Paris Air Show order rumours

On 16 June 2025, the 2025 edition of the Paris Air Show is to start. Traditionally, this show has always been a good moment for airlines and manufacturers to announce orders. Also, it's quite common in the run-up to the show for rumours about potential orders start to surface.

Here's an overview of the rumours we've been hearing over the last few weeks of potential orders in the works. We will rate them if they are going to happen or not based on our best analysis and throwing darts.

AirAsia is said to be in the running to place an order for "at least" 100 Airbus A220s. It will be a new type and the company is planning to use it to open new routes to destinations that can't handle their A320s. We give this rumour a 4 out of 5 rating.

Saudi lessor AviLease recently placed its first direct order with Boeing for 20 B737MAX. It's said the company is also looking to place an order for a similar number of A320neo-family aircraft, as well as for an unspecified number of A350Fs. We rate the possibility for an A320neo-order 4/5 but for the A350F a 3/5.

China is said to be negotiation a large order for 500 aircraft, both narrowbodies and widebodies. Traditionally, these kind of deals are announced during a visit by the French president to China. We give this a 2 out of 5 rating.

Ethiopian Airlines is finalising its analysis and decision on which smaller aircraft would suit their needs best. In the running are the A220, B737-7, and Embraer E195-E2. They were planning to place an order this year, so maybe Paris would be a good moment? 3/5.

Although Qatar Airways has announced a massive order for Boeing B777-9s and B787s recently, the airline has also said it isn't ruling-out orders for additional A350s. We think this order is likely as the country wants to remain on the good side of everybody and give it a 3,5/5.

Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia's newest airline will be a prominent guest at the air show as the A321neo on display will feature the airline's livery. It's said the airline is planning to place another order for widebody aircraft, which could be as big as for 50 A350s. We're rating it 4/5.

Recently, the French president was visiting Vietnam. He witnessed the signing of VietJet for more A330-900s but it was also expected that the company would sign for more A321neos. The terms of the deal weren't ready yet, so we do expect this to take place next week. The numbers being rumoured are for up to 100 additional aircraft. 4/5.

Finally, Vietnam Airlines has been discussing a 50-strong B737MAX-order with Boeing for a while now. Not wanting Airbus to steal the show completely, this could be a good moment for an order.

Let's see what will come to fruitition next week, which will probably also include things that weren't rumoured before. We at Scramble will try to give a summary of orders each day.

Photo by Airbus.