Paris Air Show 2025, Airbus takes it all. Riyadh Air doesn't wait for the 777x and orders the A350/1000
The gates opened in Paris for the world's largest trade fair dedicated to aviation , a fair marked by the tragedy [...]
The gates of the world's largest exhibition dedicated to aviation opened in Paris , a fair marked by tragedy that affected the entire industry, not just Air India and Boeing.
In this article:
Celebrations kept to a minimum as a mark of respect for an industry that is perhaps never more than this year at a truly delicate moment. Here in Paris, where the fair is held every two years alternating with London, we talk not only about commercial aviation, but about the military, space, and the future, year after year the world of electric flights is getting closer and closer, indeed we admired one of the new electric aircraft performing on the runway of Le Bourget Airport.
Boeing cancels all public events
The American company as a sign of respect, but also to avoid having to answer questions from reporters opened its media center, but canceled all planned events. No on-camera ceremonies for new orders and canceled planned meetings.
Boeing had nothing spectacular planned, 777x was not scheduled to arrive either., but what happened to Flight AI171 has made not only the company's managers, but also so many airline CEOs, back down.
Airbus starts with a bang
On these occasions, one must distinguish between "photo ops," that is, the excuse to take a souvenir photo of orders that have already been sealed for some time and those that arrive new, the difference is huge. In one case everything has already been said (and written) in the other, the numbers are in addition to the orders already in the pocket.
The largest order, on day one, was secured by Airbus: The leasing company Avilease has placed an order for 22 A350Fs, we are talking about the cargo version of the European flagship. This is not a side order for an aircraft that has not yet been delivered to any customers, Only 65 of these specimens had been ordered to date, so 22 machines in one order is an incredible confidence boost for the competing project to Boeing and its 777x.
The A350 did not just stop at the version intended for cargo transport, but brought home (the unexpected) order from Riyahd Air.
If many thought the new Arab airline would target a fleet of Airbuses for single aisle only, With these 25 A350/1000s, the Douglas CEO has definitely surprised, also because the order that everyone expected has not arrived, which is that of the A321XLR which instead made a fine display right in the Saudi livery.
The decision made by Riyadh air is one destined to make noise, the new airline has decided not to wait any longer and has (probably) put a stop to the 777/9, will then have a mixed fleet of Dreamliners and A350/1000s.
Today alone, orders came in from four companies at Airbus. Only 3 for the newcomer A321LXR and another 24 A321neo also from the ANA group, while 55 A320 family aircraft were ordered from the Avilease company.
Airbus then ended the day with a bang, snatched a customer like LOT from Embraer. In fact, the Polish company has put down on paper the order for 20 A220-100 and 20 A220-300, the agreement could provide for an increase to 84 A220 in the future.
ANA literally monopolized the first day, considering that the event in Boeing's house was canceled, put the first Japanese order for Brazil's Embraer on the books, even though the order was in February. The E2, or more modern version of the single-aisle aircraft for the first time intended to fly for a Japanese company.
In conclusion
Airbus has not only exceeded 130 orders, but more than a third of these machines ordered are from the A350 family, rather they are /1000 i.e., the larger one and the F, the cargo version, i.e., the two variants that desperately needed to be chosen. Not that the rest are to be discarded, but obviously 40 A220s are worth less than a third of 47 A350s.
