Farnborough Airshow Closes with Over 320 Firm Aircraft Orders as Airbus, Boeing and Embraer Secure Fresh Business

By R Chandrakanth

Farnborough. The Farnborough International Airshow 2026 concluded on July 24, 2026 with commercial aircraft manufacturers Airbus, Boeing and Embraer securing a combined 327 firm aircraft orders during the three official business days of the exhibition, underlining continued airline demand for fleet renewal despite supply chain constraints that have tempered the pace of deliveries across the industry.

While the order tally exceeded the total announced at the 2024 edition of the airshow, it fell well short of the industry’s early expectations of as many as 800 aircraft orders. Nevertheless, the event reinforced the long-term confidence of airlines and aircraft lessors in next-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft as global passenger traffic and cargo demand continue to expand.

The largest transaction of the week came from aircraft leasing giant SMBC Aviation Capital, which placed a landmark order for 200 narrowbody aircraft, 100 Boeing 737 MAX jets and 100 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft. The single transaction accounted for well over half of the firm orders announced during the airshow and highlighted the increasingly important role of leasing companies in shaping airline fleet strategies worldwide.

Airbus strengthens Asian presence Airbus recorded several significant commitments spanning both narrowbody and widebody aircraft while also adding new customers. The headline announcement came from Philippine Airlines, which signed a Memorandum of Understanding for nine A350-1000 aircraft. Once finalised, the agreement will double the carrier’s A350-1000 orderbook to 18 aircraft, supporting the airline’s long-haul expansion, particularly nonstop services from Manila to North America.

Airbus also welcomed Shohin Airlines of Tajikistan as a new customer after the airline disclosed an order for four A320neo Family aircraft, comprising two A320neos and two A321neos. The aircraft will form the backbone of the start-up carrier’s future fleet serving regional and international routes from Dushanbe.

Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier flynas expanded its Airbus fleet commitment by ordering 20 additional A321neo aircraft and five A330-900 aircraft. The latest agreement increases flynas’ total Airbus orderbook to 235 aircraft, including 56 A321neos and 20 A330neos, supporting its domestic, regional and long-haul expansion plans as Saudi Arabia accelerates its aviation growth strategy.

Another new Airbus customer emerged with BermudAir, which placed its first-ever Airbus order for 10 A220-300 aircraft. The airline said the A220 will enable it to expand beyond Bermuda into the Caribbean and North America while offering improved operating economics and passenger comfort. Beyond direct airline purchases, Airbus also benefited from SMBC Aviation Capital’s order for 100 A320neo Family aircraft, reinforcing the continued market strength of its best-selling single-aisle family.

Commenting on the company’s success at Farnborough, Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President, Sales, Airbus Commercial Aircraft, said “This additional order from flynas highlights the continued appeal of Airbus’ latest-generation aircraft and reflects the strength of our partnership with one of the region’s fastest-growing airlines. The A321neo and A330neo deliver outstanding efficiency, performance and passenger comfort, enabling airlines to grow sustainably while expanding their networks.”

Boeing secures passenger and freighter business

Boeing’s orderbook reflected healthy demand across both passenger and cargo markets, with airlines and lessors placing orders for narrowbody, widebody and freighter aircraft. The week’s biggest Boeing-related announcement came from SMBC Aviation Capital, whose order included 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, strengthening the lessor’s ability to support airlines seeking new-generation narrowbody capacity.

Uganda Airlines became a first-time direct Boeing customer by ordering four 737-8 aircraft and four 787-9 Dreamliners, marking a significant milestone for the East African carrier as it seeks to expand services across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Luxembourg flag carrier Luxair converted two options for Boeing 737-10 aircraft into firm orders while securing purchase rights for two additional aircraft. The latest deal increases Luxair’s confirmed Boeing fleet to twelve 737 MAX family aircraft.

In the cargo segment, MSC Air Cargo placed an order for five Boeing 777-8 Freighters, becoming another European operator to commit to Boeing’s newest generation freighter platform.

Aircraft leasing leader AerCap also expanded its widebody portfolio by ordering 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, increasing its total 787 fleet to approximately 140 aircraft while retaining flexibility to convert some deliveries to the larger 787-10 variant.

Several important leasing agreements were also announced during the show. Vietnam Airlines secured leased capacity for 19 Boeing 737-8 aircraft, with SMBC Aviation Capital providing 10 aircraft, Avolon leasing four aircraft and Phoenix Aviation Capital, managed by AIP Capital, supplying five aircraft. The interim fleet will bridge the gap until Vietnam Airlines begins receiving the 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft it has already ordered directly from Boeing between 2030 and 2032.

Meanwhile, AerolíneasArgentinas signed lease agreements covering 14 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft—including MAX 8, MAX 9 and MAX 10 variants—and four Airbus A330neo aircraft, supporting its fleet modernisation programme through 2031.

Brad McMullen, Senior Vice President, Commercial Sales and Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said the new agreements demonstrate continued confidence in Boeing’s latest-generation aircraft, adding that the aircraft will help airlines expand networks, improve operational efficiency and support long-term growth.

Embraer gains momentum in regional aviation

Brazilian manufacturer Embraer secured one of the airshow’s notable regional aircraft orders through Abra Group, which signed its first-ever agreement with the company. Abra committed to 20 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, with options and purchase rights that could increase the transaction to 45 aircraft. The agreement marks an important strategic diversification for the Latin American airline group, which operates several airlines across the region.

Commenting on the order, Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said the agreement represents an important milestone for both companies and demonstrates growing confidence in the E2 family as airlines seek highly efficient aircraft to optimise capacity and reduce operating costs.

Industry confidence remains strong

Although Farnborough 2026 did not produce the blockbuster order totals witnessed during earlier aviation upcycles, the quality and diversity of transactions reflected healthy underlying demand across commercial aviation. The orderbook spanned full-service airlines, low-cost carriers, start-up operators, cargo airlines and major global lessors, illustrating the broad-based recovery of the aviation sector.

The week’s announcements also highlighted the increasingly influential role played by leasing companies, particularly SMBC Aviation Capital and AerCap, whose purchases will ultimately support fleet expansion for airlines across multiple regions.

The final official figure of 327 firm aircraft orders excludes options, purchase rights, lease transactions and previously booked orders that were formally identified during the exhibition. Despite persistent supply chain bottlenecks affecting aircraft deliveries, Farnborough International Airshow 2026 demonstrated that airlines remain firmly committed to investing in new-generation aircraft offering greater fuel efficiency, lower emissions and improved operating economics. With fleet replacement and network expansion continuing across both mature and emerging markets, Airbus, Boeing and Embraer left Farnborough with renewed commercial momentum heading into the second half of the year.