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The National
9 hours ago
- Business
- The National
'Safety is paramount': Industry reflects on Air India crash at Paris Air Show opening
The opening day of the Paris Air Show was tinged with sombre reflection after an Air India flight's fatal crash last week, creating a subdued mood at the world's biggest aviation trade show. The industry expressed solidarity and offered condolences for the crash victims' families. The accident killed all but one of the 242 people on board flight AI 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and other people on the ground. Aviation executives at the show said that while it was too soon to determine the cause, the tragic accident could offer valuable insights into safety and security. "We have to wait for the outcome of the investigation that's ongoing but there will be lessons to be learnt, as with any accidents and incidents," Benoit de Saint-Exupery, Airbus executive vice president in commercial aircraft sales, told The National at Le Bourget, in the north-eastern suburbs of the French capital. "It is a reminder to all of us that safety is paramount and that we have to strive to always do better. We want an industry where there is no accident and this industry is the safest means of transport, and we are driving towards a zero-accident industry. "At this stage, it's just a reminder that we need every day – morning and afternoon – to think about safety in everything we do and safety in our products." Airbus received plane orders for more than 100 aircraft from Saudi and Polish customers on day one, making announcements that began by acknowledging the Air India crash that gave a sombre air to the normally celebratory events. "The mood is obviously saddened by what happened and we have sympathy for our friends at Air India, so that cannot be a joyful event," Mr Saint-Exupery said. "We have important moments like today ... but we cannot take out the fact that we've struck by something really, really sad. It is a terrible tragedy, and we feel for our friends in India and for the industry. The industry is actually affected a lot." After the tragedy, Indian authorities ordered inspections of Air India's fleet of Boeing 787 planes as an investigation was launched to determine the cause. Boeing scaled back its presence at this year's air show. Chief executive Kelly Ortberg and head of commercial planes division Stephanie Pope cancelled their planned trip as the US plane maker focuses on supporting the crash investigation. Airbus announced orders from start-up airline Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabian plane lessor AviLease, Poland's Lot Airlines and Japan's ANA Holdings. The deal by the Saudi Arabian companies highlighted the kingdom's rising influence in global aviation, as the country seeks to make its mark in global tourism, trade and logistics. The Paris Air Show typically marks a race between the duopoly of Boeing and Airbus for aircraft orders. Airbus was expected to dominate the show on its home turf even before the Air India tragedy. Its US rival already raked in major deals, including a record order with Qatar Airways, during US President Donald Trump's Gulf tour last month. Geopolitical tension The themes of safety and security have been at the forefront of airline executives' minds amid escalating conflicts and airspace closures that have led to the rerouting of aircraft and cancellations or delays of flights. Tension in the Middle East is running high as Israel and Iran continue to attacks against each other. The war started after Israel launched what it called a 'pre-emptive' strike early on Friday, hitting nuclear and military sites inside Iran. Airlines in the UAE have extended the temporary suspension of flights to some destinations. Geopolitical turbulence was evident at the Paris Air Show after France's decision to close down Israeli stands displaying lethal weapons, according to media reports.
