11 July 2023
Paris Air Show 2023
After missing its 2021 slot due to COVID-19, the 54th Paris Air Show (PAS) welcomed over 300,000 visitors to Le Bourget after a four-year hiatus. Unlike the record temperatures of the Farnborough Air Show last year, PAS experienced heavy rain at points, but this did little to deter an industry that is clearly ascending from the ravages of the pandemic.
The message for aviation was loud and clear: its future lies in sustainable transport – achieved by the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in existing aircraft and investing in hybrid and electric.
With the landmark introduction of an air mobility zone, PAS enjoyed making history as it witnessed the first eVTOL to fly at an international airshow. Volocopter’s 2X model, a two-seat air taxi the company intends to market as the Volocity, opened the daily flying display.
There were also an encouraging number of start-ups in attendance, many exhibiting for the first time, including Beyond Aero, who is developing a hydrogen-electric BYA-1 aircraft capable of carrying 4-8 passengers for over 900 miles
This year the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war was also evident through an increased focus on military aviation. There were a host of air defence announcements, signalling Europe’s growing investment in this area.
India may have dominated the orders this year, but Saudi carrier Riyadh Air also made its mark at PAS, two years ahead of planned flights in 2025. It is the largest full-service airline from Saudi Arabia since Etihad 20 years ago. It has plans to carry more than 100 million passengers to and from a network of more than 100 destinations by the end of the decade.
Aircraft leasing also played a bigger role than in previous years, with Airlease Corporation, Aviation Capital Group, Azorra Aviation and Nordic Aviation Capital agreeing to purchase new aircraft or signing dry leasing contracts.
Order Breakdown
India’s growing passenger demand convincingly dominated orders. Airbus’ resounding lead is due in part to a record-breaking order of 500 A320neos by IndiGo Airlines.
Air India also firmed sizable orders with Airbus and Boeing – for Boeing, the recently privatised flag carrier confirmed 190 737 Max, 20 787 Dreamliner and 10 777X, plus options for an additional 50 737 Max and 20 787s. While for Airbus, Air India firmed its order of 210 A320neo family, along with 40 A350s.
Despite coming a clear second, commercial jet demand is currently exceeding Boeing’s production capacity; it is sold out of delivery slots until 2028. Nevertheless, Boeing could have difficulty filling future production slots because of Airbus’ persistent order intake advantage.
Final Numbers
• Airbus - 850
• Boeing - 359
• De Havilland Canada - 24
• Embraer - 52
• ATR - 24
NB – Embraer’s stats do not include eVTOL orders – with these, the number would be 202.
Source: https://aviationsourcenews.com/airshow/paris-air-show-what-were-the-final-scores-for-orders/
Major Themes
Taking the baton from the 2022 Farnborough Air Show, sustainability continued to be a key theme. Over 1,000 fuel-efficient commercial aircraft were ordered, primarily from Boeing and Airbus. All 850 Airbus aircraft ordered will offer a marked reduction in carbon emissions compared to the jets they replace.
A plethora of new electric, hybrid-electric or hydrogen-powered projects were showcased, often targeting regional travel, utilising the currently under-used smaller airports.
The Volt Aero prototype Cassio 330, a hybrid electric aircraft with a range of up to 750 miles, should be flying later this year. Eviation presented the only flight-proven aircraft of its size to operate wholly electric. Autoflight has pledged to conduct piloted experimental eVOTL flights of its Prosperity I aircraft during the Paris Olympics next year. Eve Air Mobility and Voar Aviation also signed a letter of intent to evaluate the sale and purchase of 70 eVOTLs to be operated across Brazil.
Since Concorde’s retirement 20 years ago, the industry has eagerly awaited the return of supersonic air travel. Boom Supersonic whetted its appetite at PAS by announcing new agreements with Aernova, Leonardo and Acturri, alongside innovative technical specifications for its planned Overture supersonic commercial airliner and Symphony engine – exhibited at the event as a 3D-printed one-third design model.
Space was also on the agenda – both as a means for measuring the planet’s sustainability and inspiring the next generation of astronauts – with Al Worden’s Endeavour Scholarship announced, a week-long astronaut training camp in Alabama.
Labour shortages were discussed with much urgency at PAS. Aerospace has lost a vast amount of experience in recent years, both via the pandemic and retirement not being matched by recruitment and training. The learning curve has shifted, and the industry recognises the pressing need for investment. The lack of boots on the ground and in the sky is seen as a primary factor currently preventing the aviation industry from taking full advantage of the post-pandemic surge in customer demand. PAS held a special recruitment drive and allowed unemployed people free entry.
French Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne welcomed attendees to the job fair, stressing that there were opportunities in aviation for all. French aerospace firms need to hire 25,000 people this year; taking departures into account, that is a net increase of 9,000. While in Quebec, 38,000 additional aerospace workers are needed by 2030.
Another hangover from the pandemic that received substantial air time was the ongoing pressures associated with supply chain disruption, and reassurances were made to customers still waiting on orders, desperate to benefit from the world’s return to air travel. Manufacturers said they were committed to solving supply chain issues and meeting their targets.
Cautious Hope
While the PAS positivity was palpable, certain doubts remain. Despite the flurry of order activity across the week, the combined orders of 1,309 were lower than the optimistic market forecasts, which had predicted closer to 2,000. There were also whispers that supply chain issues could persist until 2025, and Airbus and Boeing already have order backlogs stretching years ahead.
Nevertheless, there was also much to celebrate.
The progress the industry is making towards a sustainable future was abundantly clear – from the industry giants’ more fuel efficient 737 Maxs and A320neos dominating orders, to the start-ups unveiling plans that could arguably change the nature of travel as we know it.
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