In late December 2018, Boeing managed to boost its orderbook with two big deals of up to 150 aircraft, finishing the year well ahead Airbus in this sense.
On December 21, 2018 Boeing and Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal announced an order for 30 B737 MAX jets, a deal worth $3.5 billion at list-prices. The airline is also considering 20 more aircraft, according to its press-release.
The carrier, which has been in operation for just one year, currently has an all-Airbus A320-200 fleet of aircraft. It makes an order for 30 Boeing jets quite an unexpected turn for Saudia’s low-cost arm.
By year-end Boeing’s lucky streak did not finish and same day it announced another successful deal: Nigerian carrier Green Africa Airways placed a firm order for 50 and option for additional 50 B737 MAX 8 aircraft, valued $11.5 billion at list prices, which essentially made it the biggest aircraft deal in Africa, according to Boeing.
Two orders on the threshold of 2019 gave the U.S. airframer even a larger lead over European rival Airbus in orders race of 2018. As of January-November 2018 time frame, Boeing had 690 of its net orders in comparison to Airbus’ 380.