Airbus and Embraer Outpace Boeing at Paris Airshow

Paris Airshow

Airbus and Embraer Secure Strong Order Volumes

Airbus and Embraer emerged as the top performers at the 2025 Paris Airshow, collectively securing more than 300 aircraft orders. Airbus received 250 orders, including 53 widebodies and 197 narrowbodies, with options for an additional 156 aircraft. Embraer followed with 77 firm orders and 55 options, strengthening its global market footprint.

Boeing, in contrast, announced only one significant order from Japan’s ANA Holdings, totaling 41 aircraft. The US plane maker scaled back its presence following the Air India crash and relied on previously secured geopolitical-linked deals to bolster its order book.

Supply Chain Challenges Continue to Weigh on Boeing and Airbus

Despite strong order activity, the combined backlog for Airbus and Boeing reached 15,167 aircraft by the end of May. This represents deliveries stretching into the mid-2030s. However, fulfilling these orders remains difficult, as both manufacturers continue to grapple with supply chain disruptions. Airbus highlighted ongoing shortages of CFM LEAP-1A engines for its A320 Family jets, while Boeing faces persistent quality issues.

Industry analysts noted that while demand for air travel is recovering strongly, the ability to deliver aircraft on time is increasingly constrained by logistical and geopolitical risks.

The Metalnomist Commentary

The 2025 Paris Airshow underscored Airbus and Embraer’s competitive momentum, while Boeing struggles with operational and reputational setbacks. Strong order volumes reflect robust long-term demand, yet delivery risks remain high due to strained supply chains. Market leadership will likely hinge on which manufacturer best navigates supply bottlenecks and restores confidence among buyers.

Jet Orders Affirm Demand for Widebody Aircraft Amid Ongoing Supply Chain Challenges

Recent aircraft orders at the UK's Farnborough Airshow underscored the robust demand for widebody jets, but supply chain issues continue to hinder manufacturers Boeing and Airbus from meeting their delivery commitments. During the event, Boeing secured 94 twin-aisle orders, including 50 787s and 44 777s, while Airbus garnered 67 widebody orders, consisting of 42 A330neos and 25 A350-900s.

Both companies anticipate significant growth in the global fleet of widebody planes by 2043, projecting totals of 7,980 for Airbus and 8,750 for Boeing. This expected growth is primarily fueled by rising demand in Asia and the Middle East.

Airbus outperformed Boeing in narrowbody orders, securing 97 compared to Boeing's 24, largely due to a substantial order from Saudi airline Flynas for 75 A320neos. Overall, Airbus and Boeing collectively received 282 new orders, marking the lowest tally of announced orders at Farnborough or Paris airshows in over a decade. Airlines are cautiously placing new orders due to delays in fulfilling existing commitments.

Supply chain disruptions, originating from the Covid-19 pandemic, continue to challenge major aerospace manufacturers. Issues are now concentrated on cabin equipment, heat exchangers, aerostructures, and engines. Engine suppliers are particularly affected, with Boeing experiencing reduced LEAP-1B engine deliveries, impacting 737 Max production, which in turn affects Airbus' A320neo deliveries powered by the CFM LEAP-1A. Additionally, Pratt & Whitney's PW-1100G-JM engines face groundings to replace compromised high-pressure turbine and compressor disks.

Boeing also anticipates reduced 787 Dreamliner output due to heat exchanger sourcing issues. However, Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX, is increasing production to meet Boeing's needs. Boeing aims to maintain a production rate of 10 Dreamliners per month by 2026, while Airbus has set a target of 12 per month by 2028. In the first half of the year, Airbus delivered 21 A350s and 13 A330s, compared to Boeing's 22 787s and seven 777s.

While bullish market attitudes are on hold for the rest of 2024, the long-term outlook remains positive. The anticipated growth in widebody aircraft production will drive demand for non-ferrous metals and advanced materials such as titanium, aluminum, cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, superalloys, and composites, which are essential for various aerospace applications.

* Includes all orders announced by Boeing and Airbus during the Paris Airshow — including firm orders, MoUs, previously undisclosed or tentative agreements, options and initial agreements

Rolls-Royce Sees Increase in Trent Engine Deliveries and Aftermarket Services in First Half of 2024

UK aircraft engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce reported a significant increase in the delivery of large engines and aftermarket services in the first half of 2024. This surge is primarily driven by the Trent XWB-84 and Trent 7000 models, along with a growing demand for long-term service agreement (LTSA) shop visits, which is expected to boost the company's operating profits.

Rolls-Royce delivered 120 large engines from January to June 2024, up from 115 during the same period last year. This included 44 Trent XWB-84s, 37 Trent 7000s, 24 Trent 1000s, and 15 Trent XWB-97s. The XWB-84 and XWB-97 power Airbus' A350, the 7000 powers the A330neo, and the 1000 is used in Boeing's 787. Additionally, deliveries of smaller civil engines for business and regional aviation increased to 116 units, up from 73 a year earlier.

LTSA shop visits rose to 624, with 413 for large engines and 211 for smaller engines. Of these, 394 were classified as major.

Rolls-Royce received 273 large engine orders in the first half of the year, with notable orders for the A350 from Delta and IndiGo, followed by 787/777 and A330neo bookings from Korean Air and VietJet at the Farnborough Airshow. The company's order book at the end of June stood at 1,773 engines, up from 1,405 a year earlier.

Flight testing for high-pressure turbine (HPT) blade improvements on the Trent 1000, which will double the time on wing, is about to begin. This part is already in service on about half of the Trent 7000 fleet.

Revenue from Rolls-Royce's civil aerospace division increased to £4.1 billion ($5.2 billion) in the first half of 2024, driven by a rise in shop visits and engine deliveries. Service revenue accounted for £2.8 billion, and original equipment (OE) revenue was £1.3 billion, both up by 27%.

Defence revenues reached £2.2 billion, up by 18%, while power systems revenue grew by 6%, totaling £1.8 billion.

Reflecting the strong performance in the first half of the year, Rolls-Royce has raised its full-year operating profit guidance to £2.1 billion-2.3 billion from the previous £1.7 billion-2 billion forecast in February. Other civil aerospace metrics remain unchanged, with large engine flying hour guidance set at 100-110% of 2019 levels, OE deliveries at 500-550, and shop visits at 1,300-1,400.

China’s Comac Expands C919 Fleet with New Deliveries

Boosting Domestic and Global Market Presence

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has delivered its C919 airliner to Air China and China Southern Airlines, both of which placed orders for 100 C919s each in April. These deliveries, part of a gradual rollout scheduled from 2024 to 2031, mean that all three of China’s largest airlines now operate the C919.

Comac previously delivered the first C919 to China Eastern Airlines in March, which has since ordered an additional 100 units. The company also announced a new order from Tibet Airlines for 40 C919s at the 2024 Singapore Airshow. With over 900 orders in total, the C919's growing presence is expected to drive up demand for titanium mill products used in its construction. Each C919 aircraft utilizes 3.92 tons of titanium, and the aerospace sector accounts for over 25% of global titanium consumption.

Developed since 2008 and receiving certification in 2022, the C919 is now vying for approval in Europe to compete internationally against Boeing and Airbus.