Also known as: Rumors and Innuendos – Paris Air Show Style
PARIS — Day One has arrived at the Paris Air Show and despite a global economic downturn, spirits seem to be relatively high in anticipation for the aerospace industry’s largest gathering. The air show, like Flight International Magazine, celebrates its 100th birthday this year. (Little known fact: The first issue was a show report from Paris.)
There’s a sense that the industry is eager to get back to business as usual, remind the world that it is very much open for business. So much of this industry (and the economy at large) is driven by psychology and a collective morale boost is just what the doctor ordered. Though the trend in the media coverage so far tends to lean to the gloomy side of things.
The show appears weighted more than usual to the defense side of the business, which is not at the mercy of financing or civil passenger traffic, compared to 2007 which saw 6000 combined orders (actually 728 for Airbus & 125 for Boeing were announced, but still!)
I submit to you a series of rumors and innuendos (like last year) for the 2009 Paris Air Show.
Qatar Airways
The quickly growing Doha based airline is widely expected to announce an order on the first day for narrowbody aircraft, potentially in response to the recent launch of FlyDubai. Qatar unveiled a previous narrowbody order at Farnborough last year and this could be another in a series.
Air Asia
Why would an airline in Malaysia sponsor a football team in Oakland? Well, if you’d like to fly there one day AND raise your global brand awareness, you might be smart to do that. However, the distance between KUL and OAK is 7,371 nm, which is right up against the upper, upper edge of the range for the A340-300. Perhaps another long range aircraft type is in the cards?
Turkish Airlines
This could go either way. The airline’s recent 777-300ER order was a big boost in the direction of updating THY’s fleet. I don’t see it beyond the realm of possibilities if we see a mid-size or narrowbody selection. The airline is still taking delivery of new 737-800s, so I’d say it’s less likely than a mid-size purchase.
Continental Airlines
I’m going to throw out a wild card order for this week. What about Continental? I’d call it a long shot, but I’ve heard at least one credible rumor about some new planes. Then again, this is the pinnacle of grapevine blogging.
We already have engine selections from Etihad for its A380s, 787s and A320s and Air Nostrum upped its CRJ1000 order to 35 and confirmed its status as launch customer for the type. Moving forward from the civilian orders side, there may be a few more surprises, but I tend to think that the list above covers the likely candidates.
Stay tuned, I have a feeling this Paris Air Show might end up surprising everyone.
Airbus
Winglets. Winglets. Winglets. At the Innovation Days press event last month, AIrbus said they would reveal the results of its A320 winglet flight test program about the time of the Paris Air Show. This technology has the potential to leapfrog over the new 2% efficiency improvements set for 2011 EIS on the 737. If the A320 leaps too far for Boeing, could this accelerate the competition’s replacement narrowbody? Also, look for further discussion on A380 production and A350 XWB design.
Boeing
Briefings with Scott Carson on Monday morning and Pat Shanahan on Tuesday will make for some interesting news on many fronts, not the least of which is 787. Look for clarity on first flight and the likely opening of a two week window to the maiden sortie, as well as an update on 747-8, P-8A and Tanker. It will be important for Boeing to address further questions about the production ramp up (re:2010 customer demand) and flight test plan and to expand on the lessons learned during the intermediate gauntlet and its public plans for certifying the 787.
What about Vought? The company is notably absent from the show. The same murmurs of a deal with Boeing keep getting louder and louder and gain more and more clarity. This is something to keep an eye on as the week progresses. This could be the sleeper story of the show.
Embraer
Does a five year old airplane need an upgrade? The E-Jets have had an excellent run these last few years and market satisfaction with the product appears very high. Though, is the status quo enough to sustain the E-Jets? Look for the comments of Embraer leadership for guidance on what to expect from the company in the coming years to stave off threats from CSeries and MRJ. PW1000G? New aerodynamics?
Bombardier
The Canadian airframer stole Farnborough last year with its early announcement of the launch and its first letter of interest for CSeries. With firm 50 orders this year booked, Bombardier may have more to share about its new narrowbody as the show goes on, I wouldn’t bet on Qatar Airways to grab a batch any time soon. Also, we should be getting updates on CSeries design, as well as CRJ1000 certification.
This post was originally published to the internet between 2007 and 2012. Links, images, and embedded media from that era may no longer function as intended.
This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.