The good times well and truly returned for the civil aerospace industry at Le Bourget as the manufacturers unveiled orders and commitments for over 450 aircraft worth $45 billion at list prices.
While Qatar Airways hit the headlines with the biggest single deal – albeit still subject to negotiations – for 60 Airbus A350s and 20 Boeing 777s worth $15 billion, the brightest spotlight shone on India. Kingfisher Airlines, the start-up operator launched last month by India’s brewing giant UB Group, placed orders for 15 aircraft including a surprise deal for five A380s. Meanwhile, long-established Indian private carrier Jet Airways underlined its recent launch of long-haul services with deals for 10 A330s and 10 777s, including the ultra-long-range 777-200LR variant, which was on display at the show.
Airbus put the disappointment of the A350 launch delay and management transition issues behind it by taking 65% of the business during the show worth $29 billion.
Boeing reinforced its recent run of success with $15 billion of orders – significantly, none were for the 787.
Meanwhile the resurgence of the turboprop market was confirmed by ATR and Bombardier, which between them signed orders for $500 million.
ATR has its most healthy backlog for a decade, while Bombardier has seen sales of its Q400 maintaining a similar pace to those of its regional jets.
Source: Flight International
