Boeing has adopted a lower-profile presence at this year's Paris Air Show following the crash of Air India Flight 171, involving a 787-8 Dreamliner. The company's leadership canceled their attendance to focus on the investigation, resulting in no major aircraft orders announced at Le Bourget.
Despite this, Turkish Airlines is reportedly close to finalizing a large aircraft order with Boeing. According to Turkish Airlines Chair Ahmet Bolat, final discussions were expected to occur in Paris but were delayed due to Boeing's change in plans. In the meantime, the airline is proceeding with new leasing activity and plans to sign deals for narrowbody aircraft at the show.
Bolat confirmed during a roundtable at the Paris Air Show that discussions with Boeing are nearly complete, with pricing and engine cost negotiations being the final hurdle. "We had a final gap between us and Boeing. I was hoping that we could close that here in Le Bourget, but they had to fly to India for the event that happened," he said.