Boeing has received cancellations for 25 widebody aircraft, widely believed to be from financially shaky UAE-based Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE).

The cancellations include 10 777 and 15 787 aircraft.

Boeing declined comment on the identity of the customer, however the company's orders and deliveries website no longer lists DAE as a customer for 10 777-300ER and 15 787-8 aircraft ordered in 2007.

DAE was unreachable for comment.

The global financial crisis had taken its toll on the government-owned company, resulting in severe cutbacks of its ambitious expansion plans into the rapidly growing Middle Eastern market.

DAE Fleet

 © Boeing

The order, which was placed at the 2007 Dubai air show, was part of a $13.7 billion aircraft buying binge to support the Emirate's expansion into the aircraft leasing market. DAE also placed $13.5 billion worth of aircraft orders with Airbus, including 70 A320s and 30 A350 XWBs.

DAE's order for 200 aircraft lifted Airbus and Boeing to record sales in 2007.

DAE's remaining firm orders for Boeing aircraft include 66 737-700s and 4 737-800s, 15 747-8Fs and 8 777F aircraft.

Emirates Sky Cargo and DAE entered into a sale/leaseback agreement for four of eight 777F and five 747-8F aircraft in July 2008, halving the cargo carrier's freighter orders. Additionally, the remaining four 777F aicraft held by Emirates Sky Cargo, which are no longer listed on Boeing's website, appear to have shifted to DAE as well.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news