Airbus SE secured two major orders from the flagship carriers of Japan and South Korea, giving the European manufacturer a strategic win in markets that have traditionally leaned toward arch-rival Boeing.
Japan Airlines said it’s buying 21 Airbus 350-900 as well as 11 A321neos in a multibillion dollar deal, breaking Boeing’s exclusive hold as the sole single-aisle jet supplier for the carrier. Boeing brought home a smaller deal, for 10 Boeing 787 widebody jets. Two hours later, Korean Air Lines announced the purchase of 33 Airbus A350 jets for $14 billion in a winner-takes-all contest that left Boeing empty-handed.
