PARIS AIR SHOW 2023: Daily Digest – Day 1

With Day One of the Paris Air Show been and gone, let us see what has been moving and shaking in the world of order books

As usual, we’ll be going in Manufacturer Name, so we’re as fair as we can be,

Airbus

All the news appears to be from the Airbus chalet, with them kicking off the show with an order for

500 Airbus A320 family aircraft order from IndiGo.

The order for 500 aircraft sets the record for the biggest single purchase agreement in the history of commercial aviation. The latest agreement takes the total number of Airbus aircraft on order by IndiGo to 1,330, establishing its position as the world’s biggest A320 Family customer.

Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, said:

“It is difficult to overstate the significance of IndiGo’s new historic order for 500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft. An order book now of almost 1000 aircraft well into the next decade, enables IndiGo to fulfil its mission to continue to boost economic growth, social cohesion and mobility in India. At IndiGo, we take pride in being India’s preferred airline for connectivity in and with India; and by doing so, being one of the leading airlines in the world. This order strongly reaffirms IndiGo’s belief in the growth of India, in the A320 Family and in our strategic partnership with Airbus.”

Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International at Airbus, added:

“This landmark order marks a new chapter in Airbus and IndiGo’s relationship that is democratising affordable air travel for millions of people in the world’s fastest growing aviation market. It is also a resounding endorsement of the A320 Family’s best-in-class operating economics that have been powering IndiGo’s growth for almost two decades. We cherish our long-standing relationship with IndiGo and are proud of our success together. We look forward to contributing to the growth of India’s air connectivity in its domestic network and into international markets through the expansion of this formidable partnership”

Flynas adds 30 A320 family aircraft

The order takes the airline’s total order with Airbus to 120 A320neo aircraft, including 10 A321XLRs.

Bander Almohanna, the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of flynas said

“As we continue to grow receiving several awards for excellence in operations and customer services and invest in our offering, we are delighted to confirm our latest order with Airbus,”

“The A320neo Family brings unmatched benefits to our passengers, offering exceptional operational performance and environmental benefits, while helping us provide unique travel experiences at low-cost.”

Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International added

“Unbeatable economics, longer range capability and the most spacious single aisle cabin have made the A320neo Family the preferred choice of airlines worldwide. That includes in the low cost sector, where carriers operate in especially competitive environments. We look forward to working with flynas as it develops its future fleet and presence in the fast-growing Saudi market.” 

Widebodies for Air Mauritius

Finally, Airbus also confirmed an order for three A350 aircraft with Air Mauritius – bringing its fleet up to seven.

The airline already operates four A350 and four A330 Airbus aircraft.

“Air Mauritius is proud to renew its confidence in Airbus and its products, continuing a three-decade long partnership. The additional A350-900 aircraft will help us strengthen our European network and secure further growth in other markets. We are looking forward to achieving our ambitious objectives together with Airbus,” said Mr Kresimir Kucko, CEO of Air Mauritius. 

“We compliment Air Mauritius on putting the A350 at the heart of its long-haul fleet modernisation programme. With greater range capability, better economics, passenger capacity and comfort, the A350 is the perfect platform to connect the beautiful island of Mauritius to the world,” said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International at  Airbus.

ATR Aircraft

Nothing from the ATR chalet today. Although there is an announcement booked for tomorrow…

Boeing

There are mumblings of deals being done, but nothing has been formally confirmed. Meanwhile in services land…

Boing and CAE to Work together

Boeing, CAE to Collaborate on Pilot Training to Enhance Aviation Safety, with  CAE will become a Boeing Authorized Training Provider and the first to offer Boeing’s Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) curriculum.

Stephanie Pope, president and CEO, of Boeing Global Services said

“This partnership expands our competency-based flight-training capacity to better meet the needs of our customers worldwide,”

“By sharing data, leveraging digital capabilities, and providing greater accessibility and affordability, Boeing and CAE are enhancing global aviation safety.”

Marc Parent, CAE’s President and CEO added:

“As a Boeing authorized training provider, CAE will leverage its expertise and global network to expand access to high-quality training on Boeing commercial aircraft and give pilots the skills and knowledge they need for peak performance in the flight deck,”

“Boeing and CAE are working together to enhance aviation safety, and this agreement ensures more pilots worldwide are ready for the moments that matter.”

