, who was scheduled to attend the show for the first time in his new role, has cancelled his trip along with Boeing Commercial Airplanes President Stephanie Pope.“We want to stay with our team and focus on our customer and the ongoing investigation,” Ortberg had said.
The Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport, scheduled from June 16 to 22, is the world’s biggest aviation industry event, where aircraft manufacturers often announce new deals. The event, held every two years, will be conducted in the shadow of the Ahmedabad tragedy that has left the world in shock and disbelief.
Despite Scherer's sincere statement, another Bloomberg report noted that Airbus SE projects the global commercial aircraft fleet will double to nearly 50,000 by 2044, driven by booming air travel in emerging markets like India.
In its latest market forecast, Airbus estimates the in-service fleet will grow by 24,480 aircraft, reaching 49,210 in 20 years. Most of this expansion will come from single-aisle planes such as the A320 and Boeing 737.
Moreover, India is expected to be the fastest-growing domestic aviation market, while China will lead by capacity. Globally, Airbus forecasts a 3.6% annual growth in passenger traffic, with the Middle East also fueling demand.
Global trade tensions and lingering supply chain issues—including engine and toilet shortages— are unlikely to prevent airlines from placing large orders. India alone has seen record deals, with Air India ordering 570 planes and IndiGo holding more than 900 in its pipeline, according to the news outlet.
Airbus had earlier said that customer demand remains strong, with no major downturn in sight.
Meanwhile, Boeing is grappling with multiple crises that predate the Ahmedabad tragedy: production slowdowns, safety investigations, and a $35 billion cumulative loss since 2019. A machinists' strike and stepped-up regulatory scrutiny further hampered production.
Its 737 Max, once its best-seller, remains a symbol of corporate failure following two deadly crashes and a recent door-panel blowout. In 2024 alone, Boeing posted an $11.8 billion loss.
Yet, signs of operational progress have emerged: for the first three months of 2025, Boeing reported a narrower loss of $31 million compared with the previous year.
Despite these issues, Boeing still commands significant orders—like a $96 billion deal with Qatar.
However, as Airbus benefits from sustained demand and a relatively stable outlook, Boeing is now under greater pressure to prove it can ensure safety, deliver reliably, and regain customer trust in the market that have been broken down through years of turbulent performances.
