By Bjorn Fehrm
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November 23, 2017, © Leeham Co.: The Airbus A350-1000 received its airworthiness certificate Tuesday, after a smooth flight test campaign. The first serial aircraft is in final assembly, for delivery to Qatar Airways next month.
With the A350-1000 now on the market, we check the efficiency difference between the A350-1000 and its main competitor, Boeing’s 777.
With the 777-8 five years away, we compare the A350-1000 to the present 777, the -300ER. The changed fuel prices create a different yardstick since our last comparison of the 777-300ER and A350-1000.
While at it, we also check how much better the A350-1000 score on costs versus the smaller A350-900.
By Bjorn Fehrm
November 22, 2017, ©. Leeham Co: We looked at easyJet March 22 and noted that the carrier is on a solid growth path, despite playing number two in the European LCC market.
The 2017 numbers are now in for FY2017 ending Sept. 30. The yearly profit is down 30% due to a competitive market, but the operation and balance sheet are strong. The Air Berlin acquisition makes easyJet the largest Berlin carrier.
November 17, 2017, ©. Leeham Co: In the last Corner, we described how the Wright Brothers (bicycle manufacturers in Dayton (OH)) decided to research their own aerodynamic data with the help of their own designed-and-built wind tunnel.
The wind tunnel was not more advanced than what had been done before. But their measurement system was. It built on their bicycle test setup, Figure 1.
By Bjorn Fehrm
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November 16, 2017, © Leeham Co.: Yesterday we outlined the qualitative reasons why the Boeing 787-10 was selected for Emirates’ medium-range routes. Now we put figures behind the words.
We will quantify the weight and drag consequences of the tighter packaging of the 787 and discuss what it’s smaller wing means in field performance from a hot Dubai International Airport.
We use our airline performance model to give us the data, flying the aircraft over typical routes.
Summary:
Nov. 15, 2017, © Leeham Co.: It was an historic day for commercial aviation at the Dubai Air Show.
Airbus and Indigo Partners announced an order for 430 aircraft (the A320neo family), a record in units and in value ($49.5bn).
Boeing announced a huge order from flyDubai, an affiliate of Emirates Airline, for 225 737 MAXes. Value: $27bn.
Parenthetically, CDB Leasing firmed up an order for 90 A320neo family members announced at the Paris Air Show.
By Bjorn Fehrm
November 15, 2017, © Leeham Co.: Emirates Airlines (Emirates) has finally decided which aircraft shall complement their long-range Boeing 777 and Airbus A380. The decision coming at this year’s Dubai Air Show was more surprising than the choice, Boeing’s 787-10.
We have already written about the Emirates selection. Now we go through in more detail, why the choice should surprise no-one.
Nov. 13, 2017, © Leeham Co.: The Dubai government wants Airbus to guarantee it will keep the A380 in production for 10 years before placing a new order, reports Reuters. Reuters also reported Emirates Airline could order up to 40 A380s plus options.
The 10-year guarantee report comes on the second day of the Dubai Air Show.
Airbus’ current production rate, which reduces to 10 next year from 12 and to eight the year after that, extends production through 2023, according to the Ascend data base.