Dubai:
Dubai Airshow took off on Sunday with huge aircraft orders and commitments worth around USD 141.5 billion for Boeing and Airbus from Gulf carriers, with the US manufacturer well in the lead.
The biennial show began brightly for Boeing's 777X, a long-range wide-bodied airliner featuring lower fuel consumption and composite wings.
The new 777 is scheduled to be operational in 2020. Etihad Airways began the show with an USD 18.2-billion order for Boeings including 25 777Xs and one 777-200 freighter, Boeing said.
The deal also included an order for 30 787 Dreamliners, making the fast-growing carrier the largest single customer for the medium-body plane.
The Abu Dhabi carrier also announced it was taking an option to buy another 26 aircraft from Boeing.
The total value of the order, including engines and options, amounts to USD 25.2 billion, according to Etihad.
Emirates Airline followed shortly afterwards by placing orders with both the rival US and European manufacturers, in twin deals valued at USD 99 billion.
Of this sum, 80 percent is destined for Boeing's coffers if commitments are confirmed.
The Dubai-based airline ordered 150 777Xs - 35 777-8Xs and 115 of the 777-9X variant.
Boeing said the Emirates orders were commitments worth USD 55.6 billion.
The Middle East's largest carrier also boosted the Airbus sales sheet with a firm order for 50 A380 superjumbos worth USD 20 billion at book value, in the double-decker's first sale this year.
The order cements the status of Emirates as the single largest operator of the long-haul airliner, its chief Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum said.
"Emirates has understood from the start the A380's advantages in terms of efficiency, economics and passenger comfort," Fabrice Bregier, Airbus chief and president, told the signing ceremony.
Airbus has been struggling to sell its A380 superjumbo.