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Boeing wins $5.5bn Lufthansa deal Boeing wins $5.5bn Lufthansa deal
(40 minutes later)
US aeroplane maker Boeing has won a $5.5bn (£2.8bn) order from Deutsche Lufthansa, the first for the new passenger version of its 747 jumbo jet.US aeroplane maker Boeing has won a $5.5bn (£2.8bn) order from Deutsche Lufthansa, the first for the new passenger version of its 747 jumbo jet.
Lufthansa ordered 20 new 747-800 passenger jets, and took the option to buy 20 more 747-800s.Lufthansa ordered 20 new 747-800 passenger jets, and took the option to buy 20 more 747-800s.
The airline also placed an order worth $1.4bn with Boeing's European rival, Airbus, for seven of its A340-600s.The airline also placed an order worth $1.4bn with Boeing's European rival, Airbus, for seven of its A340-600s.
Boeing's 747 is aimed at buyers looking for large aircraft but not wanting the superjumbo size of Airbus's A380.Boeing's 747 is aimed at buyers looking for large aircraft but not wanting the superjumbo size of Airbus's A380.
Perfect fitPerfect fit
Lufthansa has already ordered the A380, though Airbus's flagship project has been hit by delays that have prompted a number of clients to warn that they will look elsewhere for their aircraft.Lufthansa has already ordered the A380, though Airbus's flagship project has been hit by delays that have prompted a number of clients to warn that they will look elsewhere for their aircraft.
Analysts said that the deal may signal a shift away from Airbus towards Boeing, especially as Lufthansa, Europe's second-largest airline, was one of the first firms to sign up for the A380.
The German airline said that the two planes would help modernise its fleet.The German airline said that the two planes would help modernise its fleet.
"The 747-8 underlines our strategy of graded market-specific services and capacity expansion," said Lufthansa boss Wolfgang Mayrhuber."The 747-8 underlines our strategy of graded market-specific services and capacity expansion," said Lufthansa boss Wolfgang Mayrhuber.
"It fits perfectly in our intercontinental fleet structure and slots neatly capacity-wise between the A380 with around 550 seats and the A340-600 with around 300 seats.""It fits perfectly in our intercontinental fleet structure and slots neatly capacity-wise between the A380 with around 550 seats and the A340-600 with around 300 seats."
Boeing will deliver its planes, which will use General Electric engines, from 2010. Airbus will deliver its planes in 2008 and 2009.Boeing will deliver its planes, which will use General Electric engines, from 2010. Airbus will deliver its planes in 2008 and 2009.
The US company launched its 747-800 in November 2005.The US company launched its 747-800 in November 2005.