Airbus parent EADS reported first-quarter net income of €170 million (US$232 million), down 40 per cent from €285 million a year earlier, as net commercial aircraft orders dropped dramatically year-on-year to eight compared to 395 in last year's first quarter. First-quarter revenue fell 14 per cent to €8.47 billion and EBIT fell 70 per cent to €232 million. Airbus's revenue declined 21 per cent to €5.88 billion as it delivered 116 aircraft compared to 123 in the … [Read more...] about EADS first-quarter profit tumbles 40%
Aircraft Manufacturers
Dreamliner moves to flight line for testing
Boeing's 787 Dreamliner will finally take to the skies later this quarter following its move out of the hangar and onto the flight line last week. Fuel testing - the first in the next phase of extensive checks the airplane must undergo - will begin in the next few days, according to Boeing. "We are making great progress, and moving ever-closer to first flight," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 Dreamliner program. In recent weeks, the 787 (designated ZA001) … [Read more...] about Dreamliner moves to flight line for testing
Cargo drop stabilised but Swine flu new threat
A stabilisation of global inventory levels has helped stabilise air freight demand and halted the freefall according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as it warned that concerns over a swine flu pandemic could have a significant impact on air traffic. IATA's latest statistics show that air cargo demand has "moved sideways" in the -21 to -24 per cent range since its plunge from -7.9 to -23.2 per cent between October last year and January 2009. Freight demand in March was … [Read more...] about Cargo drop stabilised but Swine flu new threat
Boeing cuts 777 production by 28%
Hit by the global economic slowdown that has savaged the global airline industry, Boeing has announced production cuts in its widebody programmes from the middle of next year. The US airframer announced that its 777 production rate will decrease from seven to five aircraft per month beginning in June 2010, representing a 28 per cent cut. It added that previous plans to moderately increase 747-8 and 767 production, each currently at about one per month, have been suspended. Boeing said the cut … [Read more...] about Boeing cuts 777 production by 28%
Boeing/Air France celebrate 777th B777
Boeing and longtime partner Air France celebrated milestones recently with the delivery of the 777th Boeing 777 airplane. The new Boeing 777-300ER also will be the first to bear a new Air France livery and company brand identity. Air France operates one of the largest fleets of 777s in the world and was the launch customer for both the 777-300ER and the 777 Freighter. "The 777 has been a valuable asset to the long-haul fleet of Air France and it is the right aircraft to allow us to maximize our … [Read more...] about Boeing/Air France celebrate 777th B777
Emirates takes delivery of first B777 Freighter
Emirates SkyCargo has taken delivery of its first Boeing 777 Freighter, making it the second carrier to begin operating the newest generation freighter on the market, after Air France-KLM Cargo took delivery of its first in late February. The freighter arrived in Dubai after completing its inaugural commercial flight from Hong Kong. The carrier took delivery of the new-generation freighter at Boeing’s Everett, Washington facility and from there it went directly to Hong Kong where it … [Read more...] about Emirates takes delivery of first B777 Freighter
