Happening now: Deals at Dubai Airshow

Emirates signs $16 billion engine services deal 

Emirates on Monday signed its largest engine MRO contract to date by awarding a a $16 billion OnPoint solution deal to GE Aviation for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of the GE9X engines that will power the airline's fleet of 150 Boeing 777X aircraft over a period of 12 years. 

At the 2013 Dubai Air Show, Emirates placed a record $76 billion order for 150 Boeing 777X twin-engine aircraft, powered by GE's new GE9X engine. The single-largest order by value in the history of US commercial aviation, it included 300 units of GE9X engines, alone worth $16 billion at list price. It was also GE Aviation's largest-ever commercial jet engine award from an airline. 

Emirates also signed a 12-year OnPoint solution contract with GE Aviation worth $36 million, covering the maintenance and inventory support for various avionics, electrical power and mechanical systems on all Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft in currently service and the 44 more 777-300ERs on order. 

Under this programme, GE will provide the maintenance and support services for Emirates' Boeing 777 fleet with a strengthened local programme management and stock support in Dubai, supported by GE's global repair, overhaul and logistics facilities in the UK, the US, and Asia. - KT

Boeing Jet Airways confirm  order for 75 737 Max 8 airplanes 

Indian aviation market is poised to see a growth in its  passenger traffic  and  to cater to this growing demand, Jet Aiways  and Boeing announced their deal of $8 billion roughly by placing a  purchase order of  75 737 Max 8 airplanes at Dubai Airshow on Monday.

"Incorporating the latest  design and technology features. The highly  efficient 737 Max will allow us to drive our operational efficiency  and reaffirms our commitment to providing a best-in-class full service  travel experience to our guests," said Naresh Goyal, chairman of Jet  Airways.

The 737 Max incorporates the latest technology CFM International  Leap-1B  engines, advanced technology winglets an other improvements  to deliver the highest effieciency in the single-aisle market.

"Boeing is  proud that Jet Airways will be the  first airline in  India to take delivery of the 737 Max," said Ray Conner, CEO, Boeing  Commercial Airplanes  President and CEO. - KT

UAE says to buy two Saab surveillance aircraft

The United Arab Emirates plans to buy two Saab Global 6000 aircraft for surveillance, a defence ministry official said at the Dubai Airshow on Monday.

Major General Abdullah Al Hashimi, the ministry's executive director of strategic analysis, told reporters the value of the deal was $1.27 billion. He added that the UAE was in talks to upgrade systems on its two Saab 340 aircraft, and those discussions would be finalised in two years. - Reuters

Boeing, Tata to make Apache attack helicopter airframe

US aerospace group Boeing and India's Tata Advanced Systems announced on Monday they are joining up to make airframe parts for the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. 

After initially building a manufacturing centre in India for the Apache, they will expand the partnership to compete for further work on Boeing commercial and defence platforms, they said in a statement released during the Dubai Air Show. 

The firms gave no financial details. 

"This partnership will capitalise on India's industrial capability, innovation and talent to contribute to Boeing's long-term competitiveness and position us for future growth in the global marketplace," said Chris Chadwick, chief executive of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. 

"It is a demonstration of our commitment to further accelerate our partnership with one of the world's fastest growing economies."

Saudi Aerospace says to launch maintenance facility in Jeddah 

Saudi Aerospace Engineering Industries said on Monday it planned to build a 2.87 billion Saudi Riyal ($765.33 million) aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Jeddah in a joint venture to be led by Turkish airport builder and operator TAV.

In a statement, the Saudi company said the one million square metre (10.7 million square feet) facility would do both civil and military work and be the largest such installation in the Middle East. The joint venture would also include Al Habtoor Leighton Group (HLG) and Al Rajhi Construction.

Planned for completion at the end of 2016, the facility would comprise 11 aircraft hangars and 28 aircraft component shops. -Reuters

Lockheed Martin awarded $263M for Saudi F-15 services

Lockheed Martin says it has been awarded a $262.8 million contract from the US Air Force to service Saudi Arabia's F-15 sniper targeting system and radars that allow for day and night low-level navigation.

The deal announced on Monday comes as Saudi Arabia leads a war in Yemen and is part of the US-led coalition bombing the Deash in Syria.

It is the first major deal announced at the biennial Dubai Airshow, which will run until Thursday. - AP

Caption : Dubai Air Show... a success

Report by KT