The Paris Air Show has passed the second day and airplane orders are flooding in. Single-aisle seems to be the Hot Topic; however, as the Middle of the Market demand grows, we expect changes to be seen. This week IFExpress wanted to show our readers a summary of the orders as a heads-up to whatever IFEC is available (and possibly newly planned) for longer range needs of the single-aisle market. Further, we wanted to get out an order summary as of 6/20/17 and you might want to start counting them. Its looking to be a good year so it is worth perusing this issue til the end. So lets get started, first with an interesting IFE news release we just received:

IFEC

PXCom launches world-first 360° external video on IFE Platform. In partnership with IrisAero, a French provider of 360° 4K cameras for the airline industry, PXCom has developed PXVision, a 360° player dedicated to the InFlight Entertainment ecosystem, that also includes Interactive Augmented Reality experience. This new feature has been integrated in a tablet-based IFE demo specifically produced by PXCom for the French-Italian airframer, ATR, to support their aircraft showcase at Paris Air Show, with a customer friendly Graphic User Interface (GUI). Thanks to XPlore by PXCom, the entire GUI and its related contents can be dynamically managed by the airlines. This demonstrator also includes all the contents that can be found on a legacy IFE platform: movies, games, music, PXCom’s destination guides, digital press – and more. (See the full release here.)

AIRBUS

Airbus has announced an upgraded version of the world’s biggest passenger jet, the A380. They note that the “A380Plus” would provide airlines up to 80 more pax seats and deliver greater fuel efficiency. Airbus says the A380Plus has a new wing design which can save up to 4 percent in fuel burn. Airbus also says the new A380 provides  seat count to increases from 497 to 575. Airbus says The A380Plus will have an increased maximum take-off weight of 578 tonnes, allowing airlines to either carry more passengers over the maximum range of 8,200 nautical miles or increase the range by 300 miles.

Air Lease Corporation, the Los Angeles based aircraft leasing company has signed a firm order for 12 additional A321neo aircraft at the 52^nd Paris International Airshow. The incremental order takes the number of aircraft which ALC has taken delivery of or ordered from Airbus to 279, of which 70 are widebodies and 209 single-aisles.

GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of General Electric has signed a firm order for 100 A320neo Family aircraft at the 52nd International Paris Air Show. GECAS has selected CFM’s LEAP-X engine for all 100 A320neo Family aircraft. This new order brings the total number of Airbus aircraft ordered by GECAS to almost 600 aircraft. Of these 220 are A320neo Family aircraft. Airbus said since the launch of the A320 in 2010 the plane has received more than 5000 orders and has captured 60 percent of market share in its size class.

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline in Africa, has placed an order for 10 additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft, enabling further development of its fast expanding long-haul route network. Last June, Ethiopian Airlines became the first African carrier to operate the A350 when it took delivery of the first of 12 aircraft in order. Today the carrier operates a fleet of four A350s, two of which are on lease. Today’s order tops-up the Addis Ababa-based carrier’s fleet, enabling it to pursue its growth strategy and objectives over the coming years. Ethiopian Airlines’ A350-900s are configured in a two class layout seating 30 passengers in Business Class and 313 in Economy Class. The spacious, quiet interior and mood lighting in the cabin contribute to superior levels of passenger comfort and well-being. The A350 features the latest aerodynamic design and materials, including its carbon-fibre fuselage and wings. It is powered by new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.  Together, these advanced technological features translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel burn and emissions in addition to significantly lower maintenance costs.

After announcing orders for 30 incremental Airbus A321ceo aircraft just last month, Atlanta, Georgia (U.S.)-based Delta Air Lines has placed an order for 10 more of the aircraft. The agreement was announced today at the Paris Air Show. Like previous Delta orders for the A321, the 10 aircraft announced today are for the Current Engine Option version of the largest Airbus A320 Family member. The airline took delivery of its first A321 in March of last year. Delta now has ordered a total of 122 A321s, each powered by CFM56 engines from CFM International. All of Delta’s A321s feature fuel-saving Sharklets – lightweight composite wingtip devices that offer up to 4 percent fuel-burn savings. This environmental benefit gives airlines the option of extending their range up to 100 nautical miles/185 kilometres or increasing payload capacity by some 1000 pounds/450 kilograms. Many of Delta’s A321s are being delivered from the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama. The airline received its first U.S.-manufactured A321 last year.  By the end of 2017, the Airbus facility in Mobile is expected to produce four aircraft per month, most going to Airbus’ U.S. customers. As of the end of May, Delta was flying a fleet of 188 Airbus aircraft, including 146 A320 Family members and 42 A330 wide-bodies.  Later this year, Delta will become the first U.S. airline to operate the new Airbus A350 XWB, or eXtra Wide Body aircraft.  Delivery of Delta’s first A350 is slated for this summer.

