Today’s key stories focus on expectations for the forthcoming Farnborough Air Show. Boeing will have a smaller footprint, not brining commercial aircraft to the show in an effort to prioritize factory safety and quality as the company tries to rehabilitate its reputation, which fell to new lows after the door plug blowout incident in January and the company’s guilty plea to a felony for fraud. Another story speaks to the forthcoming Air Show in general, but also talks about the duopoly and changing competitive dynamics.
Typically, Airbus and Boeing issue their forecasts for the next two decades just before or during the Air Shows. Airbus has released their estimates, which entail a doubling of the fleet over the next 20 years and growth in the wide-body market. We expected Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook to be released at Farnborough.
The beleaguered Starship remains stuck at the International Space Station while ground tests are being performed to repair the thrusters that were not working. With helium leaks, the key is having enough left during re-entry to ensure that the proper angle is achieved to avoid the capsule burning up on re-entry. For the first time, NASA indicated that possibility that the two astronauts may return on an alternate vehicle after the next scheduled restocking of the ISS using a SpaceX vehicle, which would be a major embarrassment for Boeing.
In other news, the judge overseeing the revised plea deal on the 737 MAX deferred prosecution agreement has given the crash victim families a tight deadline to present their objections, and enable the deal to move forward quickly.
Finally, Air New Zealand’s new Skynest interior for its Boeing 787-9 aircraft will be delayed. This innovative concept stacks beds on top of each other in the economy cabin, providing a value-added opportunity for the airline as passengers would rent 4 hour blocks of time in a fully flat bed. This is the first innovative change in seating quality for economy passengers that we’ve seen in a long time.
Links to today’s key stories follow:
- The Gathering of the Flock – 2024 Farnborough International Air Show – Forbes
- Astronauts are stuck on the International Space Station after yet more problems with Boeing’s beleaguered Starliner – Yahoo
- Boeing rival Airbus foresees global fleet doubling in two decades amid soaring demand – Benzinga
- Farnborough Airshow: Boeing prioritizes factory safety and quality over commercial display – Aviation24
- Boeing plea deal: US judge sets quick schedule to consider family objections – Reuters
- Air New Zealand Skynest debut: delayed but definitely not forgotten – Runway Girl
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