Airbus dominates Farnborough International Airshow 2018

Posted on 20 Jul 2018 by The Manufacturer
Airbus

Since the airshow began on Monday 16 July, aerospace giants, Airbus and Boeing have fought for every deal available.

The rivalry between the two companies has made this year’s show even more fiercely competitive after Boeing secured more deals in 2017 than Airbus. This year most forecasts have been correct, with a rise in the amount of carrier airlines in Asia and South America and a lot of companies investing in Boeing’s 777 freighter series, and Airbus selling a lot of their A320neo aircrafts.

Overall, Boeing secured US$98.4bn in orders, with commitments worth US$2.1bn of that coming from commercial and defence orders.

Boeing’s deals included:

  • Farnborough, UK - July 16, 2018: Boeing 737 MAX on a steep angled landing descent to Farnborough Airport, UK - image courtesy of Depostiphotos.
    Several carriers placed orders for Boeing’s 737 MAX – image courtesy of Depositphotos.

    British Airways pledged to use three new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft for its long-haul flights

  • Boeing announced a repeat order for 10 new 100 737 MAXs from an unidentified customer
  • While Air Italy showcases its new 737 MAX 8 planes that started flying at the beginning of the year.
  • Boeing also has another order for 30 737 MAX from JSA – the 100th order for Boeing’s 737 MAX aircraft.
  • Novus Aviation Capital signed its first new agreement with Boeing, reportedly worth US$1.44bn, for commercial aircraft for a Dubai-based carrier
  • Vietjet signed a deal for a further 100 737 MAX aircraft
  • Boeing has a possible order of a maximum of 10 787-9s, valued at around US$2.8bn at list prices
  • Seacons Trading has brought a Boeing Jet Max 7, which reportedly provides a larger cabin area, an updated flight deck and also has a range of 7,000 miles
  • A letter of intent has been signed between Boeing and GECAS, an Irish-American company who want 35 737-800 Boeing converted freighters
  • ACG placed an order for 20 737 MAX 8 planes, which is part of the fourth generation of commercial airplanes. This model was released early 2017.
  • Air Lease Corporation committed to a possible 78 Boeing aircraft, including commercial planes and the long-haul ‘Dreamliners’.
  • Russia’s Volga-Dnepr a Russian airline has shown interest in buying 29 Boeing 777 freighters
  • India’s Jet Airways confirmed a deal for 75 more 737 MAX 8 planes, which is currently valued at US$8.8bn.
  • Romanian carrier, TAROM ordered five Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, worth US$586m
  • United Airlines placed a repeat order for long-haul Dreamliners
  • Qatar Airways brought five new 777 freighters after previously operating with 13 freighters; it will also purchase two 447-8 freighters, bring its fleet up to 20.
  • Global logistics company, DHL ordered 14 777 freighters in an order to boost time efficiency.

However, Airbus dominated the show, accounting for 60% of all the deals made during the week.

Airbus’ deals included:

  • Variants of Airbus’ A330neo proved popular with carriers, notching up a handful of sizeable deals.
    Variants of Airbus’ A330neo proved popular with carriers, notching up a handful of sizeable deals.

    Airbus has had orders of 431 aircraft including an order agreed before the show for its 60 A220-300s from a new U.S airline.

  • Vietjet has just flown its new BelugaXL, designed for transporting large cargo; the aircraft features an increased fuselage compared to the previous model. Vietjet also announced the purchase of 50 more A321neo single-aisle aircraft, taking its fleet of neos to almost 130 to help meet its increasing demand in areas across 30 airports in Asia.
  • Sichuan airlines announced its decision to add Airbus’ new A350 XB aircraft to its growing fleet
  • Easyjet has recently taken delivery of 30 A321neo aircraft – a first for the carrier
  • An unnamed customer has brought six A330neo family aircraft.
  • Jetblue-founder, David Neelman announced a a letter of intent with Airbus for 60 A220-300 aircraft for his new low-cost American airline.
  • A wet lease has been agreed between Airbus and Primera airlines, which will see Airbus providing engineering, material and maintenance services for its 737 fleet
  • Level, a Spanish airline based in Barcelona, Milan and Vienna, is purchasing two new A330-200s with the aim of expanding its long-haul offering
  • Peach Aviation had placed an order for two A320neo aircraft making it the first in Asia to operate the model
  • Hawaiian has signed an order for 10 new commercial planes from Airbus worth $282bn
  • A memorandum of understanding between Airbus and an unnamed customer for 100 new planes, 25 A321 and 75 A320 has been announced
  • Oman budget airline, SalamAir, has signed an agreement for six new A320neos. The airline launched in January 2017 and is currently the only budget airline in Oman
  • The Macquarie Group placed an order for 20 A320neos to add to its fleet of 119 Airbus aircraft
  • An unnamed global has Lessor committed to buying 80 A320s.
  • Two Hong Kong airlines, NWS holdings and Chow Tai Fook, placed a joint order for 20 A320neo aircraft
  • Kuwaiti airline, Wataniya, brought 25 A320neos through its aircraft provider, Golden Falcon Aviation
  • Vistara signed a Letter of Intent for 13 A320neos. The airline will reportedly be the first in Delhi to offer regional international flights
  • Sichuan from Chengdu have opted for the twin-engine, long-range Airbus A350 XWB
  • Taiwanese airline, Starlux, has agreed an order for 12 A350-1000s and five A350-900s

Embraer:

  • A letter of intent has been signed between Embraer and Republic Airways stating an order of 100 E175 aircraft. This deal has a possible value of US$9.3bn based on list prices
  • Kuwaiti airline, Wataniya has signed an order for 10 E195-E2, making it the first company in the Middle East to operate this particular model
  • Azul Brazilian airlines has signed a letter of intent for 21 Embraer 195 E2 aircraft

Aircrafts used for defence purposes haven’t been the focus of the air show so far, but a new fighter jet – dubbed ‘Tempest’ – has been unveiled at the air show by the British Secretary of State Defence. The plan is for this new jet to replace the old Typhoon fighter jet. It’s due to be manufactured by BAE systems, Rolls Royce and Italy’s Leonardo.

This year saw US$23bn more being invested by airlines than 2016, and with the manufacturers predicting an increase in demand over the coming 10 years, the world’s aerospace sector looks set to continue to soar.

Reporting by Amelia Blakey