This year’s Paris Air Show, which starts on 19th June, will be marked by the first appearance of a variety of commerical and military platforms.
A number of aircraft will be making their first appearance at this year’s Paris Air Show (19th-25th June). We present a roundup of the newcomers.
After the A350-900 in 2015, Airbus will be presenting the larger A350-1000 at this year’s event. The company is bringing the third prototype (test aircraft MSN065), recently used for “Early Long Flight” testing. Certification testing is moving forward, with entry into service scheduled for the second half of 2017.
Also making its first apperance in Paris: the A321neo, the largest member of the re-engined A320 family, seating 185 passengers in a typical two-class layout. The first A321neo was delivered to Virgin America in April.
Airbus Helicopters will be showing its brand-new H160 medium-lift helicopter for the first time in Paris. The 6t twin-engine H160 made its first flight on the eve of the 2015 Show and could only be presented at the Show in mockup form. Two prototypes are currently in flight testing, with entry into service scheduled for 2019.
The focus of attention in the combat aircraft arena will be the Lockheed Martin F-35, which is currently targeting customers in Europe (Belgium, Finland and possibly Switzerland). At least two F-35As will be present at Le Bourget, and the aircraft will take part in the flying display.
Embraer’s KC390 tactical airlifter will be another newcomer at Paris 2017. The aircraft, which made its first flight in February 2015, is being jointly marketed with Boeing. Two prototypes are currently in testing. Entry into service is scheduled for mid-2018.
Japan’s MRJ90 regional jet is also making a first trip to Paris. One of the five prototypes involved in the much-delayed flight test programme will be on display in the colours of launch customer All Nippon Airways. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation announced earlier this year that first deliveries had been pushed back from mid-2018 to mid-2020.
A second Japanese aircraft will be making its debut in the static display — the Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft. The four-turbofan P-1 entered service with the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force in 2013.