Resurgent airlines commit to 400 new jets at Dubai airshow

From Indian startup Akasa Air to discount airline investor Indigo Partners, airlines have splashed out with commitments for almost 400 new aircraft at the Dubai Airshow. “Our industry is very resilient,” said Airbus Commercial Chief and Head of Airbus International Christian Scherer on aircraft demand at the outset of the airshow. The airframer has racked up the bulk of airline commitments — some 303 aircraft so far — in Dubai. This tally does not include the 111 aircraft — including the newly launched A350 freighter — ordered by lessor Air Lease Corporation. The headline deal came from Indigo for 255 A321neos that will be split among its four budget airlines: Frontier Airlines, JetSmart, Volaris, and Wizz Air. But Boeing is holding its own at the show. The Chicago-based planemaker landed an order from Indian startup Akasa Air for 72 737 Maxes — split between the 737-8 and high-density -8200. Akasa plans to begin flights next summer and is led by former Jet Airways CEO Vinay Dube and backed by Indian businessman Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. The Akasa order comes nearly three months after India’s aviation regulator, which had been one of a few notable global holdouts along with China and Russia, recertified the Max at the end of August. “We booked about 309 orders net this year — 720 gross — that’s a pretty good start,” Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal said at the start of the airshow. “Those discussions are continuing at this airshow and the year’s not over. We expect more orders before the year’s end.”<br/>