Order slowdown
With only 309 aircraft orders worth $17.3 billion - and one order alone representing $8.7 billion (ILFC's Airbus purchase) - the Paris air show was, not surprisingly, a relatively poor affair on the order front. By comparison, last year's Farnborough event logged a record $42 billion orders. The worsening economic climate is blamed for Paris' dampened sales announcements.
ILFC breaks Airbus records
With its order for 80 Airbus A320 family aircraft, plus 21 A330-200s and 10 A380s (although five of these were previously announced commitments), ILFC handed the European consortium its largest-ever single order - $8.7 billion. Airbus continued to sign new deals at the show. JetBlue ordered a further 30 A320s, Royal Air Maroc took four A321s, and Brazil's TAM wanted 20 A318s.
Boeing announces solitary 777 sale
Boeing said it was ducking out of the game of holding orders back to grab show headlines, and only unveiled one deal at Paris - albeit a significant order from Japan Airlines for three 777-200ERs, as that airline begins to replace its ageing DC-10 fleet.
Larger regional jet sales add up
Each of the three regional jet makers chalked up big orders for 70-100 seaters, with Bombardier logging 50 sales of its CRJ700/900 to lessor Deutsche Structured Finance, Embraer grabbing 25 orders for its ERJ-190-200 from TAM and Fairchild Dornier signing up CSACzech Airlines for four 728JETs.
A380 attracts risk-sharers and partners
Hundreds of aerospace manufacturers, big and small, are lining up for prized contracts to supply part of the Airbus A380. At Paris, Saab confirmed it will be a risk-share partner on the aircraft, making wing parts, while Thales was selected as one of the major suppliers of the A380's avionics.
Airborne connections made
Boeing and Airbus made major steps forward in their efforts to offer in-flight broadband e-mail, internet and live television. Boeing announced it has signed up American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines as partners in its Connexion service, while Airbus has taken a 30% stake in Tenzing Communications.
ATR and Embraer make e-commerce link
Regional turboprop maker ATR and regional jet manufacturer Embraer announced a joint e-commerce venture at the show, prompting suggestions that this is yet another step on the road to a full merger.
Our chalet is bigger than others
While the GE and Honeywell merger foundered at Paris, European aerospace consolidation was well illustrated by the EADS chalet - a record 42 units long.
Source: Airline Business
