Boeing lands new freighter deal as Farnborough orders mount

Boeing The Boeing Company ↘ 0.64% continued to build momentum at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow on Tuesday, headlined by MSC Air Cargo's purchase of five 777-8 Freighters — the cargo operator's first order for the next-generation widebody freighter. The deal extends a run of orders that saw the planemaker secure commitments for nearly 150 aircraft on the show's opening day alone.

MSC Air Cargo Bets on Next-Gen Freighter

MSC Air Cargo, one of the fastest-growing air cargo operators globally, announced the purchase of five Boeing 777-8 Freighters on Tuesday, marking its entry into the next-generation freighter market. The order, previously unidentified, makes MSC the third Europe-based air cargo operator to commit to the 777-8 Freighter, for which Boeing has now booked more than 80 orders.finance.yahoo+2

"With this order, we are investing in the long-term future of MSC Air Cargo and in the customers we serve," said Jannie Davel, the company's CEO. "The 777-8 Freighter gives us the efficiency, range and capacity to serve our customers reliably for years to come."miragenews

The 777-8 Freighter, a member of the 777X family, is designed to offer the highest payload and lowest fuel consumption per tonne of any large freighter. MSC Air Cargo has been expanding rapidly, having grown its current fleet to seven Boeing 777 freighters earlier this year.stattimes

Day One Set the Pace

Monday's opening day produced a wave of deals worth an estimated $48.8 billion at list prices. The largest single commitment came from Japanese-owned lessor SMBC Aviation Capital, which ordered 100 Boeing 737 MAX jets — 60 of the 737-10 variant and 40 737-8s — its first order for the 737-10. Philippine Airlines also committed to order up to 20 787-10 Dreamliners, with 15 firm orders and options for five more, in what the carrier called its largest-ever widebody order. GE Aerospace ↘ 3.59% was selected to supply GEnx-1B engines for the fleet. The deal marks Philippine Airlines' first Boeing order since 2007, with deliveries expected to begin in 2031.simpleflying+6

Kazakhstan-based SCAT Airlines also signed a deal at the airshow to convert a Boeing 767-300ER into a Boeing Converted Freighter to launch cargo operations, making it the first operator of the 767-300BCF in Kazakhstan.havayorum

Boeing's Production Focus

The order haul comes as Boeing is working to stabilize production of its best-selling 737 MAX at 47 aircraft per month, after receiving regulatory approval in May to reach that rate. Boeing's commercial airplane chief told Reuters ahead of the show that the company was focused on production rather than order announcements, though the volume of deals suggests airlines remain eager to secure delivery slots for the late 2020s and early 2030s. The airshow, which runs through July 24, is expected to yield further commitments as Boeing and Airbus compete for orders across both narrowbody and widebody segments.reuters+1