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The Farnborough International Airshow took off on Monday, and dealmaking is already underway during the four-day aerospace exhibition and trade event in England. Boeing opened the first day by securing nearly 150 orders and commitments. Rival Airbus landed some plane and helicopter orders. RTX won an agreement to supply engines for British Airways.
More deals are expected this week as the Farnborough Airshow runs through July 24.
BoeingBA on Monday announced that SMBC Aviation Capital, a global aviation finance platform and lessor, ordered 100 737 Max planes. The order includes 60 of the 737 Max-10 models and 40 of the 737 Max-8 variants.
With the order, SMBC increased its owned, managed and committed portfolio of 737 Maxs to 450 jets.
Boeing also announced that Philippine Airlines committed to order up to 20 of the 787 planes, including a firm order for 15 airplanes with the opportunity to purchase an additional five jets. The deal is expected to support Philippine Airlines' fleet modernization and expansion plans by complementing its current family of 10 Boeing 777 jets.
Riyadh Air exercised an option from a 2023 order to purchase 28 additional Boeing 787s. The deal includes converting 20 existing orders to the larger 787-10 variant and a previously undisclosed purchase for 11 others. Altogether, that brings Riyadh Air's firm order count to 67 787s.
Meanwhile, Boeing on Friday said it expects demand for air travel to double over the next 20 years. The company, a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, forecast its global commercial airplane fleet will grow nearly 80% to more than 50,000 planes by 2045 as airlines and cargo operators add capacity.
FAA Gives Boeing Nod Of Confidence
Although the orders are a boost for Boeing, the aerospace giant still faces quality control and regulatory questions. The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday allowed Boeing to resume issuing airworthiness certificates for its 737 Max and 787. The regulatory agency stripped that ability from Boeing following fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.
Meanwhile, Boeing executives say they are close to completing certification for the 737-7 and 737-10. The company is about 95% done with its certification process for the 737-7 and about 98% complete with certification flight tests for the 737-10, AviationWeek reported. Boeing has completed about 50% of its certification flights for the 777-9.
The planes still need to undergo a design review process.
Airbus Wins Riyadh Air, Helicopter Order
AirbusEADSY on Monday also secured an order from Riyadh Air for six additional Airbus A350-1000 planes, bringing its total firm commitment to 31 aircraft. The agreement is part of Riyadh Air's commitment for up to 50 of the A350s. Following deliveries, Riyadh Air will become the first airline in Saudi Arabia to operate the A350, which will support its international growth plans.
As of the end of June, Airbus's A350 family had won 1,595 firm orders from 68 customers worldwide.
Separately, Airbus Helicopters announced an order from The Helicopter Company (THC), another company part of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Per the deal, THC ordered eight additional Airbus H145 helicopters that are scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028. The deal falls under the pair's 2024 framework agreement, which included up to 120 Airbus helicopters of various models set for delivery over the next three to five years.
Airbus on Monday also announced a deal with SMBC Aviation for 100 orders of its A320neo family of planes. The agreement includes a firm order for 65 additional A321neo planes and 35 A320neo aircraft. SMBC is one of Airbus' largest customers and accounts for over 900 total commitments across all its models, according to the release.
Farnborough Airshow Features Engine, Drone Deals
Beyond plane orders, the Farnborough Airshow features plenty of dealmaking for engines, drones and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
British Airways selected Pratt & Whitney to provide GTF engines to power up to 63 Airbus A320neo aircraft, RTXRTX announced. The deal includes a firm order for 33 engines with an option for an additional 30, as well as a 12-year services agreement. RTX said the deliveries are expected to begin in 2027.
BOC Aviation on Monday finalized an order with CFM International, the joint venture between GE AerospaceGE and Safran Aircraft Engines, for up to 300 LEAP engines. The order includes up to 200 LEAP-1A engines and 100 LEAP 1-B engines, which will power Airbus A320neo planes and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that BOC Aviation previously ordered.
Ahead of the airshow, Eve Air MobilityEVEX on Sunday signed a letter of intent with Shearwater Global Capital for up to 16 of its eVTOL aircraft.
Rival eVTOL maker Vertical AerospaceEVTL also plans to conduct a public demonstration flights throughout the Farnborough Airshow.
Aerospace Stocks In Motion As Farnborough Airshow Takes Off
Boeing stock slid 2% Monday to decline further below its 200-day moving average. Shares have rebounded from their late-March lows but remain down 3.5% so far this year.
Airbus stock eased 1.9% Monday to drop below its 200-day line and push its 2026 decline to 6.6%.
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RTX shares pared its Monday climb to 0.5%. RTX stock is trading below a 203.94 buy point for a cup-with-handle base. Shares have advanced about 6% this year.
EVEX stock popped 11% Monday to rebound off its 2026 low from Friday. Despite the jump, Eve Air Mobility shares have unraveled 39% in 2026.
Vertical Aerospace shares flew more than 8%, also attempting to rebound from year-lows. Still, EVTL stock has tumbled 70% this year.
You can follow Harrison Miller for more stock news and updates on X/Twitter @IBD_Harrison.
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