Boeing’s long struggle to overcome production difficulties has come to a head, with chief executive David Calhoun to leave his post before year-end. But can the company’s latest managerial reshuffle resolve its technical and institutional shortcomings?
We look at the Japanese government’s surprise plan to develop a new commercial airliner, despite the still-recent failure of its ambitious SpaceJet programme. Plus, an analysis of Pratt & Whitney’s PW1000G engine upgrade, as aircraft groundings reach their peak.
Also this issue: Argentina signs for secondhand F-16 fighters; defence budgets rise in Canada, Norway and the USA; ATR advances its Evo study; and Wizz Air scents emission-reduction opportunity with sewage sludge-derived sustainable aviation fuel.
And, we look ahead to the EBACE show with a business aviation package, as the sector faces increased opposition from climate activists.
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Boeing engineers insist they are confident in the long-term structural integrity of the 787’s composite fuselage, saying extensive testing and examination has shown that the fuselages retain durability far longer than most airlines will ever fly the jets.
The broad management shake up disclosed on 25 March by Boeing might hold a chance of finally setting the embattled company on a real recovery path. The challenge, however, lies in the tricky fact that many of Boeing’s troubles originate not in its corporate suites, but rather on the floors of its factories.
Concerns that Japan’s aerospace industry is at a critical juncture have prompted Tokyo to start laying the groundwork for a new airliner programme – but its plans face daunting risks.
Analysis of Cirium data shows scale of PW1000G-series grounding, with 637 of almost 2,000 GTF-powered jets out of service as of 1 April.
Six months behind schedule, lawmakers in Washington have agreed to a spending plan for the US military that includes new P-8 maritime patrol jets from Boeing, more Combat Rescue Helicopters from Sikorsky and over $2 billion for a sixth-generation fighter programme.
The US Coast Guard, which performs both law enforcement and military missions, is in the midst of consolidating its multi-platform rotary-wing aviation fleet to a single helicopter type, with an eye toward greater efficiency.
European low-cost carrier Wizz Air has struck a long-term deal with UK firm Firefly Green Fuels to source sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made from sewage sludge, part of measures it hopes will enable it to achieve its newly set SAF usage targets.
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The business aviation sector is experiencing a dip in demand in Europe after a post-pandemic high – but a bigger existential threat may come from those who despise the whole idea of private flying.
Despite Rolls-Royce’s wider difficulties in the wake of the pandemic, the Pearl engine is restoring the UK engine maker’s once powerful position in business aviation propulsion.
GE Aerospace plans to spend $650 million this year on efforts to boost quality and production at its sites and those of suppliers, more than twice the $335 million it spent on similar projects last year.
As general manager of ExecuJet MRO Services’ Brussels facility, Nadia Coetzee loves overseeing the 24/7 provision of essential support to get business jet operators’ assets back in the air.
The lighter side of Flight International.
National and industrial ambitions could prompt Tokyo to back the development of a new commercial airliner via a major investment – but things didn’t go so well the last time it tried.
Boeing urgently needs to regain the trust of customers and regulators, but a management shake-up alone will not achieve that goal, argues Hal Calamvokis.
Realising the future of electric flight relies on a new focus on infrastructure, argues Tine Tomazic.
