Airbus has called for a chance to compete for a blockbuster plane order by Aer Lingus and British Airways-owner IAG, which stunned industry executives at this week’s Paris Airshow by ordering 200 of Boeing’s grounded 737-Max planes.

IAG’s boosting of Aer Lingus’ transatlantic fleet contributed to Airbus and Boeing landing more than $17bn (€15.2bn) in plane deals on day two of the Paris Airshow as their sales teams scrapped for orders after a downturn in business and the grounding of Boeing’s top-selling jet.

Boeing is looking to a brave new world where jetliners fly without pilots, and aims to test some of the technology next year, the world’s biggest planemaker said ahead of the Paris Airshow.

Ryanair marked its first ever attendance at an airshow by signing a deal to buy 175 Boeing 737-800 jets and hinting it may buy another 200 Boeing planes by the end of the year.

Aerospace firms from both sides of the border aiming to cut deals at the Paris Airshow this week.