Airbus Secures $21 Billion fresh Plane Orders at Paris Air Show, Boeing Lags

PARIS- Airbus has secured $21 billion in new aircraft orders at the 2025 Paris Air Show, marking a commanding lead over rival Boeing, which refrained from announcing any new deals.

The subdued presence of Boeing follows a fatal Air India (AI) Boeing 787 crash near New Delhi (DEL), casting a somber tone over an otherwise high-profile event in the global aviation calendar.

Photo: Airbus

Airbus $21 Bn PAS 2025 Orders

Despite scaling back announcements in light of the Air India tragedy, Airbus walked away from the 2025 Paris Air Show with significant commercial success.

Key highlights include a 40-aircraft A220 order from LOT Polish Airlines (LO) and a massive agreement with VietJet (VJ) for up to 150 single-aisle jets.

In addition, Airbus secured a strategic foothold in Saudi Arabia’s aviation ambitions, with Riyadh Air (RX) ordering 25 A350 wide-body jets and AviLease acquiring 40 aircraft for passenger and cargo use.

Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus’ commercial aircraft division, acknowledged the somber backdrop but emphasized the company’s ethical stance: “You don’t go there,” he said about leveraging the crash for competitive advantage.

Despite Airbus choosing to withhold some announcements, its commanding $21 billion order tally underscores its strong momentum in the global marketplace.

Photo: Boeing

Boeing Reels from Tragedy

Boeing’s leadership team, including CEO Kelly Ortberg and Commercial Planes chief Stephanie Pope, cancelled their attendance at the air show following the Air India crash that killed over 270 people. The incident involved a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, marking the model’s first fatal crash since entering service.

While Boeing reported 350 orders in May—its strongest month in 18 months, bolstered by a U.S.–U.K. trade agreement—the manufacturer chose not to reveal any new deals at the show. Experts suggest the decision was more about optics than a genuine loss in confidence.

According to Richard Aboulafia, Managing Director at AeroDynamic Advisory, “If there’s any pullback from orders in the aftermath of this tragedy, it’s purely for optics.”

The aviation consultant added that airlines still trust Boeing, with Airbus remaining the only large-scale alternative.

Photo- Heute; Wikimedia Commons

Dreamliner Under Scrutiny

The Air India Boeing 787 involved in the crash was part of a fleet of more than 1,100 Dreamliners currently in service globally. Known for their fuel efficiency and long-range capability, these aircraft remain a favorite for international routes.

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that post-crash inspections of Air India’s remaining Dreamliners did not raise major safety concerns.

Both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were recovered, and a formal investigation is underway. Industry observers note that the outcome will likely shape Boeing’s near-term trajectory, but no long-term damage is anticipated if the plane design is cleared.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Rivals Continue to Diverge in Market Strategy

While Airbus focused on strengthening ties in emerging markets and doubling down on narrow-body efficiency, Boeing is navigating a delicate reputational landscape.

The contrasting outcomes at the Paris Air Show reflect more than timing—they spotlight a deeper divergence in market momentum.

Airbus’ approach underscores steady execution, while Boeing remains reactive amid a cycle of recovery. Still, Boeing’s backlog, product range, and global customer base position it to rebound quickly—pending outcomes from the ongoing crash investigation.

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.

Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News

The post Airbus Secures $21 Billion New Plane Orders at Paris Air Show, Boeing Lags appeared first on Aviation A2Z.