Airbus has launched a new aviation data platform in collaboration with Palantir Technologies – pioneers in big-data integration and advanced analytics. Skywise aims to become the single platform of reference used by all major aviation players to improve their operational performance and business results and to support their own digital transformation. Skywise is already improving industrial operations performance throughout Airbus’ industrial footprint and allows now to deliver enhanced aircraft and equipment designs, better service and support offerings based on deeper in-service data insights. Skywise will provide all users with one single access point to their enriched data by bringing together to aviation data from multiple sources across the industry into one secure cloud-based platform. These airline sources include: work orders; spares consumption; components data; aircraft / fleet configuration; on-board sensor data; and flight schedules. Additional data sources which are traditionally shared with Airbus and hosted only on isolated servers will also be integrated into the platform to help operators conduct their own analyses and make decisions based on the full scope of their available data. These shared sources include: operational interruption history; parts replacements; post-flight reports; pilot reports; aircraft condition monitoring reports; complete on-board aircraft data; technical documentation; technical requests; and service bulletins (SBs).

Viva Air, the Latin America low cost carrier group owned by Irelandia Aviation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 50 A320 Family aircraft, comprising 35 A320neo and 15 A320ceo. The agreement paves the way for the group’s airlines VivaColombia and Viva Air Peru to base its fleet renewal and network growth on the A320 Family.

Dublin based CDB Aviation Lease Finance DAC (CDB Aviation) has become Airbus’ latest customer for the A320neo signs a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for 45 aircraft, consisting of 30 A320neos and 15 A321neos. Cabin configuration and engine choice will be made at a later date. In addition, 15 A320neo positions from CDB Aviation’s previous order will be converted to A321neo aircraft. CDB Aviation is on a fast track to becoming one of the world’s premier Chinese-owned aviation leasing companies.

(Editor’s Note: Interestingly, the 737 MAX 10 and A321neoLR, which will be capable of flying around 206 passengers in a two-class layout on routes of up to 4,000nm, are essentially giving airlines a “widebody light” option in which long-haul routes, previously only viable with a widebody plane. It will be able to be flown with a narrowbody, now at less risk from a capacity standpoint. Further, even when equipped with an auxiliary fuel tank, the MAX 10 has a range of 3,700 miles, which might be a challenge to match the extended-range A321neo LR’s with a 4,600-mile range, as we understand. However as the New Middle Airplane requirements begin to be seen, a 5,500 mile wide body may pressure single aisle MoM sales.)

BOEING

Boeing launched the 230-pax 737 MAX 10 with >240 orders/commitments from 10 customers. The 737 MAX 10 continues the MAX family’s range advantage over competing models and will deliver five percent lower trip costs and five percent lower seat-mile costs. Design changes for the 737 MAX 10 include a fuselage stretch of 66 inches compared to the 737 MAX 9 and levered main landing gear. The airplane has the capacity to carry up to 230 passengers.Other changes include a variable exit limit rating mid-exit door, a lighter flat aft pressure bulkhead and a modified wing for low speed drag reduction.

Boeing and the Lion Air Group announced a commitment for 50 737 MAX 10 airplanes at the 2017 Paris Air Show. The announcement is valued at approximately $6.24 billion at list prices. The Lion Air Group is one of the world’s largest Next-Generation 737 operators and previously ordered 201 MAXs. The airline is also the launch customer of the 737 MAX 9 and its subsidiary, Malaysia-based Malindo Air was the first airline to take delivery and operate the 737 MAX 8 in commercial service.

Boeing and Monarch Airlines that the UK carrier has selected Boeing’s Global Fleet Care — formerly known as GoldCare — for its entire 737 MAX fleet. Through Global Fleet Care’s Integrated Fleet Solution, Boeing will deliver maintenance, engineering and parts required to run Monarch’s MAX operations following the delivery of its first airplane in 2018. Boeing and Monarch also announced an order for 15 additional 737 MAX 8s. Valued at $1.7 billion at current list prices, the order will grow Monarch’s 737 MAX fleet from 30 to 45 airplanes. The order was previously attributed to unidentified customers on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website. Monarch has confirmed the 15 options and has agreed with a lessor for them to take 13 aircraft for lease back to Monarch.

