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Aviation History
2004
2004-08 - 0006.PDF
HEADLINES BUSINESS Boeing downgrades its ATM business Boeing is scaling back invest ment in its Air Traffic Management (ATM) business, which will be re-absorbed into the company's Phantom Works research and develop ment organisation. ATM was one of two new business units formed by Boeing in a bid to diversify. The other, Connexion by Boeing, is investing heavily as it rolls out its broadband in-flight com munications service. Folding ATM into Phantom Works follows the retirement of John Hayhurst as chief executive and the appoint ment of Kevin Brown as vice-president, reporting to the Phantom Works president Robert Kreiger. ATM was formed to protect Boeing's commercial aircraft business by enabling air space system modernisation both technically and politi cally. The latter goal was achieved with last year's for mation of a joint planning and development office within the Federal Aviation Admini stration and transportation secretary Norman Mineta's January launch of the Next Generation Air Transportation System initiative to develop the airspace system for 2025 and beyond. Boeing chief executive Harry Stonecipher says the company will continue to pur sue advances in air traffic management. ATM is wrapping up tests under the Global Communications, Navigation and Surveillance System research programme jointly funded by Boeing and the FAA, and plans other smaller-scale technology demonstrations in the USA and abroad. • Boeing Integrated Defense Systems has appointed Pat Finneran vice-president of Aerospace Support, replacing David Spong. AIR TRANSPORT BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE ANA ready to commit to 7E7 as launch customer Airbus prepares to compete for Japanese business with new short-haul design All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Boeing are in detailed discussions over the specifications of the pro posed short-range (SR) variant of the 7E7, which could result in a launch order around mid-year. Industry sources says ANA is ready to commit to ordering 7E7s if operating efficiencies for short-haul flights are sufficient, although Airbus is vying to compete with an all-new short-haul design. If a 7E7 deal is agreed, ANA will not announce an order until after its June shareholders' meeting. Airbus confirms it has discussed with ANA and Japan Airlines (JAL) a new medium-size aircraft for the short-haul market. Airbus believes its A330 and Boeing's 767, 777 and 7E7 are not ideal for Japan's domes tic market and that developing a new widebody from scratch for short-haul flights would better meet the needs of Japanese carriers. Airbus's long-term plans for a new short-range airliner were detailed by chief commercial offi cer John Leahy last year. He said that the aircraft, dubbed "A30X", would be "optimised for stage lengths of l,000nm [1,850km]" and could be launched "around the end of this decade, to enable an entry-into-service in 2014-15". Airbus Japan says a decision on whether to offer the aircraft will not be made until at least 2006. As a result, Airbus will only be able to compete to replace ANA Boeing 767s if the carrier decides against placing a 7E7SR order this year. ANA has not yet issued a request for proposals (RFP) for 767 replacements and sources say the carrier is considering ordering 7E7s without a formal tender. ANA confirms the carrier is look ing at the 7E7SR, but declines to discuss the specifications sought or the timing of a possible order. JAL issued an RFP last October for Airbus A300 and 767 replacements, but has since delayed any considera tion of the 7E7. At this point ANA is the more likely launch customer. "We are certainly interested in this aircraft, but we are in no hurry to make a decision and are under no pressure," says JAL. The carrier does not plan to begin replacing 767s until at least 2008. ANA and JAL say they will con sider the Airbus offering as well as all three variants of the 7E7 - base line, stretched and SR. JAL could use all three variants, but is expected to initially operate 7E7s internation ally and later add 7E7SRs. ANA, on the other hand, is looking at ini tially ordering the SR variant. Sources say Boeing aims to line up three to four launch customers by July's Farnborough air show, with deliveries to customers inter ested in the baseline or stretched variant ahead of deliveries to ANA. SEE HEADLINES P8 DEFENCE LUBOMIR SEDLAK/ PRAGUE Czech Republic poised to order JAS39 Gripens The Czech government is expected to decide this week to proceed with its planned acquisition of 14 JAS39C/D Gripen multirole fighters from Sweden, says Czech defence minister Miroslav Kostelka. Kostelka says a contract must be finalised within weeks if the air force's pilots are to have sufficient time to receive conversion training for the new aircraft. The Czech air force's first Gripens will be deliv ered in May 2005. The Czech Republic is also expected to approve a plan to pro ceed under two contracts: a prod uct agreement with Sweden's Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the lease of 12 single- and two two-seat aircraft for up to 10 years for around Ckr20 billion ($764 million); and an offset pack age worth more than 100% with Gripen International. However, the Czech deal covers the lease of 12 single- and two two-seat Gripens arrangement could also proceed under a single contract if this is requested, says the FMV. The Czech parliament is also set to vote on a revised procurement law for the fighter deal, which will enable it to be concluded without the use of a local intermediary and the need for state guarantees. Given a positive government decision on 10 March, negotiations to conclude the Gripen deal could last up to a further two months, says the FMV. However, a failure to conclude the contract could lead Prague to again look at the possible acquisition of ex-Belgian air force Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters. 4 9-15 MARCH 2004 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.flightinternational.com
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