Updated: Paris Air Show order rumours: These airlines could strike a deal in Le Bourget
June 15, 2025
As we get closer to the opening of Le Bourget’s biggest week, Paris Air Show order rumours are ramping up by the day.
The airshow is about much more than just commercial aircraft orders, with a huge emphasis on education, collaboration and knowledge sharing. But orders do happen, and historically they’ve been significant.
Last year’s Paris Air Show saw commitments for over 1,300 commercial aircraft worth somewhere oin the region of $72 billion. Skipped for COVID in 2021, it had previously attracted $50 billion of orders in 2019, and $150 billion in a record breaking 2017.
Nobody knows for sure who will announce deals at the show. Truthfully, even the planemakers sometimes don’t know until the last minute if they can wrap up all the fine print in time for an airshow celebration.
Nevertheless, Paris Air Show order rumours and speculation continue to flow. Below, in alphabetical order are the projected orders that seem the most credible at the time of writing, along with our own assessment of the likelihood of orders happening at the show.
| Airline | Aircraft | Volume | Likelihood |
| AirAsia | Airbus (220/320) | 100 | Likely |
| Chinese carriers | Airbus | 500 | Unlikely |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Airbus / Boeing | 20 | Unlikely |
| IndiGo | ATR 72 | 50 | Likely |
| LOT Polish | Airbus (A220) | 40 | Likely |
| Qatar Airways | Airbus (350/330) | Unknown | Unlikely |
| Riyadh Air | Airbus A350 | 25 | Likely |
| Royal Air Maroc | Airbus / Boeing | Unknown | Unlikely |
| VietJet | Airbus A320neo | 100 | Likely |
The rumoured mega orders for Paris Air Show 2025
There have been rumblings for weeks about a huge collaborative Chinese order for Airbus, which could happen at Paris Air Show. Reporting in the Telegraph on 4 June suggests it could include as many as 500 aircraft, mixed between types.
But while the Paris Air Show is a significant platform, Chinese airlines tend not to care so much about timing their orders with events.
For example, a huge 292 aircraft order placed in 2022 by Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, and Shenzhen Airlines, was unveiled on 1 July, just two weeks before the Farnborough Airshow.
It’s possible the Chinese airlines firm up their order during the show, but we wouldn’t put money on it.
Much more likely to actually happen is a mega 100 aircraft order from AirAsia for its regional fleet. Naturally, any narrow body order will go to Airbus, as AirAsia hasn’t flown a Boeing in over a decade.
Included in the order could be a new type for its regional fleet. The budget carrier has been weighing up the Airbus A220 against the Embraer E195-E2 – both very capable regional jets – and is likely to announce the winner at the show.
Of course, the OEMs will already know who’s getting the order, but speculation from outlets including Reuters is that it’s going Airbus’ way.
Finally, rising star of Vietnam, VietJet, has been reported to be in talks with Airbus about 100 more A320 family aircraft. Bloomberg reports that the A321neo is the subject of discussions, so we’ll have to see if Airbus can wrap up the fine print in time for the show.
Will there be any widebody orders at Paris Air Show 2025?
It’s always exciting when an airline signs up for future widebody aircraft. These giant jets are the crown jewels of any fleet, and the place where the airline can really show off its style with premium products and thoughtful cabin design.
Riyadh Air is overdue for a widebody order from Airbus. It threw its hat in the ring in 2023, with a firm order for 39 787-9 Dreamliners, but is expected to order something larger for its flagship routes.
first #A321xkr fot Riyadh Air ex- Airbus testplane pic.twitter.com/H8ulvJSFjU
— Tobi (@Tobias_Gudat) June 9, 2025
The A350-1000 would be the natural choice, with Reuters reporting that the order could be in the magnitude of 25 jets. Riyadh Air will have a presence at the show, with its stunning A321XLR on display, so an order is not out of the question.
Qatar Airways, despite placing what President Trump declared ‘Boeing’s biggest order in history’, might not be out of spending money yet. The airline is bringing metal to the show – its eye-catchingly liveried 777-300ER – and is exhibiting its revamped QSuite ‘next gen’ product.
Having settled relations with Airbus, Qatar has been singing the praises of the A350. It could top up its A350 order, or indeed pick the A330neo as a replacement for its aging A330 fleet, if it wants to share the love after its mega Boeing order last month.
There had been strong speculation that Air India would be at the show to announce a widebody order from at least one manufacturer. Both the A350 and 777X were on the table, but given recent, tragic events, it’s unlikely these will be announced next week.
Regional jets could shine at Paris Air Show
Like AirAsia, Ethiopian Airlines has been weighing up the A220 against the E2 for its regional fleet, although it’s also contemplating the 737 MAX-7. Business Standard suggests it’s looking at a fleet of around 20 aircraft. Whether now is the time to reveal the order remains to be seen.
Indian giant IndiGo is rumoured to be eyeing more regional aircraft too. The ATR 72-600 is essential to IndiGo’s connectivity strategy, allowing it to reach unserved and underserved communities in rural India, and if you believe the rumours, it wants some more.
Business Standard rumours a potential order of up to 50 ATR 72-600s, which would be significant for ATR just a week after UNI Air placed its largest order since 2017.
Over the weekend, outlets have reported Airbus to be nearing a deal to sell its A220 platform to LOT Polish Airlines. Reuters points to an order of as many as 40 of the type, with an announcement anticipated for early in the show.
Royal Air Maroc is another airline to keep an eye on, although the jury is out on what, if anything, it may order. With the 2030 World Cup in Morocco, RAM has its eyes on growth, and is planning to quadruple its fleet from the current 50 to 200 by 2037.
The airline has no Airbus aircraft at present, although it has operated a handful of A320s in the past. It could add more Dreamliners, or book its place in the queue for 737 MAX aircraft. But Airbus could see some RAM action too, as Reuters suggests around 20 A220s could be ordered at the show.
Many other airlines and airline groups have gaps in their order books that could be filled next week. Air France needs more narrowbody replacements, and IAG has some narrowbody gaps too. Ryanair could firm up its 737 MAX 10 order, while any one of the Asian airlines could pop up with a surprise order.
And, of course, there are the aircraft lessors, who own the biggest fleets of commercial aircraft in the world. Any one of themcould top up its delivery slots with more orders; we’ll just have to wait and see.