Arab News
12 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
PIF's AviLease to acquire up to 77 Airbus jets in expansion drive
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund-owned AviLease has signed a deal to purchase up to 77 Airbus aircraft, further expanding its next-generation, fuel-efficient fleet to meet rising global demand across passenger and cargo operations. The agreement, announced at the Paris Air Show, includes 55 A320neo Family aircraft and 22 A350F freighters, with deliveries scheduled through 2033, according to a press release. This marks AviLease's first direct order with Airbus. The move aligns with the goals of the Saudi Aviation Strategy, which targets a rise in annual passenger capacity to 330 million and cargo throughput to 4.5 million tonnes by 2030, while enhancing the Kingdom's status as a regional aviation hub. 'This dual order reinforces AviLease's credentials as a leading lessor, and it demonstrates the broad appeal of our products among lessors and their airline customers,' said Benoit de Saint-Exupéry, executive vice president of sales for Airbus Commercial Aircraft. Edward O'Byrne, CEO of AviLease, said: 'We are proud to establish an Airbus order book, strengthening our position as a full-service, investment grade global lessor. The addition of these latest generation aircraft enhances our ability to offer modern, fuel-efficient fleet solutions to our airline partners in Saudi Arabia and around the world.' The A350F freighters were selected following consultations with local stakeholders and will support Saudi Arabia's expanding air cargo requirements. O'Byrne noted that AviLease has secured delivery slots in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. 'We thank our local partners and Airbus for the strong long-term partnership we have established and look forward to placing these aircraft across our valued customer base,' he said. The A350F, according to Airbus, offers at least 20 percent lower fuel consumption, improved loading capabilities, and extended range. The new order follows AviLease's purchase of 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in May—its first direct deal with a manufacturer—bringing its total new aircraft orders within two months to 107. 'In less than two months, AviLease has signed two major deals, reflecting its long-term ambition to become a top 10 global player in aircraft leasing and to strengthen its position as a national champion,' said Fahad Al-Saif, chairman of AviLease. As of March 31, AviLease had a portfolio of 200 aircraft leased to 48 airlines around the world. In April, the firm secured a $1.5 billion unsecured revolving credit facility to support its global expansion. The three-year facility attracted commitments from 20 international banks, including eight new lenders from Europe, Asia, and North America. The company holds investment-grade ratings of Baa2 (stable) from Moody's Ratings and BBB (stable) from Fitch Ratings.
The National
15 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Paris Air Show: Saudi Arabian lessor AviLease orders up to 77 Airbus planes
Saudi Arabian plane lessor AviLease has signed a deal for up to 77 Airbus planes, featuring a mix of freighters and narrow-body passenger jets, as it seeks to become one of the world's top 10 lessors by 2030. The company signed an initial firm order for 10 A350F, the freighter variant of the A350 platform, along with 30 A321 Neo and A320 Neo planes during the first day of the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget. This could increase to 22 A350Fs and 55 A320 Neo jets, with added options included. The airline declined to disclose the value of the deal. "It was a very hard fought-battle on the A350 vs the [Boeing] 777," Edward O'Byrne, chief executive of AviLease, said at a press briefing. "Frankly, it was a very close discussion because the two deals on the table both had pros and cons." The company reviewed the offers from a technical, technology and economic standpoint and the A350F emerged as the winner, he said. Negotiations over the past few months were intense, said Benoit de Saint-Exupery, Airbus executive vice president in sales of the commercial aircraft business. The signing ceremony kicked off Airbus's deal-making at the Paris Air Show. AviLease has a fleet of nearly 200 aircraft, a mix of Boeing and Airbus jets. With a workforce of 90, it leases aircraft to 50 airlines in 30 countries. Established in 2022, AviLease is backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which is supporting the kingdom's economic diversification plan to develop non-oil sectors such as aviation, logistics and tourism. AviLease is two years ahead of schedule for its goal to become one of the top 10 plane lessors by 2030, Mr O'Byrne said. The Airbus deal comes after Boeing signed a $4.8 billion deal with AviLease for 30 737-8 passenger planes. The deal was signed during US President Donald Trump's visit to Riyadh last month. The company expects the Airbus planes to be delivered between 2030 and 2033, its chief executive said. Airbus, which has been facing supply chain issues that delayed deliveries to some of its customers, is confident in handing over these jets in time, Mr Saint-Exupery said. While AviLease has not yet placed the jets with airline customers, Mr O'Byrne told The National the priority is for discussions with Saudi Arabian airlines and then global carriers. "We started discussions and there is a big potential growth in Saudi markets," he said. The kingdom's aviation strategy calls for more than doubling its cargo and logistics infrastructure, he added. "Saudi Arabia is clearly accelerating its economy, its diversification, and we need the infrastructure to support both cargo and passenger side," he said. He highlighted the "tremendous" size of investment in airports and logistics. In April, Riyadh Air said it was considering an order for dedicated freighters after it makes a decision on an order for wide-body passenger planes. The AviLease boss also said a vast wave of older freighters is being retired, combined with production limitations at Boeing and Airbus, creating a "market need" globally beyond Saudi Arabia. Airbus is expected to dominate this year's Paris Air Show, as Boeing executives cancelled plans to attend after an Air India crash killed all but one of 242 people on board the US-built plane.
