Day 1 of the Farnborough International Air Show saw an early swing towards Boeing acquisitions.
Boeing, who had signaled a more subdued presence this year with respect to new aircraft orders, held the spotlight in the morning yesterday with widebody aircraft orders.
Airbus, their key competitor, opened the first day’s proceedings with a single, but notable order featuring their new A321XLR variant.
Farnborough Air Show Day 2
Today, the spotlight now shifts to the European aircraft manufacturer. With a major order announcement scheduled for the morning session, Airbus gained momentum with a string of orders. These notably favoured the manufacturer’s widebody variants.
Although no commercial announcements were expected via press conference for Boeing, the US manufacturer did gain a further single-aisle bulk order in the afternoon session.
Let’s recap the major events of FIA2024 Day 2:
Airbus
Vietjet A330neo Contract
Vietnamese carrier Vietjet confirmed a contract for the purchase of 20 next-generation Airbus A330neo aircraft. This firms up a Memorandum of Understanding signed at the start of the year with the manufacturer.
The acquisition comes in at a price tag of $7.4 billion (1.15 trillion yen), and forms part of the airline’s long-haul fleet upgrade program.
The new aircraft will replace the carrier’s older A330-300 variants. Vietjet will operated these on its growing long-haul network, as well as on high capacity regional services.
Virgin Atlantic A330neo Order
Virgin Atlantic then placed a firm order for seven A330neo aircraft as part of its wider fleet transformation. The agreement takes Virgin Atlantic’s commitment for the A330neo to 19 aircraft in total.
A strong partner of Airbus, the new acquisition was announced onboard Virgin Atlantic’s A330neo, named ‘Ruby Rebel’.
Virgin Atlantic christened the Airbus A330neo “Ruby Rebel” and assigned it the registration GB-VSRB, a tribute to founder Sir Richard Branson and the airline’s 40th anniversary.
Japan Airlines A350-900 & A321neo Order
Following their order placement for Boeing Japan’s flag carrier Japan Airlines (JAL) has now firmed a mixed widebody and narrowbody order with Airbus.
JAL signed a firm order with Airbus for 20 A350-900 widebody aircraft and 11 single-aisle A321neo. This finalises a commitment they announced earlier this year.
The new A350-900s will join the carrier’s A350 fleet serving international routes. Meanwhile, the A321neo will operate on domestic services within Japan.
To date, JAL has ordered a total of 52 A350s, with 18 in service. The A321neo contract represents JAL’s first order for the Airbus single-aisle product line.
Berniq Airways A320neo Order
Closing out the day for Airbus, Berniq Airways, Libya’s airline, placed a firm order for six A320neo Family aircraft.
The airline already operates six A320s and intends to further develop its regional and international routes with the additional A320neo Family aircraft.
Boeing at the Farnborough Air Show 2024…
Still maintaining its ‘softer’ approach to new order acquisitions, Boeing saw a further vote of confidence in its 737 MAX single-aisle line. Qatari carrier Qatar Airways followed this with confirmation of an order for 20 widebody 777-9 aircraft by Qatari carrier Qatar Airways.
Macquarie AirFinance 737 MAX 8 Order
The global aircraft lessor Macquarie AirFinance made its first direct order for Boeing airplanes today.
Today’s firm purchase of 20 737 MAX 8 doubles its existing 737-8 order book, which it acquired from ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Co. in 2023.
The strategic purchase by the leasing company is based on the 737 MAX being the preferred replacement for a significant wave of Next-Generation 737 retirements.
Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, confirmed this notion.
“As single-aisle fleet renewals gain momentum, Macquarie AirFinance’s choice of the 737-8 will allow its customers to phase out older airplanes and operate the industry’s most fuel-efficient jets.”
Qatar Airways Confirmed 777-9 Order
Middle Eastern airline Qatar Airways confirmed an order for 20 more 777-9 aircraft.
Qatar Airways finalized an order for 20 more 777-9 airplanes, bringing their total 777X order close to 100.
This order confirmed today at Farnborough was listed as unidentified on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website.
Summary
With the industry signalling its appetite for new widebody and single-aisle aircraft acquisition, the question of delivery delays rears its ugly head.
Middle East airline flynas has this week indicated its frustration with the current state of Boeing’s delivery processes. This, according to the carrier’s CEO, has played havoc with the airline’s expansive growth strategy.
The flynas predicament encapsulates the problems which the industry is currently experiencing with delayed deliveries.
flynas pointed out that the flow on effect of these delays is felt through the airline’s financials, and ultimately by the carrier’s customers.
In many cases, new aircraft deliveries form part of much-needed fleet upgrade plans, which ultimately enhance passenger flight experience.
For Boeing, the new order acquisitions at Farnborough may be viewed as a firm buyer endorsement in the light of recent issues.
On the other hand, the focus will now fall on the manufacturers’ ability to honor subsequent delivery schedules.
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