Airbus wins bragging rights in Paris after late Wizz deal

Airbus came out on top in battle with Boeing at the Paris Air Show with orders worth $57bn for 421 aircraft

Airbus A350 comes in to land at the Paris Air Show (AP Photos)

The European plane maker Airbus edged out its US rival Boeing in the billion dollar race to win the most commercial business at the biennial Paris Air Show.

Four days of dealmaking came to an head yesterday when the two industrial giants unveiled their share of a combined $107bn (£67bn) of new orders.

Airbus said it had won $57bn of business for 421 aircraft including 124 firm orders, worth $16.3bn, and commitments for 297 aircraft worth $40.7bn. Its major orders included one late in the day by the European low-cost carrier Wizz Air for 110 A321neos, worth more than $12.5bn

John Leahy, Airbus’ chief operating officer, customers, said: “Our latest forecast for 32,600 planes in the next 20 years is being proved correct. 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 wide-body, and our A321neo is the aircraft of choice in the middle of the market.”

In contrast, Boeing won orders and commitments for 331 planes worth $50.2bn. Its biggest deal was with Dutch leasing company AerCap for 100 737MAX-8 planes, worth up to $10.7bn at list prices. However, Boeing emerged as the victor in terms of firm orders with 145 aircraft worth $18.6bn.

“Innovation is the heart of our strategy,” said Boeing vice chairman, president and chief operating officer Dennis Muilenburg. “It is what differentiates us not only from existing competitors but also from the competitors of the future. We have more research, development and capital projects under way and are bringing innovation to market faster than at any time in our history. That is helping to drive our customers’ success and we demonstrated that with the products we brought to the show.”

The Indonesian flag carrier Garuda was one of the show’s highest-profile buyers, signing a letter of intent for up to 60 Boeing jets – 30 of the popular single-aisle 737MAX and 30 787-9 planes. Garuda also put in a provisional order for 30 wide-body Airbus A350 planes, worth about $9bn, which could serve routes from Jakarta or Bali to Europe.

The Paris Air Show alternates with Britain’s Farnborough Air Show each year as Europe’s leading industry event. At Farnborough last year, Airbus clinched orders and commitments for 486 aircraft valued at $75bn. Boeing secured business worth $40.2bn for 201 airplanes.