- Opens with Strategic Orders and Somber Undercurrents
- Under Shadow of AI 171 crash & Israel-Iran War
- Sans traditional Airbus-Boeing one-upmanship stories
Le Bourget. 16 June 2025. The 55th edition of the Paris Air Show opened at the historic Le Bourget airfield on a hot summer day, drawing aviation professionals and global media to what remains the world’s most prominent aerospace and defence exhibition. Held biennially, the Paris Air Show serves as a critical platform for aircraft manufacturers, defence firms, and emerging aerospace startups to announce new deals, showcase cutting-edge technologies, and engage in high-level diplomacy. Overflowing crowd despite the show being overshadowed by global geopolity and Indian aviation tragedy.
The normally festive opening was subdued by the emotional weight of multiple global crises. The recent Air India AI 171 crash, which resulted in significant loss of life, cast a pall over the aviation community. Boeing’s withdrawal from key press events and the postponement of GE Aerospace’s investor day were visible signs of the industry’s reflection and mourning. Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions added a complex layer to the show’s diplomacy. The Israel-Iran conflict and ongoing Gaza crisis had a direct impact on the event. The French government mandated the erection of opaque black partitions around Israeli defence pavilions, limiting visibility of offensive weapon systems. This led to a diplomatic protest from Israeli companies and legal challenges against the restrictions. The Russia-Ukraine war continued to shape conversations around drone warfare, electronic warfare resilience, and the need for robust supply chains. Several manufacturers highlighted how lessons from Ukraine were shaping next-generation battlefield technologies.
Unlike previous editions of the Paris Air Show, the 2025 edition lacked the high-stakes order battle traditionally seen between Airbus and Boeing. This subdued competition was largely due to Boeing’s scaled-back presence in the aftermath of the tragic Air India Flight AI 171 crash, which cast a pall over the company’s participation. With key executives absent and a lower profile on site, Boeing refrained from aggressive order announcements, leaving Airbus to dominate the commercial aircraft spotlight. Additionally, broader industry caution driven by geopolitical instability and shifting focus towards defence technologies and sustainability may have contributed to a more restrained approach from both manufacturers. The absence of their usual tit-for-tat mega deals marked a noticeable shift from the competitive fervour that typically defines the world’s biggest aerospace stage.
The 2025 edition is seeing a participation from over 80 countries, including major aerospace players such as the United States, France, the United Kingdom, India, Israel, Germany, UAE, Brazil, and Japan. More than 250 official delegations are attending the event, representing defence ministries, air forces, civil aviation authorities, and industry leaders. Over 150 aircraft are featured across flying and static displays. The flying program captivated attendees with aerobatic routines by the Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, F-35B, and the A321XLR, among others. On the static side, showstoppers included the Airbus A350-1000, Embraer’s E195-E2, the KC-390 Millennium, Israel’s Heron TP, India’s indigenous UAVs, and several advanced rotorcraft. The exhibition space, expanded this year to accommodate a growing defence footprint, saw nearly 45% of displays dedicated to military systems, highlighting the increased strategic emphasis on security and sovereign capabilities.
While Boeing scaled back its top-tier participation following the Air India Flight AI 171 crash, Airbus took center stage, announcing a slew of major deals. Riyadh Air placed a firm order for 25 Airbus A350-1000s, with options for 50 more. LOT Polish Airlines confirmed 40 A220 aircraft, while AviLease added 30 A320neos and 10 A350 freighters to its portfolio. The deals reflected continued growth in demand for efficient, long-haul aircraft amid a post-pandemic recovery in aviation. General Atomics, Thales, Dassault, Safran, Embraer, and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) showcased technologies ranging from unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) to AI-enabled flight systems. Electric aircraft and next-generation propulsion systems were prominently featured at the Paris Air Lab and “Start-Me-Up” innovation hub, pointing toward the sector’s growing focus on sustainability.
Embraer maintains a strong presence , showcasing its advanced portfolio spanning commercial aviation, defence, services and support, and Urban Air Mobility. The spotlight is on the KC-390 Millennium, Embraer’s versatile multi-mission airlifter and tanker. The KC-390 is prominently displayed both on the static ramp and in the flight demonstrations reiterating its growing significance in global tactical airlift and aerial refueling missions. De Havilland Canada showcases the DHC-6 Twin Otter Guardian, the missionized variant of its Twin Otter platform. Designed for surveillance, search and rescue, and special missions, the Guardian version is on display.
The Paris Air Show is the world’s largest aerospace trade fair and air show, held biennially in odd-numbered years at Paris–Le Bourget Airport in France. Organized by the French aerospace industry association GIFAS (Groupement des industries françaises aéronautiques et spatiales), the event is unmatched in scale, surpassing other major air shows such as Farnborough, Dubai, and Singapore in terms of exhibitor numbers and exhibit space. First launched in 1909, the Paris Air Show has been held regularly since 1949, with the 2019 edition (its 53rd) attracting 2,453 exhibitors from 49 countries and covering more than 125,000 square meters. The event was canceled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed in 2023. The show typically begins with four trade-only days for industry professionals, followed by public access from Friday to Sunday. It features both military and civilian aircraft and is a key venue for major aerospace manufacturers and air forces to showcase their platforms and announce significant deals. Its format is comparable to the Farnborough and ILA Berlin Air Shows, which alternate in even-numbered years.
This year Paris Air Show faced political headwinds as the departmental council of Seine-Saint-Denis, where the Le Bourget exhibition grounds are located, publicly announced its boycott of the event. Citing the participation of Israeli defence companies amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, Council President Stéphane Troussel declared he would not attend the official inauguration ceremony, which was inaugurated by the French Prime Minister François Bayrou. The glamour of President Emanuel Macron cutting the ribbons was also missing this year as he was in Canada for the G7 meet. The council unanimously passed a resolution condemning Israel’s involvement, referencing allegations brought before the International Criminal Court, and urging the French government to recognize the State of Palestine, push for a ceasefire in Gaza, and allow unimpeded humanitarian access. Troussel emphasized that welcoming representatives from a country under such serious international scrutiny contradicted France’s commitment to human rights. The boycott added a layer of political tension to the global aerospace gathering, highlighting how international conflict has increasingly intersected with major industry events.
At the opening of the Paris Air Lab during the 2025 Paris Air Show, French Prime Minister François Bayrou reaffirmed the government’s dedication to advancing aerospace innovation and promoting sustainable aviation. Appointed in December 2024, Bayrou inaugurated the Air Lab alongside Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury, and Thales Executive Vice President Yannick Assouad. In his remarks, he praised the achievements of the participating exhibitors, highlighting their contributions to propulsion technology, aerospace research, and the broader goal of decarbonizing the sector. He emphasized the importance of aerospace, science, and technology in driving France’s recovery following the pandemic. The Paris Air Lab serves as a platform for exploring the future of aviation, with a strong focus on sustainable aviation fuel, electrification, hydrogen-powered systems, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and next-generation aircraft design.
The opening day of the 2025 Paris Air Show was a vivid reflection of today’s world—where soaring ambition in aerospace innovation meets the sobering realities of geopolitics and tragedy. As orders rolled in and aircraft lifted off into the Paris skies, the message was clear: the aerospace sector is adapting, resilient, and deeply intertwined with the global security environment. As the week progresses, eyes remain on new announcements, evolving partnerships, and the technologies that will shape the next era of aviation and defence.
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