The 2024 Farnborough International Airshow once again proved to be a pivotal event in the aerospace industry, showcasing significant deals, groundbreaking partnerships, and innovative advancements. Over the course of four days, industry leaders, investors, and stakeholders gathered to witness and engage in strategic collaborations that will shape the future of aviation. With agreements totaling £81.5 billion ($104.84 billion), the airshow underscored its importance as a hub for major business transactions and technological progress. This article provides a detailed summary of the key events and announcements from each day of the airshow, highlighting the dynamic nature of the aerospace sector and the ongoing efforts to advance sustainability and efficiency.

Day 1: Boeing Dominates Amidst Airbus Rivalry

The inaugural day of the Farnborough International Airshow saw Boeing outshine its main competitor, Airbus, despite recent safety and quality concerns that have plagued the former throughout 2024. Boeing’s strong start was marked by significant orders and agreements, positioning it as a formidable player in the aerospace industry.

Boeing’s Commanding Presence

National Airlines set the tone for the day by ordering four Boeing 777F freighters. This purchase followed a series of similar orders for the 777F, which is slated for replacement by the 777-8F. Turkish Airlines had previously ordered four 777Fs in June, with the announcement made in July, while Emirates acquired five 777Fs for its cargo division.

Korean Air further bolstered Boeing’s order book by committing to 20 777X and 30 787-10 aircraft. The 787-10 deal included 20 firm orders and 10 options, which will be reflected in Boeing’s official records once finalized.

Luxair added to the momentum by ordering two 737 MAX 10 aircraft, with two additional options. This follows their earlier acquisition of two 737 MAX 8s and existing orders for four 737 MAX 7 and two more 737 MAX 8s.

Japan Airlines concluded Boeing’s successful day with an order for ten 787-9 aircraft and an option for another ten 787s. The specific variant for the options remains undecided as the airline evaluates its future fleet needs.

Airbus’s Modest Achievement

In contrast, Airbus secured a single order from Drukair – Royal Bhutan Airlines, which signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for five A320neo family aircraft, comprising three A320neo and two A321XLR.

Pratt & Whitney’s Strategic Moves

Pratt & Whitney remained active, signing an MoU with Cebu Pacific Air to cover engine needs for the airline’s previous MoU for 152 A320neo family aircraft. Additionally, SMBC Aviation Capital confirmed the selection of PW1100G engines to power 42 A320neo family aircraft.

De Havilland Canada’s Future Plans

De Havilland Canada, having repurchased the Dash 8 program from Bombardier, outlined its future plans for the Dash 8 turboprops. The company announced the construction of a new production facility near Calgary, Alberta, Canada, slated to commence operations in the latter half of the decade. All Nippon Airways (ANA), Norway-based Widerøe, and other airlines acquired second-hand Dash 8 Q400s from De Havilland.

Innovations in Passenger Experience

Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines unveiled new business class seats. Qatar Airways introduced updated QSuites, set to debut with their 777X in 2025. Turkish Airlines showcased upgraded business class cabins, featuring enhanced space, privacy, and entertainment options, alongside marble tray tables.

Service Agreements and Environmental Initiatives

Airbus and Airports Council International (ACI) agreed to enhance collaboration to reduce carbon and noise emissions. The United States Air Force (USAF) awarded Boeing a $16.8 million contract to upgrade the KC-46A Pegasus with improved software and data handling capabilities.

Advancements in Sustainable Aviation

ZeroAvia and JEKTA announced an agreement to utilize ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric engines in JEKTA’s PHA-ZE 100 amphibious aircraft. This partnership aims to demonstrate a fuel cell variant of the electric amphibious aircraft.

United Airlines’ Technological Enhancements

United Airlines selected Honeywell to supply advanced avionics for its 737 MAX fleet. The new systems will feature 3D weather radar, 25-hour flight data recorders (FDR), cockpit voice recorders (CVR), and advanced traffic avoidance systems.

Day 2: Airbus Gains Momentum While Boeing Secures Key Deals

Day two of the Farnborough International Airshow marked a significant turnaround for Airbus, which picked up the pace in securing orders after a slow start on the first day. Meanwhile, Boeing continued to cement its strong presence with strategic deals, highlighting the competitive landscape of the aerospace industry.

Airbus’s Surge in Orders

On the second day, Airbus experienced a surge in orders, following its modest performance on day one. Key highlights include:

• Vietjet: Vietjet announced an order for 20 A330neo aircraft, adding to the manufacturer’s sales tally. This order was initially listed as an undisclosed customer order for 20 A330-900 in May.
• SMBC Aviation Capital: Pratt & Whitney revealed that SMBC Aviation Capital, an aircraft leasing firm, firmed up orders for 22 A320neo family aircraft. This order builds on their 2021 commitment for 20 aircraft, bringing their total to 42 A320neo family aircraft, all powered by the PW1100G engine.
• Virgin Atlantic : Virgin Atlantic confirmed its purchase of seven A330-900s, with deliveries expected to be completed by Q1 2028.

• Japan Airlines : Japan Airlines formalized its order for 20 A350-900 and 11 A321neos. This order slightly adjusted their March intention to add 21 A350-900 and 11 A321neo, replacing an A350-900 involved in a fatal accident at Tokyo Haneda Airport in January.

• Berniq Airways: On July 23, Libya-based Berniq Airways ordered six A320neo family aircraft, although specific types and delivery dates were not disclosed.

