Airbus, Boeing pause on some production rate hikes

Subscription Required Introduction Feb. 21, 2019, © Leeham News: Airbus is boosting the A320 production to 60/mo this year and 63/mo next year. But it’s put a pause on increasing the A350 rate from 10/mo to 13/mo. Boeing… Read More

A380 end opens opportunity for A350-2000

Subscription Required Introduction Feb. 18, 2019 © Leeham News: Airbus’ decision to end the A380 program clears the path, if chosen, for a plane that was studied three or four years ago: the stretch of the A350-1000 to… Read More

Pontifications: Which airplanes are revolutionary or evolutionary?

Feb. 18, 2019, © Leeham News: Last week’s column about the revolutionary Boeing 747 prompted some Twitter interaction asking what other commercial airplanes might be considered “revolutionary.” I have my views. Let’s ask readers. There are also three… Read More

A380 launch aid in limbo at WTO, member states following program termination

Feb. 14, 2019, © Leeham News: Termination of the A380 program leaves unanswered Airbus’ obligation of outstanding launch aid from France and Germany. But apparently it removes any overhang of this aid in the long running trade dispute… Read More

Launching the NMA could mean new business model for Boeing

By Dan Catchpole Feb. 14, 2019, © Leeham News: Commercial aerospace’s super cycle is alive and well—and looks to keep going through the foreseeable future. Major suppliers and OEMs, and industry analysts at the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance… Read More

A simple solution to congested skies

By Dan Catchpole Danieljcatchpole[at]gmail[dot]com Subscription Required Introduction Feb. 14, 2019, ©. Leeham News: Flight delays cost the airline industry Traffic back ups are increasing–so much so that Airbus has invested in improving air traffic management to avoid congestion… Read More

Airbus ends the A380 program

Feb. 13, 2019, © Leeham News: Airbus announced today (Seattle time, Feb. 14 in Toulouse) that it is terminating the A380 program. The last airplane will roll off the assembly line in 2021, for Emirates Airlines. Emirates cancelled… Read More

Boeing expects another banner year for customers

By Dan Catchpole Danieljcatchpole[at]gmail[dot]com Feb. 13, 2019, © Leeham News: Boeing Commercial Airplanes expects another banner year in 2019, Randy Tinseth, BCA vice president of marketing, said Tuesday at the PNAA conference. The airplane maker expects its customers… Read More

Supplier consolidation leading to unionization at some

By Bryan Corliss Feb. 12, 2019, © Leeham News: While Boeing is enjoying “labor peace” in its Northwest facilities, a couple of aerospace industry suppliers are in the midst of contract negotiations with the largest union representing aerospace… Read More

With CSeries, Airbus commands 78% of 100-150 seat sector

Subscription Required Introduction Feb. 11, 2019, © Leeham News: Airbus acquired 50.01% of the Bombardier CSeries program last year. Boeing and Embraer Commercial Aviation received Brazilian government approval last month and now await a nearly-year long regulatory approval… Read More