Saudi airlines outbuy Gulf rivals at Farnborough air show: What to know
Saudi airlines emerged as the Middle East's biggest buyers at the international event, while the Gulf's three largest carriers browsed.
The Farnborough International Airshow concluded on Friday with Saudi Arabian airlines on a buying spree, but the Gulf's biggest carriers holding back, as the regional aviation industry continues to navigate the fallout from the Iran war.
What happened: The biannual UK air show, which began on Monday, ended with 327 firm aircraft orders, well above the 91 announced at the 2024 edition but significantly below some industry forecasts that had projected as many as 800 orders.
The lion's share of the orders came from aircraft lessors rather than airlines, with Saudi carriers among the biggest customers.
There were no new aircraft orders by the three big Gulf carriers — Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways. The CEOs of Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways and Doha-based Qatar Airways also canceled their planned appearances at the air show.
