The 55th Paris Air Show 2025 (June 16–20) brought together over 2,500 exhibitors from 48 countries and attracted about 300,000 visitors. Despite an atmosphere subdued by a recent Air India Boeing 787 crash and global tensions, the event delivered a clear message of realism and recalibration.
Instead of splashy unveilings, the focus shifted to fulfilling commitments, scaling production, and advancing strategic technologies amid geopolitical uncertainty.
This wrap-up provides a balanced overview of the show’s commercial aviation deals, military/defense developments, and aerospace technology innovations, along with forward-looking insights into industry trends.
Commercial Aviation Dominated by Airbus Orders
Airbus seized the spotlight in Boeing’s partial absence, logging a staggering $21 billion in new aircraft deals. Without its US rival announcing sales at Le Bourget, Airbus alone tallied 148 firm orders (worth $14.2B) and 102 provisional orders ($6.7B) during the week.
Major wins included an MoU with Vietjet for 100 A321neo jets (plus 50 options), 30 A320neo and 10 A350F freighters for AviLease, 25 A350-1000s for Saudi startup Riyadh Air, and 40 A220s (with 44 options) for LOT Polish Airlines. Taiwan’s Starlux added 10 A350-1000s to its fleet (bringing its total to 18), EgyptAir expanded a prior A350 order from 10 to 16, and Japan’s ANA finalized 24 A321neos and 3 long-range A321XLRs.
These deals underscore a post-pandemic airline rush to secure capacity for growth markets – notably with Vietjet’s order signaling hedging against late Boeing deliveries and Riyadh Air’s purchase aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aviation ambitions.
Boeing, by contrast, kept a low profile. The Chicago-based OEM had already landed massive orders (such as a Qatar Airways deal) just prior to Paris, and following the deadly June 12 Air India crash, Boeing’s top executives canceled appearances to focus on the investigation.
As a result, Boeing announced no new jetliner sales at the show. Industry analysts noted the unusual dynamic – “a very different air show from those…wall-to-wall aircraft orders,” with Airbus “setting the tone almost entirely on its own”. Still, Boeing projected long-term optimism, releasing a forecast for 43,600 new commercial airplanes over 20 years, driven by emerging market growth (especially in Asia). This suggests Boeing expects robust demand ahead, even as it momentarily ceded the order race in Paris.
Other manufacturers also made their mark. Embraer scored a significant regional jet deal – U.S. carrier SkyWest ordered 60 E175s (with 50 options) worth $3.6B to renew its regional fleet (many for Delta Connection). This is Embraer’s largest airline order in years, reinforcing sustained demand for scope-compliant regional jets in North Americaa.
Turboprop leader ATR reported 30 new commitments in the first half of 2025, including 19 ATR 72-600s for Taiwan’s UNI Air, as it celebrated its 1,900th aircraft sold. ATR also highlighted a market need for 2,600+ turboprops over 20 years, touting its latest models’ 20% efficiency margin beyond new CO₂ standards.
Even Chinese newcomer COMAC had a presence: it inked supplier agreements with Safran and Crane to advance its in-development C929 widebody, marking China’s ambitions to challenge the duopoly. In total, over 600 new aircraft orders and commitments (including options and MOUs) were announced across the show’s commercial sector – a strong tally albeit a bit “subdued” compared to past frenzied airshows.
The Airbus A350-1000 was a focal point for orders, as Airbus dominated the commercial order book at PAS 2025. Beyond orders, innovation in civil aviation was on display. New aircraft variants and tech received attention: Airbus confirmed its A330 MRTT+ aerial tanker is now in production for an undisclosed customer, featuring upgraded connectivity and defensive systems for the modern battlefield.
Business aviation made news with Bombardier’s flagship Global 7500 setting a speed record from Montréal to Paris (~5h30m flight) as it gears up for the even faster Global 8000. On the regional front, Textron Aviation debuted a multi-mission Beechcraft King Air variant equipped for special ops with extended-range tanks and sensor suites.
Notably, many deals had an international or strategic twist – from Japan’s ANA leveraging Airbus for fleet modernization to Saudi lessor AviLease ordering Rolls-Royce engines for its A350 freighters (the first RR-powered freighters in Saudi Arabia).
The breadth of participants and partnerships underscores the global nature of the industry: airlines from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, lessors, and even startup carriers all vied for the latest aircraft, reflecting optimism in air travel demand recovery.
