Boeing orders near $100 billion, leading record sales

Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The Dubai Air Show drew in nearly $150 billion in airplane orders from top global airlines.

Boeing led the rally with $100 billion in sales of its new jet, the 777x, putting the Chicago-based company ahead of the $40 billion posted by its European rival, Airbus.

Airbus announced almost 150 orders. This compares with Boeing's almost 350 orders that included 737s, the revamped 777x and the 1000th order of the popular but troubled 787 Dreamliner.

Airbus showcased its A380 -- the world's largest passenger plane -- closing a record number of deals. However, it struggled to compete in total sales with the redesigned Boeing 777x, a larger and more fuel efficient version of the original 777.

The total sales show strengthened buying power among Middle Eastern airliners. The spending spree was led by Emirates, the largest Middle Eastern airline, which bought 50 Airbus A380 planes at $23 billion and 150 Boeing 777x at nearly $76 billion, with an option to buy 50 more.

Qatar Airways ordered 50 Boeing 777x aircraft. The two airlines negotiated on the deal; Qatar CEO said he was pleased with the transactions and Emirates CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said "the demand for aviation services will continue to grow globally."

Boeing will ramp up hiring in the coming months, and is still negotiating a location for its new production site.

[Wall Street Journal] [New York Times] [Businessweek]