Paris Air Show 2025 Day 2: Airbus Maintains Presence Amid Quieter Activity

Paris Air Show 2025 Day 2: Airbus Maintains Presence Amid Quieter Activity

Day two of the Paris Air Show 2025 concluded with Airbus sustaining its dominant position, despite a noticeable slowdown in overall activity compared to the event’s opening day. The European aerospace leader was the sole manufacturer to secure a significant order, reinforcing its momentum in a market characterized by cautious optimism.

Airbus Secures Major Vietjet Order

Airbus captured attention by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Vietjet for 100 A321neo aircraft, along with options for an additional 50 jets. This agreement closely follows Vietjet’s recent order for 20 more A330neo widebody aircraft, underscoring the Vietnamese carrier’s aggressive expansion strategy. Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus Executive Vice President for Commercial Aircraft Sales, emphasized the complementary nature of the two aircraft types, stating that the A321neo and A330neo will enable Vietjet to efficiently align capacity with demand across its network.

Vietjet Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao described the deal as a significant milestone in the airline’s strategic partnership with Airbus. She highlighted the role of these modern and efficient aircraft in making air travel more accessible and affordable for millions, while enhancing Vietjet’s position as a key facilitator of economic development, cultural exchange, and global connectivity.

Despite this success, Airbus faces notable challenges ahead. CEO Guillaume Faury acknowledged the difficulty in meeting ambitious production targets, particularly as demand surges for the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport. The company is considering increasing production of this model to address heightened demand, especially as defense and military requirements gain prominence at this year’s show.

Boeing’s Quiet Stance and Turkish Airlines Negotiations

In contrast to Airbus’s active presence, Boeing maintained a subdued profile on the second day, with no major announcements. The American manufacturer continues to be overshadowed by Airbus, a situation exacerbated by last week’s Boeing 787 crash involving Air India. Speculation about a potential landmark order with Turkish Airlines remains unresolved, as negotiations reportedly stall over pricing and engine costs. Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat expressed disappointment that a deal could not be finalized at Le Bourget, citing Boeing’s need to attend to the aftermath of the Air India incident in India.

Industry Dynamics and Defense Emphasis

The market sentiment at Le Bourget reflects a shared outlook among major industry players, including Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer, all forecasting continued growth in the commercial airliner sector. However, competition remains intense. Notably, tensions between Airbus and Dassault Aviation over the Future Combat Air System program illustrate the evolving landscape, as the Paris Air Show increasingly highlights defense capabilities amid ongoing global security concerns.

As the second day concludes, Airbus’s commanding performance remains a focal point, yet the company and the broader industry face significant challenges in scaling production and navigating a competitive environment increasingly shaped by defense priorities.