FG fails to seal aircraft supply deal at Airshow, others place $192bn orders
Strong indications that the federal government may have not sealed any aircraft purchase or lease deal at the just concluded England’s Farnborough airshow have emerged.
Ahead of the biannual air industry show, the Minister of State for Aviation, Capt Hadi Sirika had disclosed that the government is working with the template of placing orders for the first five aircraft that will jump-start Nigeria Air operations from December 24, 2018.
Though a record number of deals worth $192 billion (164 billion euros) were consummated, a ministerial source in the know of happenstances at the Airshow confided in our Abuja Bureau chief that “Yes no deal has been tidied up at the end of the Airshow but discussions are still ongoing between the federal government and the two global leaders in aircraft production; Airbus and Boeing.
Already, global experts who followed up activities at the London Airshow say the $192bn worth of orders resembles a jump of more than 50 percent compared to 2016 which can further be seen as a sign of “confidence in global trade”.
Business Hilights gathered that the biannual air industry gathering recorded more than 1,400 commercial aircraft orders, valued at $154 billion, alongside at least 1,432 deals for engines worth $21.96 billion.
The event organizers argue that the total is an increase of $67.5 billion on the last airshow two years ago, with the mile-high rivalry between Boeing and Airbus — who made the majority of plane orders — swelling sales.
Besides, US aviation giant Boeing announced 676 orders, totalling $92 billion at list prices, as of Thursday, while its European competitor had unveiled 431 orders worth $70 billion.
According to the Farnborough International chief executive, Gareth Rogers, “The major deals announced this week demonstrate how confident the aerospace industry is and the role of Farnborough as an economic barometer”.
“The show attracted its most global attendance ever with around 100 countries represented and a record Chinese presence, Farnborough said in a statement.
There was also a near-10 percent rise in trade visitors compared to previous years, with more than 80,000 visitors passing through the gates for exhibition access.
