Competition Between Airbus and Boeing Over Iran: Which is Better?

With the lifting of sanctions on aircraft sales to Iran, a fierce competition has begun between two major aircraft manufacturers, particularly Boeing and Airbus. It appears that with the sale of 114 Airbus aircraft to Iran, the European company has taken the lead over its American counterpart. Abbas Akhoundi, Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development, has stated that "an agreement has been reached with Airbus for the purchase of 114 aircraft, which will gradually enter the air fleet." However, the minister did not provide information about the models of the purchased aircraft, but according to Bloomberg, this purchase includes Airbus models 320, 330, and 340. What are the characteristics of these purchased aircraft? The Airbus 320 is a strong competitor to the Boeing 737 in global markets and is certainly ranked second if not first in its class. This aircraft can carry between 120 to 160 passengers in various configurations. According to Bloomberg's assessment, Iran will need at least 580 new passenger aircraft in the next 10 years. Some studies indicate that 50% of Iran's total needs are related to aircraft with a seating capacity of 80 to 200 passengers. These aircraft can cover routes to provincial centers in Iran as well as routes to neighboring countries. The best option for this need in Iran is the Boeing 737, which is considered the safest passenger jet in the world. This aircraft has a capacity ranging from 120 to 200 passengers in different variants. One of the greatest advantages of this model is its low fuel consumption and low maintenance costs. Due to the suitable range this model covers in terms of passengers, by acquiring a large number of them, Iran can significantly reduce maintenance costs. In the Max model, which is the latest version of the 737, fuel consumption is 7% lower and pollution is 14% less than the previous model. The price of the Boeing 737 in various configurations starts at $80 million. Although Boeing has the advantage in terms of safety, one of the advantages of the Airbus 320 in Iran is the familiarity of Iranian airlines with this aircraft in terms of maintenance and pilots. The higher engine position of the Airbus compared to Boeing is also another advantage of this aircraft model over the Boeing 737. 30% to 40% of the total needs of Iran's aviation industry are related to wide-body aircraft, and if we consider price alongside factors such as range, number of seats, and the familiarity of Iranian airlines with Airbus, the best purchase option in the wide-body aircraft class in Iran is the Airbus A330. Part of the recent purchase of 114 aircraft from Airbus relates to the 330 and 340 models. The Airbus A330 can carry 330 passengers in two classes and has a price of $250 million; this model has a flight range of 11,000 kilometers. The Airbus A340-600, with the ability to carry 410 passengers in two classes and a range of 14,600 kilometers, has a price of $270 million. The Airbus 340 is related to the 330 model, but the main difference between these two models is their different flight ranges. The A330 model is twin-engine and more fuel-efficient compared to the A340 model. However, the A340 with four engines has a greater flight range. The competitor of the Airbus 340 is the Boeing 777. According to Bloomberg, Iran is particularly interested in two Boeing models for purchase: the 777 for long-haul flights and the 737 for short-haul flights. Based on various technical reports and comparisons, the Boeing 777 has lower fuel consumption and maintenance costs compared to the Airbus 340. Most airlines in the world also use the Boeing 777 for their longest-range aircraft. The Boeing 777 has a flight range of up to 17,000 kilometers. The diameter of a 777 engine is the same as that of a Boeing 737. The engine of this aircraft is also considered one of the strongest passenger aircraft engines in the world. This aircraft has a capacity of 450 passengers in two classes and costs about $320 million. According to Bloomberg, in addition to the 114 Airbus aircraft purchased, Iran is also interested in ordering Airbus models 350 and 380 in future purchases. The Airbus A380, the largest passenger aircraft in the world, is sold for $428 million and has a capacity of 800 passengers. The Airbus A350 is a wide-body, twin-engine passenger aircraft that, like the 787, uses composite materials in its construction; this factor reduces fuel consumption and enhances the aircraft's maneuverability. Airbus claims that the fuel consumption and operational costs of this aircraft are significantly lower than those of the Boeing 787. Qatar Airways is one of the first buyers of this aircraft. This model is available in three series 800, 900, and 1000, respectively carrying 276, 315, and 387 passengers in two classes and priced at 269, 304, and 351 million dollars. The maximum speed of the A350 is about 0.89 Mach, while the maximum speed of the Boeing 787 is about 0.9 Mach. In terms of flight range, the A350 has a range of about 14,350 kilometers, and the Boeing 787 has a range of about 14,100 kilometers. Based on this technical evidence, the Airbus carries more passengers and has a longer range, but Boeing has greater speed and maneuverability.