Airbus’ Strong Week of Orders: Paris Momentum on the Way

Airbus' Strong Week of Orders: Paris Momentum on the Way
Photo Credit: Joris Wendt/AviationSource
James Field - Editor in Chief 5 Min Read
5 Min Read

Airbus has had a strong week, as they have secured orders for nearly 200 aircraft. Let’s take a look at what this could mean ahead of a busy airshow season in Paris this year.

With the Paris Air Show 2023 just around the corner, could this week’s orders be a teaser of what is to come off the back of a slow Farnborough Air Show 2022?

Without further ado, let’s get into it…

A Recap of This Week’s Orders from Airbus…


Airbus has had a busy 72 hours, announcing three different types of orders, as well as good news for its facility in Tianjin, China.

The first announcement on April 6 came via a cooperation agreement finalized during a state visit to China by France.

This will see a second Final Assembly Line facility built in Tianjin, followed by a General Terms of Agreement (GTA) deal for 150 A320 Family aircraft and 10 A350-900s.

On the same day, an order came in from Azerbaijan Airlines for 12 A320neo Family aircraft, with this due to being a split between A320neo and A321neo, respectively.

“The signed contract will provide our passengers with the most modern and comfortable single-aisle aircraft,” First Vice-President of AZAL CJSC Samir Rzayev said.

Then, just yesterday, Icelandair joined in on the order-based fun with a purchase order for 13 A321XLRs, with options for an additional 12. Deliveries are due to commence in 2029.

In advance of this, the carrier is looking to operate A321LRs on lease by 2025.

Looking Ahead to Paris…


Photo Credit: Airbus

Looking ahead to the Paris Air Show, Airbus will be wanting to showcase as much as feasibly possible, as this is on their home turf of France.

The last air show was held in 2019, following the cancellation of the 2021 edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Back in 2019, the European planemaker secured orders for 388 aircraft, including 243 A321XLRs and 85 A220s.

The focus for them will be to acquire more orders for the A220, A350, and A321XLR program, as the backlog on the A320neo Family is still very healthy.

In the mind of journalists attending the Paris Air Show this year, there will be much interest in whether more orders will be accrued compared to the Farnborough Air Show last year.

This all started with easyJet firming up an order for 56 A320neos.

With this not being a fresh order, questions were raised by the media in the press conference. Scherer insists that Airbus doesn’t rehash old orders as a result of this announcement.

Questioned about aircraft sales, Scherer said the following:

“It was about time for Boeing to pick up some steam”. Such hard-hitting had obviously affected Scherer to a high extent, which of course, highlights frustration about journalists being correct.

Boeing did pick up steam at Farnborough, selling a grand total of 245 aircraft, against Airbus’ 29.

Overall…


Photo Credit: Joris Wendt/AviationSource

It remains clear that whilst Airbus has had a strong start to orders in 2023, and more notably, the great week it has had this week, all eyes will be on them at the Paris Air Show.

For the European planemaker, the interest is in matching the level of orders of Boeing, which will also be interesting to see, as the American aviation giant is keeping their cards close to their chest still.

But for now, all eyes will be on Airbus, especially on their home turf.

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