Airbus set a new benchmark for air show order announcements with deals totalling 728 orders and commitments. Of these, 425 were firm and commitments for a further 303, eclipsing the 125 announced by Boeing.
Airbus's 425 firm orders - worth an estimated $62 billion - were placed by 19 customers. The A350 secured 141 firm orders, bringing the firm backlog to 154. Airbus also has further commitments for 78 of the type, of which 52 were disclosed at the air show. In the A330/A340 category all but four firmed aircraft - the A340-600s for Etihad Airways - were for the twin-engined model, including orders for 46 A330 freighters from five customers.
Demand for the A320 family remained strong with customers placing firm orders and commitments for 390 aircraft, while Qatar Airways, Air France and Emirates agreed to acquire a total of 13 A380s.
While Boeing formally identified customers for 125 aircraft, only 66 of these had not already been listed on Boeing's orderbooks. US lessor International Lease Finance accounted for 60 of these with a new order for 50 Boeing 787s, plus 10 737s. Lessor GECAS made up the remainder with an order for six Boeing 777 Freighters.
The other 59 Boeing jets were for previously booked but unidentified customers. Indonesia's Lion Air disclosed an order for 40 737-900ERs. Air France-KLM confirmed nine 777s and seven 737s, while ILFC had also formally added another two 787s and a 777.
Source: Flight International
