Image: American Airlines has signed a firm order with Embraer for seven new E175s at Paris Air Show
The second day of Paris Air Show saw several big aircraft order announcements, with Avolon placing an order for Boeing 40 737 MAX aircraft to provide its customers with greater flexibility across the network, while reducing fuel use and emissions by 20% compared to the airplanes they replace.
Meanwhile, Embraer announced orders totalling 38 aircraft across its portfolio to several clients, Air Algérie confirmed an order for eight fuel-efficient Boeing 737-9 jets, and Philippine Airlines (PAL) has finalised a purchase agreement with Airbus for nine A350-1000 long range aircraft.
Big announcements
Volocopter and Groupe ADP used the show to confirm the launch of the first eVTOL aircraft services over Paris Region skies for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, making the French capital the first European city – and likely the first city in the world – to offer eVTOL services to the general public as an addition to the existing public transportation system of Paris Region.
Pratt & Whitney has announced a $206 million investment plan to expand the capabilities and footprint of its Columbus, Georgia business, which supports commercial and military engine programs.
And the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) awarded Leonardo a contract by for the supply of a new RAT 31 DL/M long-range deployable air defence radar (DADR).
Group sessions
The air show was also the platform for insightful industry discussions, with four of the leading eVTOL companies involved in the CEO roundtable to discuss the latest trends and forecasts for the sector. They covered safety and certification, as well as pricing and target markets, and how to scale the industry through lower operating costs.
“It will be an expensive journey,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer during the panel discussion. “With landing fees as one of the biggest costs, these need to be managed to make to eVTOL sector affordable for the masses.”
The World Economic Forum (WEF) and Paris Region also held a press conference to discuss the advancement of the urban air mobility sector in Paris and beyond, with WEF announcing a global initiative to accelerate the advancement of autonomy in the aviation sector by working with some of the forum’s Centres for Industrial Revolution around the world.
