Airbus Secures Over $21B Orders, Boeing Keeps Low Profile at Paris Air Show

At the 2025 Paris Air Show, Airbus dominated the event with over $21 billion in orders for more than 250 aircraft, including a major deal with Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Air for 25 A350-1000 wide-body jets and a preliminary contract with Vietnam's VietJet Air for 150 single-aisle planes. Airbus also secured significant orders from Saudi leasing firm AviLease and Poland's LOT Airlines, the latter ordering 40 A220s. In contrast, Boeing kept a low profile, choosing not to announce new orders due to the recent deadly crash of an Air India 787 Dreamliner and the ongoing investigation into the incident. Boeing's CEO and commercial plane unit head canceled their attendance, and the company relied on prior deals made during President Trump's recent Middle East tour. The Paris Air Show highlighted continuing industry supply challenges, though Airbus reported a 40% reduction in parts delays, offering hope for airlines looking to renew aging fleets. This marked a subdued event for Boeing compared to previous years, while Airbus leveraged the opportunity to showcase its expanding backlog and new aircraft models.