European planemaker Airbus has enjoyed a successful time at the Dubai Airshow, the first expo of its type since the global pandemic struck in 2019. The company has secured 269 firm orders and 139 commitments across its full range of commercial aircraft, a first order for the A350F freighter derivative, as well as sales of its military multi-role tanker transport aircraft.
At a pre-show event Airbus delivered its global market forecast, identifying a need for 15,250 aircraft, around 40% of which will be to replace less economic and less fuel-efficient aircraft. On the opening day of the show, Indigo Partners portfolio airlines placed a firm order for 255 A321neo Family aircraft, including 29 XLRs. The order breakdown is as follows: Wizz Air 102 aircraft (75 A321neos + 27 A321XLRs); Frontier 91 aircraft (A321neos); Volaris 39 aircraft (A321neos); JetSMART 23 aircraft (21 A321neos + 2 A321XLRs). The second day saw Air Lease Corporation sign a commitment for 111 aircraft covering the full range of aircraft families including the new A350 Freighter (25 A220-300s, 55 A321neos, 20 A321XLRs, four A330neos, seven A350Fs). Along with the orders, ALC and Airbus announced the first ever joint ESG scheme in aircraft procurement – a joint Sustainability Fund – to foster industry decarbonisation solutions. On the third day, Jazeera Airways committed to 28 A321neos and Nigeria's Ibom Air became a new Airbus customer with a firm order for ten A220s.
On the defence side, Airbus sold two additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft to the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence and secured a new export order for two A400M new-generation airlifters from the Indonesian Ministry of Defence.
