IAG gives Boeing a boost in Paris on Day 2

LEAP engines on a Boeing 737 Max (Image: Nick Harding/TransportMedia UK)
LEAP engines on a Boeing 737 Max (Image: Nick Harding/TransportMedia UK)

British Airways parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG), has given Boeing a boost at the Paris Air Show with a letter of intent for Boeing 737 Max aircraft.

The surprise move sees IAG commit to purchasing 200 of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft which are currently grounded following two fatal crashes being blamed on Boeing’s MCAS system, unique to the Max.

The aircraft will be the 737-8 and 737-10 variants and will be powered by the CFM Leap engines.

Boeing 737 Max (Image: Aviation Media Agency)
Boeing 737 Max (Image: Aviation Media Agency)

Willie Walsh, IAG chief executive, said: “We’re very pleased to sign this letter of intent with Boeing and are certain that these aircraft will be a great addition to IAG’s short-haul fleet. 

“We have every confidence in Boeing and expect that the aircraft will make a successful return to service in the coming months having received approval from the regulators”.

The aircraft have been ordered for British Airways, Level and Vueling although the company did not disclose how many for each carrier.

IAG has also ordered 14 A321XLR aircraft, with the option of 14 more, from rival company Airbus.

Airbus A321XLR
Airbus A321XLR

The A321XLR was announced officially yesterday and has attracted significant interest form airlines with its class-leading 4,700nm range.

IAG has ordered eight of the type for Iberia and six for Aer Lingus and are likely to be used on transatlantic routes.

Speaking about the Airbus deal, Willie Walsh added: “The A321XLR has the same unit cost as a widebody long-haul aircraft which will enable profitable network expansion. This will strengthen both Dublin and Madrid hubs providing new transatlantic routes and additional flexibility for connecting passengers. These aircraft will also bring further cost efficiencies and environmental benefits.”

Elsewhere on Day 2 of the Paris Air Show, ATR secured a deal for 105 aircraft from Nordic Aviation Capital. The deal sees the leasing company commit to 35 firm aircraft, with 35 options and purchase rights to a further 35.

Embraer received a firm order for two Embraer 195-E2s from Binter Canarias. Japan’s Fuji Dream Airlines has been confirmed as the customer for two E175s.

Full Orders List Paris 2019

Customer Airline Type Status Amount
AirAsia AirAsia A321neo Order Swap 253
Air Lease   A220-300 Order 50
IAG Level 737 Max 8 Order 50
IAG Level 737 Max 10 Order 50
IAG Vueling Airlines 737 Max 8 Order 50
IAG Vueling Airlines 737 Max 10 Order 50
Saudia Saudia A320neo family Option 35
Air Lease Unknown A321XLR Order 27
Air Lease  Unknown A321neo Order 23
United Airlines United Airlines E175 Order 20
Nordic Air Capital  Unknown ATR 42-600 Order 20
Nordic Air Capital  Unknown ATR 42-600 Option 20
Nordic Air Capital  Unknown ATR 42-600 Order 20
United Airlines United Airlines E175 Option 19
Cebu Pacific Air Cebu Pacific Air A330-900neo Order 16
Saudia Saudia A321XLR Order 15
Saudia Saudia A320neo Order 15
Nordic Air Capital  Unknown ATR 72-600 Order 15
Nordic Air Capital  Unknown ATR 72-600 Option 15
Nordic Air Capital  Unknown ATR 72-600 Order 15
Cebu Pacific Air Cebu Pacific Air A321XLR Order 10
Cebu Pacific Air Cebu Pacific Air A321neo Option 10
Korean Air Korean Air 787-9 Order 10
Korean Air Korean Air 787-10 Order 10
Air Lease Korean Air 787-10 Order 10
Virgin Atlantic Airways Virgin Atlantic Airways A330-900neo Order 8
IAG Iberia A321XLR Order 8
IAG Iberia A321XLR Option 7
Virgin Atlantic Airways Virgin Atlantic Airways A330-900neo Option 6
TAAG Angola Airlines TAAG Angola Airlines Q400 Order 6
IAG Aer Lingus A321XLR Order 6
IAG Aer Lingus A321XLR Option 7
Cebu Pacific Air Cebu Pacific Air A320neo Order 5
Air Lease  Unknown 787-9 Order 5
Delta Air Lines Delta Air Lines A220-100 Order 5
Middle East Airlines Middle East Airlines A321XLR Order Swap 4
Air Antilles Air Antilles DHC-6 Twin Otter Order 2
Binter Canarias Binter Canarias E175 E2 Order 2
Fuji Dream Airlines Fuji Dream Airlines E175 Order 2
Atlantic Airways Atlantic Airways A320neo Order 2
About Nick Harding 1897 Articles
Nick is the senior reporter and editor at UK Aviation News as well as working freelance elsewhere. He has his finger firmly on the pulse on Aviation, not only in the UK but worldwide. Nick has been asked to speak in a professional capacity on LBC, Heart and other broadcast networks.