Boeing and Norwegian announced at the 2017 Paris Air Show that the carrier has selected Boeing to provide all its flight training needs. Last year at the 2016 Farnborough International Airshow, Norwegian committed to Global Fleet Care (formerly known as GoldCare) coverage for its 737 MAX fleet and expanded coverage for the airline’s entire 787 fleet. These services agreements represented the largest commercial services order in Boeing history.Today’s announcement extends this further to now include all its flight training requirements across its Boeing fleet. In July, the work conducted under this contract will reside in Boeing Global Services, a new dedicated services business focused on the needs of global defense, space and commercial customers. Boeing and Norwegian also announced an order for two additional 737 MAX 8s at the 2017 Paris Air Show. Valued at $225 million at current list prices, Norwegian now has 110 unfilled orders for 737 MAX 8s.

Boeing and Kuwait-based ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Company (ALAFCO) announced a commitment for 20 737 MAX 8s at the 2017 Paris Airshow, valued at $2.2 billion at current list prices. ALAFCO, a global provider of commercial aircraft leasing products, already has unfilled orders for 20 737 MAX airplanes and was also one of the first Middle East customers for the 787 Dreamliner. The new commitment when finalized, will boost the lessor’s order to 40 737 MAXs.

Boeing and AerCap announced an order for 30 787-9 Dreamliners at the 2017 Paris Air Show. The agreement, valued at $8.1 billion at list prices, makes AerCap the largest customer for the 787 Dreamliner. AerCap has taken delivery of 55 787s, and now after this order will have a further 67 787s on backlog, including sale leasebacks.

Boeing and SpiceJet signed a memorandum of understanding for 40 737 MAX airplanes. The agreement, valued at $4.7 billion at current list prices, is split evenly between 20 new orders for the 737 MAX 10 and conversions of 20 of the low-cost carrier’s 737 MAX 8 airplanes from its existing order to 737 MAX 10s. SpiceJet operates a fleet of 35 Next-Generation 737s and 20 Bombardier Q400s. The carrier plans to grow its operational fleet to 200 airplanes by the end of the decade and looks to expand regionally with the new 737 MAX family of airplanes. SpiceJet will take delivery of its first 737 MAX in 2018.

Boeing and Tibet Financial Leasing signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for 20 737 MAX airplanes at the 2017 Paris Air Show. The airplanes, including 737 MAX 10 and 737 MAX 8 airplanes, are valued at approximately $2.5 billion at current list prices. Our intention to purchase the 737 MAX reflects the strong customer feedback we have received,” said Wang Yanjun, President of Tibet Financial Leasing. “It is natural to start our aviation leasing business with the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history. We are confident that our customers will be satisfied with the efficiency, economics, flexibility and passenger comfort that the 737 MAX promises to deliver.” Tibet Financial Leasing was established as the first financial leasing company in Tibet Autonomous Region in 2015, with approval from China Banking Regulatory Commission. Tibet Financial Leasing is registered in Lhasa Economic and Technological Development Zone. The existing registered equity capital of Tibet Financial Leasing is RMB 3 billion.

Boeing and UPS announced an order at the 2017 Paris Air Show to convert three 767 passenger airplanes into Boeing Converted Freighters. UPS and Boeing have collaborated on airlift since 1981, when UPS purchased its first 727s to begin its Next Day Air operation, and the transportation giant was Boeing’s launch customer for the 767 freighter in 1995. Through its freighter conversion program, Boeing transitions passenger airplanes into freighters, extending the economic life of the airplane. UPS operates 184 Boeing aircraft. In October, 2016 UPS announced the purchase of 14 747-8 Freighters, with options to purchase 14 additional aircraft. (Boeing’s current market outlook forecasts a need for 400 widebody conversions over the next two decades, with strong demand for 767 freighter conversions due to a rise in e-commerce and the express market.)

