The Paris Air Show, a major biennial event drawing thousands to a suburb of Paris, usually exudes excitement and celebration. However, this year’s atmosphere was subdued following the tragic crash of an Air India flight.
This somber tone was especially evident in the competition between aviation giants Airbus and Boeing. While Airbus announced several new commercial jet orders despite holding back some news, Boeing maintained a quiet stance, reporting no new deals. The company cited respect for those affected by last week’s crash of Air India Flight 171, which involved one of its 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
The investigation into the crash, which claimed at least 270 lives both onboard and on the ground, remains ongoing. The timing is challenging for Boeing, which had recently begun to recover from previous difficulties. The manufacturer recorded nearly 350 orders last month, bolstered by a U.S.-U.K. trade agreement, marking its strongest sales month in eighteen months. Boeing also achieved a key production milestone for its best-selling 737 Max during that period.
The event at Le Bourget Airport offers companies a platform to display their latest products and conduct behind-the-scenes negotiations. Attendees are treated to the powerful sights and sounds of commercial and military aircraft performing overhead.
Boeing’s CEO, Kelly Ortberg, and Stephanie Pope, head of the commercial airplane division, had planned to attend but withdrew to support their teams and focus on customers and the ongoing investigation, as explained in a company message following the crash.
Despite the subdued participation, Boeing maintained a presence at the show. Their meeting spaces featured red and white roses and a silver-framed tribute honoring those impacted by Air India Flight 171.
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