Airbus’ profitability challenges

Subscription Required By Vincent Valery Introduction   Feb. 10, 2020, © Leeham News: Airbus Commercial Aircraft ended 2019 with a surprisingly strong 1,131 new aircraft orders (768 net orders) and a backlog of 7,482 aircraft. There were 863 aircraft… Read More

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

1 of 2 trade secret lawsuits settled; plaintiff attorneys seek withdrawal in Boeing case

By Scott Hamilton Feb. 07, 2020, © Leeham News: A trade secret theft lawsuit against the giant insurance company Xavian Holdings involving an insurance funding program for Boeing airplanes was settled last month under undisclosed terms. Marsh and… 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

Assessing airlines’ widebody replacement needs

Subscription Required By Vincent Valery Introduction   Feb. 3, 2020, © Leeham News: As part of the 777X maiden flight, Boeing briefed the media on its demand forecast for the large widebody market. The OEM sees a demand to… Read More

Pontifications: 777X certification, MAX market deficiencies, NMA and what’s an insider

Certification of 777X will be impacted by MAX crisis. Market sees “deficiencies” in Boeing’s narrow-body product line. Reopening new airplane study doesn’t mean NMA is necessarily dead. The SEC considers Calhoun to be an insider, even if he… Read More

Boeing looks to produce about 220 MAXes in 2020

By Scott Hamilton Jan. 30, 2020, © Leeham News: Boeing appears preparing to produce around 220 737 MAXes this year. Spirit AeroSystems announced this morning that it reached agreement with Boeing to supply 220 fuselages in 2020. The… Read More