Airbus tops Boeing as F-35 roars across Farnborough

Farnborough / AFP

European planemaker Airbus took top honours at the Farnborough Airshow, winning a vast $12.5-billion jets deal from AirAsia, as the F-35 stealth fighter screamed across the skies in a stunning display.
Malaysia’s low-cost airline AirAsia placed the blockbuster order for 100 single-aisle fuel-efficient A321neo jets, worth the equivalent of 11.3 billion euros at list prices, delivering the airshow’s biggest deal so far in a major blow to Airbus’ fierce US rival Boeing.
In a centerpiece to this year’s airshow, the US military’s supersonic F-35 warplane -the most expensive in history – made its Farnborough debut in a deafening roar, having already delighted the crowds at the Royal International Air Tattoo last weekend.
The F-35 — whose programme has a ballooning price tag of almost $400 billion — was supposed to fly here in 2014 but was grounded due to an engine fire.
The AirAsia deal was meanwhile unveiled on the second day of the airshow by its boss and founder Tony Fernandes and Airbus president and CEO Fabrice Bregier.
AirAsia, the region’s biggest budget carrier by fleet size, added the fuel-efficient A321neo would seat up to 240 passengers, while enjoying greater capacity and the lowest operating costs in the single aisle category.
“The A321neo will help us to meet ongoing strong demand as well as further reduce our cost per available seat kilometre across the group, which will translate to lower air fares for our guests,” Fernandes said.
“We would like to congratulate Airbus for producing the state-of-the-art A321neo aircraft that meets our requirements for efficient operations.”
On Tuesday alone, Airbus won a firm orders for a total of 129 aircraft worth $15.6 billion at catalogue prices.
Airlines typically negotiate sizeable discounts to catalogue prices so the actual cost of aircraft is likely to be lower.
Airbus had already scored big on Monday, when it clinched a Virgin Atlantic order for 12 wide-bodied A350-100s worth $4.4 billion.
On Tuesday, Germany’s Germania also ordered 25 single-aisle fuel-efficient Airbus A320neos worth $2.6 billion.
Berlin-based Germania Group flies to destinations in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East from mainly German, Swiss and British bases.