Boeing, Boeing gone! Airbus scores big wins in Japan & South Korea

Airbus SE secured two major orders from the flagship carriers of Japan and South Korea, giving the European manufacturer a strategic win in markets that have traditionally leaned toward arch-rival Boeing.

Japan Airlines said it's buying 21 Airbus 350-900 as well as 11 A321neos in a multibillion dollar deal, breaking Boeing's exclusive hold as the sole single-aisle jet supplier for the carrier. Boeing brought home a smaller deal, for 10 Boeing 787 widebody jets. Two hours later, Korean Air Lines announced the purchase of 33 Airbus A350 jets for $14 billion in a winner-takes-all contest that left Boeing empty-handed.

The commercial successes will help Airbus deepen relations with two carriers that for decades built the bulk of their fleets around the US manufacturer. Boeing has been in crisis for several months following a near-catastrophic accident on a 737 Max 9 model in early January. Nevertheless, the carrier has managed to log several big orders since then, and loyal carriers like Ryanair Holdings have pledged their support to the US company as it seeks to improve its manufacturing processes.


This year is shaping up to be buoyant for widebody aircraft orders, with Qatar Airways QCSC seeking to purchase as many as 150 twin-aisle jets.

Cathay Pacific Airways in Hong Kong is also considering a sizable deal involving dozens of mid-sized widebody jets. There are also big narrowbody orders on the horizon with Cebu Air looking to close out an order for as many as 150 planes. Of the almost 160 planes in Korean Air's fleet, 65% are from Boeing.