Paris, June 18 - On the second day of the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport, Airbus secured the event’s largest order to date: a monumental deal with Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet for 100 A321neo aircraft, with the potential to add another 50 in the future. This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), valued at approximately $6.3 billion based on estimated prices, marked a significant milestone for Airbus, reinforcing its dominance in the single-aisle market and highlighting the robust demand for fuel-efficient aircraft in the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific region. The agreement, announced amidst the flurry of activity at the world’s largest aerospace trade show, underscored Airbus’s strong performance on its home turf and the industry’s continued recovery from global disruptions.
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The Paris Air Show, held from June 16 to June 22, 2025, is a biennial gathering organized by SIAE, a subsidiary of the French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS). Spanning seven days, with the first four reserved for trade visitors and the final three open to the general public, the event showcases cutting-edge aerospace technologies and fosters high-stakes commercial deals. This year’s show, the 55th edition, featured over 2,500 exhibitors from 48 countries and 150 aircraft on display, drawing industry professionals, government delegations, and aviation enthusiasts. Airbus, a cornerstone of the European aerospace industry, leveraged the event to demonstrate its leadership in commercial aviation, defense, and sustainable innovation.
The Vietjet order for 100 A321neo aircraft, part of Airbus’s best-selling A320neo family, reflects the airline’s ambitious expansion strategy. The A321neo, known for its advanced fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, offers up to 20% lower fuel consumption compared to previous-generation aircraft, making it a preferred choice for cost-conscious carriers like Vietjet. The potential addition of 50 more aircraft signals Vietjet’s confidence in the long-term growth of air travel in Southeast Asia, a region projected to see significant demand driven by a burgeoning middle class and increasing tourism. This deal builds on Airbus’s strong order book, with the A320neo family securing over 8,700 orders from 136 customers worldwide, cementing its position as the world’s most popular single-aisle aircraft. Day two of the Paris Air Show also saw Airbus navigating a complex global landscape. While the Vietjet order stole the spotlight, the company faced challenges from geopolitical tensions and supply chain constraints. The absence of major order announcements from rival Boeing, attributed to a recent Air India Boeing 787-8 crash, allowed Airbus to dominate the commercial aviation narrative. Additionally, Airbus’s defense media briefing emphasized its commitment to multirole military platforms and European technological sovereignty, reflecting the heightened focus on defense amid global conflicts. The company showcased its A400M military transport aircraft and the futuristic Racer helicopter demonstrator, highlighting its diverse portfolio.
Airbus’s success on day two was not an isolated event. On the opening day, the company secured orders from Saudi Arabia’s AviLease for 10 A350F freighters and 30 A320neo aircraft, Riyadh Air for up to 50 A350-1000s, and LOT Polish Airlines for up to 84 A220s. These deals, combined with the Vietjet MoU, pushed Airbus’s order tally to over 130 firm orders by the second day, with a total value approaching $10 billion. The A321neo’s appeal lies in its versatility, offering airlines the ability to serve high-density short-haul routes and longer-range flights, such as those across Asia or to secondary cities. Vietjet’s order aligns with this trend, enabling the carrier to expand its network while maintaining operational efficiency. The Paris Air Show also provided a platform for Airbus to highlight its sustainability efforts. The company promoted its use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for employee transportation to the event and showcased innovations in the Paris Air Lab, focusing on hydrogen propulsion and digital technologies. These initiatives resonate with the industry’s push toward decarbonization, a key theme at the 2025 show. As Airbus continues to secure major orders and advance its technological agenda, the Vietjet deal on day two stands as a testament to its strategic vision and the enduring strength of the global aviation market, despite ongoing challenges.