The Farnborough International Airshow concluded this week with Boeing securing a higher volume of commercial orders compared to Airbus. Boeing reported 173 firm orders and exercised options, while Airbus totaled 154. A significant portion of this activity was driven by a major deal from Irish lessor SMBC Aviation Capital, which placed orders with both manufacturers.
Boeing strengthened its backlog with notable commitments for the 787 Dreamliner from carriers including Riyadh Air, Philippine Airlines, and AerCap. Airbus continued its momentum in the narrow-body market, securing agreements with operators such as flynas and BermudAir.
While the airframer competition remains a primary focus, engine manufacturers dominated the headlines with historic volume. CFM International, the joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran, signed a landmark agreement with IndiGo for over 1,000 LEAP-1A engines to support their A320neo fleet. Additional CFM contracts from lessors and airlines, including Jet2, underscore the rapid adoption of this platform.
Pratt & Whitney also saw success, securing commitments from British Airways for its GTF engines to power 33 A320neo aircraft. With over 800 GTF engagements recorded this year, the engine sector remains a critical driver of current aerospace growth.