Airbus Secures Orders for 132 Aircraft from Saudi Firms, LOT, and ANA on First Day of Paris Air Show

Airbus Secures Orders for 132 Aircraft from Saudi Firms, LOT, and ANA on First Day of Paris Air Show

Airbus announced on Monday that it has secured orders for 132 cargo and passenger aircraft on the opening day of the Paris Air Show, signaling a strong start to the aviation industry’s premier event. The orders were placed by a diverse group of international customers, including Saudi leasing company AviLease, which committed to 40 aircraft across various models with potential for future expansion. Riyadh Air followed with an order for 25 aircraft, while Polish carrier LOT and Japan’s ANA Holdings placed orders for 27 and 40 aircraft respectively.

Market Strength and Production Challenges

This surge in orders underscores Airbus’s sustained market strength but also highlights the company’s ongoing challenge to accelerate its production capabilities to meet rising demand. Managing delivery schedules for these substantial orders—particularly those from Riyadh Air, LOT Polish Airlines, and ANA Holdings—will be critical as the aviation sector continues to grapple with supply chain uncertainties. The ability to fulfill these commitments efficiently will be closely monitored by customers and industry analysts alike.

Last week, Airbus revised its 20-year forecast for global aircraft demand upward by 2%, now projecting the delivery of 43,420 commercial aircraft between 2025 and 2044. As of the end of the first quarter of 2025, Airbus’s order book stood at 8,726 units, representing a 1.2% increase year-on-year and exceeding eleven times the company’s deliveries in 2024. The financial value of the latest contracts has not been disclosed.

Delivery Targets and Financial Outlook

In 2024, Airbus delivered 766 commercial aircraft and has set a target of 820 deliveries for the year. Looking ahead to 2025, the company forecasts an adjusted EBIT of €7 billion, up from €5.5 billion in 2024. Free cash flow before mergers and acquisitions and customer financing is expected to reach approximately €4.5 billion, compared to €3.5 billion in the previous year.

The robust order activity is likely to bolster investor confidence in Airbus’s market position, potentially intensifying competitive pressure on rivals such as Boeing. In response, Boeing may accelerate its aircraft development and delivery timelines to regain market share and remain competitive amid Airbus’s growing dominance.

While these new orders represent a significant commercial achievement for Airbus, the company’s capacity to deliver on its commitments amid ongoing supply chain challenges will remain under close scrutiny.