Airbus and Boeing go head-to-head as they battle for the biggest announcement
Following Boeing’s early start with multiple orders on day one of Farnborough International Airshow, day two saw Airbus retaliate, kick-starting the day with an order from Virgin Atlantic for seven additional A330neo aircraft to complete the carrier’s fleet transformation.
The order, announced to select media onboard the ‘Ruby Rebel’ – Virgin Atlantic’s A330neo named after the airline’s rebellious founder Sir Richard Branson, takes the carrier’s commitment for the A330neo to 19 aircraft in total.
And it didn’t stop there… No sooner was the announcement with Virgin made and Airbus moved on to finalise its next deal – an order for 20 A350 widebody aircraft and 11 single aisle A321neos.
Boeing didn’t stay quiet for long however. With the lunch time crowds satiated, the OEM hit the ground running in the afternoon, as it revealed that Macquarie AirFinance had inked its first Boeing order with the purchase of 20 737 MAX jets.
The purchase doubles Macquarie AirFinance’s existing 737-8 order book, which it required from ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Co. in 2023.
In between the flurry of deals from the two leading OEMs, the flight display provided a welcome distraction with the Red Devils parachute display team showcasing the skills of its elite paratroopers from the British army. Brazilian manufacturer Embraer’s transporter, the C-390, also took to the skies following an order from the Dutch and Austrian ministries of defence for nine of the multi-mission aircraft.
Demonstrating its airlift support capacity for ground forces, the Joint Aviation (JAC) Chinook also performed some impressive manoeuvres.
Meanwhile, Boom Supersonic, designer and developer of the upcoming ‘Overture’ supersonic airliner, revealed a number of key milestones in the design of its aircraft; with testing of its sub-scale XB-1 demonstrator to recommence within the week.
Elsewhere French software company and global leader in virtual twin technologies Dassault Systèmes underlined the importance of Artificial Intelligence and how it is revolutionising aviation. The French software company’s executive president, Olivier Ribet, believes that once companies truly enhance the power of AI it will drive innovation in the sector.
With excitement building for the Global Urban & Advanced Air Mobility Summit (GUAAS), which is taking place on Thursday, a key theme for the week has been Urban Air Mobility (UAM). Joby is one of several electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft makers causing a stir as it embraces hydrogen-electric propulsion, developed by its subsidiary H2FLY, to increase its range.
Sticking with eVTOLs, Boeing-owned Wisk Aero revealed it is working with US regulators to secure approvals for its autonomous air taxi to begin carrying passengers before the end of the decade.
As the day drew to a close, the battle between the world’s largest OEMs showed no sign of abating.
Boeing announced an order from Qatar for 20 Boeing 777-9s and launched a partnership to help decarbonise aviation with Clear Sky.
Meanwhile, Rolls Royce inked a US$300mn service agreement with JSX for its 162 engines that power its fleet of 77 Embraer aircraft.
While the crowds headed home for the day, the air of anticipation lingered as delegates pondered on what deals might be announced tomorrow. Time will tell!
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