Defense and Geopolitics Take Center Stage
If 2023’s airshow hinted at rising defense trends, 2025 confirmed it – this was the most defense-heavy Paris Air Show ever. Organizers revealed about 45% of the show was dedicated to defense and security, a record-high share for Le Bourget.
Exhibition halls and chalets brimmed with military hardware: air and missile defense systems, ISR drones, and combat aircraft dominated floor space and conversations. The shift was driven by real-world conflicts – Russia’s war in Ukraine and turmoil in the Middle East – which hung over the event and sharpened focus on production capacity and logistics.
Ongoing wars have shown that stockpiles and supply chains can matter as much as sleek tech. As one report observed, the industry seemed preoccupied with “gritty realities of supply chains, industrial base readiness, and attrition warfare” rather than just futuristic concepts.
Geopolitical currents were visible everywhere. Notably, France instructed Israeli defense companies to cover or close four exhibits that featured “offensive” weapons, in light of the Israel-Gaza conflict, sparking diplomatic protest from Israel. European governments are boosting defense budgets, and the show highlighted Europe’s strategy to balance reliance on U.S. tech with bolstering domestic industries.
Still, transatlantic cooperation was evident: for example, U.S. drone-maker Anduril announced a tie-up with Germany’s Rheinmetall to co-produce drones for European forces – a sign of Europe leveraging American tech to rearm quickly. U.S. giants also sensed opportunity in Europe’s defense expansion.
Boeing used the show to pitch its portfolio, noting it supports 25 allied militaries in Europe and is ready to deliver more: executives floated potential sales of E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C planes to France and additional P-8 Poseidons, building on orders like Germany’s recent CH-47 Chinook helicopters and Poland’s AH-64 Apache buy.
Boeing even revealed an undisclosed customer inquired about restarting C-17 cargo jet production – a remarkable twist given the line closed a decade ago, underscoring the urgent demand for heavy airlift as Europe reassesses its air transport needs.
Unmanned systems were prominent at Paris 2025 – here Airbus’s VSR700 naval drone helicopter on display.
The narrative in defense shifted from unveiling brand-new platforms to adapting and mass-producing “attritable” and interoperable systems.
Lockheed Martin, for instance, didn’t bring a new missile model but announced a 40% production ramp-up in tactical missile output year-on-year, emphasizing capacity and delivery speed to meet wartime needs. Likewise, instead of sixth-gen fighter mockups stealing the show, there was talk of making legacy workhorses smarter:
Airbus showcased its A400M transport as a future “mothership” for deploying swarms of drones in a networked battlefield, and Sikorsky illustrated how venerable Black Hawk helicopters can be retrofitted to work with unmanned wingmen and autonomous mission systems.
This trend reflects militaries asking not “what’s the flashiest new jet?” but “what can actually be delivered at scale, on time?”. Indeed, reliability, sustainment, and guaranteed production slots were as much buzzwords as AI or stealth at this show.
There were still headline-grabbing defense deals and reveals. Europe’s drive for advanced ISR saw France sign intent to acquire Saab’s GlobalEye airborne early-warning jets, bolstering continental surveillance capabilities. Uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAVs) and “loyal wingman” drones had a moment: Turkish firm Baykar and Italy’s Leonardo launched a joint venture LBA Systems to develop next-gen unmanned aircraft, debuting models like the Baykar TB3 UCAV on static display.
General Atomics unveiled a full-scale mockup of its jet-powered YFQ-42A drone – part of the U.S.’s collaborative combat aircraft program – marking the concept’s international debut and highlighting how fast “fighter wingman” drones are progressing.
Meanwhile, combat aircraft programs were subtly present: Europe’s next-gen fighter project (FCAS) was overshadowed by partner disputes (Dassault vs. Airbus on leadership), but consensus emerged that the partnership “doesn’t have to become toxic” as long as roles are respected.
France’s Dassault notably displayed a new stealthy UCAV mockup next to its Rafale, signaling its vision for the future. And in a nod to future air combat, multiple countries including the UK announced an alliance to streamline certification of eVTOLs and drones for defense and civilian use together, recognizing these new aircraft types as part of tomorrow’s security landscape.
