Pontifications: A few rays of sunshine emerge in MAX crisis

Feb. 10, 2020, © Leeham News: The was plenty of angst among suppliers last week at the annual Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance conference. Worries about the production shutdown, its duration and lack of communication from Boeing prevailed. But… Read More

Boeing will proceed with NMA. Or FSA. Take a poll

By Scott Hamilton Feb. 6, 2020, © Leeham News: Boeing will decide to proceed with the launch of the New Midmarket Aircraft (NMA). Or it won’t and instead launch a single-aisle replacement for the 737 MAX that essentially… Read More

Consultant to Boeing: cut dividends, invest in new airplane

By Scott Hamilton Feb. 5, 2020, © Leeham News: Boeing is headed for a 30% market share unless it invests in a new airplane, and soon. This is what aviation consultant Richard Aboulafia of The Teal Group predicted… Read More

“Who’s going to fail?”

By Scott Hamilton Feb. 5, 2020, © Leeham News: “Who’s going to fail?” This is a key question on the sidelines of the annual Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance conference in Lynnwood (WA). The question, of course, related to… Read More

Boeing 737 production rate boost to 57/mo delayed by four years

Plan called for 737 rate to go to 57/mo YE 2019. This rate won’t be achieved until 2023. Rate reduction considered for 777.  By Scott Hamilton Feb. 5, 2020, © Leeham News, Lynnwood (WA): Suppliers attending the annual… Read More

Pontifications: A new setback for Boeing

Nov. 18, 2019, © Leeham News: Boeing suffered another setback last week, and this time it’s unrelated to the 737 MAX. Boeing abandoned a robotic riveting/fastener system awkwardly called Fuselage Automatic Upright Build, or FAUB, intended to speed… Read More

Cutting A220 costs is an ‘ongoing exercise’ for Airbus

Subscription required Introduction March 14, 2019, © Leeham News: Airbus’ effort to slash supply costs for A220 production is “an ongoing exercise at this point,” Joe Marcheschi, Airbus’ head of procurement in North America, told LNA in an… 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

Pontifications: Fine balance needed by Boeing in aftermarket services drive

April 30, 2018, © Leeham News: The Wall Street Journal Friday reported Boeing was poised to purchase a supplier; a deal could be announced as early as today. The acquisition, if it happens, will be a major step… Read More

Pontifications: Small suppliers prepare for production transformation

March 12, 2018 © Leeham Co.: When it comes to preparing for increasing automation, robotics and transforming the way airliners will be built in the future, focus rests primarily on the big OEMs and suppliers. The small suppliers… Read More