At this year's Farnborough Air Show, the world's leading aircraft manufacturers are in a heated race to secure lucrative deals with major airlines. Airbus is making a concerted effort to promote its A330neo airliner as an attractive alternative to more advanced jets, thanks to favorable economics and availability. Among the potential buyers are Saudi Arabia's Flynas and Flyadeal, as well as Vietnam's Vietjet Aviation, according to industry insiders.

The A330neo, a more advanced version of a jet that first took to the skies in the mid-1990s, features more fuel-efficient engines and a redesigned wing. This year, Airbus aims to shore up its backlog for the model, even though its other wide-body aircraft, the A350, has been particularly successful recently. Boeing, meanwhile, is looking to build momentum for its 777X model, which has faced certification delays, pushing its market entry back by at least five years.

Korean Air Lines has expressed interest in acquiring as many as 30 new jets from Boeing, including evaluating the smaller 787 Dreamliner model. The airline's plans also include new freighters, such as Boeing's 777X. However, with the A321neo sold out until well into the next decade and both Airbus and Boeing grappling with production delays, the focus has shifted towards securing deals for wide-body jets, predicted George Ferguson, an analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence.

In a development likely to be among the biggest in the coming weeks, Qatar Airways is exploring the possibility of ordering as many as 200 wide-body jets, divided between Boeing's 777X and 787 models, and the Airbus A350. Although talks are ongoing, an agreement may not be announced during the air show. Similarly, Flyadeal, the low-cost subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Saudia, is close to finalizing an order for 10 to 20 A330neos, while Flynas is also considering a 15-plane order for the model.

Vietjet, which announced a preliminary order for 20 A330s in February, is likely to finalize the deal at the air show. The Vietnamese budget airline had signed a memorandum of understanding for the wide-body jets with Airbus earlier this year at the Singapore Airshow. While wide-body jets are expected to be the star of the Farnborough show, single-aisle models like Cebu Air's deal for 152 Airbus A321neo jets will also play a significant role.

Simultaneously, Vietnam Airlines is looking to expand its fleet with new planes, with the Airbus A220 and Embraer's E2 jets in contention. The Brazilian manufacturer Embraer has been marketing its E2 family as small narrowbodies rather than regional jets, aiming for broader operational appeal. Vietnam Airlines, which already operates a fleet of 97 relatively young aircraft, including the Airbus A320neo and A321neo and Boeing 787s, is considering adding about 20 smaller narrowbodies.

Vietnam Airlines' fleet expansion emphasizes its strategic focus on strengthening its position in one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets. In addition to the potential orders for Airbus and Embraer jets, the airline recently received its first Airbus A320neo and has a memorandum of understanding for 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. This expansion reflects Vietnam Airlines' intent to meet the increasing regional demand efficiently, bolstered by its relatively young fleet and robust growth plans.

As Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer vie for market dominance, the Farnborough Air Show serves as a critical stage for securing new orders and showcasing advancements in aircraft technology. With significant deals in the pipeline and ongoing discussions, the event is poised to shape the future of air travel by highlighting the industry's focus on fuel efficiency, operational flexibility, and economic viability.