Wrapping up its best performance ever at a biennial Farnborough Airshow, Airbus logged new business for 496 aircraft – including 133 widebody jetliners with agreements involving the newly-launched A330neo and in-production A330ceo versions, along with the soon-to-enter-service A350 XWB.

The A330neo (new engine option) was at the centre of attention throughout the week-long industry event, with Airbus’ go-ahead for the launch of this new engine option aircraft followed by rapid-paced announcements of commitments for 121 aircraft.

These bookings involved both versions being offered: the A330-800neo, which has the same fuselage length as Airbus’ in-production A330-200ceo (current engine option); and the A330-900neo, which uses the A330-300ceo’s fuselage length.

With this latest product line addition, Airbus continued to reinforce its widebody jetliner leadership, and builds on the workhorse twin-engine A330’s reputation and customer base.    A330neo airline commitments were received from AirAsia X, the long-haul affiliate of Asia’s largest low-cost airline, involving 50 aircraft; and Russia’s Transaero Airlines, for 12 A330neo aircraft – its first European airline.  In addition, an unnamed Asian customer signed for four A330neos.

Completing the A330neo transactions revealed at Farnborough were agreements with three aircraft lessors: Air Lease Corporation, Avolon and CIT Group, which committed to acquiring a combined total of 55.  Executives of these leasing companies predicted an overall sales potential for more than 1,000 A330neos, and cited the aircraft’s operating advantages – particularly in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific marketplace.

Other new widebody business detailed during the air show event were Transaero’s commitment for eight A330ceo aircraft and the Memorandum of Understanding from Air Mauritius for six A350 XWBs.

Also at the Farnborough Airshow, Airbus’ single-aisle A320 Family maintained its reputation as a best-seller, with 363 orders and commitments announced, led by SMBC Aviation Capital’s firm order for 110 A320neo and five A320ceo jetliners.  It was joined by transactions with AerCap, BOC Aviation, the CIT Group, Hong Kong Aviation Capital and International Airlines Group (IAG).

Airbus press release