Farnborough Airshow tops 300 aircraft orders in 3 days

The Farnborough International Airshow has crossed 300 firm aircraft orders through its first three days, with Boeing The Boeing Company ↗ 1.88% holding a slight lead over Airbus in a show of renewed commercial momentum for the American manufacturer. Day one alone generated 234 firm orders worth $28.6 billion, according to ADS, the UK trade body tracking show tallies, followed by 82 more on day two.AeroTime+1

Boeing's Comeback Tour

Boeing arrived at Farnborough with a more assertive posture after keeping a low profile at the 2024 edition in the wake of the Alaska Airlines door plug incident. Under CEO Kelly Ortberg, the company has racked up headline deals across its widebody and narrowbody portfolio.AeroTime

AerCap Holdings ↘ 0.77%, the world's largest aircraft lessor, placed a direct order for 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on July 21, bringing its total 787 portfolio to approximately 140 aircraft, with deliveries scheduled through 2033. Uganda Airlines announced its first-ever Boeing purchase — four 737-8s and four 787-9s — to grow its regional and long-haul network out of Entebbe. "This commitment with Boeing marks a defining step in Uganda Airlines' growth journey," said CEO Ato Girma Wake.AerCap Holdings N.V.+3

Vietnam Airlines signed lease agreements for 19 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from three lessors — 10 from SMBC Aviation Capital, four from Avolon, and five from Phoenix Aviation Capital — with deliveries expected in 2028.vietnamnews.vn

SMBC's Landmark Split Order

The show's largest single transaction came from Dublin-based lessor SMBC Aviation Capital, which ordered 200 narrowbody jets split evenly between the two manufacturers: 100 Boeing 737 MAX (60 737-10s and 40 737-8s) and 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft (65 A321neos and 35 A320neos). The Boeing portion represents the largest 737-10 order ever placed by a leasing company, while the Airbus deal pushed SMBC and parent Sumitomo Corporation past 900 combined Airbus commitments.smbc.aero+3

Airbus Holds Ground on Day Three

Airbus secured its own wins as the week progressed. Philippine Airlines ordered nine A350-1000s on day two after placing a separate Boeing widebody deal. On day three, Saudi carrier flynas firmed up orders for five A330-900neos and 20 A321neos, while Bermuda's BermudAir placed its first Airbus order for 10 A220-300s. Embraer ↗ 0.89% also picked up 28 E2-family orders from three carriers.AeroTime

With two trading days remaining, the show is on pace to deliver a strong commercial haul for an industry still managing supply chain constraints and delivery backlogs.