Boeing may unveil up to 20 new orders and commitments for 777X widebody jets at next week's Paris Air Show, a European aerospace consulting firm predicts.
The IBA Group, based in the United Kingdom, said that Boeing may win another 25 orders for its 787 Dreamliners, including potential top-up 787 orders from airlines that already own Dreamliners.
The firm predicted in a Paris Air Show forecast that Boeing won't win new orders for the 737 Max, though other aerospace analysts have predicted potential Max surprises.
IBA says possible buyers include Asian and European airlines, like Air France, Thai Airways, and Korean Air Lines, which The Business Journal reported in October were considering 777X deals.
Another view of the dining room envisioned by Jet Aviation.
Vietnam Airlines is a possible buyer. Its CEO told the South China Morning Post in February that it was looking at two 777Xs as it prepares to launch service to the U.S.
Last fall, Korean Air Lines President Walter Cho said he may order more Dreamliners and 777Xs to reduce the types of aircraft it operates. Consolidating will help reduce maintenance costs and pilot training, Cho said.
Airlines are also considering a 777X rival: the Airbus A350-1000.
The Airbus A350-1000 won FAA certification after 1,600 test flight and trial hours.
Despite the positive expectations for Boeing, IBA Group predicts a decline in total airplane orders in Paris — up to a 50 percent drop compared to prior shows. The firm expects Boeing will focus on military orders and airplane service contract wins in lieu of jet orders from commercial airlines.
“To set the scene, 2019 is not shaping up to be a good year on the order front which is not particularly surprising given the headwinds,” IBA Chief Operating Officer Stuart Hatcher. “Already, year to date, we have an unprecedented number of aircraft returning from failed (airline) operators as traffic growth slows."
The global grounding of the 737 Max and a trade war between the U.S. and China will "add to the woes," Hatcher wrote.
Despite this, the airline industry remains resilient as the number of consumers that can afford to travel continues to grow, he suggested.
The Atlanta-based airline will be the first carrier in the U.S. to operate the new Airbus regional jet. It entered service in 2019 and it starts flying in Seattle in June.
Airbus will have a decent showing on its home turf, IBA predicts, snagging up to 200 new orders for its best-selling A320 family of single-aisle aircraft, helped by the launch of its new A321 Extra Long Range jet.
Airbus may also win 40 orders for its smaller A220 jet; 40 more for its A330 mid-sized widebody; and 25 for the A350.
