Airbus Mobile FAL a victory for CEO Enders

Sept. 14, 2015, © Leeham Co., Mobile (AL): The opening of the Airbus Mobile (AL) A320 Final Assembly Line (FAL) is viewed by some close associates as a personal victory for Tom Enders, the chief executive officer of… Read More

Pontifications: Boeing takes another charge on tanker program; What’s next?

July 20, 2015, © Leeham Co.: Boeing on Friday took another charges against its USAF aerial refueling tanker program, the KC-46A, this time $536m after taxes ($855m before taxes). This brings the charges to date to more than $800m… Read More

Overlooked possibilities for the A330neo

There are overlooked possibilities for the Airbus A330-800 and A330-900 New Engine Options. What, you may ask, are these? The A330neo might give new life to the poor-selling A330-200F program and, perhaps more importantly better position Airbus to… Read More

EU may challenge 777X tax breaks from Washington State

Reuters is reporting that the European Union may challenge the $8.7bn in tax breaks Washington legislators voted to grant Boeing in return for locating assembly of the 777X and its wing in the state. Readers know we worried… Read More

Odds and Ends: AirAsiaX orders A333; WA and Airbus; Boeing names COO

AirAsiaX orders A330-300s: As forecast earlier this week, the budget carrier ordered 25 Airbus A330-300s. According to reports, AirAsiaX may not be done. Group CEO Tony Fernandes wants Airbus to develop an A330neo. Stay tuned. Washington State and… Read More

Odds and Ends: More on the A380; KC-30 boom still a problem

More on the A380: Bloomberg News has this story on Airbus’ efforts to increase sales of the A380, focusing on selling it with increased seating. KC-30 Boom: Airbus Military still has problems with the refueling boom on its… Read More

Odds and Ends: Random thoughts, Seinfeld style (i.e., about nothing)

We’re feeling irreverent today…. From Twitter: Boeing Defense ‏@BoeingDefense In Sept issue of #Boeing Frontiers: With #Apollo roots, Boeing has grown to be largest #aerospace employer in #Alabama http://ow.ly/dB0Ef Comment: We remember when Boeing said Alabamans couldn’t build… Read More

Airbus and Mobile: Implications and analysis

Before getting to the meat of things, a couple of key stories: Mobile Press-Register, June 30. Details of the plan. Wall Street Journal: Boeing complains. It’s now one of the worst-kept industrial secrets: Airbus will announce at 10am… Read More

Congressman from Boeing to retire

Norm Dicks, the prominent Congressman from Boeing who made winning the KC-X contract for Boeing the “highlight” of his career, announced today he is retiring. Dicks has one of the safest Democratic seats in the State of Washington…. Read More

Odds and Ends: Boeing basks in 777 orders as A350 falters

Odds and Ends this week: Boeing had a good week with 777 orders from a variety of customers, though some were previously unidentified ones that had already been booked. Back in January we predicted that Boeing will see… Read More