Leeham News and Analysis
There's more to real news than a news release.
Challenge 777X tax breaks, “correct” US ExIm Bank Boeing funding, says Airbus CEO
Challenge Boeing 777X tax breaks and adjust the US ExIm Bank rules. This is the view of Airbus CEO Fabrice Bregier. We had the opportunity for what amounted to a one-on-one, on-the-record discussion with Bregier during the Airbus… Read More
Southwest sticks with continuous hub/point-to-point as core business strategy
American Airlines plans to shift from continuous hubbing at three of its major cities–an operational process where flights flow throughout the day–to return to traditional peak-and-valley hubbing. But Southwest Airlines, despite many significant changes to its business model… Read More
American easing away from continuous hubbing, returning to peak banking
American Airlines will ease away from the continuous hubbing that smooths operations at key airports, increases aircraft utilization and cuts costs as it returns to the peak-and-valley hub-and-spoke system adopted decades ago under former CEO Robert Crandall. Although… Read More
Next new, clean sheet airplane around 2030, says Airbus
Airbus currently is planning for the next new, clean sheet airplane around 2030 and now are focusing on incremental improvements to the existing product lines, officials said at the Innovations Days annual media briefing last week in Toulouse…. Read More
Airbus Innovation Days, Part 4: A330neo announcement at Farnborough not a sure bet; CEO questions market forecast
Bregier sees hundreds, not 1,100-1,200, market potential for A330neo–perhaps not enough to justify program. A330neo needs to match operating cost of 787-8, officials say. New engines will up maintenance costs. Airbus officials say they are still evaluating whether… Read More
Airbus Innovation Days, Part 2: No order bubble and a lot more
Airbus lifted the embargo on John Leahy’s presentation, allowing immediate publication. There is no aircraft order bubble, says John Leahy, COO-Customers of Airbus. Emerging markets and passenger traffic doubling every 15 years, bolstered by GDP growth, means orders… Read More
Airbus Innovation Days, Part 1: Leahy speaks about Emirates A350 order cancellation
We’re at the Airbus Innovation Days Wednesday-Thursday, with most of the information embargoed until Thursday evening. However, the following was not embargoed. John Leahy, COO-Customers of Airbus, called the Emirates Airlines cancellation “not good news commercially,” but noted… Read More
Emirates cancels A350 order, could be boost for slow-selling 777 Classic
Airbus announced Wednesday morning French time that Emirates Airlines canceled its firm order for 70 A350 XWBs. In a statement, Airbus said: Airbus confirms that Emirates Airline has decided to cancel its order of 70 A350 XWB aircraft…. Read More
Appraisal firm sees little impact on Classic values from A330neo
With apparent momentum building for the launch of the Airbus A330neo, widely expected at the Farnborough Air Show, the appraisal firm Collateral Verification Tuesday issued a note expressing the likely affect on values of the A330 Classic. Impacts… Read More