Airbus’ chief salesman, John Leahy departed this year’s Paris Air Show slightly more upbeat than he was before about the industry’s outlook and certainly more upbeat than his counterpart at Boeing at the annual event. Boeing managed to bag only one order – a US$153 million deal with MC Aviation Partners, a leasing subsidiary of the Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan, for two 737-800 narrow bodies. Airbus, on the other hand, walked away from the … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Paris show ends more upbeat for Airbus than Boeing
Boeing
Boeing again delays first 787 test flight
Only days before the much anticipated first test flight of the long-awaited Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing has had to embarrassingly announce yet another delay - the fifth so far - to the aircraft's delivery schedule due to a newly discovered technical problem. Chicago-based Boeing said this week that it needs to reinforce small areas near where the wings connect to the fuselage before conducting the first test flight, which Boeing had insisted would occur before July. A revised schedule for the … [Read more...] about Boeing again delays first 787 test flight
New Indian MRO JV for narrow bodies
TIMCO Aviation Services and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have entered into a new joint venture agreement focusing on providing scheduled C checks and heavy maintenance services for operators of narrow body Airbus and Boeing commercial aircraft in India and the neighboring region. … [Read more...] about New Indian MRO JV for narrow bodies
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
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
