PARIS, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Orders for commercial aircraft and engines have the spotlight at this year's Dubai Airshow, accounting for more than $80 billion in sales.
Airbus of France reports it has won 160 orders and commitments from customers at the event, worth $40 billion and underlining the appeal of its wide-body aircraft.
A total of 142 firm orders worth $40.4 billion were receive for 50 A380 aircraft, 40 A350-900s, 10 A350-1000s, 26 A321neo planes, 10 A320neo and 6 A330-200Fs. Eighteen memorandum of understanding for aircraft purchases worth $3.6 billion were also received.
The largest single order the company received was from Emirates airline -- 50 additional A380s, worth $20 billion. Other customers included Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways Cargo, Air Algerie and Libyan Wings.
"With its central position geographically, its strong economic growth and population-centers just a flight away, Middle Eastern carriers stand to reap the benefits of traffic growth," said John Leahy, Airbus' chief operating officer - customers. "The order intake at the airshow ... is a clear evidence that the Middle East region is investing in the most modern and efficient aircraft to capture this growth."
U.S. aerospace company GE Aviation and subsidiary CFM International -- a joint venture between GE and French aerospace firm Snecma -- received commitments for engines and services valued at $40 billion.
Emirates airlines committed to 300 GE9X engines for the 150 Boeing 777X twin-engine aircraft it is procuring. The engine commitment is worth $11 billion. CFM International received commitments for engines and services valued at $40 billion.
The CFM orders were mainly for its LEAP engine for narrow-body aircraft.
