Airbus and Boeing are planning new narrow-body aircraft in the 2025-2030 time-frame, when new technologies could provide the substantial advantage over today’s aircraft. New engine technologies have enabled re-engining of existing programs, which need at least 10 years of production…
We’ve seen some reports that the 2016 Farnborough Airshow was disappointing, with the fewest new aircraft orders in recent years. One commentator even called the show ‘boring.“ We attended, and have a very different opinion. These are exciting times for…
Orders for both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft have slowed dramatically in 2016 after several years of record orders. Global economic growth is waning, and carriers have begun to push delivery dates back or cancel orders for aircraft that are no…
The COMAC ARJ-21, China’s first passenger jet, entered service today with Chengdu Airlines. The 78-90 passenger aircraft, originally scheduled to enter service in 2006, has finally entered revenue service. The Advanced Regional Jet was designed nearly 15 years ago, and…
Air travel is a very safe mode of travel, with few accidents and a trend line that points to increasing safety year by year. The following chart shows worldwide airline fatalities per million passengers from 1976 through 2014. The trend…
The commercial aviation industry faces difficulties daily. As an industry that is very sensitive to external events, conditions can change rapidly and impact aircraft manufacturers, engine manufacturers, and airlines in different ways. While the industry has always responded, fortunes have…