Flynas saves the best for last at Farnborough Airshow

Toby Melville/Reuters

Farnborough International Airshow is usually defined by headline-grabbing, market-defining orders, announced in the first day or two.

This year’s event, the second-largest of its kind after the Paris Air Show, confounded expectations by saving the best for last.

Saudi Arabia’s budget airline Flynas signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to purchase 75 A320neos and 15 A330s on Thursday – four days into the five-day event. The order will transform Flynas’s network opportunities and place the privately owned carrier firmly in the long-haul, low-cost niche.

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Flynas’s late announcement has helped Airbus overtake its US rival Boeing in terms of volume of jets – and saved what would have been a disappointing showing for the European plane maker.

The new A330-900 aircraft will have a two-class configuration, accommodating up to 400 passengers. Deliveries of the widebody jets will start in 2027.

On another note, my suspicions that there must be a big Qatar order in the offing – just by looking at the airline’s humongous event chalet – were proved correct.

Qatar Airways was the second-largest Gulf-based buyer at the show, confirming an order for 20 Boeing 777-9 jets on Tuesday. This firm commitment strengthens the airline’s relationship with Boeing and boosts the US plane maker’s reputation as the global leader in widebody aircraft.

FlyDubai described Boeing delays as ‘extremely disappointing’. I suspect slightly stronger words may have been used at head office

Nevertheless, as we know, its B737Max isn’t so well regarded now. UAE low-cost carrier FlyDubai will not receive its B737Max aircraft as planned this year, amid ongoing issues with the model’s production and delivery dates.

The airline was hoping to receive 12 new aircraft this year and only ended up with four. 

These types of delays are frustrating for any airline. They impact all sorts of behind-the-scenes work, such as fleet planning, resourcing, engineering and, of course, selling seats.

FlyDubai described the news as “extremely disappointing”. I suspect slightly stronger words may have been used at head office.

Advance expectations for this year’s Farnborough Air Show assumed 1,000 aircraft orders would be announced at the event. In total, 98 firm orders were made at the show, which includes the Qatar Airways B777s (a confirmation of an order placed in February). 

Aircraft manufacturers always provide a buy one, get one free deal on new orders, so even allowing for options and MoUs, the total stretches to 257. It’s hardly been a standout year for the event but, nevertheless, it’s still a lot of aircraft.

Boeing’s current issues with botched deliveries ensured that they got a large share of attention at the show. Normally, Airbus would be fighting in the shadows for its share of press coverage, but with its own supply-side issues, it appears to have been happy to take a back seat.

• Price talks rumble on between Turkish Airlines and Boeing
• Egypt must strike the Saudi aviation market while it’s hot
• Qatar Airways expands Boeing 777 order book

On a positive note, Boeing sees a bright future for itself. The manufacturer published its 2024 market outlook report this week, which suggests that 44,000 new aircraft will be required by 2043.

However, with production of its B737Max restricted to fewer than 38 units a month, that’s a lot of catch-up to play in the coming years. 

The expectations for Farnborough may have been more a reflection of exhibitor positivity than reality. After all, manufacturers’ order books are already crammed. Placing an order today for a delivery in seven or eight years’ time may be a step too far for many carriers. 

The good news is the Middle East airlines have their share of orders in place anyway, so future regional growth is protected for at least for the next decade.

John Grant is a partner at UK consultancy Midas Aviation