Emirates cancels order for 70 A350 aircraft

[TOULOUSE] Emirates airline delivered a huge blow to European aerospace group Airbus yesterday, cancelling an order for 70 new-generation A350 airliners, which analysts estimate represents about a tenth of the aircraft maker's 2014 orders.

The long-distance aircraft, due to go into service this year, is the Airbus flagship project of the moment to compete with the Boeing 787 which has been flying since 2011.

The size of the cancellation is the biggest-ever by a prestigious customer for a civil airliner. Airbus said that the cancellation followed an order placed by Emirates at the Dubai air show in November for an extra 50 A380 superjumbo planes. The cancellation decision was made following "ongoing discussions with the airline in light of their fleet requirement review", Airbus said.