The Dubai Airshow had a record-breaking first day on Sunday. As major Gulf carriers work to expand their fleet some of the biggest aviation deals in history were made at Sunday's event.
The sales weren't expected to be large at the event, however $192.3 billion in deals was made on commercial jets on the first day which is a new record as the orders surpassed those of the entire 2007 airshow, CNN reports.
Together, major Gulf airlines, Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways ordered 393 new planes. Among the orders were both Boeing and Airbus aircraft, with the most ordered plane being the 777X, Boeing's next version of the 777.
The region's three big players -- Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways -- announced orders for 393 new commercial planes. Boeing and Airbus shared the spoils, with high demand for the 777X, Boeing's next-generation version of the existing 777. The 777X is a larger, more fuel-efficient wide-body plane.
Eithad, an Abu Dhabi based airline, was the first the make a big impression at the airshow with a $25.2B deal for 56 new wide-bodied Boeing aircraft. The airline purchased 25 777X planes, 19 777-9X and eight 777-8X aircraft.
"This order enables us to build upon our achievements, using the next generation of aircraft to support our next generation of development," Etihad CEO James Hogan told CNN. "This order is for 2018 out to 2025/2030. The traffic is there."
However Emirates had the largest order, spending $76B on 150 Boeing 777X planes nd 50 Airbus A380's. FlyDubai, a low-cost smaller airline, purchased 111 Boeing 737 jets worth $11.4B.
"In recent years, much of the action in global aviation has shifted to the Middle East because countries like the U.A.E. and Qatar have tapped into our geographical advantage to build a new air transport connection for the world," Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Emirates and the smaller flydubai, said according to USA Today.
The Dubai Airshow lasts for five days and is located at he new Dubai World Central airport's grounds. Dubai's new airport shows the growth of the aviation industry in the area. The country hopes to make the airport the larges in the world.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
