Airbus: Emirates Airline cancels A350 order worth £16bn

Airbus has confirmed today they have lost a major order from Dubai airline Emirates worth a reported $16 billion. 

pic: en.wikipedia.org

The deal for 70 A350’s, the wings for the jet are made in Broughton, was cancelled following ‘on-going discussions’ with the airline who are carrying out an ‘fleet requirement review’  as it towards the A380 superjumbo.

An Airbus spokesperson said:

“Airbus and Emirates Airline benefit from a long-standing relationship and the airline recently reiterated its confidence in Airbus products particularly by praising the A380 and the benefits the aircraft brings to their operations.”

The order of 50 A350-900 and 20 A350-1000 was originally placed by Emirates Airline in 2007 with first delivery slots scheduled from 2019.

“Airbus is very confident in its A350 XWB programme. Half a year before entry into service, the A350 XWB order book stands at a healthy 742 firm orders. The A350 flight test campaign is progressing well and is on track for Type Certification in the coming months.”

Airbus expects the A350 order book to continue growing in 2014.