Aerospace Technology and Sustainability Innovations
Beyond planes and missiles, Paris 2025 showcased the cutting edge of aerospace tech, especially in sustainability and autonomy. A dedicated Paris Air Lab in the exhibition highlighted themes of hydrogen propulsion, sustainable fuels, and digitalization, underlining the industry’s commitment to greener, smarter flight. Dozens of aviation startups also presented breakthroughs in AI, advanced materials, and autonomous systems as part of the show’s “Start-Me-Up” initiative.
Electric air taxis (eVTOLs) made a splash as they moved closer to reality. U.S. startup Archer Aviation brought a full-scale mock-up of its Midnight eVTOL, attracting crowds with its batwing-like design and promises of revolutionizing urban mobility. Archer’s CEO noted a recent White House order to accelerate air taxi integration was like “putting up the Bat-Signal” for the industry.
During the show, Archer also announced an expansion of its launch program to Indonesia (up to 50 Midnight vehicles) and discussed using AI copilots: the company is exploring an AI-driven flight manual to help eVTOL pilots in emergencies, leveraging its partnership with Palantir to improve autonomous decision support.
Chinese pioneer EHang also showcased its EH216 two-seat passenger drone, signaling that competition in the flying taxi space is global. Officials from multiple countries (US, UK, Australia, etc.) jointly announced efforts to harmonize eVTOL regulations, a crucial step to get these aircraft certified and flying by late this decade.
Autonomy and AI were pervasive themes. From civilian pilot aids to military drones, artificial intelligence is increasingly embedded. Developers demonstrated how digital twins and AI-driven simulations are shortening design cycles – for instance, engineers used advanced simulation to perfect a new engine nozzle design for a light aircraft in record time, cutting prototyping costs.
On the defense side, Boeing touted its MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone (developed in Australia) as a candidate for European loyal wingman needs, and stressed it would localize production to ensure supply chain resilience.
Meanwhile, Europe’s own industry is advancing: multiple unmanned systems – from long-endurance drones to robotic wingmen – were on display, indicating that the next generation of aerospace products will be as much about code and algorithms as airframes.
Archer’s Midnight electric air taxi on display – one of several eVTOL prototypes highlighting the push toward autonomous, zero-emission flight. In the sustainability arena, the air show reinforced that greener aviation is no longer optional but imperative.
Hydrogen propulsion took a leap forward with several announcements. Scottish regional airline Loganair signed an MoU with start-up ZeroAvia to retrofit regional planes (like Twin Otters) with hydrogen-electric powertrains in pursuit of zero-emission flights.
French firm Blue Spirit Aero drew attention with its sleek Dragonfly prototype – a four-seat airplane built around hydrogen fuel cells – which completed taxi tests and aims for a first flight by year’s end. The Dragonfly’s novel design (12 small electric propulsors on the wings) targets a 440-mile range on gaseous hydrogen, a bold attempt to make hydrogen viable for small aircraft.
Big manufacturers are also investing: Airbus’s ZEROe division and engine makers like Rolls-Royce and Safran received part of a £250M UK government fund to accelerate liquid hydrogen fuel systems, hydrogen combustion, and thermal management tech for future airliners. These projects – from high-temperature fuel cells to hydrogen-burning engine demonstrators – aim to put a zero-carbon commercial aircraft in service by the mid-2030s.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) likewise gained traction. European energy giants (TotalEnergies, etc.) used the event to promote SAF availability, and the show itself encouraged exhibitors to use SAF blends for demo flights. ATR announced a partnership with a French firm ATOBA Energy to make SAF more accessible to regional airlines, exploring innovative supply-chain solutions so even remote operators can fuel with biofuel.
Airbus revealed it adopted an innovative “book-and-claim” system – purchasing SAF credits to cover the travel of its staff to the show, effectively offsetting the carbon from their trips. The company also highlighted that all its aircraft are already certified to fly with up to 50% SAF and targeting 100% SAF capability by 2030. On the electrification front, one of the final deals signed at Paris 2025 was for five all-electric Diamond eDA40 trainer aircraft for flight school Airways Aviation.
This marks the first electric plane order at a Paris show, signaling how even pilot training is embracing clean technology. “The eDA40…reducing carbon emissions and operating costs without compromising training standards,” noted Airways Aviation’s CEO as he described the academy’s push for greener operations.
Between electric airplanes, hybrid engines, and extensive SAF commitments, the show’s sustainability highlights indicate that the industry is accelerating its drive toward net-zero aviation.
