Aircraft manufacturers reported a strong sales showing at the 2014 Farnborough International Airshow in Hampshire, England.
Airbus won US$75.3 billion (55.6 billion euros) worth of business for a total of 496 aircraft, making it the largest Farnborough show for Airbus – both in terms of dollar value and in the number of aircraft. The deals comprise Memoranda of Understanding for 138 aircraft and purchase orders for 358 aircraft.
The show kicked-off with the launch of the A330neo. Air Asia X was the Airbus customer that led the way with a deal for 50 A330-900neos.
In the single-aisle sector, Airbus’ A320 family garnered 363 commitments, including orders for 317 A320neo and A321neo aircraft. Airbus achieved the 3,000th A320neo family sale during the show. The milestone was reached when SMBC Aviation Capital ordered 110 A320neo aircraft.
“The orders and commitments we’ve received at this record-breaking Farnborough for both the A330neo and A320neo families are together an unequivocally resounding endorsement for these most cost-efficient aircraft,” John Leahy, Airbus’ COO, customers, said. “For both our single-aisle and wide-body categories, the high representation of lessors – widely regarded as the global barometer of the industry – is indicative of the long-term confidence in the capacity needs for sustainable growth for the airlines in the years ahead.”
Boeing marked 40 years as an exhibitor at Farnborough.
Customers announced orders and commitments for 201 Boeing airplanes valued at more than US$40.2 billion (29.7 billion euros). This brings the number of net orders for 2014 to 783.
At the previous airshow in 2012, Boing received orders for 396 airplanes.
Orders for the 2014 airshow included 50 777-9Xs for Qatar Airways, 50 737 MAX 8s for Hainan Airlines, and two Next-Generation 737-700C (Convertible) airplanes for Air Algerie. The 737-700C enables airlines to alternate between passenger and cargo layouts on a daily, weekly or seasonal basis.
“The 737-700C will provide our fleet with flexibility, and enhances our ability to carry cargo on important routes,” Mohamed Salah Boultif, CEO of Air Algerie, said.
The plane’s all-cargo layout provides up to 40,000 pounds (18,200 kilograms) of capacity.
“Over 40 years of exhibiting at Farnborough, Boeing has consistently demonstrated its commitment and drive to innovate and develop game-changing products, equipment and services across the commercial and defense sectors,” Charlie Miller, vice president of international communications, said. “Farnborough 2014 was filled with excitement and enthusiasm among our customers, partners and suppliers and strong endorsement of our product line with commercial orders that bring our tally this year to 783.”
At the Farnborough Airshow, Bombardier Aerospace received firm orders, conditional purchase agreements and letters of intent for a total of 74 aircraft, valued at more than US$4.25 billion (3.1 billion euros).
“It has been a great week for Bombardier at the Farnborough Airshow, and I’m very pleased with the momentum we’re building across our entire product portfolio. Our discussions with customers have progressed,” Guy C. Hachey, president and COO of Bombardier Aerospace, said.
Embraer also received orders at the airshow, including two E190 jets with Azerbaijan Airlines; 30 E195-E2 jets with Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras and up to six E175s with Japan’s Fuji Dream Airlines. U.S.’s Trans States Holdings, parent company of Trans States Airlines, Compass Airlines and GoJet Airlines, ordered 50 E175-E2 jets, with options for an additional 50 planes.