Airbus Dominates Air Show Debut as Boeing Sits Out Order Frenzy

Airbus SE kicked off the Paris Air Show with orders from Saudi Arabian customers valued at as much as $17 billion and a major purchase from Poland, building an early lead over Boeing Co., which scaled back its presence at the event following a crash involving one of its jets in India last week.

Airbus first landed an order for as many as 77 freighter and passenger aircraft from Saudi Arabian lessor AviLease, followed by a deal for as many as 50 of its A350-1000 widebody jets from Riyadh Air. Later in the day, Poland’s LOT Airlines said it would purchase 40 A220 airliners, with an option to extend the accord to 84 units.