•  It rains for Boeing & De Havlland
  • Embraer excited
  • Airbus slow & waiting

By Sangeeta Saxena

Farnborough, UK. 22 July 2024. After years Farnborough Airshow seemed like it’s old self, when it opened to orders raining and not sustainability, unmanned systems and workforce. Day1 at Farnborough Airshow clearly belong to the aircraft manufacturers. Boeing emerged as the undisputed leader in aircraft orders, announcing a substantial total of 78 aircraft through orders, options, and commitments. In stark contrast, Airbus secured a Memorandum of Understanding for a mere five airplanes. Meanwhile, De Havilland of Canada made headlines with firm orders and commitments for 11 “Certified Refurbished” Dash 8-400s, a significant move as the company aims to revitalize its fleet amidst ongoing production uncertainties. Additionally, Embraer garnered attention with a joint order for nine C-390 aircraft from The Netherlands and Austria, highlighting a dynamic day in the aviation industry. Falcon Aviation for it’s expansion of energy transport mission capabilities ordered a Leonardo AW139 Helicopter.

National Airlines ordered four Boeing 777Fs, and Korean Air placed an order for 40 wide-body aircraft, including 20 777-9Xs and 20 787-10 Dreamliners. Luxair also joined the list of Boeing customers, ordering four 737-10s, and Japan Airlines deepened its relationship with Boeing by ordering ten additional 787-9s with options for ten more. De Havilland Canada reported a successful day with orders for their Certified Refurbished Dash 8 Q400s from the Tanzania Government Flight Agency, Widerøe, and Skyward Express. They also secured a Quick Change order from Advantage Air Travel of Kenya. Airbus secured a Memorandum of Understanding from Bhutanese airline Drukair for three A320NEOs and two A321XLRs. Airbus, Pratt & Whitney, and Cebu Pacific Air commemorated the signing of an MOU pertaining to the airline’s potential acquisition of up to 152 A321neo aircraft.

Engine makers had a slow start in comparison to the previous edition of the show. General Electric announced multiple engine orders, including a notable order from IAG for 12 GEnx-1B engines, a surprising move for British Airways, which has traditionally used Rolls Royce engines.