The island of Ireland had a relatively strong presence and activity at this month’s FIA both in terms of Dublin lessor orders and industry suppliers and services. Monday 20th through to Wednesday 22nd saw the most announcements, several of which have been individually reported here on FII in the last week.
Enterprise Ireland had a dedicated grouping of companies in Hall 0, with Northern Ireland having its own large pavilion in UK dominated Hall 1. Of note FII met “Euram Air Leases (IRE) Ltd” of Ferbane Co. Offaly who specialise in Aircraft Engine Disassembly, Leasing and Trading, Aftermarket Parts sales, Repair, Inventory and Consignment Management.
As one may deduce the military side featured heavily this year, nevertheless Lessors Aer Cap, SMBC Aviation Capital and Jackson Square all made headlines with new aircraft, engine orders and ventures.
Airframes
SMBC ordered 40 737 MAX 8s, 60 MAX 10s (230 seats) but no delivery timeline; plus 35 A320neos and 65 A321neos deliveries from 2030; 200 new narrowbodies in total. (see FII 20th July for the Airbus details)
The Boeing order reflects continued confidence in the 737 MAX family, and comes after the manufacturer has gained FAA approval to raise its monthly production cap. Boeing opened a new 737 MAX final assembly line in Everett on 6th July
“This order reflects market dynamics as our airline and investor customers look to upgauge to the 737-10,” said Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital, in the announcement. “This order will support their growth ambitions well into the next decade and reflects our strong confidence in the Boeing 737 MAX and sustained demand for fuel-efficient, technologically advanced narrowbody aircraft.”
Aer Cap ordered 15 B787-9s including substitution rights to switch to -10 variant. GE will supply the GEnx-1B to power all 15. Aer Cap was the first lessor to take delivery of the 787 in 2013 and now has 140 on its portfolio, with deliveries planned through 2033. (see FII 21st July for details)
Engines
CFMI LEAP
India’s largest airline IndiGo signed an MoU to purchase 1,000 LEAP-1As for their 510 320/1neo fleets. Said IndiGo CEO designate Wille Walsh “The engine’s proven reliability makes it the ideal choice to support our ambitions” CFMI will also assist with the airlines new MRO facility
CFMI took orders for LEAP-1As from BOC Aviation (of Singapore) 200, SMBC 70 and Jackson Square 60. BOC also ordered 100 LEAP-1Bs for 737-8. Combined, this represents BOC’s largest engine transaction to date. Lessors CALC and BBAM also opted for LEAP 1As
Pratt and Whitney GTF PW1100G
Selected by BA for 30 firm & 33 options for their 320neos, deliveries to begin next year. P&W will also provide maintenance under a 12 year ‘EngineWise’ comprehensive agreement. Like IAG partners Aer Lingus & Iberia, BA previously used LEAP-1As for its neo fleets. Jackson Square also selected GTFs and will provide to 320neo customers (see FII 22nd July for details). BOC in addition, placed an order for up to 220 GTFs to power it’s 320neo family 100+
Aer Cap and Air France/KLM agreed to establish a joint venture LEAP spare engine leasing venture, initially with 40 new engines 1A & 1B from early next year. (see FII 20th July for details)
P&W Canada signs 5 year MRO agreement with Emerald airlines through to 2030 to support the PW127M turboprops. The servicing will primarily take place at PWC MRO hub in Singapore (see FII 23rd July for details)
GE GEnX-1B
Has reached 50 million flight hours with more than 50 operators since 2006 with a current average of 600,000 FHrs per month
China
Whilst one of the military sides bête noires at Farnborough, China had strong activity on the civil transport front. Airbus orders to 2032:
- Shenzhan Airlines ordered 40 A320neos, deliveries from 2029
- Air China will acquire 15 A350-900s, deliveries from 2030
- Hainan disclosed an order for 40 A320neos, deliveries from 2028
The dark horse Shanghai based COMAC was again at Farnborough showcasing its C909 (formerly ARJ21) regional and C919 narrowbody. Just prior to the show Air Cambodia become the first export customer to place a bulk order and made a purchase agreement for 20 C909s the first to be delivered this year says the Phnom Penh carrier. The type has already reached leasing agreements with Vietnam’s low-cost carrier Vietjet. The C919 is expected to operate its first international service with Air China to the Mongolian capital.
Aer Cap to lease three 777-300ERSFs to China Southern Cargo from 4Q27 to 2Q28
Mammoth Freighters of Forth Worth to open two 777F conversion line in Qingdao China at Shandong’s STAECO facility
Philippine Airlines committed to order 15 787-10s plus 5 options; and signed an MoU for 9 A350-1000 from 2031. Configuration to be 3 class with 382 seats. Engines not yet selected.
Riyadh Air ordered 6 A350-1000s & purchase rights for 19 and exercised options for 28 more B787, 20 of which to be -10s. This new Saudi carrier only began full commercial services last month.
Shohin airlines of Tajikistan, a year old start up, ordered 4 Airbus neos, two 320 and 321 each.
Luxair converted options for two 737-10s into firm orders and placed options for two more.
Swiss MSC Air Cargo purchased five 777-8 freighters
Uganda airlines ordered four 787-9s; engine choice not made; plus four 737-8s
Saudi low-cost carrier flynas is expanding its narrow- and wide-body fleet with an order for five additional A330-900 aircraft and 20 additional A321neos.
BermudAir has placed its first Airbus order, committing to 10 A220-300 aircraft to support expansion across Bermuda, the Caribbean and North America.
The Boeing 777-9 will make its debut with Lufthansa after years of delays. Boeing has confirmed that the German carrier remains first in line for deliveries early in 2027. The aircraft was originally due to enter service in 2020, but certification challenges, the pandemic, manufacturing issues and additional FAA scrutiny repeatedly pushed the programme back.
Vietnam Airlines has agreed to lease 19 Boeing 737 MAX 8s from SMBC Aviation Capital, Avolon and Phoenix Aviation Capital. The Farnborough agreements cover 10, four and five aircraft respectively, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028.
ATR
Whilst not announcing any sales at Farnborough, the airframe manufacturer is seeing growing momentum for its turboprop aircraft, according to Chief Commercial Officer, Alexis Vidal. Explaining that the company has sold more than 50 aircraft annually over the past two years while producing around 40 a year. ATR is “working hard to develop the Indian market” to build on the 70 strong fleet that is in service with Indigo, Alliance Air and Fly91. Speaking about the outlook for regional aviation, Vidal said ATR anticipates demand for around 2,100 turboprop aircraft over the next 20 years, a segment in which he expects the business to play a leading role.
New routes Dublin
- China Eastern from Monday 20th July operating an A350-900 3 times a week to Shanghai
- Aer Lingus now operating A321neo to Pittsburgh 4 times a week since 25th May
- Ryanair is now the 15th worldwide airline by operational revenue for 2025. Up from 16th in 2024, with net margin of 15% returns.
Part 2 will be on: jet fuel price, SAF, supply chains, IATA AGM, P&W GTF recovery, Airbus & Boeing global market forecasts.
Main photo from above by Ger Murphy.
