Live news from the Paris Air Show 2025

That’s a wrap

That concludes our coverage from the Paris Air Show 2025. Keep an eye on our blog and social media profiles for any future developments.

JSX to begin ATR operations, signs LoI for additional aircraft

JSX (XE/JSX), the US-based public charter airline, will begin ATR operations later this year with a pair of leased ATR 42-600 aircraft configured with 30 seats. JSX and ATR signed a Letter of Intent at the Paris Air Show for 15 firm and 10 option ATRs, either the ATR 42-600 with 30 premium seats or ATR 72-600 with 30 “all-business class” seats.

JSX currently operates a fleet of 72 Embraer E-jets, split between E135 and E145 aircraft.

Starlux orders 10 Airbus A350-1000

Starlux (SX/SJX) has placed an order for an additional 10 Airbus A350-1000 jets. The aircraft will also debut the airline’s new ‘Carbon Fibre’ livery.

Skywest makes its huge E175 fleet even bigger

Skywest (OO/SKW) has placed an order for a further 60 Embraer E175 regional jets. The regional airline is the largest operator of the type in the world and has also secured the purchase rights for 50 additional aircraft. The Embraer 175 is the older generation regional jet that just keeps going. Limitations on the maximum takeoff weight for regional aircraft in the United States mean the venerable E175 is firmly entrenched in the US market.

SkyWest operates regional ‘feeder’ flights for several large US airlines including Delta and United.

Launch customer of Embraer E190 freighter announced

Bridges Air Cargo (5B/BRD) will be the launch customer of the new passenger-to-freight (P2F), Embraer E190F ‘E-Freighter’.  The first of two conversions is expected to start operating in the fleet in the third quarter of this year.

Egypt’s flag carrier orders 6 more Airbus A350-900s

Egyptair (MS/MSR) has confirmed a firm order for six more Airbus A350-900s, supporting its ongoing expansion plans to accommodate rising passenger demand. This latest purchase brings the airline’s total A350-900 orders to 16.

The A350 freighter gains another customer

MNG Airlines (MB-MNB), becomes the latest airline to commit to the upcoming Airbus A350F. The airline, a global logistics provider based in Türkiye, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for two aircraft.

The Airbus A350F is a next-generation freighter variant of the A350 XWB family, designed to challenge the Boeing 777F and eventually replace older cargo aircraft like the 747-400F. Based on the A350-1000, it features a reinforced fuselage, a large main deck cargo door, and a higher maximum takeoff weight. With over 109 tonnes of payload capacity and a range of around 4,700 nautical miles, the A350F offers significant improvements in fuel efficiency and emissions compared to older freighters. Major launch customers include Singapore Airlines, CMA CGM Air Cargo, and Etihad Cargo.

Vietjet signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus

Vietjet (VJ/VJC) is Vietnam’s largest private airline. They have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus covering a new order for 100 single-aisle A321neo aircraft, with the potential to add another 50 in the future.

‘Firm order’, ‘Options’ – what do all these terms mean?

We hear a lot of odd language when airlines and lessors order new aircraft from manufacturers, especially during big trade shows like the Paris, Farnborough and Dubai Air Shows. Here’s a quick guide to what some of those terms mean.

• A firm order is a legally binding contract in which an airline commits to purchasing a specific number of aircraft from a manufacturer. This agreement includes a defined delivery schedule and often secures favorable pricing and production slots. Once signed, it forms the backbone of an airline’s fleet expansion or renewal strategy.
• An option is a contractual mechanism that gives an airline the right—but not the obligation—to purchase additional aircraft in the future, typically at predetermined prices and delivery dates. Options are commonly used to provide flexibility, allowing carriers to adapt their fleet size based on evolving market conditions or financial performance without committing immediately.
• A Letter of Intent (LoI) or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is a non-binding agreement expressing an airline’s intention to place an order. These are usually signed during the early stages of negotiation, often at high-profile events like air shows, and serve as a public signal of interest before converting into firm orders.
• A commitment or deal announcement is often a verbal or informal indication that a purchase agreement is being pursued. While useful for generating media attention and market buzz, these announcements may not always translate into actual deliveries unless formalized through binding contracts.

In short – a firm order is a done deal, whilst an ‘option’ offers strategic flexibility. Letters of intent and public commitments may attract headlines, but only firm agreements secure production slots and signal a clear financial commitment from the airline.

Manitoba province to acquire more DHC-515 waterbombers

It’s not all about the commercial jets at the Paris Air Show. Today, De Havilland Canada has announced that the province of Manitoba has formally expressed its intention to acquire three DHC-515 waterbombers.

According to De Havilland, this commitment “represents a key milestone for the DHC-515 program and highlights Canada’s continued investment in homegrown aerospace innovation as part of its response to the growing threat of wildfires across North America”.

The DHC-515 began production in 2022 and is the latest in a long line of venerable amphibious aircraft built by De Havilland Canada and previously Canadair. They are operated by numerous civilian bodies as well as the Air Forces of Italy, France, and Greece.

LOT Polish Airlines orders its first Airbus jets

LOT (LO/LOT) Polish Airlines has placed an order for 40 Airbus A220 family aircraft. This is to be made up for 20 Airbus A220-100 and 20 of the longer Airbus A220-300. This marks the first Airbus aircraft ever to be ordered by the Polish flag carrier. The A220 will progressively replace LOT’s current regional fleet, enabling new route opportunities and destinations thanks to its advanced capabilities as a newer generation regional jet. The airline reportedly has options for another 44 aircraft.

Read the Airbus press release here.

ANA becomes the first Japanese Embraer E2 operator, firms up Airbus commitments

All Nippon Airways (NH/ANA) has firmed orders for 27 Airbus narrowbodies, made up of 24 A321neo jets and Japan’s first 3 A321XLRs. Peach (MM/APJ), ANA’s low-cost arm, will debut the A321XLR in Japan and operate 10 A321neos; the remaining 14 Airbus jets go to ANA mainline. The Peach-bound A321s will be powered by CFM Leap-1A engines.

The aircraft will serve both domestic and international routes. The original MoU, announced in February, also included commitments for up to 30 Boeing aircraft.

This comes alongside an order for 15 Embraer E190-E2s, with options for five more. This order marks the first Japanese carrier that will operate the Embraer E2 family of aircraft.

Riyadh Air orders 25 Airbus A350-1000 jets

Upcoming Saudi carrier Riyadh Air (RX/RXI) has placed a firm order for 25 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. 

The carrier, which had plans to commence operations this year, already has firm orders placed for 60 Airbus A321neo and 39 Boeing 787-9 jets (with options for 33 more). A specially painted A321neo test aircraft is present at this week’s Paris Air Show.

The Airbus A350 first flew in June 2013 and is a long-range, wide-body twin engine airliner. It is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines and has a composite fuselage. Two versions are currently offered, the A350-900 and A350-1000.

Read the press release from Airbus here.

Welcome to the Paris Air Show 2025

We will be sharing significant updates and aircraft orders from the show on this page.