How much longer Spirit AeroSystems management is willing to accept that three key commercial aircraft programs are at forward losses before it acts and negotiates better deals with Airbus and Boeing? That question was put forward in different ways by different analysts during Wednesday’s Q2 earning call. And the message seems to have been picked up: “There is a sense of urgency by the management here, we hear you, we understand,” CEO Tom Gentile said. How long Spirit AeroSystems will accept more forward losses?
In the past week, analysts raised concerns about the financial position of Spirit AeroSystems, a Tier 1 supplier to Boeing and Airbus. The 737/MAX program is the most important one in its portfolio and used to represent fifty percent of all revenues. While there have been recent production quality issues that have resulted in unwelcome costs and losses, overall, Spirit has made good money on the Boeing narrowbodies in the past years.
Active as a journalist since 1987, with a background in newspapers, magazines, and a regional news station, Richard has been covering commercial aviation on a freelance basis since late 2016.
Richard is contributing to AirInsight since December 2018. He also writes for Airliner World, Aviation News, Piloot & Vliegtuig, and Luchtvaartnieuws Magazine. Twitter: @rschuur_aero.
