Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways ordered 35 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 10 Boeing 777s as part of its much-anticipated fleet expansion programme. The firm order was also accompanied by options for 25 787s and 10 777s, and purchase rights on 10 more 787s and five 777s.

In addition to the Boeing order, the airline also confirmed an order for 20 A320s, 25 A350s and 10 A380s totalling 55 aircraft. Etihad Airways has also taken options on a further 20 Airbus aircraft and purchase rights over 35 more.

Dubai-based start-up budget carrier FlyDubai ordered 54 Boeing 737-800s with deliveries expected to begin in May 2009. FlyDubai will serve regional Gulf destinations from the Emirate’s Al-Maktoum International Airport at Jebel Ali.

Saudi Arabian Airlines signed a firm contract with Airbus for eight A330-300 wide body aircraft, as part of its fleet modernisation plan. The contract followed one for 22 Airbus A320s signed at the end of 2007, marking the first agreement in 26 years between Saudi Arabia’s national airline and Airbus for commercial aircraft.

Qatar Airways ordered four more Airbus A321s and placed options on two more aircraft. With this latest acquisition, Qatar Airways will boost its fleet to 14 A321s, 11 A320s and two A319s by 2010. Qatar Airways has not yet made an engine selection but its current A320-family is fitted with International Aero Engines’ V2500.

Tunisair placed a firm order for 16 Airbus aircraft consisting of three A350 XWBs, three A330s and 10 A320s; options have been retained on a further three aircraft. A320 deliveries will take place between 2011 to 2016 with two of the A330 aircraft arriving in 2012 and the third in 2013. Tunisair’s first two A350s will be delivered in 2018.

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise ordered a total of 100 Airbus aircraft consisting of 30 A350-900 XWBs together with 70 A320s.

Asiana ordered 30 A350 XWBs whilst Malaysia Airlines contracted for 35 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft which will replace its existing 737-400 fleet. In addition to Avialeasing’s order for 24 Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft, two Western customers ordered a total of 25 Superjet 100 regional jets.

Engine manufacturers such as CFM, International Aero Engines (IAE), Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce also received major new contracts at Farnborough 2008. CFM was selected by FlyDubai, AWAS, British Airways and AirBlue for its range of CFM56 engines. IAE received orders for its V2500 range from: Aviation Capital Group, Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Shenzen Airlines and Wizz Air. Pratt & Whitney will provide its PW4000 series engines for both TAM Linhas Aereas and Uzbekistan Airways. Roll-Royce received orders from AWAS and LCAL for its range of Trent power plants.

In addition to high-value orders, Farnborough 2008 saw Bombardier launch its long-awaited CSeries which will cost $2.6bn to develop. Lufthansa is the launch customer, which signed a Letter of Interest for 30 aircraft, together with 30 options. The first of the five-model 110-149-seat CSeries is scheduled to enter service in 2013. Bombardier also welcomed Lewis Hamilton to their pavilion as part of the celebrations of the first flight of the Learjet in 1963, and the launch of the new Learjet B5 this year.

Trevor Sidebottom, Managing Director of Farnborough International Ltd (FIL), said: “There is no doubt that Farnborough 2008 has been an outstanding success. We are delighted that Farnborough has witnessed the announcement of many significant orders, in addition to key programme launches and many show highlights. Although the airline industry continues to operate against a background of slowing economies and high fuel prices, it is clear that both manufacturers and airline carriers are in fact expanding their fleets and routes, based on market demand. The volume of orders placed during last week clearly demonstrates that Farnborough Airshow is still the leading business forum for aerospace professionals from around the world.”

Ian Godden, Chief Executive of the SBAC, said “The Airshow is a marvellous showcase for British success in the aerospace and defence sectors. The triumph that was the 2008 Farnborough Airshow has given a further boost to this UK manufacturing success story.”