We are now 3 days into the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA), and multiple airlines have placed huge orders. In this article, we have compiled all major orders made by airlines so far. Despite recent scepticism in the safety and quality of Boeing aircraft, Boeing has managed to secure more orders than Airbus so far. More orders will be added as we progress along the airshow.
By: Yu Le
Published on: 24 July 2024, 7.19pm (GMT +8)
Korean Air
Korean Air has ordered 40 Boeing aircraft. Photo: Korean Air
The national carrier of South Korea has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for 20 Boeing 777-9 and 20 Boeing 787-10, with options for 10 more of the 787-10. “I have full confidence in Boeing,” Korean Air chief executive Walter Cho has mentioned.
The deal is worth around 15 billion USD, and the first delivery is set to arrive in 2028. Korean Air currently operates the Boeing 787-9, 777-300ER, 777-300 and 777-200ER variants among the 787 and 777 families respectively.
Just days ago, Korean Air unveiled their new business class seats, which will debut on the 787-10 as well as being retrofitted to their entire 777-300ER fleet.
Japan Airlines
JAL already operates the A350-900 and the B787-9. Photo: Flickr
Another Asian carrier, Japan Airlines, has placed orders for both Boeing aircraft and Airbus aircraft. Boeing has managed to secure 10 firm orders for Boeing 787-9, as well as the option for 10 more. Additionally, another order for 20 Airbus A350-900s and 11 Airbus A321neos announced earlier this year has also been confirmed during the airshow.
The airline currently has 15 A350-900 in service, and 22 Boeing 787-9 aircraft in service. The A350-900 will boost the Tokyo-based carrier’s international long-haul routes as well as certain domestic routes. Meanwhile, the A321 NEO will serve domestic routes within the country.
The Executive Officer of Japan Airlines said:
“We are delighted to have signed the firm order for the introduction of additional A350s and new A321s. We will accelerate the introduction of state-of-the-art and fuel-efficient aircraft to provide our passengers with excellent service and to reduce CO₂ emissions. We believe that this additional introduction of Airbus aircraft will further deepen our partnership.”
VietJet Air
VietJet currently operates a fleet of A330-200 aircraft. Photo: VietJet Air
Airbus has secured a firm order of 20 A330-900 from the Hanoi-based low-cost carrier. This order was initially announced during the Singapore Airshow at the beginning of this year. VietJet Air mainly operates intra-Asian short and long-haul routes, as well as certain long-haul routes.
The A330-900neo is a more efficient upgrade to the airlines’s current A330-300 aircraft, replacing them in serving long-haul routes as well as high-demand short-haul routes.
Luxair
Luxair has placed a firm order for the new Boeing 737 MAX 10. Photo: Boeing
Luxair, the flag carrier of Luxembourg, has announced a firm order for 2 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft with options for 2 more.
The CEO of Luxair has said:
“The purchase of the 737-10 is another step towards Luxair positioning for its future with the investment in the latest airplane technology that will support Luxair’s growth plans and the decarbonisation of our fleet.”
This further adds to Luxair’s order book of Boeing 737 MAX 8 and the smaller 737 MAX 7. These orders would complement Luxair’s existing fleet of Boeing 737-700, 737-800 and 737 MAX 8.
Drukair
Drukair is based at Paro Airport in Bhutan, which has a dangerous mountainous approach. Photo: Airbus
The national airline of Nepal has ordered 3 Airbus A320neo and 2 Airbus A321XLR aircraft. Given Paro airport’s immensely difficult approach and short runway, the A321XLR would allow the airline to fly to further away destinations with a small aircraft that would still be able to operate at that airport.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways now has 100 Boeing 777X aircraft on order. Photo: Boeing
Qatar Airways, already with nearly 80 Boeing 777X on order, has added 20 more aircraft to their order. The agreement includes an additional 40 GE9X engines to power the aircraft, along with a long-term services agreement.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO, Stephanie Pope commented:
“Qatar Airways is a leader in our industry, and we are honoured [that] the airline added 20 more 777-9 jets to its large Boeing order book. We appreciate their confidence that Boeing’s market-leading widebody family will provide outstanding fuel efficiency and a superior passenger experience for its global operations.”
Qatar Airways, the world’s best airline of 2024, already operates to around 170 destinations worldwide, many of which are long-haul routes.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic will soon replace their A330-300s. Photo: Virgin Group
Virgin Atlantic has announced an order for 7 A330-900 aircraft at the airshow to complete the replacement of its ageing fleet of 10 A330-300. The A330-900 offers a more fuel-efficient and more comfortable cabin as compared to its predecessor.
The CEO of the airline, Shai Weiss, has remarked that the airline has flown more than 60 Airbus aircraft since its first Airbus delivery in 1993.
Here are the major orders that have been announced at the Farnborough Airshow so far. Boeing has managed to maintain its performance at the Singapore Airshow, where they managed to secure more orders than their European rival, Airbus. We will update this list when we have more news. Stay tuned!
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