Farnborough Airshow live: Day one opens as P&W and BA secure the early deals
Farnborough Airshow 2026 has officially opened as US engine-maker Pratt & Whitney and British Airways secured the first major deals of the day.
On July 10, 2026, Pratt & Whitney and British Airways announced that the UK-based airline had selected the GTF engines to power its next round of Airbus A320neo aircraft, covering 33 firm orders and 30 additional options.
Embraer’s Eve Air Mobility has also been very busy, announcing two major agreements totaling up to 46 eVTOL aircraft.
Eve signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Shearwater Global Capital for up to 16 eVTOL aircraft and with Moov for up to 30.
AeroTime are on the ground this week at Farnborough Airshow to bring you all the latest updates and our team are also busy in our newsroom to catch all the breaking news.
AeroTime will be posting all the latest news in this live blog throughout the day, so make sure to follow.
July 20, 2026, 11:25 (UTC +3)
Eve Air expands eVTOL pipeline with Moov Airways LOI for up to 30 aircraft
Eve Air Mobility and Moov Airways have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for up to 30 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to explore advanced air mobility (AAM) operations in Cabo Verde and Europe.
Announced on July 19, 2026, the agreement will see the companies assess how eVTOL aircraft could support tourism and regional transportation between the islands of Cabo Verde. Potential use cases will include sightseeing flights, shuttle services between airports, ports, and resorts, inter-island transport, medical missions, and infrastructure inspections
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Eve Air expands eVTOL pipeline with Moov Airways LOI for up to 30 aircraft
July 20, 2026, 11:21 (UTC +3)
CFM’s confidence on open-fan engine grows
CFM International remains confident in its open-fan engine technology after a series of successes were announced at a press event before the opening of Farnborough Airshow 2026.
On July 18, 2026, in London, Gaël Méheust, the President and CEO of CFM International, opened proceedings stating that the company was “preparing the future of aviation” through its RISE (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines) program.
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CFM’s confidence on open-fan engine grows with series of RISE successes
July 20, 2026, 21:35 (UTC +3)
Philippine Airlines confirms Boeing 787 Dreamliner order at FIA
Philippine Airlines has confirmed a firm order for 15 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, with the option for five more, ending months of speculation ahead of the Farnborough International Airshow. The deal, signed on July 20, 2026, in front of Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg and other officials, marks the carrier’s first time operating the 787 and adds a new chapter to its 80-year partnership with Boeing.Read more:
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Philippine Airlines confirms speculation with Boeing 787 Dreamliner order at FIA
July 20, 2026, 21:20 (UTC +3)
British Airways selects Pratt & Whitney GTF engines for up to 63 Airbus jets
British Airways has selected Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engines to power up to 63 Airbus A320neo aircraft, marking a major win for the engine maker at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow. The deal, which includes a 12-year maintenance agreement, is expected to support the UK flag carrier’s fleet expansion while cutting fuel burn and noise.Read more below:
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British Airways picks Pratt & Whitney GTF engines to power up to 63 Airbus jets
July 20, 2026, 21:57 (UTC +3)
SMBC firms up order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX jets at Farnborough 2026
SMBC Aviation Capital placed an order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on July 20, 2026, at the Farnborough International Airshow, bringing its total MAX-family orderbook to 450 aircraft. The deal marks the leasing giant’s first-ever order for the 737-10, the largest single order for that variant from any lessor, and reflects growing demand among airlines to upgauge their narrowbody fleets.Read more:
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SMBC orders 100 B737 MAX aircraft at Farnborough Airshow 2026
July 20, 2026, 21:23 (UTC +3)
UK’s National Police Air Service adds two more H135s, brings fleet total to nine
The UK’s National Police Air Service has placed an order for two additional H135 helicopters, bringing its ongoing fleet renewal program to a total of nine aircraft. Airbus Helicopters announced the deal on July 20, 2026, the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, building on a 2025 framework agreement that named Airbus the exclusive helicopter supplier for NPAS.Read more:
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UK’s National Police Air Service orders two more H135s, brings order to nine
July 20, 2026, 21:26 (UTC +3)
Riyadh Air locks in 28 more Boeing 787s, adds larger 787-10 variant at Farnborough 2026
Riyadh Air has exercised options for 28 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners, introducing the larger 787-10 variant into its fleet for the first time. Announced at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 20, 2026, the deal brings the airline’s total firm order for the 787 family to 67 jets as it works toward serving more than 100 destinations by 2030, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic strategy.Read more:
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Riyadh Air firms up order for 28 Boeing 787s, adds 787-10 at Farnborough 2026
July 20, 2026, 21:28 (UTC +3)
Riyadh Air adds six more Airbus A350-1000s to its order at Farnborough 2026
Riyadh Air has firmed up an order for six additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, bringing its total commitment for the type to 31 jets and making it the first airline in Saudi Arabia to fly the aircraft. Announced at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 20, 2026, the deal builds on the airline’s 2025 commitment for up to 50 A350-1000s as it works toward serving more than 100 destinations by 2030.Read more:
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Riyadh Air firms up order for six more Airbus A350-1000s at Farnborough 2026
July 20, 2026, 21:31 (UTC +3)
The Helicopter Company orders eight more Airbus H145 helicopters
The Helicopter Company, Saudi Arabia’s leading commercial helicopter operator, has placed a firm order for eight additional Airbus H145 helicopters, with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2028. Announced at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 20, 2026, the order falls under a broader 2024 framework agreement covering up to 120 Airbus helicopters, and is expected to support THC’s Emergency Medical Services and other mission-critical operations across Saudi Arabia and beyond.Read more:
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The Helicopter Company orders eight additional Airbus H145 helicopters
July 20, 2026, 22:02 (UTC +3)
Vertical Aerospace signs Sigma Air Mobility as new customer at Farnborough 2026
Vertical Aerospace has named Sigma Air Mobility, a subsidiary of Luxembourg-based Luxaviation Group, as a new customer for its future Valo eVTOL. The announcement, made July 19, 2026, just ahead of the Farnborough International Airshow, includes a signed Memorandum of Understanding to assess the operational and commercial readiness for the Valo’s eventual rollout.Read more:
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Vertical Aerospace names Sigma Air Mobility as new customer at Farnborough 2026
July 20, 2026, 17:23 (UTC +3)
Archer and Anduril unveil jointly-developed autonomous hybrid dual-use VTOL
Advanced air mobility developer Archer and defense technology firm Anduril unveiled a jointly-developed autonomous, dual-use hybrid-electric VTOL platform on July 20, 2026, during the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow.Read more:
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Archer and Anduril unveil jointly-developed autonomous hybrid dual-use VTOL
The post Farnborough Airshow live: Day one opens as P&W and BA secure the early deals appeared first on AeroTime.
Farnborough Airshow 2026 has officially opened as US engine-maker Pratt & Whitney and British Airways secured the first…
The post Farnborough Airshow live: Day one opens as P&W and BA secure the early deals appeared first on AeroTime.