Boeing’s Strategic Deals

Boeing maintained its momentum with significant deals, including:

• Macquarie AirFinance: The aircraft lessor ordered an additional 20 737 MAX aircraft, primarily favoring the 737 MAX 8 with the 737 MAX 9 as an option.
• Qatar Airways: Qatar Airways expanded its backlog by purchasing 20 777-9s, bringing its total orders to 60 777-9 and 34 777-8F aircraft. The airline expects its first 777-9 delivery in Q1 2026.

Despite these successes, Boeing faced potential hurdles as Turkish Airlines expressed concerns over engine pricing, impacting their decision to balance orders between Boeing and Airbus.

Engine Orders and Innovations

The engine sector also saw substantial activity:

• Pratt & Whitney: In addition to SMBC Aviation Capital’s orders, Pratt & Whitney secured deals with Chile-based SKY Airline for 39 A320neo family aircraft engines and Avolon for 158 PW1100G-powered aircraft.
• CFM International: Avolon ordered 150 CFM International LEAP-1A engines for 75 A320neo family aircraft, while Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) purchased ten LEAP-1A engines for five A321neo family aircraft.
• ZeroAvia: ZeroAvia continued its momentum from day one, announcing an order from ASL Aviation Holdings for up to 20 hydrogen-electric engines, split between ten firm orders and ten options.
• British Airways: British Airways made a significant move by switching from Rolls-Royce Trent 1000s to GE Aerospace GEnx engines for six 787 aircraft.

Additional Announcements and Developments

• Embraer: Although Embraer did not secure any commercial aircraft orders, it introduced several new developments for the E-Jet family and E2 aircraft, including an automatic takeoff system named ‘E2 Enhanced Take Off System’.
• Boom Supersonic: Boom Supersonic unveiled a new flight deck for the Overture and provided updates on the Symphony engine, with hardware testing underway and the first full-scale engine core expected to be operational in 18 months.

Day 3: A Quiet Day with Key Announcements

Day three of the Farnborough International Airshow was marked by a notable decline in aircraft orders compared to the bustling activity of the first two days. Despite the slowdown, important deals and announcements highlighted the ongoing momentum in the aviation industry.

Air Tahiti’s Significant Order

The only major aircraft order of the day came from Air Tahiti, the regional airline based in French Polynesia. The airline ordered four ATR 72-600 aircraft, with deliveries scheduled between 2025 and 2028. Edouard Wong Fat, the CEO of Air Tahiti, emphasized the importance of the ATR fleet in maintaining connectivity and improving the quality of life for the residents of Tahiti and its surrounding islands. This order further strengthens ATR’s presence at the event, adding to the orders secured by Airbus and Boeing.

ZeroAvia’s New Partnership with KLM

ZeroAvia, a company focused on developing hydrogen-electric solutions for commercial aviation, announced a new partnership with KLM. The collaboration aims to conduct a demonstration flight using ZeroAvia’s ZA2000 hydrogen-electric engine on a large regional turboprop aircraft by 2026. This partnership represents a significant step towards sustainable aviation and showcases ZeroAvia’s commitment to advancing green technology.

GE Aerospace and Rolls-Royce’s Engine Orders

Engine manufacturers also made noteworthy announcements:

• GE Aerospace: EVA Air ordered GEnx engines to power its four Boeing 787-10 aircraft.
• Rolls-Royce: Vietjet signed a service agreement for 40 Trent 7000 engines, which will power its 20 A330neos.

Pratt & Whitney’s Continued Success

Pratt & Whitney revealed that Air Niugini finalized an order for 22 PW1900G engines to power its upcoming fleet of 11 A220-100 and A220-300 aircraft. Throughout the trade show, Pratt & Whitney has secured over 600 engine orders, underscoring its strong performance and market demand for its products.

Day 4: A Grand Finale of Major Deals

The final business day of the Farnborough International Airshow concluded on a high note, marking a successful event with substantial deals and significant collaborations. The event, recognized as a crucial platform for the aerospace industry, once again lived up to its reputation, culminating in agreements worth billions.

Record-Breaking Deals

According to the ADS Group, the trade association for the UK’s aerospace, defense, security, and space sectors, the deals signed by day four reached an impressive total of £81.5 billion ($104.84 billion). These deals included more than 250 aircraft and over 800 engine orders, with the UK alone benefiting significantly:

• Aircraft Orders: Valued at $8.23 billion.
• Engine Orders: Worth $1.54 billion.
• Overall Gains for the UK: Exceeding $16 billion from these transactions.

The scale of these deals highlights the importance of the Farnborough International Airshow as a hub for substantial business agreements and industry growth.

Flynas’s Major Order

The standout announcement of the day came from Saudi Arabia-based low-cost carrier flynas, which signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a substantial order of 75 Airbus A320neo family aircraft and 15 A330-900s. Airbus stated that flynas will operate the A330s in a two-class configuration, accommodating up to 400 passengers. This significant order underscores the carrier’s expansion plans and commitment to enhancing its fleet with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft.

Farnborough International Airshow: Historical Significance

This year’s Farnborough International Airshow continues a trend of facilitating large-scale deals. Over the past decade, the event has been instrumental in securing more than $500 billion in agreements, cementing its status as a premier event in the aerospace calendar. The next edition of Farnborough International Airshow will take place on 20-24 July 2026.

Featured image by Airbus