In a turn of events, Airbus has secured orders for 65 jets from two major Asian carriers, dealing a significant blow to its U.S. rival Boeing. The orders, announced on Thursday, come at a time when Boeing is grappling with a series of quality issues, including a mid-flight panel blowout on one of its 737 MAX 9 jets.
Japan Airlines, a longtime Boeing customer, has decided to diversify its fleet by ordering 21 wide-body A350-900 and 11 A321neo narrow-body jets from Airbus. This marks the first time that Japan Airlines will be incorporating smaller single-aisle jets from Airbus into its fleet. The move is a clear indication of Airbus’ growing foothold in a market traditionally dominated by Boeing.
Adding to Boeing’s woes, South Korea’s largest carrier, Korean Air, has also announced plans to purchase 33 A350s in a deal worth $13.7 billion. This marks Korean Air’s first purchase of Airbus aircraft as it prepares for a merger with Asiana Airlines, another major South Korean carrier.
The orders come at a time when Airbus has been steadily gaining market share in the single-aisle segment with its A321neo, particularly in the aftermath of the Boeing 737 MAX crisis, which involved two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. In contrast, Boeing’s production has been hampered by regulatory restrictions following safety and quality concerns.
According to industry analysts, the orders from Japan Airlines and Korean Air underscore the strong demand for new wide-body jets, especially from Asian and Middle Eastern carriers, as international travel rebounds from the pandemic-induced slump. Both Airbus and Boeing are experiencing robust demand for their aircraft, with the challenge now shifting to meeting this demand with an adequate supply.
Japan Airlines has indicated that deliveries for its orders are expected between the 2025 and 2033, with a total catalogue price of about $12.4 billion. The airline also plans to replace one destroyed A350-900 in a runway collision at Haneda airport in Tokyo in January with an additional aircraft.
Korean Air’s decision to order A350s is part of its long-term fleet planning strategy, aimed at replacing older aircraft and meeting sustainability goals. Airbus has highlighted that its A350s are 25% more fuel-efficient than similar older-generation planes, aligning with the growing focus on environmental sustainability in the aviation industry.
Overall, Airbus’ success in securing these orders highlights the challenges facing Boeing as it navigates through its manufacturing crisis. With Asian carriers increasingly turning to Airbus, the European planemaker is poised to strengthen its position in the global aviation market.
(Source: Market Watch | Fortune | Flight Global)
