PIF-owned aircraft lessor AviLease has placed an order from Airbus to acquire 10 A350F freighter jets and 30 A320neo Family aircraft at the Paris International Airshow, according to a statement. The order is estimated to be worth some USD 3.5 bn, according to a Reuters report, and the delivery timeline was not disclosed. The agreement also includes the option to expand the order to 77 jets — adding 12 A350F freighters and 25 A320neo Family carriers.

We saw this coming: AviLease was expected to close an agreement with Airbus for 40 airplanes during the show, which comes as part of an effort to balance supplier choices and support growth.

Airbus has offered a competitive edge: The A350F freighter model is expected to anchor the benchmark in air cargo — with expanded loading capacity, longer range capabilities, and a reduced fuel burn by a minimum of 20%. The aircraft offers a 46 tonne lighter take-off weight than the competing model on the back of over 70% of the airframe being constructed from advanced materials.

On a roll: PIF placed an order last month for 20 Boeing 737-8 jets to boost the AviLease fleet, with an option for 10 more. The White House fact sheet put the total value of the purchases at USD 4.8 bn. The PIF-owned lessor currently boasts a fleet of 200 aircraft worth USD 8 bn — which it plans to grow to 500 by 2030 by capitalizing on strong domestic demand from airlines, including Riyadh Air, Saudia, and flynas.

Who’s bankrolling this? The leasing firm had plans to issue USD 2 bn in sukuk by 2027 — starting with a USD 750 mn tranche this year. The new funding is set to add to the company’s USD 2.25 bn in existing loans, bringing its liquidity to 30% of total assets. It also secured a USD 1.5 bn unsecured revolving credit facility from a syndicate of 25 local and international banks from across the globe in April to support expansion plans, including investing in more modern and energy-efficient aircraft.

WHO ELSE PLACED ORDERS?

Riyadh Air locked in an order for 25 Airbus A350-1000 carriers during the show — with a possibility of increasing the order to 50 A350-1000, according to a statement. The order is in line with the Kingdom’s plans to record 300 mn annual air passenger capacity by 2030.

A first: Riyadh Air is set to be the first Saudi carrier to fly the A350-100. The aircraft model has the capacity to operate utilizing up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) type.

Forecasts were accurate: Earlier this week, Riyadh Air was poised to finalize an order for 25 Airbus A350-1000 jets. Riyadh Air was reportedly in talks with Boeing and Airbus for months, for an order of up to 50 additional widebody jets as it looks to expand its fleet. The airline is looking to secure scarce delivery slots for Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777X aircraft.

Others are reportedly lining up interest: Egypt’s flagship carrier EgyptAir could tap Airbus for six more A350 jets, industry sources told Reuters. The airline inked an agreement to uptake 10 Airbus 4350-900 carriers from the manufacturer last month, and is slated to boost 70-aircraft fleet and cap carbon emissions through the move — with onboarded aircraft models designed to consume up to 25% less fuel than traditional carriers.

The waiting game: EgyptAir also purchased and is awaiting the delivery of 10 Airbus A350-900 wide-body aircraft. The airline is also currently waiting to receive the first batch of 18 Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, which the company purchased in 2023 on lease and are scheduled for delivery this year or the next.

REMEMBER- EgyptAir recently secured funds for fleet expansion: Egypt’s Finance Ministry provided EGP 20 bn (c. USD 396.53 mn) financing facility to Egypt Air Holding Company to help expand the airline’s fleet back in January. The airline is planning to expand its fleet to 125 aircraft over the next five years, up from 65 now, while also using the funds to try to reduce its debts.

AND THERE’S A BIT OF DRAMA-

France ordered Israel’s four major defense industry firms to close down their stands after they refused to remove offensive weapons from their display, Reuters reports. Israel’s defense ministry described the move against Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael, Uvision, and Elbit as “outrageous and unprecedented,” accusing Paris of taking the step to guard French companies from Israeli competition.

The event will run throughout this week before wrapping up on June 22. Here’s a rundown of our previous coverage, in case you missed it:

  • Moroccan flag carrier Royal Air Maroc is close to finalizing an order for about two dozen Boeing 787 Dreamliners for long-haul destinations, and up to 50 Boeing 737s and 20 Airbus A220s for short-haul routes;
  • Malaysian airline AirAsia is set to ink an agreement for nearly 100 regional jets at the Paris Airshow, but remains undecided between Airbus’ SE A220 or Embraer SA’s E2;
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