British Boost at Paris Air Show

The 2025 Paris Air Show has provided a much needed boost for British manufacturing.

The international show concluded with a resounding success for Airbus, particularly for its crucial UK operations. The European aerospace giant has announced a significant haul of new aircraft orders, exceeding £15 billion, which promises to bolster thousands of direct and indirect manufacturing jobs across the United Kingdom. 

Strong Performance

This strong performance stands in stark contrast to its US rival, Boeing, which maintained a notably low profile amidst ongoing investigations into the Air India crash.

The demand for new aircraft remains exceptionally high. Airlines worldwide are eager to expand and modernise their fleets, creating a robust market that Airbus has expertly capitalised on at Europe’s biggest air show.

For the UK, these new orders are great news for our advanced manufacturing sector. Airbus, a cornerstone of British industry, already supports over 80,000 direct and supply chain jobs across the country. The company’s significant presence is particularly felt at its Filton and Broughton sites.

UK Manufacturing at the Forefront

At its state-of-the-art facilities in Filton (Bristol) and Broughton (North Wales), Airbus is at the heart of designing, testing, and manufacturing wings for its popular A320 family, A330, and A350 aircraft. These operations alone sustain approximately 8,000 highly skilled jobs and hundreds of vital apprenticeships, fostering the next generation of aerospace talent. Broughton, in particular, boasts an 80-plus-year legacy in aerospace and serves as a global centre of excellence for wing manufacturing, having benefited from more than £2 billion in investment over the past decade.

The economic ripple effect of these sites extends far beyond direct employment. A vast network of UK-based suppliers, many of them small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), contribute to the complex manufacturing process, ensuring that Airbus’s success translates into prosperity for countless communities across Britain. Indeed, the UK government itself has underscored its commitment to this vital sector, with Industry Minister Sarah Jones announcing over £250 million in new funding for green aerospace projects at the show, including significant investment in additive manufacturing led by Airbus.

Key Orders Fuel UK Production Lines

The flurry of new orders announced at the Paris Air Show highlights the continued confidence in Airbus’s product line:

• LOT Polish Airlines has placed a significant order for 40 A220 aircraft, a new customer for Airbus that will likely see UK-designed components contributing to their fleet.
• A “massive agreement” was reached with VietJet for up to 150 single-aisle jets, specifically 100 firm orders for the A321neo with options for an additional 50, a strong testament to the ongoing demand for the A320 family wings produced in Broughton.
• Airbus also cemented a strategic foothold in Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning aviation sector, with Riyadh Air ordering 25 A350 wide-body jets. The A350, with its cutting-edge wing technology, is a flagship product directly benefiting from UK expertise.
• Further strengthening its position in the Middle East, AviLease acquired 40 aircraft, including both passenger and cargo variants.

Beyond these announced deals, Air Asia chief Tony Fernandes revealed ongoing discussions at the show about expanding their existing order for the Airbus XLR, a long-range, narrowbody aircraft whose wings are proudly produced in the UK, having entered service last year.

Defence Takes Centre Stage

While commercial orders dominated the headlines, the Paris Air Show also saw a strong emphasis on defence. As governments worldwide increase their demand for advanced military capabilities, UK suppliers are gearing up to meet this need, further diversifying the output of the British aerospace sector.

Airbus’s formidable presence and extensive order book at the 2025 Paris Air Show underscore its pivotal role in the global aerospace industry and, crucially, its enduring commitment to UK manufacturing. These new agreements will drive innovation and growth. In addition, they will also safeguard and create thousands of high-value jobs, reinforcing the UK’s position as a leader in aerospace engineering and production.

At EMBS Engineering, we are partnered with several tier 1 and tier 2 SMEs. They supply to Airbus, both directly and indirectly, meaning we are perfectly positioned to support the growing demand for talented engineers, following Airbus’ new order agreements.