Orders rain at Farnborough for Boeing and Airbus

  Orders rain on the first day of Farnborough with both Airbus and Boeing all smiles. According to Farnborough International orders were placed for 311 commercial aircraft across the show worth US$43.6bn and more than US$2.8bn in engine orders were also announced. Going into the show, the commercial aircraft backlog stood at 14,327 – the largest ever. The first-day scorecard goes something like this: Boeing Brazilian GOL Airlines converted 30 current 737 MAX orders to the larger 737 MAX 10 launched last year and placed a new order for 15 more MAX 8 airplanes, growing GOL's total MAX orders to 135. Goshawk Aviation Limited announced an order for 20 737 MAX airplanes and the order marks the first time the aircraft lessor has purchased jets directly from Boeing. TAROM (Romanian Air Transport), the national carrier of Romania, signed an order for five 737 MAX 8s that was listed as an unidentified order. United Airlines announced it is expanded its commitment to the 787 program with a repeat order for four more 787-9s. Qatar Airways finalized an order for five 777 Freighters that was announced as a commitment in April. Jackson Square Aviation (JSA) announced an order for 30 737 MAX airplanes in its first direct purchase from Boeing. DHL placed an order and commitment for 14 Boeing 777 Freighters, and purchase rights for 7 additional freighters. Jet Airways confirmed an order for an additional 75 737 MAX 8s. READ: Farnborough Air Show to show the future of air travel Airbus STARLUX Airlines of Taiwan selected the A350 XWB for its future long-haul fleet, with an MOU for 17 aircraft, comprising 12 A350-1000s and five A350-900s. VISTARA, the New Delhi-based carrier, has signed a letter of Intent (LoI) for 13 A320neos to add to its existing portfolio of 21 Airbus aircraft. Wataniya Airways confirmed an order for 25 Airbus A320neo family aircraft. Goshawk Aviation Limited, the 50/50 joint venture between Hong Kong-based conglomerate NWS Holdings Limited and Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited, placed a firm order for 20 A320neo. Airbus also announced the signature of an MOU with a leading global lessor for 80 A320neo Family aircraft. Oman’s first budget airline, SalamAir, signed an agreement to add six new A320neo aircraft to its fleet, of which five are on lease from an undisclosed lessor. AirFinance Group Limited, a subsidiary of Macquarie Group Limited, place a firm order for 20 A320neos to add to its portfolio of 119 Airbus aircraft.