The second day of the Paris Air Show 2025 was held in a somewhat subdued atmosphere due to recent geopolitical tensions and the overhang of the tragic crash of an Air India Boeing 787.
The day’s activities were overshadowed by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as the recent Air India crash that killed over 240 people. Delegates noted a “somber” and “subdued” atmosphere, with fewer celebratory announcements as a mark of respect for the victims.
Attendees observed growing confidence in a new super-cycle for both commercial and defense aerospace, driven by rising passenger traffic and fleet modernization needs. However, supply chain fragility and production bottlenecks were highlighted as ongoing challenges, with Airbus and Boeing facing pressure to meet delivery targets.
The diplomatic dispute over France’s decision to shut down some Israeli stands for displaying attack weapons, which began on Day 1, continued to generate tension, though the Israeli Defense Ministry stand remained open under protection.
- Vietnam’s largest private airline, VietJet, placed an order for 150 A321neo jets, comprising 100 firm orders and 50 options, valued at approximately $9.4 billion. This deal was a highlight of the day, a victory for Airbus in the fast-growing Southeast Asian region. The A321neo’s fuel efficiency and capacity make it a strategic fit for VietJet’s expansion plans.
- Boeing, impacted by the recent Air India crash and a more cautious approach, did not announce any significant commercial aircraft orders. The company scaled back its public activities, focusing instead on low-key briefings and static displays of aircraft like the 777-300ER, F-15 Eagle, and KC-46 Pegasus. No new orders have been announced, although ANA Holdings, parent of ANA – All Nippon Airways, has finalised previously announced orders for up to 92 aircraft with Airbus, Embraer, and Boeing during the show..
- Skytrax Awards, recognising the world’s best airlines for dining, comfort, and service, saw another victory for Qaytar Airways as the world’s leading airline, amidst 70 other category awards.
- Defence technologies drew significant interest, with Europe ramping up military spending amid global conflicts. Exhibitors like RTX positioned themselves for initiatives like the Trump Administration’s Golden Dome missile defense system. Sustainability remained a key theme, with the Paris Air Show’s CSR policy promoting SAF and a circular economy, aiming for ISO 45001 certification in 2025.
- The day featured flying demonstrations of various Airbus aircraft, though specific timings were not detailed. Static displays included Airbus’s A350, A400M, and the futuristic Racer helicopter, alongside Boeing’s customer aircraft like the 777-300ER and Wisk Aero’s sixth-generation all-electric air taxi. There are 210 flying displays scheduled across the week. Displays included Anduril’s Fury collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) mock-up, Lockheed Martin’s F-35, and Embraer’s C-390 Millennium in its KC-390 variant.
- Airbus showcased its Paris Air Lab, Space Pavilion, and Avion des Métiers (Careers in Aerospace zone), focusing on interactive exhibits and future-oriented solutions like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hybrid-electric systems. Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury expressed condolences for the Air India crash.
- In contrast, Boeing’s focus was on low-key briefings about its defense and autonomous capabilities rather than commercial order announcements having cancelled high-profile press conferences following the Air India crash, with CEO Kelly Ortberg opting not to attend the show. The company issued statements reinforcing its commitment to safety, quality, and customer support, with Ortberg noting, “We continue to make fundamental changes across Boeing to strengthen safety, quality and our culture, and we are seeing steady improvement in our performance.”
- GE Aerospace, whose engines powered the crashed Air India 787, postponed its planned investor day on June 17 to focus on supporting the investigation in India. The company stated, “GE Aerospace’s senior leadership is focused on supporting our customers and the investigation.”
- Aer Cap and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (“AFI KLM E&M”) announced they have entered into exclusive negotiations to form a LEAP engine leasing joint venture to support AFI KLM E&M LEAP Premier MRO customers worldwide.
- In a Bank of America note, RTX and GE Aerospace outlined their competing visions for aircraft propulsion. RTX emphasized incremental improvements to its geared turbo-fan (GTF) architecture, including new high-pressure turbine blades for enhanced durability. GE Aerospace promoted its unducted fan technology via the CFM RISE program. Both companies were vocal about their strategic paths, with other firms signaling interest in collaborating on these technologies.
- Capgemini held conferences at its Chalet 327, covering topics like technology trends, data-driven supply chains, and the enterprise digital twin revolution. These sessions, led by executives like Patrice Duboe and Bruno Bouf, highlighted digital transformation and cybersecurity in aerospace.
