Virgin Atlantic Airways was the main driver of a $5.8 billion order tally for Airbus on the first day of the 2016 Farnborough International Airshow. The UK-based group is buying eight A350-1000s for delivery starting in 2019 at an estimated price of $2.9 billion, and it also signed a deal with Air Lease Corp (ALC) to lease four more of the new widebodies starting 2010 (with an option for a fifth).

Earlier on Monday, ALC signed a contract valued at just under $1 billion for three A350-1000s and an A321. The A350-1000s will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines in a deal worth $900 million. In addition Airbus notched up some narrowbody orders on the opening day, with Jetstar Pacific of Vietnam signing a $980 million memorandum for 10 A320 Ceos and Arkia Israeli Airlines placed an $863 million order for up to four A330-900neos. Finally, Air Côte D’Ivoire signed a firm order for an additional A320neo.

Initially, Virgin will base the A350s at London Heathrow Airport for its transatlantic services and later some of the long-haul jets will also be based at London Gatwick for services to the Caribbean.

“This size of this order demonstrates our absolute focus on investing in the future for our customers and our people, and confirms the strength of our business,” commented Virgin Atlantic CEO Craig Kreeger. “The A350-1000 plays a pivotal role in our fleet program, helping to create one of the youngest, cleanest, greenest fleets in the sky. We’re looking forward to introducing this aircraft to our customers, as its impressive economics, fuel performance and quiet flying offer an irresistible proposition that makes long-haul travel more enjoyable and better for the environment.”

New Market Forecast

Meanwhile, Airbus also released a new 20-year Global Market Forecast indicating demand for more than 33,000 new aircraft worth $5.2 billion. The report, covering the period 2016 to 2035, specifies demand for 32,425 passenger jets and 645 freighters.

According to Airbus, the world’s airliner fleet will have doubled from 19,500 today to almost 40,000 by 2035. Over the course of the next two decades, it projects the replacement of some 13,000 aircraft.

“While established European and North American markets continue to grow, Asia-Pacific is the engine powering growth in the next 20 years,” commented John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer for customers. “China will soon be the world’s biggest aviation market and together with emerging economies, further population concentration, and wealth creation, these will help to fuel strong air traffic growth. We are ramping up production to meet market demand for our leading aircraft products and we will also ramp up our customer service offerings to meet the increasing demands of air transportation.”