Farnborough International Airshow 2026: Day 2 wrap
Day two at the Farnborough International Airshow brought another flurry of aircraft orders, technology announcements and glimpses of how the industry could evolve in the years ahead.
While there was no single blockbuster deal to dominate the headlines, the quieter order tempo gave emerging companies and new technologies more room to shine. From Vertical Aerospace’s plans to build its Valo aircraft in the UK and Horizon Aircraft’s potential $600m agreement, to Alfor Aviation’s alternative approach to freighter conversions, the day demonstrated that some of Farnborough’s most interesting developments are not always its biggest.
Established manufacturers still secured valuable business, with Airbus, Boeing and Embraer announcing orders spanning narrowbody, widebody and regional aircraft. Defence innovation also remained firmly in focus as Embraer, Anduril, Shield AI and GE Aerospace revealed new work spanning palletised weapons and runway-independent autonomous aircraft.
Here are the stories that defined day two at Farnborough International Airshow 2026.
Vertical Aerospace targets UK production after landmark Farnborough flight
Vertical Aerospace has begun narrowing down UK locations for Valo aircraft assembly and battery production after completing Farnborough’s first public eVTOL transition flight.
The company is discussing a support package with the UK Government and expects to select its preferred sites before the end of 2026. Valo certification testing is planned for 2028, ahead of a targeted 2029 entry into service.
Dassault Systèmes looks beyond the aerospace AI hype
Aerospace and defence organisations are moving beyond experimentation as they seek trusted industrial applications for artificial intelligence. Dassault Systèmes’ John Turnbull said AI must be integrated with virtual twins, model-based systems engineering and product lifecycle management to improve productivity without adding programme risk.
For safety-critical aerospace applications, he stressed that the technology must be reliable, traceable and capable of meeting demanding certification requirements.
Get the full story on Dassault Systèmes looking beyond the aerospace AI hype.
Philippine Airlines doubles Airbus A350-1000 order
Philippine Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding for nine additional Airbus A350-1000s, doubling its commitment to the type to 18 aircraft.
The flag carrier plans to deploy the three-class widebodies primarily between Manila and destinations in the United States. Its 382-seat configuration includes 42 business-class suites, 24 premium economy seats and 316 economy seats.
Get the full story on Philippine Airlines doubling its Airbus A350-1000 order.
Bombardier Global 8000 makes record-breaking Farnborough debut
Bombardier’s Global 8000 has made its Farnborough debut with a flying display, a new speed record and the publication of its environmental product declaration.
The appearance showcased the performance of the new flagship business jet while providing independently verified information on its environmental impact across its lifecycle. The aircraft is designed to combine ultra-long-range capability with near-supersonic performance.
Get the full story on the Bombardier Global 8000’s record-breaking Farnborough debut.
The Helicopter Company orders up to 60 Bombardier jets
Saudi Arabia’s The Helicopter Company has signed a letter of intent for up to 60 Bombardier business jets as it expands into fixed-wing operations.
The agreement includes firm orders for five Challenger 3500s, five Global 5500s and two Global 8000s, plus options for another 48 aircraft. The deal follows THC orders for 11 Leonardo AW139s and eight Airbus H145 helicopters announced at Farnborough.
Get the full story on The Helicopter Company ordering up to 60 Bombardier jets
Boeing secures order for 15 787 Dreamliners from AerCap
AerCap has ordered another 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with the right to substitute the larger 787-10. The agreement takes the world’s largest aircraft lessor’s Dreamliner portfolio to around 140 aircraft, with deliveries planned through 2033.
AerCap said the investment would give airline customers greater access to fuel-efficient widebody capacity as international long-haul demand continues to grow.
Get the full story on Boeing securing an order for 15 787 Dreamliners from AerCap.
Shohin Airlines orders four Airbus A320neo family aircraft
Tajikistan start-up Shohin Airlines has placed its first Airbus order, covering two A320neos and two A321neos. The Dushanbe-based carrier plans to use the aircraft to launch regional and international services, with the A320neos seating 176 passengers and the A321neos accommodating 196 in two-class layouts.
The agreement was previously recorded in Airbus’ June order book against an undisclosed customer.
