Boeing leads orders at Farnborough despite supply chain challenges
Farnborough International Airshow has seen some major announcements this week, with several large orders despite ongoing supply chain issues. By the end of day two, Forbes reported a total of 187 orders between Airbus and Boeing, with Boeing in the lead at 118 orders compared to Airbus’ 69.
US-based Boeing has enjoyed a number of deals, with Qatar Airways ordering 20 more 777-9 planes bringing its total order to nearly 100 aircraft, a deal which Reuters identified as nearly $4 billion. Boeing also secured an order from Macquarie Airfinance for 20 737 MAX-8 planes, estimated to be worth around $1 billion.
Airbus’ key orders included 20 Airbus A350-900 twin-aisle planes and 11 single-aisle A321neo aircraft for Japan Airlines, worth over $3 billion, in addition to six A320neo family aircraft for Berniq Airways, and seven Airbus A330-900s for Virgin Atlantic estimated at $800 million. Speaking on the order, Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic said:
“Our special partnership with Airbus began with the arrival of ‘Lady in Red’ in 1993, with our most recent arrival, ‘Ruby Rebel’, arriving to mark our 40th birthday this year. Virgin Atlantic has flown more than 60 Airbus tails in the last three decades. While not first to the party, they’ve been our main dance partner, making our customers smile ever since.”
Despite these orders, the persistent supply chain challenges remain front of mind for many, with flydubai’s CEO Ghaith al-Ghaith criticising Boeing on Monday:
“So in March, we were told your 12 aircraft is now going to be eight. So now in July, just last week, we were told, out of the eight, we’ve already received four and we’re not going to receive anything more. From our point of view, this is where there is frustration, and we felt like we had to say something.”
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