Paris Air Show: Airbus Secures $21 Billion in Orders, Boeing Keeps Low Profile After India Accident
This week, Airbus shone at a less vibrant-than-usual Paris Air Show, amassing orders worth an estimated $21 billion. While Boeing scaled back its presence following the tragic accident involving an Air India 787, the European company seized the opportunity to solidify its leadership at the event held in Le Bourget.
148 Firm Orders and 102 Commitments
Airbus’s tally includes 148 firm orders valued at $14.2 billion and 102 provisional commitments adding another $6.7 billion, according to estimates by UK-based specialist firm Cirium Ascend. Notable deals include:
- 10 Airbus A350F and 30 A320neo family aircraft for AviLease.
- 40 A220 aircraft for LOT Polish Airlines.
- 27 A321neo and A321XLR aircraft for ANA Holdings.
- 25 A350-1000 aircraft for Riyadh Air.
- 10 long-haul aircraft for Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines.
- 2 A350 freighters acquired by logistics company MNG Airlines.
- 6 long-range A350-900s purchased by EgyptAir, whose identity had not been revealed until now.
These figures far exceeded expectations, especially after it became known that AirAsia, one of Airbus’s major customers, would not finalize any orders during the event.
→ Airbus Faces Logistics Challenges but Maintains 2025 Delivery Target of 820 Aircraft
AirAsia and the Pending Mega-Deal
Tony Fernandes, CEO of parent company Capital A Group, confirmed active discussions with Airbus to acquire between 50 and 70 A321XLRs and up to 100 A220s or regional E2 jets from Brazil’s Embraer. However, he clarified that the current focus is on completing the airline’s restructuring:
“We continue to work closely with Airbus and other manufacturers. We expect to finalize something within the next 1 to 3 months,” he told Reuters.
Industry sources indicated that Airbus presented an aggressive offer to boost A220 orders, including a 160-seat variant, but negotiations stalled due to financial considerations. Talks are expected to resume in July, once AirAsia concludes its financial recovery process.
Boeing Focused on Investigation, Airbus Confident
Following the tragic accident involving Air India’s 787, Boeing maintained a low profile, reducing its presence at the air show to focus on its internal investigation. This gave Airbus a clear advantage.
Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus’s aircraft manufacturing division, paid respects to the victims before each announcement: “This air show has been marked by a tragedy that has affected us all,” he stated.
Nevertheless, Airbus did not hesitate to express confidence in market growth, hinting at potential dividend increases and reinforcing its commitment to models with untapped commercial potential, such as the A220.
Embraer Lands Major Order
Meanwhile, the Brazilian manufacturer announced on Wednesday that SkyWest Airlines had placed an order for 60 of its regional E175 jets, along with purchase rights for an additional 50 aircraft.
An Atypical but Effective Show
“This has been a very different air show compared to previous editions, where orders typically pour in,” noted Agency Partners analyst Sash Tusa. According to him, Boeing’s caution and Airbus’s focus on less saturated models like the A220 marked a new dynamic.
Additionally, Airbus reported that since early 2025, it has reduced supply chain-related delays by 40%, a positive sign amid global pressure for more efficient aircraft.
Defense and Drones: Europe Pursues Technological Independence
In parallel, the defense sector also made headlines. US-based Anduril and Germany’s Rheinmetall unveiled a partnership to manufacture drones for the European market, leveraging US technology to strengthen the continent’s military capabilities.
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