Development boom in the Gulf

Just a guess, but the 8 additional 380s were probably tossed in by Airbus as compensation for the delays and weight problems. I doubt there was any incremental revenue to Airbus. Emirates is by far the largest customer for this plane and the whole program would be dead if they pulled out. Airbus knows this. I doubt you will see Emirates purchasing any more in the near future.

The Paris Air Show is traditionally where European aviation makes their major sales announcements. Most of the other A-380 customers can figure what is going on. Emirates is simply setting the penalty package for others to follow.

Posted June 21, 2007 10:13 PM

Just a guess, but the 8 additional 380s were probably tossed in by Airbus as compensation for the delays and weight problems. I doubt there was any incremental revenue to Airbus. Emirates is by far the largest customer for this plane and the whole program would be dead if they pulled out. Airbus knows this. I doubt you will see Emirates purchasing any more in the near future.

The Paris Air Show is traditionally where European aviation makes their major sales announcements. Most of the other A-380 customers can figure what is going on. Emirates is simply setting the penalty package for others to follow.

Posted June 21, 2007 10:16 PM

Corky Boyd - right. I guess I was a bit surprised to realize that the Gulf countries are in full development while their neighbors struggle with the so called "freedom fighters" and are in economic distress.

Posted June 22, 2007 4:22 AM

The United Arab Emirates, primarily Dubai, is one of the great hopes for opening the Islamic mind to westernism, especially on the Arabian Peninsula.

First, the country is western friendly. It does not impose Islamic strictures on non-muslims. Women may drive cars, there is a semblance of westernism and democracy and a roaring economy, with major sporting events such as Formula 1 auto racing, and a vacation industry (albeit geared to the super wealthy both European and Arab).

It has become a destination for well-off Saudi youth and hopefully will provide a glimpse of what could be in Saudi Arabia, but that won't come overnight.

Posted June 22, 2007 11:22 AM

I hope the real estate industry continues to - let's say expand rather than "boom" - when Iran makes good on its promise to share the love with any nation that it feels is helping the US.

Posted June 23, 2007 10:16 PM

I hope the real estate industry continues to - let's say expand rather than "boom" - when Iran makes good on its promise to share the love with any nation that it feels is helping the US.

Posted June 23, 2007 10:24 PM