Long-haul jets get boost at Paris Air Show

LE BOURGET, France — Airbus and Boeing both won pledges for big purchases of long-haul, wide-body jets today, as the Paris Air Show got off to a robust, if rainy start. The global aviation event at Le Bourget airfield north of Paris is once again playing host to the rivalry between U.S.-based Boeing and France-based Airbus. After several years of success for their smaller models, the world’s leading plane makers are hoping to get orders for the bigger, more expensive long-haul jets. Boeing said GECAS, the aircraft leasing arm of General Electric, has made a promise to buy 10 of its 787 jets Those would be worth more than $2.4 billion at list prices, though customers often negotiate deep discounts. GECAS is ordering the new version of the 787, dubbed the Dreamliner, the 787-10X. Qatar Airways also put in orders for Boeing’s other long-haul aircraft, the Boeing 777. Meanwhile, Airbus announced a potential order Monday for its superjumbo 800-passenger A380 jets, which have seen disappointing sales since launching because of the fairly parlous state of the global economy over the past few years. Doric Lease Corp., signed a memorandum of understanding for the purchase of 20 A380s. That deal, if confirmed, would be worth $8 billion at list prices. Airbus is also hoping to attract attention to its new wide-body A350 aircraft, which had its maiden flight in France last Friday and can carry up to 440 passengers. The A350 is Airbus’ best chance to catch up with Boeing’s 787 and 777, which carry up to 300 and 365 passengers respectively, in the race to sell planes used on long-haul flights. Fernando Alonso, head of Airbus’ flight test division, said Monday that the first A350 flight went exactly as the simulator had predicted, and just like Airbus planes currently in operation. That’s a selling point for airlines reluctant to take the time or expense to retrain pilots. At a time when fuel costs are a major concern for airlines, many have wondered if the A350, which makes extensive use of fuel-friendly lightweight carbon fiber, would give Airbus a jump on Boeing. But Ray Conner, chief executive of Boeing’s civilian aircraft division, claimed Monday that its upcoming revamped 777 isn’t that much heavier and that it has other advantages. He told reporters that a wing re-design and improved engines will allow the plane to carry the same number of passengers “a lot farther.” “The A350-1000 will be a generation behind on engine technology,” he said. The most spectacular displays at the air show, though, are the demonstrations of fighter jets rocketing up toward space before diving back down gracefully. Russia’s Su-35 flew Monday for the first time outside of its home country. The twin-engine multipurpose fighter is hoping to clean up orders in the absence of American competition this year. American fighter jets are not on display for the first time in more than two decades because of budget cuts in Washington. Smaller planes dominated the last air show in Paris and also had a good showing Monday. Lufthansa confirmed its March deal for 100 planes in the smaller Airbus A320 family, Airbus said. And International Lease Finance Corporation made a firm order for 50 short-haul A320neo jets. At list prices, those deals together would be worth about $15 billion. Los Angeles-based ILFC is Airbus’ biggest customer.