Airbus lands new airline orders as Farnborough focus extends beyond commercial jets

Airbus (EADSF)(EADSY) secured new aircraft commitments from Saudi Arabian carrier Flynas and Bermuda-based BermudAir as the Farnborough International Airshow opened this week, while also announcing progress in electric aircraft research, defense partnerships and uncrewed aviation programs.

Flynas expands Airbus fleet

Airbus (EADSF)(EADSY) said Flynas agreed to purchase five additional A330-900 widebody aircraft and 20 additional A321neo narrowbody jets.

The agreement raises Flynas' total commitments to 20 A330neo aircraft and 56 A321neos. Overall, the Saudi low-cost carrier now has firm commitments for 235 Airbus (EADSF)(EADSY) aircraft.

The airline currently operates 67 Airbus (EADSF)(EADSY) aircraft, including two A330-300s, four A320ceos and 61 A320neos.

The additional aircraft are intended to support Flynas' expansion across domestic, regional and long-haul routes as Saudi Arabia continues investing in its aviation sector ahead of projects including Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

BermudAir becomes A220 customer

Airbus (EADSF)(EADSY) also announced that BermudAir ordered 10 A220-300 aircraft, marking the airline's first Airbus (EADSF)(EADSY) purchase.

The order had previously appeared in Airbus' (EADSF)(EADSY) March order book as an undisclosed customer.

BermudAir plans to configure the aircraft with 135 seats in a three-class layout and use them to expand nonstop service across Bermuda, the Caribbean and North America.

At the end of June, Airbus (EADSF)(EADSY) had delivered 526 A220 aircraft to more than 25 operators. The aircraft's cumulative order book exceeded 1,100 units.

Electric aircraft research advances

Separately, Airbus (EADSF)(EADSY) said it has launched the LEIA, or Large Scale Integration Demonstrator of Hybrid Electrical Architecture, project with partners across Europe, the UK and the U.S.

The initiative is supported by the European Union's Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking and aims to advance high-voltage electrical systems for future short and medium-haul aircraft.

The project builds on the completed SWITCH program, which focused on hybrid-electric propulsion technologies. Airbus (EADSF)(EADSY) said aircraft-level integration testing will take place at its Sustainable Technology and Engineering Projects laboratory in Germany before a planned ground demonstration in 2027.

Partners include Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney supplier partners, Safran, SAFT, Liebherr Aerospace, the University of Warwick and several European research organizations.

Defense and uncrewed systems

Airbus Defence and Space said it signed a strategic partnership with Canadian company Landing Zones to expand training and simulation capabilities for uncrewed aerial systems in Canada. The agreement includes an Airbus investment and a board seat at Landing Zones.

The investment supports Airbus' commitments under Canada's Industrial and Technological Benefits policy tied to the country's Strategic Tanker Transport Capability program, which includes four new Airbus (EADSF)(EADSY) A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft and the conversion of five used A330-200s.

Separately, Airbus Helicopters said its U030 Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system has entered operational maritime surveillance service in the Baltic Sea under a €30 million framework contract awarded by the European Maritime Safety Agency in late 2025.

The aircraft is supporting surveillance operations covering Estonia, Latvia and Finland. Airbus (EADSF)(EADSY) said the system provides real-time intelligence for missions including search and rescue, fisheries enforcement, environmental monitoring and maritime security.

The Farnborough Airshow is traditionally one of the aerospace industry's biggest venues for announcing commercial aircraft orders. Investors closely watch the event for signs of airline demand, production outlooks and the health of the global aerospace supply chain, even as manufacturers increasingly use the show to highlight technology and defense programs.