It’s that time in the aviation calendar for some of the big ones. Let’s look at what’s been happening at the Le Bourget event. There’s so much relevant pre-show information but the blog space doesn’t allow to report it all, so we’ll only be reporting on what happened 16-22 June.
Lots of development work was showcased for unmanned aircraft, hydrogen power, battery power and engine deals. Passenger comfort is not forgotten, as seat manufacturers also displayed their latest innovations.
AviLease - Saudi Arabian leasing firm taking 22 A350F as part of an order for up to 77 aircraft. The deal also covers 55 A320neo-family, a mix of A320neos and A321neos, but not the long-range XLR. Deliveries of the aircraft begin in 2030.
LOT - Polish flag-carrier chose A220 for its short-haul fleet-renewal programme, after intense competition against Embraer. Initial order for 40 A220, split equally between the -300 and -100. Deliveries will commence Summer 2027. The remainder, taking the total to 84 aircraft, will be delivered when the new airport being developed between Warsaw and Lodz is ready in 2032.
ANA – firmed up orders for 27 Airbus narrowbodies, including Japan’s first A321XLRs, alongside 15 Embraer 190-E2s and 28 Boeing aircraft. The Japanese group first revealed its intention to place a firm order 24 A321neos, three A321XLRs, 15 E190-E2s, 18 787-9s and 10 737 Max 8s in February. It finalised deals for those aircraft during the air show. Its low-cost company, Peach Air, will debut the A321XLR.
Riyadh Air - Saudi Arabian start-up carrier ordered up to 50 A350-1000s, bringing the total number of aircraft in the carrier’s backlog to 182.
VietJet - low-cost carrier has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering a planned new commitment for up to 150 A321neos, 100 of which would be firm orders.
Ajet - Turkish Airlines’ low-cost carrier will lease 10 A321neos as part of fleet renewal and network expansion efforts.
Luminair - German business jet charter operator adding 3 new Dassault Falcon 900LX before the end of 2025.
Airlink - South Africa operator to lease 10 new Embraer E195 E2s, under an agreement with Florida-based lessor Azorra that will be finalised soon.
SkyWest - US regional operator placed a firm order for 60 E175 and taken purchase rights on an additional 50.
EgyptAir - ordered a further 6 A350-900, taking the Star Alliance carrier’s firm commitments to 16.
MNG - Turkish cargo carrier set to become an A350F operator after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the manufacturer for 2 of this type.
Norwegian Air Ambulance - to acquire more Airbus H145 light-twin helicopters for fleet modernisation through a new framework agreement. The order for 8, include 2 firm commitments.
Starlux – Taiwan carrier has placed fresh orders for 10 A350-1000, topping up existing commitments for 8, as it looks to boost its long-haul network.
ATR - hopeful that a new agreement with US-based public charter operator JSX to fly its twin-turboprops, will spearhead a return to regional travel there and result in further orders from other airlines.
Airbus - Defence & Space will increase its annual capacity to deliver the multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) version of its A330 widebody, to meet strong demand for its new Neo-based model. Its A400M production plan has been stabilised until around 2030, as the company pursues further capability enhancements and fresh export opportunities.
DeHavilland – the Canadian manufacturer arrived at Paris with its future still unsettled, including the question of whether to reboot production of its popular Dash8. The DHC-6 Twin Otter has now been revamped as the Sherpa. It appears there’s still good sales opportunities worldwide for both aircraft. Ethiopian Airlines place an order for 2 Twin Otter Classic 300G.
Embraer - named Bridges Air Cargo as launch operator for its E-Freighter, with the carrier due to take its first E190F in the third quarter of this year. On the military side, many Air Forces are looking at their versatile KC390 aircraft. The latter extremely popular with the Portuguese Air Force.
In other news….
DUB – to get a new public viewing area. In 2024, the Council requested additional information on the proposal to “significantly enhance” the current informal viewing point on Old Airport Road, known locally as ‘The Mound’. Under the plans, a permanent viewing area will be constructed at the site adjacent to the south runway (10R/28L). When complete, the facility will provide a comfortable, dry and safe space for the community to view aircraft movements, with a clear view of the south runway (10R/28L) and the crosswind runway (16/34). The local YouTube channel DubJet has streamed from this location for some time and welcomes the announcement.
And finally…
Ryanair – hit the headlines again recently, with reports by some media sources of a crash. The incident involved contact between the aircraft wing and a fence at Kalamata Airport (KLX). After encountering severe turbulence on descent, the aircraft veered towards the obstacle. No credit will be given to any of the media outlets covering this event, as yet again, it was the usual clickbait….
Information courtesy of FlightGlobal, Key.Aero, FlightAware
Images courtesy of EDR Magazine, AirlineGeeks
©TPSC, LadyJet2 and photo/diagram suppliers