Leeham News and Analysis
There's more to real news than a news release.
Leeham News and Analysis
- Bjorn’s Corner: Air Transport’s route to 2050. Part 20. May 2, 2025
- Supplier Howmet exceeds expectations despite tariffs May 1, 2025
- Airbus 1Q2025 results: So far, so good, but US tariffs make future results unpredictable May 1, 2025
- Does an Airbus A220-500 need a new wing and engines? May 1, 2025
- Teamsters, Boeing have a new contract April 29, 2025
The Supersonic dilemma
By Bjorn Fehrm
December 20, 2017, ©. Leeham Co: The Super Sonic Transport (SST) has a new spring. Aerion announced its new partner Lockheed Martin Friday and Boom got a new investor in Japan Airlines (JAL) the week before.
The design of a supersonic transport aircraft is exciting and difficult. Yet it isn’t the key challenge. The engine is.
Alabama plant goes ahead regardless of outcome in trade case, says Bombardier
Dec. 19, 2017, © Leeham Co.: Bombardier will build a C Series final assembly line (FAL) regardless of the ruling from the US International Trade Commission on 
whether Boeing was harmed by the order from Delta Air Lines for 75 CS100s and options for 50 more.
This is what Bombardier officials told the ITC, under sworn testimony, in the “harm” hearing Monday, according to a transcript.
Boeing officials argued that the plans for a US FAL at Mobile was a feint and that the line wouldn’t be built, claiming it doesn’t make economic sense.
Delta, for its part, said it’s negotiating a contract revision with Bombardier to accept deliveries assembled only from the Mobile plant.
Boeing, Bombardier, Delta square off in new round of C Series trade dispute
Rob Dewer, VP of the C Series program, testified at the US International Trade Commission, Dec. 18 in the trade dispute following Boeing’s complaint.
Dec. 18, 2017: Boeing, Bombardier and Delta Air Lines squared off today in the new round of the trade dispute over Boeing claims BBD “dumped” the CS100 in an order with Delta Air Lines in 2016 in violation of anti-dumping and illegal subsidy laws.
The US Department of Commerce this fall, in a preliminary decision, ruled that a 300% set of tariffs should be levied on importation of the C Series. A final decision is due this week or next.
Delta was originally due to take delivery of the first of 75 orders next year. This has been postponed. Since the case started, BBD and Airbus struck a deal in which Airbus takes a 50.01% ownership stake in the C Series program. Bombardier plans to build a final assembly line in Mobile (AL), next to the Airbus A320 FAL, to deliver all aircraft ordered by US carriers from a US FAL.
Pontifications: Alabama loses key committee slot in US Senate following election
By Scott Hamilton
Dec. 18, 2017, © Leeham Co.: The special US Senate election last week in Alabama drew world attention of the showdown between Democrat Doug Jones and Republican Roy Moore.
Jones eked out a victory, becoming the first Democrat in 25 years to be elected to the Senate from Alabama.
I’m not going to get into all the issues, allegations and political implications of this race. Instead, a new item from Defense News caught my eye about the implications to the Alabama aerospace position in Congress.
Defense News’ headline is eye-catching: “Election leaves Alabama-shaped hole on Senate Armed Services Committee.”
Embraer’s improved E190-E2, analysis. Part 2
By Bjorn Fehrm
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Introduction
December 18, 2017, © Leeham Co.: Embraer is expecting certification soon for the first E2 E-Jet, the E190-E2. We covered our analysis of the changes from the original E190 to the E190-E2 in Part 1.
We now continue with the economic analysis. To check where the E190-E2 stand versus its competition, we include the Bombardier CS100 in the analysis.
Summary:
- The E-Jet E2 introduces a new wing, new engines and an advanced Fly-By-Wire system. Jointly these bring the fuel consumption of the E-Jet on par with the latest competition.
- Complementing the lower fuel costs are reduced maintenance costs. This is an important step to keep up with competing aircraft.
- Heavier engines and a larger wing increase the Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of the E190-E2. This increases underway and landing fees. If the extra range of the E2 is not needed, the higher fees can be avoided with the selection of a lower MTOW version.
Assessing the Delta-Airbus order
In an event timely to the Delta Air Lines order for 100+100 Airbus A3231neos, the airline just took delivery of the 50th A320 family member to be delivered from the Airbus Mobile (AL) plant. Source: Airbus.
By Scott Hamilton
Analysis
By Scott Hamilton
Dec. 15, 2017, © Leeham Co.: Was the choice by Delta Air Lines the big “blow” to Boeing many in the media are making it out to be?
It was a PR blow, yes. Even this was limited to those in the know.
But it wasn’t a material blow by any stretch.
Here’s why the hand-wringers are wrong.
Bjorn’s Corner: Aircraft drag reduction, Part 9
By Bjorn Fehrm
December 15, 2017, ©. Leeham Co: In the last Corner, we described how the Wright Brothers developed the first theory for propellers. It was based on their wing work and allowed them to design an efficient pair of propellers for their 1903 Wright Flyer.
We will now describe their first propelled flights, December 1903, and prepare for looking at the lift and drag of the aircraft.
Figure 1. The Wright Flyer is prepared for flight at Kitty Hawk, 17th December 1903. Source: Wright-Brothers.org.
Top Airbus officials scoffed at Leahy’s 50% market share goal
John Leahy, the chief operating officer-customers for Airbus, will retire in January after 33 years with the company. LNC’s editor, Scott Hamilton, has known Leahy for most of this time. This is the second of a series of reports derived from interviewing Leahy about his pending retirement. The first article appeared Nov. 28.
By Scott Hamilton
Dec. 14, 2017, © Leeham Co.: When John Leahy was promoted from his position as head of Airbus sales in North America and moved to headquarters in Toulouse,
John Leahy, COO-Customers Airbus. Reuters photo via Google images.
France, to assume the world-wide position as head of sales, he had an ambitious goal to achieve 50% market share by 2000.
He had a little over five years to go from low-double digits to this lofty goal.
The Airbus executive board initially laughed at him, Leahy recalls 22 years later.
Singapore Airline’s new A380s feature improved cabins
By Bjorn Fehrm
December 13, 2017, ©. Leeham Co, Toulouse: Singapore Airlines took delivery of its first new generation A380 today in Toulouse. The aircraft features new cabins in all four classes, First-, Business-, Premium economy- and Economy class.
The aircraft is the first of five newly ordered A380. In addition, 14 of the present A380s will be upgraded to the new cabin standard.
