Etihad Airways negotiating revamped 777 mini-jumbo order

Etihad Airways is negotiating a multibillion-dollar order for dozens of Boeing aircraft including at least 25 revamped 777 mini-jumbo, reports Reuters.

While Etihad Airways refused to comment, Reuters said the airline is looking to buy between 25 and 30 of the revamped 777X.

Analyst Saj Ahmad said: “As the biggest customer to date for the 787-9, it comes as little surprise that Etihad wants to lock in the potential for a further 30 jets on top of its existing orders for 41 airplanes.

“The real nugget though is the size of the potential 777X order.”

He added: “It's likely that the deal could come as soon as the Dubai Air Show in a few weeks time and almost certainly, like Emirates, ends its interest in the A380, which will sport far less fuel efficient engines and performance in contrast to what the 777X brings. Boeing may well have been criticised for being slow to react to the smaller Airbus A350-1000, but given the demand it is witnessing for the 777X family to be launched, it is not out of the realm that by December 31st, 2013, the 777X has an order book that is bigger than the A350-1000 - and by some significant margin.”