This week’s top air transport commercial aircraft stories come from the Paris Air Show, where industry players gathered for the first time since 2019. Topping news this week came out of India, where record-breaking orders came from IndiGo and Air India for both Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, placed a firm order for 500 A320 family aircraft, setting the record for the biggest single purchase agreement in the history of commercial aviation.
Air India finalized an order for up to 290 new Boeing jets and expanded services. The order, which includes 190 737 MAXs, 20 787s and 10 777X jets with options for 50 737 MAXs and 20 787 Dreamliners, is Boeing's largest order in South Asia.
Air India firmed up its order for 250 Airbus aircraft and selected an Airbus maintenance and digital package to power the airline’s transformation and growth strategy. The aircraft order includes 140 A320neo and 70 A321neo single-aisle aircraft as well as 34 A350-1000 and six A350-900 widebody jets.
Irish lessor Avolon ordered 40 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, which seat 162 to 210 passengers depending on configuration, and with a range of 3,500 nautical miles on short and medium-haul routes. Avolon CEO Andy Cronin said the order extends the lessor’s pipeline out to 2030. Avolon also signed an MOU with Airbus for 20 A330neos amid a resurgence of demand for the widebody. The new aircraft will be the -900 variant and are scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2028. Avolon is also converting 50 Airbus A320neos on order to the larger A321neo model.
Flynas, the Saudi air carrier and a leading low-cost airline in the Middle East, firmed up an order with Airbus for 30 new A320neo family aircraft, taking the airline’s total order with Airbus to 120 A320neo aircraft, including 10 A321XRLs.
Mexican ultra-low-cost airline and all-Airbus operator Volaris disclosed 25 A321neos from a purchase agreement signed in October 2022. These aircraft bring Volaris total backlog to 143 A320neo family aircraft.
Australia’s Qantas Group finalized an incremental order for nine Airbus A220-300s, bringing its total backlog for the single aisle type to 29 aircraft. Qantas will take delivery of its first A220 at the end of this year and will operate the type primarily on its extensive domestic route network.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) finalized a purchase agreement with Airbus for the firm order of nine A350-1000 long range aircraft. The aircraft will fly on nonstop services from Manila to North America, including to the east coast of the US and Canada. PAL’s A350-1000 fleet will be able to accommodate 380 passengers in a three-class layout, with separate cabins for Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class.
Air Algérie confirmed an order for eight Boeing 737-9s. The Algerian flag carrier also signed an MOU for two 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCFs) to meet increasing cargo demand in the region. The 737-9 is designed to serve 193 passengers in a two-class configuration with a range of 3,300 nautical miles.
China Airlines finalized an order for eight Boeing 787-9s, which was previously listed as unidentified. The order was followed by an order for 17 GEnx-1B engines and spares.
Fast-growing India startup Akasa Air finalized an order for four additional Boeing 737 MAX 8s, taking the carrier’s order book to 76 aircraft. The airline has 19 MAX 8s in service on routes to 16 destinations across India. The aircraft is scheduled to be delivered over the next four years and support Akasa’s rapid domestic expansion.
Luxembourg flag carrier Luxair signed an agreement to purchase four Boeing 737 MAX 7s, becoming the European launch customer of the yet-to-be certified Boeing 737 MAX 7, following on from orders for four 737 MAX 8s since March 2023. The carrier will also initially lease two MAX 8s, scheduled to arrive this summer.
Air Mauritius confirmed an order for three A350 aircraft to expand its network in Europe and South Asia. The three latest generation aircraft will bring Air Mauritius’ A350 fleet to a total of seven.
American Airlines signed a firm order with Embraer for seven new E175s, which will be operated by American’s wholly owned subsidiary Envoy Air. With deliveries to begin Q4 2023, Envoy’s fleet of E-Jets will grow to over 141 aircraft by the end of 2024. The contract value is $403.4 million at list prices.
Canary Islands flag carrier Binter placed a firm order for six Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, bringing Binter’s E2 fleet to 16 jets. Binter configures the jets in a single-class layout with 132 seats. The deal is valued at $504.7 million at list prices, with deliveries beginning in the second half of 2024.
Embraer revealed that the order announced in January 2023, with an undisclosed customer, for 15 E195-E2s was placed by Florida-based lessor Azorra. Embraer confirmed Azorra’s order, which is valued at $1.2 billion at list prices. In the run-up to the Paris Air Show, E2 momentum continued with Embraer and Azorra announcing a number of key aircraft deals—six E2s for Royal Jordanian, nine E190-E2s for Singapore Airlines LCC Scoot, and ten E195-E2s for Malaysia-based SKS Airways.
Omani low-cost carrier SalamAir signed a letter of intent to lease three Airbus A330neos from Dublin-based lessor Avolon. First delivery is expected to be in October 2023. The A330neos feature a dual-class configuration with 365 economy seats and 12 premium flatbed seats.
Air Lease Corporation agreed to buy two more Boeing 787-9s. Its portfolio currently includes the 787-9 and 787-10.
Mandarin Airlines, the regional subsidiary of Taiwan flag carrier China Airlines, signed a firm order for six ATR 72-600s to be delivered from end-2023 through to 2025. The turboprops will join the airline’s existing fleet of nine ATR 72-600s to serve the demand of the Taiwanese market.
Malaysian airline Berjaya Air agreed to buy two ATR 72-600s. Both aircraft will be in an “All-Business Class” configuration, which is part of the new ATR HighLine premium collection of cabin interiors. They will have a 1-1 layout with individual outboard side stowage. Deliveries are planned for 2025 and 2026. The two new aircraft will enable Berjaya to rebrand itself into a premium offering and to expand its network to serve the Group’s many resorts and hotels.
ATR also took orders from Brazilian carrier Azul for three ATR 72-600s, plus two options; eight ATR 72-600s for three undisclosed customers; and three ATR 42-600s for two undisclosed customers.
De Havilland Canada’s new version of its long-lived Twin Otter, the Classic 300-G, received some interest at the air show. Indian operator flybig was revealed as a customer, signing a letter of interest to acquire 10 of the latest version of the 190-seat twin turboprop. De Havilland Canada also signed a purchase agreement with Zimex Aviation for two new DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft.
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