Boeing has kicked off the Farnborough Airshow 2024 pretty well with orders from Korean Air, Japan Airlines, Luxair, and National Airlines. At the end of Day 1, Drukair signed an MOU with Airbus for three A320neo and two A321XLR.
Here is the recap of the orders so far.
Korean Air Orders Up to 50 Boeing Widebodies
- 20 B777-9s from 2028
- 20 B787-10 with options for an additional 10
Korean Air has placed a firm order for 40 Boeing widebodies, including 20 B777-9s and 20 B787-10 Dreamliners, with options for an additional 10 B787-10s. With this order, Korean Air has become the newest member of the Boeing 777X family, with the first aircraft scheduled to be delivered in 2028.
Korean Air’s CEO, Walter Cho, stated that the addition of these new aircraft marks a significant milestone in their fleet expansion and upgrade strategy. He further emphasized that this order reflects their dedication to offering a superior flying experience.
Cho elaborated that the new additions will not only enhance passenger comfort and operational efficiency but also significantly reduce carbon emissions, aligning with their long-term commitment to sustainable aviation practices.
“We are honored Korean Air has selected our largest, most efficient widebody airplanes to add capacity to its global network. Boeing airplanes have played an integral role with Korean Air over the past 50 years, and the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will continue to support the airline’s long-term goals for sustainability and continued growth.”
Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Korean Air has been in continuous talks with Boeing for months regarding a potential widebody order, after placing a surprise order for 33 Airbus A350s jets earlier in March.
National Airlines Orders Four Boeing 777 Freighters
- 4 Boeing 777 Freighters
National Airlines has ordered four Boeing 777 freighters, marking the carrier’s first direct purchase of Boeing aircraft. Two of these B777Fs will be delivered in late 2025, with the remaining two arriving in 2026.
These new freighters will join National Airlines’ existing fleet of nine Boeing 747-400 freighters. Moreover, National Airlines’ Chairman, Christopher Alf confirmed that the B777X freighter will replace its Boeing 747 freighters in the future, as reported by Airways Magazine.
“We are elated by this remarkable order of four Boeing 777 Freighters. This demonstrates our commitment to offering efficient, resourceful, and modern air freight services to support our global customers’ increasing transportation demands. The order affirms our fleet growth plan as we enter into the next chapter of National.”
Christopher Alf, Chairman of National Airlines
Luxair Orders Up to Four Boeing 737 MAX Jets
Luxair has placed an order for two Boeing 737 MAX 10 jets with options for an additional two aircraft.
The Luxembourg-based charter airline intends to offer a minimum seat pitch of 30 inches on its MAX 10 jets. This configuration will allow the airline to carry up to 213 passengers on routes up to 5,740 km (3,100 nautical miles), enhancing both capacity and range to benefit from the growing demand for leisure travel.
“The purchase of the 737-10 is another step towards Luxair positioning for its future with the investment in the latest airplane technology that will support Luxair’s growth plans and the decarbonization of our fleet. There is high commonality between the 737 MAX models, and this allows for significant operational savings for the airline.”
Gilles Feith, Luxair CEO
Currently, Luxair operates a fleet of 21 aircraft, including two leased Boeing 737 MAX 8s and eight 737 NGs. Over the past two years, Luxair has expanded its route network by 30%, now serving 94 destinations.
“With three members of the 737 MAX family in its fleet, Luxair will have the flexibility to use the right-size airplane according to the market demand. We appreciate Luxair for choosing the 737-10 to support its growth and improve the passenger experience, while realizing the benefits of operating an increasingly fuel-efficient fleet.”
Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing
Japan Airlines Orders Up to 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners
Japan Airlines has ordered up to 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners at the Farnborough Airshow. The agreement includes firm orders for 10 B787-9s, with an option for an additional 10 aircraft.
“We are delighted to announce the addition of 787 Dreamliners to our fleet. We greatly appreciate the strong relationship and support from Boeing, which has been instrumental in our efforts to modernize our fleet and expand our international routes,” said Yukio Nakagawa, JAL Executive Officer of Procurement.
Currently, the Japanese flag carrier operates 45 Dreamliners, including 23 B787-8s and 22 B787-9s.
“Japan Airlines continues to be a global ambassador for the 787 Dreamliner and this latest agreement is a testament to the versatility and efficiency of the 787-9 for the airline’s key long-haul routes. We value our long-standing partnership with Japan Airlines and are pleased that they have re-selected the 787 Dreamliner as they continue to modernize their world-class fleet.”
Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing.
Drukair Signs MOU for Five Airbus A320neo, A321XLR
Drukair – Royal Bhutan Airlines, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for three A320neo and two A321XLR aircraft to expand its international network. Deliveries for these new aircraft are expected to start in 2030.
The Bhutanese flag carrier plans to fly these aircraft out of Paro International Airport and the new airport at Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC). Drukair plans to expand its connectivity to Europe, South East Asia, and Australia.
“We are thrilled to embark on this new chapter in Drukair’s history, which dovetails perfectly with development of the Gelephu Mindfulness City and work to expand the Gelephu airport. Our investment in these state-of-the-art aircraft underscores our dedication to supporting Bhutan’s vision of holistic and mindful development.”
Tandi Wangchuk, Drukair CEO
Drukair already operates four Airbus A320 family aircraft including three A319s and one A320.
“We are grateful to Drukair for reaffirming their trust in Airbus to power their next phase of growth. Airbus has been a long-standing partner of Bhutan and we are extremely proud that our latest generation aircraft will be a part of the Kingdom’s next chapter of development.”
Executive Vice President Sales of Airbus Commercial Aircraft business Benoît de Saint-Exupéry
Featured Image via Boeing