Paris, June 20 - At the 2025 Paris Air Show, held at Le Bourget Airport, Airbus solidified its position as a dominant force in the commercial aviation industry by securing aircraft orders valued at approximately $21 billion. In contrast, its American rival, Boeing, maintained a conspicuously low profile due to a recent tragedy. The event, one of the most significant gatherings in the global aerospace industry, showcased Airbus’s ability to capitalize on strong market demand for fuel-efficient aircraft, particularly in emerging markets, while Boeing scaled back its presence following the fatal crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner just a week prior, which claimed over 270 lives. This contrast underscored a pivotal moment for the two aerospace giants, with Airbus seizing the opportunity to strengthen its order book and Boeing opting for restraint amid ongoing investigations.
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Airbus’s success at the air show was marked by a series of high-profile deals that highlighted its robust portfolio and strategic focus on both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft. On the first day alone, Airbus announced orders for 132 aircraft from major customers, including Saudi Arabia’s AviLease, Riyadh Air, LOT Polish Airlines, and ANA Holdings. AviLease committed to 30 A320neo aircraft and 10 A350F freighters, while Riyadh Air placed a firm order for 25 A350-1000 long-haul jets, with options for an additional 25, valued at an estimated $4.6 billion. LOT Polish Airlines, in a significant move, ordered 40 A220s with options for up to 44 more, a deal worth approximately $1.6 billion that marked a shift from its historical preference for Boeing aircraft. ANA Holdings also contributed to Airbus’s tally with orders for A321neo family aircraft. By the show’s conclusion, Airbus had secured 148 firm orders worth $14.2 billion and 102 provisional orders valued at $6.7 billion, according to estimates from UK-based aviation consultancy Cirium Ascend. A standout deal on the second day came from Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet, which signed a memorandum of understanding for 100 A321neo aircraft, potentially worth $6.3 billion, with options for an additional 50 planes. Further boosting its wide-body segment, Airbus finalized an order for 10 A350-1000 jets from Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines and revealed EgyptAir as the buyer of six A350-900s, expanding its previous order from 10 to 16 aircraft. Turkish logistics firm MNG Airlines also added two A350 freighters to the tally.
Boeing’s subdued presence at the air show was a direct consequence of the Air India crash, the first fatal incident involving a 787 Dreamliner in its 14 years of service. The company’s leadership, including CEO Kelly Ortberg and Commercial Airplanes chief Stephanie Pope, canceled their attendance to focus on supporting the investigation. Boeing refrained from announcing new orders, a stark departure from its usual competitive posturing at such events. However, Boeing’s absence from the commercial spotlight was not entirely indicative of weakened demand. The company had secured significant orders prior to the show, including 130 787s and 30 777Xs from Qatar Airways during a recent Middle East visit by U.S. President Donald Trump, alongside 20 737 MAX aircraft from AviLease and five from WestJet in May. These earlier deals suggest Boeing’s order book remains robust, but the company chose to prioritize sensitivity and focus on the crash investigation over public announcements at Le Bourget. Industry observers note that while the crash has cast a temporary shadow, Boeing’s long-term prospects remain strong, provided the investigation clears the 787’s design.
Airbus’s commanding performance was not without challenges. The company faced supply chain constraints, particularly with engine deliveries, though it reported a 40% reduction in disruptions compared to the previous year. Efforts to secure additional A220 orders, including a proposed 160-seat variant, stalled due to financing concerns with potential customers like AirAsia, though negotiations are expected to resume in July. The air show also highlighted broader industry trends, with demand for fuel-efficient aircraft driving orders as airlines seek to modernize fleets and meet sustainability goals. Airbus’s revised 20-year forecast projects the delivery of 43,420 commercial aircraft by 2044, reflecting a 2% increase from prior estimates, with its current order book standing at 8,726 units. The Paris Air Show 2025, while overshadowed by tragedy, underscored Airbus’s strategic momentum and ability to navigate a complex global landscape, while Boeing’s measured response reflected a focus on rebuilding trust and addressing immediate concerns.