Forward-Looking Insights and Conclusion
The 2025 Paris Air Show offered a clear snapshot of an aerospace sector in transition. On the commercial side, huge order backlogs and supply chain strains mean manufacturers are prioritizing deliverability over novelty – Airbus’s order haul, achieved by selling mostly existing models, must now be met by ramping up production rates.
Airlines, for their part, are locking in available production slots years in advance, betting on air travel growth especially in Asia and the Middle East. The relative absence of new Boeing orders at Paris (due to extraordinary circumstances) may prove a temporary blip as Boeing works through its backlog and safety challenges. But it also highlights how geopolitical events can reshape industry dynamics – from crashes impacting sales tactics to wars driving defense innovation.
Defense aerospace is entering a new paradigm defined by scale, speed, and integration. The record defense presence at PAS 2025 suggests that future airshows – and industry revenues – will increasingly tilt toward military and space sectors. Nations are rearming and seeking a mix of high-tech and readily available systems.
This could lead to more collaboration across borders (e.g. joint ventures like LBA Systems for drones) but also a push for local production to secure supply lines. We can expect accelerated development of force-multiplier technologies like autonomous wingmen drones, advanced surveillance aircraft, and high-volume missile production.
The lines between commercial and military innovation may also blur: for instance, advances in AI, battery tech, and hydrogen will benefit both airliners and defense UAVs. Moreover, the show underscored how global politics directly affect aerospace – export policies, trade wars, and alliances will influence which deals get signed. The closure of Israeli weapon displays hints that companies must navigate political sensitivities even at trade shows.
Perhaps the most exciting takeaway is the momentum in sustainable and futuristic flight. Paris 2025 showcased real progress on technologies that seemed futuristic just a few years ago – electric air taxis preparing for operation, hydrogen planes nearly ready to fly, and major funding going into zero-emission aircraft programs.
These trends indicate that by the late 2020s and 2030s, aviation could be transformed by new vehicle categories (eVTOL air taxis), alternative fuels, and autonomous systems. The immediate future will likely see a ramp-up of SAF usage (with mandates in Europe driving adoption to meet 6% SAF by 2030) and introduction of more electric aircraft in niche roles like training and short hops.
Longer term, the investments in hydrogen fuel cells and hybrid-electric propulsion unveiled at the show hint that the aviation of 2050 will look very different, with radically cleaner and smarter aircraft.
In summary, the Paris Air Show 2025 balanced a commercial resurgence (over 600 aircraft deals signaling airline confidence) with a sobering defense reality (preparing for a world of persistent conflict). It was less about splashy surprises and more about “staying the course” on key priorities – scaling up production, meeting sustainability targets, and delivering on past promises.
The packed halls and busy tarmacs at Le Bourget showed an industry buzzing not just with aircraft engine noise, but with determination to adapt and innovate. As one observer noted, aerospace leaders and customers arrived this year with a “shared understanding” that the world has changed and the onus is on the industry to prove it can deliver “not just on ideas, but on commitments”.
The developments at Paris Air Show 2025 suggest that aerospace is rising to the challenge – forging a path toward a future that is greener, more digital, and more secure, while never losing sight of the need to turn bold concepts into concrete results.
References —
- AeroTime – “Paris Air Show 2025 highlights: Airbus leads, defense dominates” (June 20, 2025)
- Reuters – “Airbus hits $21 billion orders at air show as Boeing focuses on India crash” (June 18, 2025)
- Royal Aeronautical Society – “Paris Air Show 2025 Day One” (June 16, 2025)
- Royal Aeronautical Society – “Paris Air Show 2025 Day Two” (June 17, 2025)
- Forecast International – “Flightline Daily: Paris Air Show 2025” (June 16, 2025)
- Euronews – “Paris Air Show opens with 2,400 exhibitors amid Airbus-Boeing rivalry” (June 16, 2025)
- ATR Press Release – “ATR Accelerates Growth, Efficiency and Sustainability at 2025 Paris Air Show” (June 18, 2025)
- AeroTime – “Airways Aviation orders five eDA40 training aircraft at close of Paris Air Show” (June 20, 2025)
- Business Insider – “Flying taxi pilots could use AI for fast answers during emergencies, Archer CEO says” (June 19, 2025)
- HPM Leadership Blog – “HPM to Attend 2025 International Paris Air Show” (May 27, 2025)
