U.S Airways to dump A350 order, goes with 787
In what looks like another blow to the A350 project...
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US Airways drops Airbus deal to take off with Boeing
The loss of the $3.7 billion contract with US Airways follows Virgin's switch from Airbus to BoeingDavid Robertson in Chicago
Airbus will receive another blow this week when US Airways ditches a $3.7 billion (£1.85 billion) order in favour of the aircraft manufacturer’s American rival, Boeing.
The Times understands that US Airways will announce an order for between 20 and 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners within the next 48 hours. The deal will be worth between $3.2 billion and $4.9 billion at list prices.
The low-cost carrier had previously ordered 20 A350s from Airbus but has opted to go with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner instead.
The 787, a twin-aisle plane that is between the 737 and 747 in size, is the fastest-selling commercial jet ever, with over 540 orders worth a total of $88 billion at list prices.
Boeing won another customer at the expense of Airbus yesterday when Sir Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Atlantic, bought the 787 ahead of the A350. The Virgin order was for up to 43 jets worth $8 billion and will replace its existing Airbus fleet.
The A350 was redesigned last year after airlines told the manufacturer that its offering was not as good as Boeing’s 787. US Airways had been expected to upgrade to the A350XWB, as the new design is called, but it has instead shifted allegiance to Boeing.
Part of Airbus’s problem with the A350 is that it has only just left the drawing board, while Boeing will fly the first 787 later this year. Airlines are opting to buy an aircraft that is reality rather than one that still only exists on paper.
US Airways was hit hard by the collapse in the aviation sector after 9/11 and entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August, 2002. It was bought by America West in 2005 and is now looking for long-haul aircraft to fly international and transcontinental routes.