Boeing and TUI Group, the world’s number one tourism business, announced its selection of 18 737 MAX 10s at the 2017 Paris Air Show. TUI Group already had 70 unfilled orders for the 737 MAX and will convert 18 of these existing orders to the 737 MAX 10. The leisure group is the first European operator to select the latest member of the 737 MAX family of airplanes. TUI Group aims to operate Europe’s most carbon efficient airlines and has committed to reduce the carbon intensity of its operations by a further 10 percent by 2020.  The 737 MAX 10 is the largest member of the 737 airplane family. Along with the 737 MAX, TUI Group has unfilled orders for four 787-9 Dreamliners. The Group also has 50 options for the 737 MAX and has converted 10 of these to the 737 MAX 10.  The Group will take delivery of its first 737 MAX aircraft in January 2018.

Boeing and CDB Aviation Lease Finance (CDB Aviation) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for 42 737 MAX 8s, 10 737 MAX 10s and eight 787-9 Dreamliners at the 2017 Paris Air Show.With this commitment, valued at $7.4 billion at list prices, CDB Aviation will become one of the launch customers for the 737 MAX 10, the newest member of Boeing’s 737 MAX family. Included in this agreement is the conversion of six 737 MAX 8 orders to the new 737 MAX 10s by the lessor from a previous order. Based in Dublin, Ireland, CDB Aviation operates as a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., LTD (CDB Leasing). With a committed fleet of over 300 aircraft, CDB Aviation has over 10 years’ experience in the business and is one of the largest and most influential Chinese-owned aviation leasing companies.

Boeing and GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of General Electric announced an order for 20 737 MAX 10s at the Paris Air Show, converting 20 of its current MAX orders to the larger MAX 10. GECAS has 170 737 MAX airplanes on order, the largest of any aircraft leasing company.

Boeing and BOC Aviation Limited announced a memorandum of understanding for 10 737 MAX 10 airplanes, subject to internal approvals, today at the 2017 Paris Air Show. BOC Aviation is one of the first aircraft operating leasing companies to order the newest member of the 737 MAX family. The company has committed to more than 300 Boeing aircraft since establishment, it took delivery of its 200^thBoeing airplane in March 2017 and has an additional 74 737 MAXs on order.

Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines announced a commitment to purchase two 777 Freighters at the 2017 Paris Air Show, valued at $651.4 million at list prices. The airline also announced an order for 10 additional 737 MAX 8 airplanes, exercising options from their 2014 order, which was the largest for the 737 MAX in Africa. Ethiopian now has firm orders for 30 737 MAX 8s. The order was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website. The 777 Freighter, the world’s longest-range twin-engine freighter, is based on the technologically advanced 777-200LR (Longer Range) passenger airplane and can fly 4,900 nautical miles (9,070 kilometers) with a full payload of 112 tons (102 metric tonnes or 102,000 kg). The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

Boeing and Tokyo-based Japan Investment Adviser Co., Ltd., (JIA) announced at the Paris Air Show a commitment to purchase 10 Boeing 737 MAX 8s. The commitment, valued at $1.12 billion at current list prices, will become JIA’s first direct purchase of new airplanes. JIA is an innovative Financial Solutions Provider, who is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Its Group activities include operating a lease business that manages a fleet of around 60 aircraft worldwide through its operating lease arm, JP Lease Products & Services (JLPS). The current managed fleet includes Next Generation Boeing 737s as well as Boeing 777s.

Boeing and United Airlines today announced an agreement at the 2017 Paris Air Show to convert 100 of its current 737 MAX orders into 737 MAX 10s, becoming the largest single 737 MAX 10 customer in the world. United also announced an order for four additional 777-300ER aircraft. United expects to begin taking delivery of the 737 MAX 10 in late 2020. United has flown nearly every version of the 737 that Boeing has produced. The new 737 MAX 10 will add to that legacy, providing United with another in a long line of highly successful aircraft. United has now ordered a total of 18 777-300ERs and began taking delivery of the aircraft last year. The 777-300ERs feature the airline’s all-new United Polaris business class, featuring custom-designed, exclusive-to-United seats, an elevated dining experience, new custom bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue and new amenity kits.

