Qatar Airways walked away from a deal it was negotiating with Airbus for the A320neo (new engine option) and some additional A380s, leaving Airbus to call off the press conference at the very last minute. In addition to the above issues, it is understood that Al Baker wants Qatar Airways to be the launch customer of the A320neo. This, after Airbus has already booked over a 1,000 aircraft orders from customers acorss the world. Is there no limit to expectations?

As if the walk-away was not enough, while signing the deal for two Boeing 777 frieghters, Al Baker publically announced his unhappiness with Airbus, leaving everyone assembled, including the Boeing officials, mouths agape and their jaws on the floor at this complete breach of protocol, but they then remembered Paris 2009 when Al Baker called Boeing a company run by "bean counters" and "lawyers".

Al Baker unloaded on Airbus

“As far as Airbus is concerned, we have reached an impasse. We thought we would conclude our agreement and make a very large announcement today. Unfortunately I feel that Airbus is still learning how to make aeroplanes.”

He went to announce that Qatar Airways will take Boeing 767 converted freighters and dispose of its A330 fleet claiming "Airbus can't make up their mind."

A few hours later, Qatar Airways signed the deal with Airbus.

Al Baker is becoming the lauging stock of the industry. Now, completely irritating Airbus, les than a month after thoroughly doing the same to Boeing, he is rapidly approaching persona non-grata status. Even journalists started laughing loudly when someone mentioned Al Baker's "professionalism".

At another press conference Airbus Chief Operating Officer John Leahy said “Some people negotiate in the press, some negotiate in conference rooms, and some do both,” In a polished rebuttal to Al Baker’s accusation that Airbus needs to learn how to build aircraft, Leahy said “we learn very fast.”

Mr. Al Baker is buying quite a few airplanes, but it appears he is in a race with another large airplane buyer, who has managed to irritate aircraft manufacturers, Michael O'Leary of RyanAir, who is now locked at the mercy of Boeing since Airbus refuses to deal with him.

Keep it up Mr. Al Baker, you are almost at the top of the "do not supply" list, from there you can then migrate to the top of the "sell only at retail price" ladder. Both these titles will serve your airline and nation very well in the years to come.


What are your thoughts and views? Is Al Baker justified in his outbursts? Is he behaving professionally? In the best interests of his airline? his nation? Do Boeing and Airbus need to be put in their place? Or is he heading for a disaster of sorts?

Post a comment.

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Plane spotting photos and Video: AeroLogic Boeing 777F and Lion Air Boeing 747-400 at Bangalore

Last week Bangalore Aviation contributor Vedant Agarwal caught the new started AeroLogic Boeing 777F five times a week service from Bangalore to Leipzig, Germany, and a one off appearance by Indonesia's Lion Air Boeing 747-400 (not an ER), which has been sub-contracted by NAS Air to ferry passengers performing the Haj.

AeroLogic Boeing 777F D-AALD

Lion Air Boeing 747-400 PK-LHG

The 777F freighter is heavily based on the 777-200LR platform and features the huge GE90-115B engines. Boeing delivered the first 777F to launch customer Air France Cargo back in February 2009 (see video here). Boeing has also produced a videos on the 777F in service which is embedded below.

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Videos: Boeing Freighters at Bangalore - AeroLogic 777F, Singapore Airlines Cargo 744F

Due to its lack of a port coupled with high value addition industry, Bangalore ships, as a percentage of industrial output, more cargo by air, than any other major Indian city.

Some weekend spotting videos of freighters at Bengaluru International Airport for your Monday enjoyment. The Boeing 777F of DHL and Lufthansa Cargo joint-venture Aerologic which features the huge and beautiful GE90-115B engines, and the Boeing 747-400F of Singapore Airlines Cargo, still the queen of the skies. This is an original 747 freighter, identified by the short upper deck. The Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF) will have the traditional stretched upper deck of the passenger aircraft. Observe the dust the outboard engines kick-up when throttled up.

Do keep in mind each of these planes can carry about 100 metric tonnes of payload cargo. Sorry for the shakes. I am still learning the art of videography using my Nikon D7000.

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