Paris Air Show - Airbus

Airbus also got its fair share of the action on day 2 of the Paris Air Show, with Qantas placing an order for a further nine Airbus A220s, in addition to the twenty it ordered last year. The airline will deploy the narrowbody aircraft primarily on domestic routes, replacing its aging Boeing 717s.

Besides Qantas, also TAAG ordered A220s, with the Angolan flag carrier confirming it will be leasing nine of them through three different lessors. The airline expects to start taking delivery of the aircraft in 2025, and will fly them on various regional routes. Last year, the airline also signed-leases for the A220-300 during the Farnborough Air Show and is now expecting a total of fifteen A220s.

Although not a new order, Philippine Airlines firmed up its order for nine Airbus A350-1000s, which it plans to put to use on an expanded route network to Europe and North America. The aircraft will join the airline's existing long-haul fleet of two A350-900s, ten A330-300s, and nine Boeing 777-300ERs.

Air India also firmed up its 250-aircraft deal with Airbus. The Indian flag carrier first signed a letter of intent earlier this year, but today confirmed the details, opting for 140 Airbus A320neos, seventy A321neos, six A350-900s, and 34 A350-1000s.

Mexican carrier Volaris was reveiled as being the customer of an order announced as "Unidentified" in October 2022. In total, this order is for 25 A321neos, bringing the total backlog for the airline to 143 A320neo-family aircraft.

Cyprus Airways will also become a new Airbus A220-operator and signed a lease-agreement with Air Lease Corporation for two A220-300s. Both will already be delivered in the coming months.

Photo: AeroConcepts