Boeing Gets First Paris Air Show Order, For 2 Jets

Boeing won its first order Wednesday — small but a symbolic breakthrough — for two of its updated 737-800 jets from aircraft leasing company MC Aviation Partners, worth $153 million at list prices. MC Aviation Partners is a unit of Japan's Mitsubishi Corp.

The 737-800 is a short-to-medium range, single-aisle aircraft that seats up to 189 passengers. It competes with the Airbus A320, which has won dozens of orders at the air show as Boeing struggled to woo buyers.

Airbus won two orders Wednesday, from Philippines-based Zest Airways Inc. and French regional airline Aigle Azur.

Zest placed a firm order for a new single-aisle Airbus A320 to further its quest to expand across Southeast Asia. The list price of the jet is about $76 million, though airlines often negotiate discounts, especially in difficult economic times.

Aigle Azur ordered one A319, its first direct purchase from Airbus. Aigle Azur serves northern Africa and cities in France. The list price for the plane is about $70 million.

Airbus is suffering on the defense front, however. As delays mount for Airbus' troubled new A400M military transport airlifter, Lockheed-Martin and Boeing are offering their proven C-130J and C-17 models as alternatives to the European air forces who are in urgent need of a new transport.