Airbus steals Boeing ground

The A3XX super jumbo is the largest Airbus project to date

Airbus Industrie has stolen a march from its US rival Boeing by winning an aircraft order from Qantas for the first time.

Qantas, Australia's major airline, has ordered nearly $3bn of of Airbus aircraft, including 12 of the aerospace firm's new A3XX superjumbos.

While six 747 jumbo jets have also been ordered from Boeing, the announcement ends the US firm's 'monopoly' on Qantas aircraft manufacture contracts.

Delivery of the A3XXs, designed to seat 524 passengers, will allow Qantas to retire older Boeing aircraft from international service, the airline said.

UK jobs

The $3bn contract, which also includes delivery of 13 smaller Airbus aircraft, is the largest yet confirmed order for A3XXs.

Singapore Airlines and Air France have both ordered 10 of the aircraft, with Emirates buying seven and leasing company ILFC five.

The move also safeguards British jobs. BAE Systems, which owns 20% of Airbus, makes wings for Airbus planes, and other UK firms are likely to pick up sub-contracting work.

The planes' engine type has yet to be selected, presenting an opportunity to Rolls-Royce, which is building jets for some of the 32 A3XXs previously ordered.

Winning points

Qantas said it had been attracted by the A3XX's low operational costs, which are 15-20% less per passenger than the 747's, its size and development potential.

"The aircraft will also enable us to further enhance our onboard customer product consistent with our recognised tradition as a pioneer in the development of long-haul air travel," chief executive designate Geoff Dixon said.

Qantas, which has one of the best safety records of any airline, also has a history of championing new aircraft types, including the 747 during the 1960s.

The A23XXs will help Qantas meet growing passenger traffic on routes from Australia to the UK and the US, and, because of their large size, are particularly suitable for flying to congested airports, where the availability of take-off and landing slots is limited.

The distribution of slots at Heathrow, one of the world's busiest airports, has prompted a major US/UK row.