Airbus announces significant new orders at Farnborough Airshow

While Airbus maintained a lower profile on the first day of the Farnborough Airshow, announcing an order from Royal Bhutan Airlines for three A320neo and two A321XLRs, it used the event to celebrate Cebu Pacific's purchase of up to 152 A321neo aircraft. This represents the largest aircraft order in Philippine aviation history. The binding memorandum of understanding, signed earlier this month, includes firm orders for up to 102 A321neos and 50 A320neo family purchase rights. Cebu Pacific has selected Pratt & Whitney GTF engines to power these aircraft.

“This latest order demonstrates the growing opportunities for aviation in the Philippines and the larger Asia Pacific region,” said Rick Deurloo, president of commercial engines at Pratt & Whitney. “Our GTF engine will power this growth while delivering industry-leading fuel efficiency and sustainability benefits for single-aisle aircraft.” The RTX business expects to complete the purchase agreement in the third quarter of the year.

In a separate statement, Pratt & Whitney announced that SMBC Aviation Capital had exercised options for 22 Pratt & Whitney GTF-powered A320neo firm orders. This deal supplements a 2021 order for 20 additional aircraft, bringing SMBC’s commitment to 42 firm A320neo family aircraft equipped with GTF engines.