IAG place orders for Boeing and Airbus jetliners, following Trump’s US/UK trade deal
May 9, 2025
Details of the Boeing airliner deal emerged on Friday 9 May, when the International Airlines Group (IAG) published its Q1 financial results. The International Airlines Group (IAG) is the parent company of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, LEVEL and Vueling.
The Group reported a €198 million operating profit in the first quarter of 2025, up from €68 million a year ago. It also announced that it had firmed up a number of existing orders and ordered some 53 new aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing, for delivery between 2027 and 2033.
IAG finalized existing agreements for six A350-1000s and six Boeing 777-9s for British Airways and six Airbus A350-900s for Iberia. These 18 aircraft are to be delivered between 2027 and 2030. IAG had already placed a firm order for 18 777-9s in 2019 deal (with 24 options).
The group’s new orders were for 53 more energy-efficient aircraft to meet its medium-term long-haul fleet needs, to be delivered between 2028 and 2033. This includes 32 787-10 aircraft, powered by GE Aerospace GEnx engines, for British Airways (with ten options). These were said to be worth US $12.7 billion, although IAG said that it had a secured a discount on this price.
IAG also ordered 21 A330-900s powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines for Aer Lingus, and Iberia (with13 options) This contract was said to be worth ‘almost’ US $8 Bn. The A330neos will be the first examples of the type delivered to IAG.
Some 35 of the aircraft will be used to replace older airliners in IAG’s current fleet, while about one third (18) will be used to expand the group’s long-haul fleet.
Luis Gallego, the chief executive of IAG, said that this “milestone” order was part of a long-term fleet upgrade strategy. “Looking ahead to the next decade, these new aircraft will enable us to strengthen our core markets and further improve our customer experience, while continuing to drive long-term value for our shareholders.”
