Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier Report Over $55 Billion in New Orders at Farnborough
The world’s three largest passenger-jet makers, Airbus, Boeing, and Bombardier, announced billions
United Airlines 737-900ER
of dollars in sales at one of the world’s major air shows this past week but, even with new orders and commitments valued at over $55 billion, the numbers paled in comparison to last year’s, when orders were roughly twice as much.
The decline in sales notwithstanding, Airbus, Boeing, and Bombardier will have a rather full production schedule for the coming decade and airlines now hoping to order new aircraft will have to get in line or hope for a cancellation if they are in a rush.
Airbus reported roughly $17 billion in orders and commitments. This includes a $4.2 billion order from Cathay Pacific for 10 A350-1000 jets and a change in a previous order from 16 A350-900 aircraft to 16 A350-1000 models; a $2.3 billion order from CIT Group for ten A330s; and a $2 billion order for 20 A321 jets from Utair. Other orders included
29 A320neo jets (Avolon, Middle East Airlines, and Arkia Israel Airlines), six A330-200s and three A330 freighters (Synergy Aerospace), and 36 A320 CEO-style aircraft (China Aircraft Leasing).
Boeing reported over $37 billion in new orders. Most of Boeing’s were for the 737 Max and came from aircraft leasing companies. Prior to the show, Boeing announced a $7 billion order from Virgin Australia for 20 737 Max aircraft. At the show, Alafco ordered 20 737 Max aircraft ($1.9 billion); GE Capital Aviation Services ordered 75 Max 8 jets and 25 Next Generation 737-800s with a list price of $7 billion; Air Lease ordered 60 737 Max 8 and 15 737 Max 9 jets with rights for an additional 25 for a total value of $7 billion; and United placed a $14.7 billion order for 100 737 Max 9 aircraft and 50 737-900ERs.
Bombardier announced one sale: Air Baltic, the Latvian flag carrier, ordered up to 20 CSeries jets to replace Boeing 737 Classic jetliners starting in 2015. The deal is worth $764 million and could grow to $1.57 billion if Air Baltic exercises options for additional aircraft.
