Boeing receives first contracts for KC-46A production

Aug. 18, 2016: Boeing received the first two contracts for production of the KC-46A aerial refueling tanker, the company announced. From the press release:

ExIm remains blocked by one US Senator

Subscription Required Introduction Aug. 18, 2016, © Leeham Co.  The US Congress reauthorized the ExIm Bank after a long effort to kill the institution. But the Bank remains out of business for transactions for more than $10m. This… Read More

WTO near decisions on Airbus, Boeing compliance

Reuters reports that the World Trade Organization (WTO) is nearing decisions on whether Airbus and Boeing complied with previous rulings to fix subsidies the WTO found were illegal in the production of their commercial airliners. In the meantime,… Read More

What’s happened to the VLA sector?

Subscription Required Introduction Aug. 15, 2016, © Leeham Co.: Boeing says it may discontinue the 747 program. Airbus put the A380neo on indefinite hold. Qantas Airways says it doesn’t want its last eight orders. The OEM will reduce… Read More

Pontifications: Mitsubishi ramping up flight testing for MRJ

Aug. 15, 2016, © Leeham Co.: Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. (MAC) is about to dramatically ramp up its flight testing of the MRJ-90. Media has been alerted to an all-day event next month, complete with a tour of the… Read More

Boeing KC-46A cleared for production

Aug. 14, 2016: The Pentagon cleared Boeing’s KC-46A aerial refueling tanker for Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) after the aircraft completed Milestone C refueling tests. All that remains now is for the US Air Force and Boeing to… Read More

Boeing lays ground to cut 777 rates again

Aug. 11, 2016, © Leeham Co.: Boeing is laying the groundwork to further reduce the production rate on the 777 Classic and scrap a planned rate increase for the 787 from 12 to 14/mo. Greg Smith, CFO of… Read More

Air Lease sounds caution note for Airbus, Boeing

Aug. 10, 2016, © Leeham Co.: Executives of one of the world’s most influential leasing companies said Friday they doubt Boeing will increase production of the 787 from 12 to 14/mo. Air Lease Corp. made the predictions on… Read More

Boeing slightly leads Airbus in YTD orders

Aug. 8, 2016, © Leeham Co.: Boeing continues to lead Airbus in the race for orders post-Farnborough Air Show (FIA), but there are key orders announced there that haven’t been booked on the two OEMs order books. Boeing… Read More

Pontifications: Twelve new designs in 10 years spurred orders

Aug. 8, 2016, © Leeham Co.: The book:bill for Airbus and Boeing this year will be hard-pressed to reach one. Airbus has a better shot, given lower production rates. But the recent years of record-setting orders are over… Read More