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Bloomberg
Boeing Co. isn’t waiting for next month’s Farnborough International Airshow to unveil blockbuster aircraft deals — or start booking cash.
The Chicago-based planemaker is poised to bolster its backlog with orders valued at $14.4 billion thanks to two transactions announced. That’s a break from an industry practice of stockpiling sales for the biggest annual trade expo that alternates between Paris and Farnborough, outside London.
Bamboo Airways, a Vietnamese startup, signed a commitment for 20 of Boeing’s twin-aisle 787-9 Dreamliners, the companies said in a statement. That’s a deal of about $5.6 billion before customary discounts. Earlier in the day, Jet Airways India Ltd. announced it was purchasing 75 of Boeing’s 737 Max single-aisle planes.
The two deals underscore the tilt of the aerospace market to Asia, where airlines are stocking up on aircraft to serve a rapidly expanding middle class. The orders also show that Boeing has access to a wider market in the region beyond China, where it could become an easy target if trade tensions with the US escalate. Premier Li Keqiang said that the Asian giant is willing to step up cooperation with Airbus SE.
“While China is a big and important market, there are other markets in Asia that are in demand,†said Shukor Yusof, founder of aviation consulting firm Endau Analytics in Malaysia. “Southeast Asia is a gold mine.†Boeing had netted 306 commercial aircraft orders as of May 31.