Boeing and China Aircraft Leasing Group (CALC) announced an order for 50 737 MAX airplanes at the 2017 Paris Air Show. The agreement includes an order for 15 of the new 737 MAX 10, which was launched Monday at the show. This order is CALC’s first direct purchase from Boeing, with a value of $5.8 billion at list prices. CALC currently owns a fleet of 89 aircraft. With this new order, its outstanding order book now consists of 139 aircraft, putting the company on track to deliver a total of no less than 230 aircraft by 2023. CALC has explored a variety of financing channels to ensure flexibility for its global expansion. In addition to its long-standing relationship with Chinese and international banks, CALC has been an active player in the bond market, having issued three batches of senior unsecured bonds in the aggregate amount of US$1.1 billion over the past 18 months. The Group has also made disposal of finance lease receivables a recurrent business, enabling it to efficiently utilize equity and debt financing arrangement.

Boeing and Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) announced a commitment for four 787-8 Dreamliners at the 2017 Paris Air Show. The announcement is valued at $918 million at list prices. Azerbaijan Airlines is a major air carrier and one of the leaders of the aviation community of the CIS countries. Total route network of the airline is 40 destinations in 25 countries. In 2016, Azerbaijan Airlines carried over two million passengers. Azerbajjan Airlines currently operates two Boeing 787 Dreamliners as well as a fleet of Boeing 757 and 767 airplanes.

Boeing and Ryanair finalized an order for 10 additional 737 MAXs at the 2017 Paris Air Show. The order is valued at more than $1.1 billion at current list prices. The Irish low-cost carrier now has 110 unfilled orders with 100 options for the higher capacity 737 MAX 8, as well as 65 Next-Generation 737-800s. Ryanair is an all-Boeing operator and launched the higher capacity 737 MAX 8 in late 2014 with an order for 100 airplanes. The airplane will provide Ryanair with 197 seats, increasing revenue potential and providing airlines like Ryanair with up to 16 percent better fuel efficiency per seat than today’s most efficient single-aisle airplanes. Ryanair carried 120 million passengers last year with 1,800 daily flights to more than 200 destinations. The Dublin based carrier is the largest 737-800 customer in the world and the largest Boeing operator in Europe. In March this year Ryanair took delivery of its 450^th Next-Generation 737-800 and with today’s announcement has ordered a total of more than 640 airplanes from Boeing.

Boeing and Blue Air announced an order for six 737 MAX airplanes at the 2017 Paris Air Show.The order was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website. The Romanian carrier will also lease a further six 737 MAXs and six Next-Generation 737-800s from Air Lease Corporation. As Romania’s leading airline company, Blue Air was founded in Bucharest in 2004 and developed throughout the years to become a pan-European Smart Flying operator with bases in Romania, Italy, the United Kingdom and Cyprus. Since 2016, it has become the largest Romanian by scheduled passengers flown, operating flights to more than 100 destinations in 16 countries. The Smart Flying model provides superior passenger satisfaction through proven safe operations, reliable wide network schedule and customer-centric approach offering guests an affordable and friendly experience.

Boeing and Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for 75 737 MAX 8s at the 2017 Paris Air Show. The commitment, valued at $8.4 billion at list prices, will bolster Avolon’s single-aisle portfolio to meet growing customer demand in that market segment. The MOU also includes purchase rights for an additional 50 737 MAX 8s. Based in Dublin, Ireland, Avolon is one of the leading aircraft leasing firms in the world. With an aircraft portfolio that number more than 850 airplanes in service and on order, Avolon manages one of the largest, as well as the youngest fleets in the world.

Boeing and Okay Airways announced an order for 15 737 MAX airplanes, valued at $1.8 billion at current list prices. The order consists of eight 737 MAX 10s and seven 737 MAX 8s. Okay Airways becomes one of the launch customers of the 737 MAX 10, the newest member of the MAX family. The airline also signed a memorandum of understanding for five 787-9 Dreamliners as part of its long-term fleet strategy and expansion. Okay Airways is headquartered in Beijing with its main hub at Tianjin Binhai International Airport. Its all-Boeing jetliner fleet includes 17 Boeing 737-800s, four Boeing 737-900ERs and one Boeing 737-300 Freighter, which serves more than 50 domestic and regional destinations.

Boeing and Aviation Capital Group (ACG) announced an order for 20 737 MAX 10 airplanes at the 2017 Paris Air Show. The order, valued at $2.49 billion at list prices, adds ACG to the growing launch group of the newest, largest member of the 737 MAX family. ACG is already a part of the 737 MAX family with 60 current orders, including a mix of MAX 8s and MAX 9s. The addition of the 737 MAX 10 will provide ACG’s customers with more capacity and the lowest costs per-seat of any single-aisle airplane.