Get the full story on Shohin Airlines ordering four Airbus A320neo family aircraft.
Embraer celebrates wave of E2 orders as Abra joins the programme
Abra Group has become Embraer’s latest E2 customer as the manufacturer celebrated a wave of business at Farnborough. The parent company of Gol, Avianca and Wamos will acquire 20 firm E195-E2s, alongside additional options and purchase rights.
Further business from Fuji Dream Airlines, Luxair, Binter and Azorra helped push Embraer’s E2 backlog beyond 500 aircraft.
Get the full story on Embraer’s wave of E2 orders as Abra joins the programme.
Uganda Airlines orders Boeing 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliners
Uganda Airlines has placed its first direct Boeing order, covering four 737 MAX 8s and four 787-9 Dreamliners. The carrier will use the narrowbody and widebody aircraft to modernise its fleet and expand from Entebbe across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
The Dreamliners will complement its Airbus A330-800neos, while the MAX will support regional and medium-haul growth.
Get the full story on Uganda Airlines ordering Boeing 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliners.
Horizon Aircraft secures $600m Cavorite X7 agreement for up to 100 aircraft
Horizon Aircraft has signed a letter of intent with Australian operator V-Star Powered Lift Aviation covering up to 100 Cavorite X7 hybrid-electric aircraft. The potential $600m agreement includes five aircraft and options for another 95.
V-Star plans to use the vertical take-off and landing aircraft for aeromedical, search and rescue and regional transport missions across Australia.
Get the full story on Horizon Aircraft’s $600m Cavorite X7 agreement for up to 100 aircraft.
Acron Aviation and Deutsche Aircraft sign D328eco supply deal
Acron Aviation will supply key flight management software for Deutsche Aircraft’s D328eco under an agreement announced at Farnborough.
The deal covers Acron’s Lynx FMS, which will form part of the flight management system aboard the new regional turboprop. The partnership supports Deutsche Aircraft’s work to bring the D328eco into service as a modern successor to the Dornier 328.
Get the full story on Acron Aviation and Deutsche Aircraft’s D328eco supply deal.
Alfor Aviation unveils new approach to Airbus A330 freighter conversions
Alfor Aviation has revealed a passenger-to-freighter conversion system for the Airbus A330 that avoids cutting a large cargo door into the fuselage.
Instead, freight would enter through the existing lower-deck doors before being transferred to the main deck using internal elevators. Alfor says the approach could halve conversion costs and reduce turnaround time to around three months.
Get the full story on Alfor Aviation’s new approach to Airbus A330 freighter conversions.
Embraer and Anduril target stand-off strike role for C-390
Embraer and Anduril have agreed to explore integrating the pallet-launched Barracuda-500M cruise missile with the C-390 Millennium.
The roll-on/roll-off system could allow operators to deploy multiple stand-off weapons from the transport aircraft using conventional aerial delivery procedures. Crucially, it would add a precision-strike option without preventing the C-390 from returning to its conventional airlift missions.
Get the full story on Embraer and Anduril’s proposed stand-off strike role for the C-390.
X-BAT takes key step towards vertical take-off with repurposed F-16 nozzle
Shield AI and GE Aerospace have completed engine light-off testing of the advanced thrust-vectoring nozzle intended for the X-BAT autonomous fighter.
The Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle was originally developed for experimental F-16 testing and is now being adapted to enable X-BAT’s runway-independent vertical take-off and landing capability. Flight testing of the aircraft is expected to begin later this year.
Get the full story on X-BAT’s key step towards vertical take-off with a repurposed F-16 nozzle.
As the flying display ended and the skies above Farnborough fell quiet once again, day two closed with a broad mix of commercial momentum, emerging technology and defence innovation.
The absence of a blockbuster order did little to diminish the pace of activity across the showground. Instead, the day offered a reminder that Farnborough is about more than headline numbers. It is also where new aircraft move closer to reality, young companies find a global audience and partnerships begin turning ambitious ideas into practical programmes.
Attention now turns to day three, with more announcements, demonstrations and unexpected developments still to come. Stay tuned to Aerospace Global News for the latest news, interviews and analysis from Farnborough International Airshow 2026.
