Takeoff! Orders flow at first air show since Covid-19

Aviation is taking off again, with the first major air show since the arrival of Covid-19 producing substantial orders for new Airbus planes and, to a lesser extent, for Boeing commercial aircraft.
The 2021 Dubai Airshow concluded last week. The last time the biennial event was held was in November 2019 which, coincidentally, was the same month that scientists first identified a new disease, since named Covid-19. The ensuing pandemic has massively depressed air travel around the world.
Things are looking up again. At this year’s show last week, Airbus received orders and commitments ­­totalling 408 aircraft (269 firm orders and 139 commitments). The agreements cover the full range of commercial aircraft families, including a first commitment for the A350F freighter derivative.
At a pre-show event, Airbus launched its latest global market forecast outlining progressively shifting demand from fleet growth to accelerated retirement of older, less fuel-efficient aircraft resulting in a need for some 39,000 new-build passenger and freighter aircraft. Of these,15,250 aircraft (around 40%) are for replacements.
On the opening day of the show, Indigo Partners portfolio airlines placed a firm order for 255 A321neo Family aircraft, including 29 XLR. The order breakdown is as follows: Wizz Air 102 aircraft (75 A321neo + 27 A321XLR); Frontier 91 aircraft (A321neo); Volaris 39 aircraft (A321neo); JetSMART 23 aircraft (21 A321neo + 2 A321XLR).
The second day saw Air Lease Corporation sign a commitment for 111 aircraft covering the full range of aircraft families including the new A350 Freighter (25 A220-300s, 55 A321neos, 20 A321XLRs, four A330neos, seven A350Fs). Along with the orders, ALC and Airbus announced the first ever joint ESG scheme in aircraft procurement – a joint Sustainability Fund – to foster industry decarbonisation programs.
On the third day, Jazeera Airways committed to 28 A321neos and Nigeria’s Ibom Air became a new Airbus customer with a firm order for 10 A220s.
The Indigo Partners order was particularly significant. It brings the total number of aircraft ordered by the Indigo Partners’ airlines to 1145 A320 Family aircraft. The aircraft ordered at the Dubai Airshow are a mix of A321neos and A321XLRs.
In addition to this order, Volaris and JetSMART will upconvert 38 A320neo to A321neo from their existing aircraft backlogs.
“This order reaffirms our portfolio airlines’ commitment to consistent growth through the next decade,” said Bill Franke, managing partner of Indigo Partners.
“The Airbus A321neo and A321XLR have industry-leading efficiency, low unit costs and a substantially reduced carbon footprint relative to prior models. With these aircraft, Wizz, Frontier, Volaris and JetSMART will continue to offer low fares, stimulate the markets they serve and improve their industry-leading sustainability profile.”
ON THE BOEING FRONT, MEANWHILE, new Indian carrier Akasa Air, a brand of SNV Aviation, ordered at the airshow 72 Boeing aircraft – all 737 MAX – valued at nearly US$9 billion at list prices.
The 737 MAX has had more than its share of controversy following two catastrophic crashes in less than five months (in October 2018 and March 2019) that saw some 400 737 MAX jets worldwide grounded for almost two years. After changes by Boeing to software on the MAX, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other national safety regulators cleared the plane type to fly again.
The new 737 MAX order by Akasa Air was hailed by Boeing as a key endorsement of the 737 family’s capability to serve the rapidly growing Indian market.
“We are honoured that Akasa Air, an innovative airline focused on customer experience and environmental sustainability, has placed its trust in the 737 family to drive affordable passenger service in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation regions,” said Stan Deal, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and chief executive.

“The 737 MAX, with its optimized performance, flexibility and capability, is the perfect airplane to establish Akasa Air in the Indian market and ensure it effectively grows its network.”
Akasa Air chief executive Vinay Dube said, “We are delighted to partner with Boeing for our first airplane order and thank them for their trust and confidence in Akasa Air’s business plan and leadership team. We believe that the new 737 MAX airplane will support our aim of running not just a cost-efficient, reliable and affordable airline, but also an environmentally friendly company with the youngest and greenest fleet in the Indian skies.”
Dube added, “India is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world with an unparalleled potential. We are already witnessing a strong recovery in air travel, and we see decades of growth ahead of us. Akasa Air’s core purpose is to help power India’s growth engine and democratize air travel by creating an inclusive environment for all Indians regardless of their socio-economic or cultural backgrounds.”
Akasa Air’s order includes two variants from the 737 MAX family, the 737-8 and the high-capacity 737-8-200.
Two years ago, the 2019 Dubai Airshow was highlighted by colossal orders from Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, which ordered 30 Boeing 787-9 planes, worth US$ 8.8 billion at list prices, and 50 Airbus A350s, worth US$ 16 billion. This took the total value of Emirates’ firm aircraft commitments at the 2019 Dubai Airshow to US$24.8 billion.
Written by Peter Needham