Airbus seals US$7b deal

FARNBOROUGH, England- European aircraft maker Airbus signed a deal yesterday worth more than US$7 billion (N$41,3 billion) to sell 24 airplanes to Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, including four of its new A380 jumbo jets.

Airbus and Etihad said the deal -the biggest announced so far at this week’s Farnborough International Air Show – includes options for the young airline to buy an additional 12 planes. Airbus is developing the A380, which will seat about 550 passengers, to fill a demand it sees for super-size planes flying large numbers of passengers between specific cities.Airbus has now pre-sold 133 of the A380s, which will make their first test flights early next year.The sale eclipses a US$2,96 billion (N$17,4 billion) deal announced Monday by Airbus rival Boeing Co.Chicago-based Boeing sold four 777-300ERs with options on nine more, to another Gulf-based carrier, Emirates Airline.-Nampa-APAirbus is developing the A380, which will seat about 550 passengers, to fill a demand it sees for super-size planes flying large numbers of passengers between specific cities.Airbus has now pre-sold 133 of the A380s, which will make their first test flights early next year.The sale eclipses a US$2,96 billion (N$17,4 billion) deal announced Monday by Airbus rival Boeing Co.Chicago-based Boeing sold four 777-300ERs with options on nine more, to another Gulf-based carrier, Emirates Airline.-Nampa-AP