Airbus confirmed 148 firm orders valued at approximately $14.2 billion, along with an additional 102 provisional orders worth $6.7 billion, based on aircraft pricing estimates from Cirium Ascend. Among the headline deals was an order from Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines for 10 long-haul jets—offering a late boost to the European aerospace giant as expectations of a grand finale with long-time customer AirAsia faded.
The mood at the air show was uncharacteristically muted, shaped by both the recent tragedy and an overall shift in strategic priorities. “It is an air show with a regrettable tragedy that has affected all of us,” Airbus planemaking CEO Christian Scherer told Reuters, as the company prefaced each announcement with condolences to the crash victims.
Still, Airbus used the opportunity to demonstrate market confidence and hinted at possible dividend increases—an optimistic signal in an industry still grappling with supply chain delays and production challenges.
AirAsia Deal in the Wings?
Much anticipation had centered around a potential major order from Malaysia’s AirAsia. CEO Tony Fernandes confirmed that negotiations are ongoing for 50–70 A321XLRs and up to 100 A220s or rival regional jets from Brazil’s Embraer. However, he downplayed the likelihood of closing the deal in Paris, citing Capital A Group’s ongoing financial restructuring as a priority.
“We're still doing a lot of work with Airbus and other manufacturers,” Fernandes said. “I think we'll look to do something imminently, in the next 1–3 months.”
Airbus reportedly made an aggressive push to increase A220 orders, even pitching a new 160-seat version of the aircraft. But financing concerns stalled negotiations, though insiders believe talks could resume as early as July when AirAsia expects to stabilize financially.
Boeing’s Absence and Industry Dynamics
Boeing, meanwhile, maintained a low profile at the show, choosing to scale back its presence amid intensified scrutiny and internal investigations following the Air India crash. The company had already inked substantial deals during U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent Middle East visit and appears to be pausing public activity in light of the incident.
The subdued competition gave Airbus an open field to consolidate deals and promote aircraft types with room for growth—like the A220 and the A350 freighter—rather than focus on its already oversubscribed A320neo family.
Analyst Sash Tusa of Agency Partners remarked on the noticeable shift in dynamics: “It has been a very different air show from those we have seen in the past, which have tended to be wall-to-wall aircraft orders.”
Other Announcements and Strategic Moves
Beyond commercial aviation, the show also featured a flurry of defense-related news. U.S. drone maker Anduril and Germany's Rheinmetall announced a partnership to co-develop aerial drones for European military markets—signaling closer transatlantic cooperation on defense technology.
On the commercial side, Brazil’s Embraer secured a notable order of 60 E175 regional jets from SkyWest Airlines, with options for 50 more—underscoring continued demand in the regional jet segment.
Meanwhile, Airbus unveiled EgyptAir as the previously unnamed buyer of six A350-900s and announced two A350 freighters for Turkish logistics firm MNG Airlines. The company also reported a 40% improvement in supply chain-related disruptions since early 2025, particularly in managing delayed components.
A Calmer, Calculated Air Show
While the 2025 Paris Air Show lacked the frenzied deal-making of past editions, it highlighted deeper undercurrents shaping the aviation industry: a push for sustainable growth, strategic recalibration in the wake of tragedy, and increasing emphasis on new technologies—both civilian and military.
In this quieter environment, Airbus capitalized on its position and long-term partnerships, while Boeing took a reflective stance. With potential deals on the horizon and evolving demands in both commercial and defense aviation, the post-show months may offer more action than the show floor itself.