FARNBOROUGH, England – SMBC Aviation Capital emerged as the biggest customer on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, placing orders for a combined 200 single-aisle aircraft split evenly between Airbus and Boeing, as Riyadh Air and Philippine Airlines also announced fleet expansion plans.
The Dublin-based lessor ordered 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, comprising 65 A321s and 35 A320s, while separately committing to acquire 100 Boeing 737 MAX jets, including 60 737-10s and 40 737-8s.
Elsewhere, Riyadh Air expanded orders with both manufacturers, adding 28 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and six Airbus A350-1000s, while Philippine Airlines committed to acquire up to 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
SMBC said its Airbus order will provide airline customers with a continuous pipeline of A320neo family aircraft into the mid-2030s, reflecting confidence in long-term demand for the type and strengthening its 25-year partnership with Airbus.
“This significant new order will give our airline customers access to a continuous delivery pipeline of the latest technology A320neo family aircraft into the mid-2030s,” Chief Executive Peter Barrett said.
“We are pleased to build on the deep partnership we have established with Airbus over the last 25 years, and this latest order reflects our confidence in the long-term demand for the A320neo family.”
SMBC is already among Airbus’ largest A320 family customers and, together with its parent company Sumitomo Corp., now accounts for more than 900 direct Airbus aircraft commitments across all Airbus programs.
The Boeing order marks SMBC’s first purchase of the 737-10, the largest member of the MAX family, and increases its owned, managed and committed 737 MAX portfolio to 450 aircraft.
The lessor said the aircraft will help meet growing airline demand for larger, more fuel-efficient narrowbody jets.
Separately, Riyadh Air exercised options for 28 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners, including converting 20 aircraft to the larger 787-10 variant and incorporating a previously undisclosed purchase of 11 aircraft.
Once the remaining 17 aircraft are finalized, the Saudi carrier’s firm Dreamliner order book will total 67 aircraft.
The airline also firmed up an order for six additional Airbus A350-1000s, increasing its firm commitment for the type to 31 aircraft as it pursues plans to serve more than 100 international destinations by 2030.
Boeing also announced that Philippine Airlines committed to order up to 20 787 Dreamliners. The proposed agreement covers 15 787-10 aircraft, with options for five more, supporting the flag carrier’s fleet modernization and long-haul expansion strategy.
No financial details were disclosed for any of the agreements.
CHICAGO — 
The A220s are assembled in Mirabel as well as in Mobile, Ala.
DUBAI – Deals worth $54.5 billion were reached at the latest edition of the Dubai Airshow, which closed on Thursday, the event’s organizers said.
De Havilland Canada, which returned to the show after many years, won a number of orders for its Dash 8-400 aircraft from companies in the UAE, Russia and Nigeria.
Airservices Australia selected Searidge’s digital tower solution for an initial prototype at Sydney Airport.
The first 
Geneva hosts the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition, or 
More than 400 exhibitors will showcase their latest products and services at the three-day event.
Twenty 
“We are fully committed to flying a modern fleet that is better for the environment, and provides our customers with a superior level of comfort and safety,” said company president Sir Tim Clark (left).
Bombardier’s 1,000th Challenger 600 series aircraft is set to enter into service this year …and that airplane will be the first Challenger 650, built for private aviation leader 
Earlier in the day, 
Meanwhile, 
The Air Dispatch 