Competition between Airbus and Boeing

Airbus and Boeing announced billion-dollar deals at Asia's largest airshow in Singapore on Feb. 17, underscoring the region's role as a driver of industry growth despite greater caution among plane buyers.

Europe's Airbus said it had won a $1.85 billion deal for the purchase of six A350-900s by Philippine Airlines (PAL), the flag carrier of one of Asia's fastest-growing economies.

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic met on Tuesday with CEO of SR Technics Group Jeremy Remacha.

SR Technics is an independent provider of maintenance repairs and overhauls to commercial aircraft operators, capable of maintaining most Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with a 3,300-strong workforce, servicing around 1,050 planes.

Turkish Airlines and Boeing on Jan. 29 signed a collaboration agreement which will strengthen the Turkish carrier's long-term industry leadership, as well as the country's aerospace and technology capabilities, while building on their 70-year relationship. 

European planemaker Airbus beat Boeing in the race for new business last year, but remained behind on deliveries as Boeing extended its lead as the world's largest jetmaker.

The planemaking division of Airbus Group grabbed 1,036 net plane orders after cancellations, it said on Jan. 12, down 29 percent from 2014, compared with Boeing's tally of 768, a fall of 46 percent.

Deliveries of two Airbus A400M military transport planes to Turkey in 2016 are expected to be delayed and talks are ongoing on delivery of a replacement for one that crashed on its maiden flight last year, a defense official told Reuters.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that Iran will probably sign a deal to buy Airbus aircraft during his visit to France starting on Nov. 16. 

"We already use Airbus or Boeing planes today," Rouhani said, according to a transcript of an interview with broadcaster France 2 and Europe 1 radio, made available to AFP on Nov. 11 ahead of its airing.

The Dubai Airshow took off yesterday to a slow start amid expectations for a record low in sales as the Gulf's main airlines have already placed large orders with major manufacturers.

"Due to large previous orders, the total show order tally this year will be much less than years prior," said Ben Moores, senior analyst at IHS Aerospace, Defense & Security.

China unveiled its first-ever passenger jet built and designed by the country today.

The state-owned aviation manufacturer of China, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd. (COMAC), presented its first C919 aircraft at its factory in Shanghai.

China's first big passenger plane rolled off the assembly line on Nov. 2 as the Asian giant seeks the prestige of having its own aviation sector, and to challenge foreign giants Airbus and Boeing for market share.

Iran plans to buy as many as 90 planes per year from Boeing and Airbus to revamp its antiquated fleet once Western sanctions are lifted, its state news agency IRNA quoted a senior aviation official as saying on Aug. 2.