Boeing’s order book size is in a league of its own



At midyear, Boeing is crushing Airbus in the widebody jetliner market.
Boeing had 273 net orders through July compared with a negative 27 for Airbus because of cancellations. The tally underscores the fierce battle between the world's two largest plane makers to dominate sales of the lucrative market for widebody planes, a market Boeing values at US$2.5 trillion over the next 20 years.
Earlier in the week Airbus said it topped Boeing in unadjusted orders for all types of planes so far this year, saying it won 980 new orders through July compared with just 837 for Boeing.
But Boeing hit back on Thursday, pointing out that after adjusting for cancellations, Boeing is in the lead, with 823 net orders so far versus 705 for Airbus. Boeing also noted that in July it booked an unadjusted 324 orders – a record.
"July turned out to be a very good month," said the senior vice president, Randy Tinseth.
To be fair, Boeing's lead reflects an advantageous point in time. Boeing had been taking commitments for its new 777X aircraft before it launched the jet development programme last November.
As expected, airlines have turned many of those commitments into firm orders this year.
In contrast, Airbus launched its new A330neo, a low-cost rival to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, at the Farnborough Airshow outside London last month. It won 127 commitments, but those will not be counted as firm orders until airlines confirm them throughout the rest of the year.
Airbus also suffered two high-profile cancellations last month. Just before the air show, Emirates Airline nixed 70 orders for the new Airbus A350 widebody plane, which has not had a net new order this year, according to Airbus's tally.
Just after the show, Japan's Skymark Airlines cancelled six Airbus A380 superjumbos, a plane that has struggled to find buyers outside large Middle Eastern carriers.
"The most important number is that 127 commitments," Maryanne Greczyn, an Airbus spokeswoman, said on Friday. "Once we firm those up, it will obviously alter the order roster significantly."
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Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

AGUERO'S PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD

Apps: 186
Goals: 127
Assists: 31
Wins: 117
Losses: 33

Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.

Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.

The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.

'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'

Rating: 1 out of 4

Running time: 81 minutes

Director: David Blue Garcia

Starring: Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Mark Burnham

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5