At the 2012 Farnborough International Air Show, Airbus secured approximately US$16.9 billion worth of orders for a total of 115 aircraft. The commitments covers memorandum of understanding (MoU) for 61 aircraft worth US$5.8 billion and firm purchase orders for 54 aircraft worth around US$11.1 billion.

Cathay Pacific placed 10 new orders for A350-1000 and converted 16 previously ordered A350-900s to the new larger variant. This represents almost US$4.2 billion value of business. The A350-1000 ordered by Cathay Pacific features the latest Rolls-Royce Trent XWB turbofan with 97,000lbs thrust.

CIT Group placed firm orders for 10 A330 family  aircraft  valued at US$2.3 billion. This order marks the launch of the new upgraded 240 tonne take-off weight for the A330. According to Airbus it offers up to 400nm increase in range and approximately five tonnes more payload than the A330s being delivered today. 

Synergy Aerospace ordered six A330-200s in addition to three A330 Freighters, bringing the total commitments for the A330 Family at Farnborough to 19 aircraft.

The A320 Family secured  86 commitments worth over US$8.4 billion. Overall there were 57 commitments for the ‘current engine option’ (‘CEO’).

This included an MoU from China Aircraft Leasing Company (CALC) for 36 new ‘CEO’ single-aisle aircraft which can be equipped with the new fuel-saving Sharklet large wingtip devices. Another ‘CEO’ is Utair’s firm order for 20 A321s worth over US$2 billion. Meanwhile, the forthcoming A320neo – which has just commenced production secured 29 new commitments from Avolon, Middle East Airlines and Arkia Israel Airlines.

Fabrice Brégier, Airbus’s chief executive officer said: “The quality of orders at Farnborough has been high at the show, with significant endorsement from leading customers of our strategy to continuously innovate and improve our products.” He adds: “With the recent announcement last week to build an A320 production line in America, coupled with the start of production for the A320neo in Toulouse, Airbus is cementing its leading global position.”

Airbus Customer Services signed a 10-year strategic partnership with GMF AeroAsia, the maintenance and repair subsidiary of Garuda Indonesia. The aircraft manufacturer launched a range of iPad ‘Electronic-Flight-Bag’ applications for pilots to manage aircraft performance data.