Boeing Celebrates Centennial With Successful Farnborough Airshow

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- Boeing celebrated its centennial on Friday amid a highly successful 2016 Farnborough International Airshow in England that has seen multi-billion US dollar orders and commitments across the company, including defence platforms, commercial airplanes and services agreements. "As the birthplace of British aviation, there are few better backdrops to celebrate the accomplishments and wonders of the aerospace industry and mark our centennial than the Farnborough Airshow," said Boeing Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dennis Muilenburg. "Throughout the show, we demonstrated and discussed our innovative and cost effective products and services and the tremendous value they provide our commercial and defence customers. "The British government announced significant orders for Boeing defence equipment. At the same time we committed to doubling Boeing's presence in the United Kingdom (UK) in line with the government's 'Prosperity' agenda and our global growth strategy for our second century. "On the commercial side of the business, we were pleased at the confidence our customers displayed in our portfolio of airplanes and services with significant orders and other announcements," Muilenburg said in a statement. Customers announced orders and commitments during the week for a total of 182 Boeing commercial airplanes, valued at US$26.8 billion, at list prices. Boeing has booked 321 net orders in 2016, as updated on Thursday, on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website. Customers also announced commercial services agreements, valued at multiple billion US dollars over the life of the contracts, including the largest commercial services order in Boeing history. The UK Ministry of Defence announced a US$2.3 billion deal to secure 50 Apache AH-64E helicopters and confirmed the purchase of nine P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for the Royal Air Force. Boeing and the British government announced a long-term partnering initiative to advance growth and prosperity, including 2,000 new Boeing jobs to be created in the UK, the intent to build a new £100 million (US$135 million) P-8A Poseidon facility at RAF Lossiemouth, increased Boeing capital investment in the UK and additional bidding opportunities on Boeing programmes for UK suppliers. The Boeing Centennial Experience Pavilion – the 500 square meter (5,000+ sq ft) immersive showcase of innovation leadership past, present and future – welcomed nearly 4,000 visitors over the first four days of the show. The Pavilion will be open throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday, no invitation required. The free Boeing Innovations app, an interactive experience of Boeing aircraft, spacecraft and more, is available to download on iTunes and Google Play and the #Boeing100 hashtag is trending on social media in the run up to Founders Day on July 15. Boeing also revealed its new 'Current Market Outlook' at the show, forecasting a demand for 39,620 new airplanes, valued at US$5.9 trillion, in the next 20 years. Embraer and Boeing announced a teaming agreement to jointly market and support the KC-390, a multi-mission mobility and aerial refueling aircraft. Boeing flying display highlights included the ANA 787-9 Dreamliner, 737 MAX, P-8A and F/A-18F Super Hornet. --BERNAMA