Airbus and Boeing share $20 billion Etihad order
Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways announced here yesterday orders for 100 Airbus and Boeing aircraft nominally worth $20 billion.

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways announced here yesterday orders for 100 Airbus and Boeing aircraft nominally worth $20 billion. The contracts include options on another 55 jetliners and purchase rights covering an additional 50 machines (see table). If the airline converts all options and purchase rights to firm orders, the value of the overall package would reach about $43 billion in 2008 catalogue prices.

Like fellow Gulf operator Qatar Airways (also expected to announce orders this week), Etihad has been investing heavily in new aircraft as it seeks to compete against Dubai’s established Emirates Airline in meeting travel demand to the region. Abu Dhabi has said it plans to invest some $200 billion in the coming ten years in an aggressive promotion of tourism and residential development.