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Aviation History
2001
2001 - 3584.PDF
DUBAI 2001 SHOW REPORT Dubai 2001 STEWART PENNEY PICTURES: IAN BILLINGHURST In the weeks preceding Dubai 2001, the aerospace world was laden with gloom, and the air show organisers were struggling to convince many that there would be an exhi bition worth attending. In the aftermath of 11 September's atrocities, the US attack on Afghanistan and the general despondency across the industry, many companies either abandoned plans to exhibit, or scaled back their presence, while many potential visitors decided to stay home. Those taking such action missed out on a show that was in the event applauded by most atten dees. Companies were expressing satisfaction with the number and qual ity of delegations, particularly from the Gulf nations. The no-show of some US companies did not worry visitors. One US organisation not expected to pro vide aircraft for display was the Department of Defense, which in fact did send the Boeing F-15E and F/A-18 Hornet, and a Lockheed Martin F-16. Whether this was arm-twisting by the manufacturers or negotiations by the show's backers in Dubai remains a matter of conjecture. Although there was only one major order announce ment, Emirates' spectacular $15 billion spending spree on widebodies made headlines globally and gave a fillip to an industry desperately in need of good news. Nor did Emirates stop there. It announced plans to expand its training facilities and a range of joint ventures with Airbus. Dubai's plans to become the Middle Eastern centre for aviation appear to be falling into place with the emirate now heading towards a time when it will be able to offer a range of aviation services. As ever with Dubai, business jets played a central role, and despite the absence of Gulfstream, and Cessna's representation limited to its local distributor, the 2001 air show was no exception. As well as providing Bombardier and Dassault with the opportunity to present their latest programmes - the Global 5000 and Falcon 7NX - the show provided a chance for Embraer to demonstrate the Legacy business jet, a new corporate airline was launched and several support operations unveiled. Defence has always been a central element of Dubai shows and this year was no different. Although the Mako advanced trainer/light attack aircraft development pro gramme suffered a setback without the planned signing by the UAE air force and EADS of a memorandum of understanding covering the definition phase, the partners appear to be committed to the programme, signing up risk-sharing partners as well as UAE educational estab lishments and GAMCO, the Abu Dhabi-based maintenance organisation. ENGINE ORDERS Emirates readies huge engine deal Powerplant requirements may be packaged together Engine makers are preparing to compete for what may be the biggest deal of 2002 after Emirates ordered an additional 58 Airbus A380-800s/A330s/A340s and Boeing 777-2O0/3O0s (Flight International 6-12 November). Emirates had been about to decide on the choice of engine for its previously announced commit ment for five A380-800 passenger aircraft and two -800F freighters. The airline has postponed its deci sion to next year as engine negotia tions now encompass the addi tional 15 A380s and 25 777s. Rolls-Royce is the incumbent engine supplier to Emirates for its existing fleet of 777s and A330s and planned new A340-600s, but the airline has said it wants to have a competition for the new aircraft. R-R and the General Electric/Pratt & Whitney joint venture Alliance are offering their respective Trent 900 and GP7200 engines for the A380, while the 777 will be a three- way fight between the Trent 800, GE90 and PW4000. R-R is hoping the airline will combine the 777 and A380 engine decisions, to give it a competitive edge. GE and P&W will legally find it more difficult to link the joint venture GP7200 with either the GE90 or PW4000, and will want separate selections. The timing of Emirates' first A380 aircraft will also be critical, given that the Trent 900 is the launch engine application for the A380, with the first aircraft scheduled for delivery to Singapore Airlines in March 2006. Flight testing of the GP7200 on the A380 is currently six months late, with the first Alliance-powered aircraft due for delivery to Air France around September 2006. Emirates plans to receive its first A380 in July 2006. Emirates' $15 billion order at the show is key to its ambitious plans for a 180% fleet expansion by the end of this decade. The deals were backed by a series of agreements to establish joint venture companies, and a $1 billion plan to expand Dubai International Airport to match the airline's plans. Emirates ordered: • 22 Airbus A380s worth $7 bil lion. Two will be freighters, and 10 options have been taken; • three Airbus A330-200s valued at $415 million; • a letter of intent (Lol) for eight Airbus A340-600s worth $1 billion. R-R says the A340-600's Trent 500s will be worth $475 million; • a Lol worth $6.6 billion for 25 Boeing 777-200ER/300s for deliv ery in 2004-10. Older -200s will be phased out leaving a 37-strong 777 fleet by 2010. Airbus chief executive Noel Forgeard says four A380s will be delivered in 2006 and 2007, eight in 2008 and six in 2009. Despite denials by Airbus that it was supplying Emirates with a new version of the A340-600 with max imum take-off weight increased to 376t, senior industry sources have confirmed last week's Flight International story. Development costs are $500 million and the air craft will be available in 2005. Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum says fleet expansion will meet the government's growth plans for the next 15 years. The airline ex pects to double passenger figures by 2006, and to add around five routes a year. Airbus and Emirates followed the aircraft deal by signing a memorandum of understanding to create an aviation services joint venture at Dubai airport, which will specialise in trading used aircraft and unneeded spares as well as airline consultancy. Al Maktoum says the companies will together invest $50 million. Dubai airport will receive a third terminal beneath the existing apron and taxiways. Two passenger concourses capable of handling A380s will be built - one able to handle 12 super jumbos at once. 14 13-19 NOVEMBER 2001 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.flightinternational.com
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