Largest aircraft order in aviation history and other fun things from the first day of the Paris Air Show

A sweltering, muggy day in Paris did not ease the atmosphere at the Paris Air Show on Monday. Aviation industry representatives gathered for the first time in four years to showcase the latest products and technologies and map out a roadmap for the aerospace industry.

Having the pleasure of returning to Paris—Le Bourget Airport (LBG) for the first time since 2019 (the coronavirus pandemic has canceled the 2021 edition of the biennial exhibition) and the joy overall demand that the industry is currently seeing even as supply chains remain locked down. However, a muted underground line set the tone of the day.

Despite the overall bright spot that commercial aviation and its customers are currently enjoying, several new things are expected to be announced. Most of what is on display has been showcased at previous shows.

Instead, the day is more like a grounding, resetting exercise—or even just an opportunity to take a breather—as the industry orients itself in whatever direction comes next.

There has been euphoria but uncertainty when the new world reopens consolidating Dubai air show late 2021, and there were high expectations and brilliant performances at the first European show back, Farnborough, just under a year ago. The first few hours in Paris were like a deliberate attempt to check the footing and look up to see where things were going.

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Of course, there’s still much to see, hear and discover at the world’s largest aviation event, and the calmer atmosphere doesn’t stop an aircraft manufacturer from signing a record-breaking deal. It To be an air show, after all.

Airbus has signed an agreement with India’s IndiGo for a firm order of 500 A320 family aircraft — the largest single aircraft purchase in the nearly 120-year history of commercial aviation. The deal is not as surprising as Reuters first report earlier this month that it was nearing completion. However, it eclipses Air India’s recent order for 470 jets (which itself was record-breaking at the time) and limited the first day of success to Airbus.

The European aircraft maker also announced that Saudi low-cost airline Flynas has confirmed 30 options for the A320neo jet, while Air Mauritius has ordered three A340 wide-body jets.

Meanwhile, it’s been a quiet day for Boeing with no orders announced. However, the company had previously said it expected a quieter performance this year, after having announced several large orders over the past six months.

Earlier in the day, Canadian aircraft builder De Havilland Canada made quite a splash by introducing a new variant of their long-storied “Twin Otter” aircraft, the DHC-6. The new aircraft, the Twin Otter Classic 300-G, is a lighter version with a larger payload. Twin Otters can be seen on commuter routes, ferrying passengers from the airport to their resorts in the Maldives, transporting supplies and goods to extreme environments around the world, performing missions evacuation, etc. DHC says it has sold up to 45 new aircraft to date.

Behind the scene: How my first airshow went: Dubai Airshow Summary

Airshows are sprawling jobs that often take up an entire airport, albeit a smaller one. They have runways and ramps filled with aircraft on display, temporary “chalets” where major companies and airlines hold meetings, exhibition halls full of civil aviation technology. military and military, profiles of future projects that could define the industry and much more. For many attendees, transactions were an afterthought; opportunity to see the exciting new stuff is the latest.

In the coming days, TPG will bring even more from the show. This year, the show featured a strong presence of eVTOL manufacturers racing to be the first “flying taxi” company to hit the market. The meeting will also showcase everything from promising supersonic aircraft designers to electric and hydrogen propulsion as well as sustainable aviation fuel suppliers looking to help transition the industry to a green future. than.

Today, however, is about finding our own place at the show, discovering some of the planes we rarely see inside (stay tuned!) and of course, watching the flying displays. and check out new stuff on the ground.

I have a weakness for helicopter acrobatics, so seeing a few additional dives and acrobatics earlier in the day was a delight. The official flight program does not begin until afternoon.

We also saw Airbus fly its A321XLR for the first time at an air show. The plane-builder first flew this long-range variant last year, but not as part of a public display.

Next is a Dassault Rafale fighter. Although I’m not very familiar with military aviation, it was great to see it flying with an Air France jet approaching Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in the background… and some stunts. danger that it performs in wet conditions.

Back on the ground, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker hosted a ceremony for the first Gulfstream G700 to join the airline’s executive fleet.

Sitting next to a modified Airbus A319 already part of that fleet, the two are a remarkable pairing. We’ll have more info on these two jets soon, but here’s a sneak preview:

Speaking of sneak previews, Saudi Arabia’s newly established airline Riyadh Air – a sister airline to Saudia and owned by the state’s sovereign wealth fund – exhibited showing a 787-9 for rent in a brand new paint job. Riyadh doesn’t take delivery of the first planes until 2025, but that’s the opportunity the airline saw for a grand launch.

I missed some of the afternoon flight shows but still got a chance to see two of Boeing’s newest jets — the 737 MAX 10 and the 777-9, both still in the certification process.

To that end, I’ve seen some notable flights of the FedEx ATR-72-600, the French Potez CM-170 Fouga and the American F-35.

Stay tuned for more info at the Paris Air Show and be sure to follow TPG on Instagram for more info from France.