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* Last updated 08:45 AM EST by Jake Hardiman *
AerCap has made waves at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026 with an order for 15 examples of the Boeing 787-9. The Irish leasing giant confirmed the Dreamliner deal just now at a press conference held by Aengus Kelly, its Chief Executive Officer, and Stephanie Pope, the President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The deal also contains an interesting swap stipulation.
Indeed, AerCap also has substitution rights on the aircraft that make up the order, which, if required and desired, give it the chance to convert them to larger Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner widebody twinjets. AerCap leases aircraft to a diverse range of airlines based all around the world, and it is of the conviction that this latest order (and its growing 787 portfolio) positions it well to suit their needs.
Three Airlines Have Already Ordered The Boeing 787 During The Farnborough Airshow
Tuesday, July 21, 08:45 AM EST
This year's Farnborough International Airshow has already been a fruitful one for Boeing as far as announcing deals for the 787 goes. Indeed, AerCap is the fourth customer in the last two days to have put its name down for the modern widebody. As detailed in the video below, Riyadh Air got the ball rolling on day one, firming up 28 orders for the type (of which it converted 20 from the 787-9 to the 787-10).
Yesterday also saw Philippine Airlines commit to buying 15 units of the stretched Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, with options for a further five examples of the type. Today, Boeing then announced that Uganda Airlines had placed its first order for both the 787 and the 737 MAX, buying four units apiece. Needless to say, Boeing is in scintillating form when it comes to 787 orders, and it will hope to continue as such.
Diving Deeper Into The Order
Tuesday, July 21, 08:35 AM EST
AerCap's long and existing working relationship with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is underlined by the success that it and its clients have already seen with the type. Indeed, Kelly went on to say that "the 787 has consistently demonstrated strong operating economics and exceptional performance across a wide range of route networks." There are also wider implications on an international level.
Indeed, Edward Walsh, who currently serves as the US Ambassador to Ireland, explained that the deal "underscores the strength of the economic relationship" between the two nations. Walsh, who wants "to ensure that Ireland benefits from cutting-edge American products, technology, and innovation," added that the order "is a vote of confidence in US aerospace innovation and supports high-quality jobs."
Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope was also keen to highlight the strength of the working relationship that it has succeeded in establishing with AerCap over the years. Indeed, she went on to say that Boeing "deeply values this partnership and looks forward to supporting AerCap and its customers as they open and sustain new long-haul routes to further connect the world."
15 More Dreamliners
Tuesday, July 21, 08:30 AM EST
A corresponding statement released by AerCap confirmed that the 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets that form this latest order are "scheduled for delivery through 2033." They will be powered by GEnx-1B turbofan engines from GE Aerospace. The use of substitution rights to the larger Boeing 787-10 model is notable, given that this variant has already made waves at the Farnborough Airshow in 2026.
AerCap cited the need for it to "seek to meet the evolving needs of its customers" as a key reason behind the inclusion of substitution rights as a part of the deal. The Irish leasing giant is already intimately familiar with the Dreamliner series as a whole, with AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly saying that this latest order "further strengthens our position as the world's largest owner of 787 aircraft." He added that:
"As demand for modern, fuel-efficient widebody aircraft continues to grow, this transaction enables us to provide our customers with greater access to one of the industry's most versatile and sought-after aircraft families."
