The first day of this year’s Paris Air Show brought an impressive series of orders for European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, which signed a total of four major deals with various global airlines and leasing companies, securing orders for a total of 132 aircraft.
The largest individual order came from Saudi leasing company AviLease, which ordered 10 Airbus A350F wide-body freighter aircraft and an additional 30 A320neo family aircraft. The agreement also includes options for 22 more A350Fs and 25 additional A320neos, potentially doubling the total value and scope of the deal. This order signals AviLease’s expansion into the air cargo sector, as well as growing demand for narrow-body aircraft in the Middle East region.
Another significant order also came from Saudi Arabia, placed by the newly established national airline Riyadh Air, which signed a firm agreement for 25 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, with an option for an additional 25 in the future. This order, part of Riyadh Air’s long-term strategy to position itself as a global premium carrier, will make the airline the first operator of the A350-1000 model in the country.
In the Asian market, Japan’s ANA Holdings finalized an order for a total of 27 aircraft – 24 A321neo and 3 A321XLR – to be distributed between its mainline carrier, All Nippon Airways, and its low-cost subsidiary, Peach Aviation. This acquisition signals continued fleet modernization and capacity expansion within Japan and across the wider Asian region, especially on medium- and long-haul routes.
In Europe, Poland’s national airline LOT Polish Airlines placed its first-ever order with Airbus. LOT ordered a total of 40 A220 family aircraft – 20 of the smaller A220-100 and 20 of the larger A220-300. The contract also includes options for an additional 44 aircraft, potentially raising the total order to 84. This move marks the beginning of LOT’s regional fleet modernization, a key step in enhancing its short- and medium-haul network across Europe.
Overall, Airbus secured orders for 132 aircraft of various types on the very first day of the show, ranging from narrow-body passenger jets to wide-body freighters, reaffirming its strong position in the global commercial aviation market. The Paris Air Show thus kicked off with a clear sign of Airbus’s commercial dominance, as the aviation industry continues a steady recovery and growth in the post-pandemic era.
