
PARIS - European aircraft maker Airbus got the Paris Air Show off to a soaring start on Monday with the announcement of the biggest-ever order for civil aircraft, as the French president joined a big crowd for the event's return after a four-year Covid hiatus.
The 500-plane deal with low-cost Indian carrier IndiGo kicked off what organisers have billed as the "recovery airshow" after the coronavirus ravaged the sector and the biennial trade fair was cancelled in 2021.
With 125,000 square metres of exhibition space -- the equivalent of nearly 18 football pitches -- around 320,000 visitors are expected during the week-long event.
"Passion for the air hasn't disappeared, that's good news," said Bertrand Godinot, easyJet's Netherlands and France director.
Along with the Farnborough airshow in England, which takes place in even-numbered years, Le Bourget is a key sales event for the civil and defence industries.
Airbus and rival Boeing compete fiercely in announcing orders for aircraft running into the billions of dollars.
Monday's IndiGo-Airbus deal covers A320 family planes at a list price of $55-billion.
Although closely held actual sale prices are usually lower, it marks the largest ever civil aviation order by volume, hailed by Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury as "an enormous milestone".
Airbus and Boeing are also battling to solidify supply chains as they increase production to meet growing demand.
The United States has a strong presence with 425 exhibitors, while firms from 46 other nations are present.
China, which lifted Covid restrictions only at the beginning of this year, is also represented.
However, Beijing is not displaying its first homegrown medium-haul passenger jet, the C919, built to compete with the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX.