Op-Ed Columnists
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OpinionHow electric charging infrastructure will power aviation’s ‘third age’
Realising the future of electric flight relies on a new focus on infrastructure, argues Tine Tomazic.
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OpinionShould Japan be twice shy on domestic airliner development?
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.
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OpinionWhy Boeing needs to learn lean again
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.
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OpinionWould reunion with Spirit revive Boeing’s fortunes?
Faced with continued missteps by one of its largest suppliers, Boeing is contemplating rebuilding its union with a company it divorced decades earlier. That move is not without risk, but doing nothing is also not an option.
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OpinionC919 debut in Singapore highlights China’s hunger for success
The Singapore air show was notable for featuring the first international displays by China’s homegrown C919 airliner. Is it time for the ‘big two’ western airframers to start worrying?
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OpinionHow additive manufacturing can help to transform the aerospace sector
Additive manufacturing will allow the aerospace industry to tackle supply chain challenges and work towards a greener future, argues John Stretton.
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OpinionCan Boeing plug narrowbody sales gap to A321neo?
Boeing lost out to its great rival for the fifth straight year in 2023 – but more worryingly for the US airframer, it saw Airbus extend its narrowbody sales lead.
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OpinionTime for action as more airlines back introduction of sustainable fuel
Support for the widespread adoption of ‘drop-in’ sustainable aviation fuel is gaining momentum, as milestone flights take off. Now governments and oil companies must get on board.
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OpinionWhy aviation needs a shared approach to tackling climate change
As the industry strives to reach its net-zero goals, it can learn much from the way that safety issues have been tackled collaboratively, argues Carl Macrae.
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OpinionWill Emirates stick to its renewed 777-8 pledge?
Despite a development timeline that does not foresee deliveries before 2030, Gulf carrier Emirates has decided to revisit smallest variant of Boeing’s new 777X family.
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OpinionCan Europe’s troubled NH90 programme salvage its reputation?
Stripping Australia’s unwanted NH90 fleet for parts will be a pragmatic move to help address the multi-role helicopter’s major sustainment issues. But European industry must also learn from the programme’s past mistakes.
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OpinionWhy government shutdowns ensnarl US air traffic control – and the fix
Transferring US air traffic control out of the FAA and into a user-funded independent entity (still subject to FAA safety oversight) would free it from disruption caused by political budgetary battles.
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OpinionWill harmony continue as GCAP fighter partners discuss workshare terms?
A ‘spirit of equal partnership’ and harmonious relations between Italy, Japan and the UK have given their GCAP fighter effort a smooth start – but can that continue as all-important workshare discussions advance?
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OpinionCan SAF production be scaled to help fuel aviation’s growth?
Although sustainable aviation fuels are seen as a key part of aviation’s decarbonisation roadmap, questions remain about the ability to scale-up their production. However, argues Paul Ticehurst, the industry can overcome these hurdles.
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OpinionAerospace's slow road to a bright recovery
The largest aerospace firms’ latest financials show a muted recovery in 2022 – but long-term there is little to worry about.
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OpinionWhy F-16 ‘fighter coalition’ taking off matters for Ukraine
Ukraine’s journey towards NATO membership has been boosted by a ‘fighter coalition’ offering pilot training for F-16s – but don’t expect a transfer of such aircraft to end the war.
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OpinionParis air show reveals strong demand and a resilient but challenged supply chain
Aerospace suppliers are dealing with a variety of issues in the post-Covid-19 environment, and those issues are challenging their ability to ramp production. Three challenges – involving productivity, pricing and working capital – are most pressing.
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OpinionUS air-travel system failed this week - after airlines insisted they were ready
Over and over this year, executives at US airlines insisted they were taking steps that would ensure their operations run more smoothly this summer. They spoke far too soon.
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OpinionLe Bourget’s Indian summer for mega-orders
Large order commitments for narrowbody products dominated the headlines at Le Bourget, but be in no doubt – the aerospace industry is powering towards a more sustainable future.
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OpinionWill new-look aerospace industry soar as Paris air show returns?
Returning after a four-year absence, the Paris air show will celebrate an industry that has seen seismic changes since the Le Bourget event was last staged: expect issues relating to the supply chain, climate change, and defence to dominate.