Airbus, Boeing production backlogs stretch to late this decade, early next decade

Airbus and Boeing production backlogs stretch to late this decade and into the beginning of next decade for most of their commercial aircraft, based on today’s production rates. We previously wrote about the waning sales of the 777… Read More

Does 777X assembly site matter to airlines? Yes, up to a point; and a retrospective to 2009

As Boeing awaits responses to its Requests for Proposals from 15 sites around the US and possibly Japan, Washington State officials, company employees and other stakeholders fret that Boeing will choose someplace other than Everett (WA). Everett has… Read More

Points to ponder in Boeing 777X site selection

Boeing last month issued Requests for Proposals from 15 states and locations for some or all of the work for its new 777X. . Deadline for responding to the RFP is mid-December, essentially three short weeks away. …. Read More

Odds and Ends: Pilot’s view of Dreamlifter event; Ethiopian 787 repair; more on IAM; Billy Bishop Airport

A pilot’s look at Dreamlifter incident: A pilot provides some perspective how the Atlas Air crew may have landed the 747 Dreamlifter at the wrong airport in Wichita (KS) last week. Ethiopian 787 repair: Aviation Week reports that… Read More

IAM 751 head faces critics, appears to tamp down some dissent

The head of the IAM 751 union, Tom Wroblewski, faced tough questioning at the District’s regularly scheduled meeting last night and appears to have calmed at least some dissenters who were sharply critical of his actions in connection… Read More

Odds and Ends: AirAsia on A330neo, A380; 777X specificiations; A380 engine PIPs

AirAsia on Airbus: AirAsia Group is one of Airbus’ largest customers, and its CEO Tony Fernandes is increasingly influential in the Asian sector. He’s also into car racing, often betting Virgin Group’s Richard Branson. This short interview details… Read More

Implications of the Dubai Air Show orders

With the Dubai Air Show wrapped up, it’s time to assess the events and the implications.   Boeing launches 777X Boeing launched the 777X at the show with orders and commitments for 182 777-9s and 43 777-8s, the… Read More

Odds and Ends: WA Gov chases Boeing, IAM; CSeries EIS; Yank

Pursuing Boeing, IAM: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee told KING5 News (NBC, Seattle) yesterday that he will ask Boeing and the IAM to go back to the bargaining table to reach a deal on the contract extension that would… Read More

Loyalty is a one-way street at Boeing

Boeing’s move to shop around the 777X assembly site, while telegraphed and certainly expected, is another example of the shifting loyalties at Boeing that have been more than a decade in the making. Before we start, it must… Read More

Odds and Ends: 777X Shell game; CSeries updates; EADS unions; More oops

777X Shell Game: TheStreet.com asks whether the Boeing 777X orders announced at the Dubai Air Show amounts to a massive shell game. By this, the column means whether these orders merely will come from other airlines as traffic… Read More