What now for the tanker?

In today’s column we discuss the tanker, how much the IAM strike is costing Boeing every day and how long the strike may last. Out of all the twists and turns in the seven year old effort to… Read More

Airbus: jobs and cost cutting

Airbus has hit the news this week with a series of stories about jobs and cost-cutting. September 9: International Herald Tribune: No job cuts, just more US$ purchases. Reuters: From Tunisia, with love. Business Week: Airbus seeks new… Read More

What’s next at Boeing?

If the IAM didn’t have enough reason before to be concerned about out-sourcing, here’s another: Mitsubishi just announced it’s entered a deal with Boeing for its support in building the MRJ regional jet. The so-called Japanese Heavy is… Read More

And now about Airbus

Boeing has dominated the news in recent weeks because of the tanker and the IAM contract negotiations. At long last, here’s some news about Airbus. The company is actively talking about stretching the A380-800 to a -900, 1,000… Read More

Predictable and disappointing

Northrop Grumman’s opposition to granting Boeing’s request for a six month response time instead of 45-60 days for the re-bid on the KC-X competition is predictable and disappointing. Boeing also threatened to no-bid the contract if it doesn’t… Read More

6 more months makes sense

(Updated 0730 AM PDT with references to EADS North America COO John Young and the “KC-35.”) Giving Boeing six more months to come up with a revised bid is a prudent and reasonable thing to do. Here’s why…. Read More

Italy to penalize Boeing on tanker

Bloomberg just moved this story, reporting the Italy will fine Boeing for its late KC-767 tanker, following penalties assessed by Japan. Update, 1145 AM PDT: We’ve been on the phone with reporters this morning discussing the tanker competition… Read More

US skeptical of CSeries launch aid

There are numerous reports today that the US Trade Representative may look at the proposed launch aid for the Bombardier CSeries airplane. This one does a good recap. The CSeries is proposed to carry 110-149 passengers, which directly… Read More

No bid for Boeing?

Aviation Week reports that Boeing may elect not to re-bid on the KC-X program. The story is here. Update: 0840AM PDT: Boeing told us the Aviation Week piece is “news to us.” Boeing (and Northrop) meet with the… Read More

Airbus takes comfortable lead in YTD orders

Airbus took a comfortable lead in the orders race year-to-date through July 31 following the Farnborough Air Show, in which is announced a combination of new orders and inked a 100 airplane deal with Dubai Aerospace Enterprises that… Read More