De Havilland of Canada

It’s been a busy day for De Havilland of Canada as they reveal the DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G.

This is a restart an upgrade of the DHC-6 programme, with a higher payload.

In the images provided, this will be able to hold 19 people in the main cabin.

More importantly, there are combined purchase agreements and letters of intent totalling 45 aircraft.

On the launch, Brian Chafe, CEO of De Havilland Canada said

“For over 50 years, the DHC-6 Twin Otter has stood alone as the most reliable and versatile aircraft in its class,” 

“After extensive consultation with our customers, we are poised and proud to take this iconic aircraft to new heights with the new DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G.”

“With the same rugged airframe, propelled by Pratt & Whitney technology, the lighter weight Classic 300-G will deliver increased payload range and decreased operating costs for our customers, Along with an all-new cabin interior and flight deck featuring the Garmin G1000® NXi fully integrated avionics suite, De Havilland Canada is once again driving the utility transport aircraft market forward.”

Jetcraft Commercial becomes the launch customer 

As to customers, Jetcraft Commercial was the first to announce a Purchase Agreement for 10 new DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G.

 Brian Chafe, Chief Executive Officer, De Havilland Canada. “

“We are proud to work with Jetcraft Commercial on a global leasing solution and welcome them to the DHC community as a launch customer for our newest aircraft, the DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G,” said

With the same rugged airframe, the lighter weight DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G will deliver increased payload range and decreased operating costs for our customers. De Havilland Canada is once again driving the utility transport aircraft market forward.”

Raphael Haddad, President of Jetcraft Commercial added:

“We believe that the DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G represents the best in-class commuter aircraft solution,” said. “This versatility enables the aircraft to operate into areas where regional aircraft cannot go and provide air connectivity there.

“Our boots-on-the-ground structure enables us to take on numerous aircraft with confidence because we know where demand lives, and where best to place them,”

. “We are thrilled to be working alongside De Havilland Canada as it brings this new, innovative product to market.”

flybig to follow

The next was flybig, with them signing a Purchase Agreement to acquire two Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft and a Letter of Interest to acquire 10 new DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft.

Brian Chafe, Chief Executive Officer, De Havilland Canada.

“We are proud to welcome flybig as our first Twin Otter Series 400 operator in India, and for them to explore a potential future purchase of 10 new DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft,” 

“Helping connect remote communities is at the heart of what these aircraft are all about.”

Sanjay Mandavia, Chairman and Managing Director of flybig added

“Twin Otters are the perfect aircraft for India’s UDAN regional airport development program, part of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) for improving underserviced air routes and connecting Tier 2 and Tier 3 communities,” said

“Our two Series 400 aircraft will help realize our Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to connect India’s hinterland, and we are looking forward to working with De Havilland Canada on potential future acquisitions of the new Classic 300-G.”

Embraer

Embrahasave been busy with its eVTOL programmes, including adding to its supply chain. We’re not covering that here at this time until we get much closer to certification and commercial operations

Engines

Pratt and Whitney have been busy, announcing orders from United Airlines (120 aircraft), Volaris (64 Aircraft) and LATAM (146 aircraft).

Meanwhile, CFM International has picked up an engine order to support 71 aircraft from Jet2.

Other interesting headlines

We’re going to stick with CFM International, which has been showing off the RISE open Rotor concept, with it completing more than 100 tests as it moves from a paper design to a viable concept, even if Boeing and CFM engage on how much it benefits.

The RISE program is to push forward technologies such as advanced engine architectures like the open fan, compact core, advanced combustion technology, thermal management, and hybrid electric systems to be compatible with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). In addition, new technologies are also being matured to test direct hydrogen combustion.

A big order – can anyone top it?

With Day One of the Paris Air Show done, it leaves a lot of room for others to chase, with Airbus walking away with the bulk of the orders announced today, with De Havilland picking up customers for its updated DHC-6 Twin Otter.

We’ll have to see if anyone can top this order, if Airbus has run away with the show on Day One, or if they’ve peaked a little too soon.

Suffice to say, for those treading the tarmac at Le Bourget, this week has got awful spicy, awful fast…