Leeham News and Analysis
There's more to real news than a news release.
Leeham News and Analysis
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CSeries economy up to 3% better than advertised
Sept. 19, 2017, © Leeham Co., Montreal: The Bombardier CSeries has proved to be 1% to 3% more fuel efficient in service than advertised, the company revealed last week at its Media Day.
The improvements depend on the mission: 1% on shorter routes and 3% on the longer ones.
Better-than-advertised performance had been rumored, and reported, for months but this is the first time Bombardier confirmed the reports.
It also depends on the model. The CS100, a shrink design, is slightly better than advertised; the CS300—the optimized design—is the better performer.
Pontifications: Next steps in Boeing-Bombardier trade complaint
By Scott Hamilton
Sept. 18, 2017, © Leeham Co.: The US Department of Commerce is due next Monday to hand down its preliminary decision on whether to impose tariffs on Bombardier’s C Series sold to Delta Air Lines.
The price dumping complaint, filed by Boeing earlier this year, cleared the US International Trade Commission on a 5-0 vote. The ITC found probable cause (my words) to proceed with the complaint. From there, investigation shifted to the DOC.
- Update: Boeing UK responds to UK criticism.
- Update: Bombardier responds to Boeing’s response.
The details are complex and need not be recapped here. What is important are the next steps, assuming—as widely expected—DOC sides with Boeing.
Bombardier concedes likely loss in trade complaint, looks to next phase
Sept. 14, 2017, © Leeham Co., Montréal: Bombardier officials conceded Tuesday that they are likely to lose the price dumping complaint filed by Boeing with the US Department of Commerce.
Fred Cromer. Photo via Google images.
This is the phase in which DOC determines if tariffs (penalties) should be imposed because Bombardier sold its CS100 to Delta Air Lines at a price so low it constitutes dumping under US law. Boeing is asking the department to impose a tariff of 79%, the difference between the sales price estimated by Boeing (which Bombardier and Delta dispute) and the production cost. Boeing cited LNC’s cost estimate, which was made before BBD wrote off several billion dollars of the program and cut costs through a financial restructuring.
Boeing ignored the well-known fact (which itself experiences) that production costs for early orders exceed sales price. DOC seems unlikely to make this distinction, based on filings reviewed by LNC.
A preliminary decision is expected Sept. 25.
British PM seeks Trump help in Boeing-Bombardier complaint
Sept. 12, 2017, © Leeham Co.: Montreal: Bombardier is holding a media day today and an investors day Thursday, focusing on its commercial airplane division.
Theresa May
Today The Times of London revealed that British Prime Minister Theresa May called President Donald Trump asking him to intervene in the trade complaint by Boeing over the Bombardier C Series.
The story is largely behind a paywall, but other outlets picked up the story.
May is concerned because Bombardier makes the C Series wings in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.
A preliminary decision on the complaint is due from the US Department of Commerce Sept. 25. LNC and most others predict a decision in favor of Boeing.
Boeing asked Commerce to impose penalties of more than 79% under each of two provisions concerning anti-dumping, the basis for Boeing’s complaint.
Pontifications: Boeing’s sense of invincibility
By Scott Hamilton
Sept. 11, 2017, © Leeham Co.: I can’t help but get the feeling that Boeing feels it’s invincible these days.
And why not?
Boeing racked up some impressive victories and took some hardline positions in recent months that move it forward for its corporate goals.
CSeries, the long-ranger for thin routes
By Bjorn Fehrm
Subscription Required
Introduction
August 16, 2017, © Leeham Co.: At the end of 2014, we predicted the Boeing 737 MAX 8 would be used by LCCs to open new long-range destinations. And sure enough, the fourth MAX 8 off the line went to Norwegian Air Shuttle, for trans-Atlantic operations.
The Bombardier CSeries launch of operations from London City Airport last week gave us the chance to discuss CSeries long-range characteristics with Rob Dewar, VP CSeries program at Bombardier.
With the improved performance data to be announced, the CS300 will pass the range of the MAX 8.
To understand with what margin and costs we feed our performance model with the latest information.
Summary:
- At an equivalent load (standard 2 class or HD cabins) the CS300 flies further than the 737 MAX 8.
- It will transport about 30 fewer passengers, in higher comfort and at lower trip costs.
- The seat mile costs will be only slightly higher than the 737 MAX 8.
CSeries starts operations from London City Airport
By Bjorn Fehrm
August 09, 2017, © Leeham Co.: Bombardier (BBD) CSeries has done its first revenue flight to London City Airport. It was a scheduled Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) flight from Zurich that landed on the airport yesterday.
With the CSeries operational from London City, the route network that can be flown from the downtown airport changes significantly. Europe out to Moscow or Las Palmas is accessible and an all business class CS100 could fly direct to New York.
Pontifications: Boeing-Bombardier complaint revisited
By Scott Hamilton
July 31, 2017, © Leeham Co.: It’s been in a quiet period in the trade complaint between Boeing and Bombardier.
The issue moved over to the US Department of Commerce (DOC) after the US International Trade Commission (ITC) concluded there were grounds to continue the probe. Then Boeing moved for a two-month delay, to September. There it sits. But as July moves into August and with the September decision date around the corner, it’s time to revisit the issue.
Pontifications: JADC 20-year forecast: VLA, NMA and other data
By Scott Hamilton
July 24, 2017, © Leeham Co.: The Japan Aircraft Development Corp (JADC) just published its 2017-2037 jet and turboprop forecast. JADC forecasts a demand for 33,336 jet airliners and some 2,000 turboprops.
JADC is partly owned by Mitsubishi, which is developing the MRJ70/90 and which is on several Boeing programs.
I like the JADC forecast because it segments the seating categories in more detail than Airbus and Boeing and somewhat differently than Bombardier and Embraer.
I also view JADC as having less of an axe to grind than the Big Four OEMs.
A couple of quick take-aways: