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Qatar announces $17bn Airbus deal Qatar strikes $17bn Airbus deal
(about 1 hour later)
Qatar Airways has confirmed an order for 80 A350 Airbus planes worth $16bn (£8.06bn) at the Paris air show. Qatar Airways has confirmed an order for 80 A350 Airbus planes worth $16bn (£8.1bn) and a new $1bn order for three A380 super-jumbos.
The airline also announced a new order for three A380 super-jumbo models worth nearly $1bn. The deal, signed at the Paris air show.includes a $5.6bn contract for Rolls Royce to make the A350 engines.
Meanwhile Dubai-based Emirates announced an order for eight A380 planes, in a deal estimated at $2.5bn. Meanwhile Dubai-based Emirates announced an order for eight A380s, thought to be worth about $2.5bn.
Airbus, the commercial arm of Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS), is battling to compete in the passenger jet sector against US rival Boeing. Part of European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS), Airbus is competing for passenger jet deals against Boeing.
Also at the show, General Electric's commercial aviation services made an order for six 777 Boeing freighters valued at some $1.42bn, for delivery in the last three months of 2008.
Order battleOrder battle
Airbus has invested heavily in its 555-seater double decker A380, which has been beset with problems both in production and delivery.Airbus has invested heavily in its 555-seater double decker A380, which has been beset with problems both in production and delivery.
Meanwhile Boeing's Dreamliner, which is set to use 20% less fuel than other planes of the same size, has been one of the US firm's key successes.Meanwhile Boeing's Dreamliner, which is set to use 20% less fuel than other planes of the same size, has been one of the US firm's key successes.
The announcement by Emirates brought the total number of A380s it has ordered to 55.The announcement by Emirates brought the total number of A380s it has ordered to 55.
But the airline said it was yet to decide on an order for A350 planes.But the airline said it was yet to decide on an order for A350 planes.
"For the A350 we have to make a decision in the next few months," Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Group Chairman said during a news conference."For the A350 we have to make a decision in the next few months," Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Group Chairman said during a news conference.
It is also expected that US Airways will order 22 A350 planes worth some $4bn at the Paris show.It is also expected that US Airways will order 22 A350 planes worth some $4bn at the Paris show.