The Farnborough International Airshow 2024, held from July 22 to July 26 at the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre in Farnborough, United Kingdom, has been a significant event for the aerospace industry, with numerous jet orders announced during the event. On the first day of the airshow, Korean Air made a significant announcement, revealing plans to order up to 50 Boeing widebody aircraft. This includes firm orders for 20 Boeing 777-9s and 20 Boeing 787-10s, with options for an additional 10 787-10s. This order marks the first commitment for the 777-9 from Korean Air and demonstrates the airline's strategic objective to expand and upgrade its fleet.
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Also on the first day, Japan Airlines committed to up to 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The airline signed 10 firm orders of the Boeing 787-9 and took options for 10 more jets, which could be any Dreamliner variant of the airline's choosing. This order further strengthens Japan Airlines' commitment to the 787 Dreamliner family. National Airlines, a cargo carrier, opened the Farnborough International Airshow 2024 with an order for four Boeing 777F aircraft. This order was the first of the airshow and also the first direct aircraft purchase from Boeing for National Airlines. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2025 and 2026.
On the second day of the airshow, Virgin Atlantic announced an order for seven additional Airbus A330-900s. This order brings the airline's commitment for the A330neo to 19 aircraft in total. The A330-900 offers improved economics and a superior passenger experience, contributing to Virgin Atlantic's fleet efficiency and sustainability journey. In addition to these orders, Boeing secured a significant deal with Qatar Airways for 20 Boeing 777-9s, increasing its 777X order book to over 90 aircraft.
This order was finalized earlier this year but was listed as unidentified on Boeing's order book. These jet orders at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024 reflect the continued demand for new aircraft in the commercial aviation industry. The orders also highlight the ongoing competition between Boeing and Airbus, with both manufacturers securing significant deals at the airshow.