During this week’s Paris Air Show, the total orders placed for commercial jets between Boeing and Airbus stood at an impressive $107 billion in orders and commitments. Airbus won $57 billion worth of business for a total of 421 aircraft. The deals comprise firm orders for 124 aircraft worth $16.3 billion and commitments for 297 aircraft worth $40.7 billion.
On the other hand, customers announced orders and commitments during the week for a total of 331 Boeing airplanes, valued at $50.2 billion at list prices.
Airbus secured a last-minute deal Thursday for 110 A320neo single-aisle jets from Central European discount carrier Wizz Air before its closing news conference. That allowed it to defend its home turf and best Boeing for the bragging rights of taking in the most commitments for new planes.
Both aircraft makers have said the record pace of order bookings of years past would start to moderate because bulging backlogs of jets mean many airlines have to wait years to get new ones, hampering their appetite to buy more. The strong U.S. dollar also is an impediment to sales to airlines based in other markets, executives said.
John Leahy, Airbus’ Chief Operating Officer, Customers said, “The orders and commitments at this year’s Paris Air Show demonstrate three things; Asia is powering the growth, we are leading in single-aisle and widebody and our A321neo is the aircraft of choice in the middle of the market.”
