Podcast with Airbus' head of product marketing, Alan Pardoe.
James Wallace talks about the Qatar and pending US Airways order
By IAG | April 26th, 2007 | Posted in 787, a350, airbus, boeing, qatar, US Airways | No CommentsEmirates set to buy 100 A350s?
By IAG | April 20th, 2007 | Posted in a350, airbus, emirates, US Airways | 7 Comments- The aviation rumor mill is churning over a huge order for Airbus
- The deal signifies how desperate Airbus has become
- Airbus is discounting its A350 so much, it is likely to hurt its long terms finances
- Which means its A320 replacement study could be set for a delay while Airbus explores financing development costs
More on Blackprogram
Airbus demands more Government funding
By IAG | March 27th, 2007 | Posted in a350, airbus | No CommentsRead an important article here. This is an big admission. It demonstrates just how precarious Airbus UK's situation is. Note the government already committed a lot of research money to British universities for the direct benefit of Airbus UK. This story's timing is awful in terms of the lawsuit on state aid.
But there is an even more ominous aspect; how does this story read to the mandarins in Qatar? They will see this tomorrow and think what you're thinking. The difference is that they are taking a $16bn bet, while you and I are not. Language stating that Airbus "demands" funding is downright scary.
Airbus demands more Government funding
By IAG | March 27th, 2007 | Posted in a350, airbus | 5 CommentsRead an important article here. This is an big admission. It demonstrates just how precarious Airbus UK's situation is. Note the government already committed a lot of research money to British universities for the direct benefit of Airbus UK. This story's timing is awful in terms of the lawsuit on state aid.
But there is an even more ominous aspect; how does this story read to the mandarins in Qatar? They will see this tomorrow and think what you're thinking. The difference is that they are taking a $16bn bet, while you and I are not. Language stating that Airbus "demands" funding is downright scary.
AEROFLOT COMMITS TO AIRBUS A350XWB
By IAG | March 22nd, 2007 | Posted in a350, aeroflot, airbus | No CommentsIn news that has been waiting for months, Russian flag carrier Aeroflot signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 22 Airbus A350XWB aircraft. Aeroflot's order brings the total number of orders and commitments for the Airbus A350XWB to 248. Aeroflot will also further increase its Airbus fleet with ten new A330-200s, which will be acquired on operating lease.
This order has been gestating for nearly two years. It is amazing the way it ended because the 787 was the airline's first choice. But because it moved too slowly, circumstances (the Kremlin) caught up and changed everything. Lucky for Airbus and no doubt highly irritating to Boeing. Aeroflot could have had 787 deliveries by 2009. Now it will have A330s in 2009 – hardly an appropriate substitute. Oh well, that's politics.
AEROFLOT COMMITS TO AIRBUS A350XWB
By IAG | March 22nd, 2007 | Posted in a350, aeroflot, airbus | 4 CommentsIn news that has been waiting for months, Russian flag carrier Aeroflot signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 22 Airbus A350XWB aircraft. Aeroflot's order brings the total number of orders and commitments for the Airbus A350XWB to 248. Aeroflot will also further increase its Airbus fleet with ten new A330-200s, which will be acquired on operating lease.
This order has been gestating for nearly two years. It is amazing the way it ended because the 787 was the airline's first choice. But because it moved too slowly, circumstances (the Kremlin) caught up and changed everything. Lucky for Airbus and no doubt highly irritating to Boeing. Aeroflot could have had 787 deliveries by 2009. Now it will have A330s in 2009 – hardly an appropriate substitute. Oh well, that's politics.
Qatar backs up its interest in EADS
By IAG | March 15th, 2007 | Posted in a350, airbus, eads, qatar | No CommentsThe story has been bubbling for weeks. Qatar wants to invest in EADS by taking a 10% stake. Now this has been followed up with a massive order. Reports indicate that Qatar Airways is about to announce an order for the beleaguered A350 – by signing an LOI for 80 planes. This is truly a monster order and worth $16b.Not that Qatar is going to pay anything close to sticker price. The formal signing is likely to take place at the Paris air show in June. Qatar is planning to include orders for all three versions of the A350 including 20 of the A350-1000, the biggest version at around 350 seats.
Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways chief executive said the airline, which had previously announced firm orders for two A380s, would definitely convert its options for two more A380s into firm orders, and it was also discussing internally additional A380 orders. Ambitious don't you think?
But wait, there's more. The other shoe has to drop. This deal is going to make the folks in Dubai's aviation world sit up and pay attention. There is another ambitious crowd over there that does not like playing second fiddle to anyone. Note that Qatar has the first delivery in 2013 of the A350 and Al Baker said that it was written into the contract that Qatar Airways would be the launch customer. Aviation in the Gulf is fast becoming more than a commercial enterprise; its now also a foreign policy tool, an industrial investment policy and flat out hubris. The next move by the Al Maktoum family in Dubai will be interesting. How many slots does Boeing have for 787s we are wondering?
Qatar backs up its interest in EADS
By IAG | March 15th, 2007 | Posted in a350, airbus, eads, qatar | 1 CommentThe story has been bubbling for weeks. Qatar wants to invest in EADS by taking a 10% stake. Now this has been followed up with a massive order. Reports indicate that Qatar Airways is about to announce an order for the beleaguered A350 – by signing an LOI for 80 planes. This is truly a monster order and worth $16b.Not that Qatar is going to pay anything close to sticker price. The formal signing is likely to take place at the Paris air show in June. Qatar is planning to include orders for all three versions of the A350 including 20 of the A350-1000, the biggest version at around 350 seats.
Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways chief executive said the airline, which had previously announced firm orders for two A380s, would definitely convert its options for two more A380s into firm orders, and it was also discussing internally additional A380 orders. Ambitious don't you think?
But wait, there's more. The other shoe has to drop. This deal is going to make the folks in Dubai's aviation world sit up and pay attention. There is another ambitious crowd over there that does not like playing second fiddle to anyone. Note that Qatar has the first delivery in 2013 of the A350 and Al Baker said that it was written into the contract that Qatar Airways would be the launch customer. Aviation in the Gulf is fast becoming more than a commercial enterprise; its now also a foreign policy tool, an industrial investment policy and flat out hubris. The next move by the Al Maktoum family in Dubai will be interesting. How many slots does Boeing have for 787s we are wondering?
US Airways order attracting attention
By IAG | March 14th, 2007 | Posted in 787, a350, US Airways | No CommentsAfter missing on the Delta merger, US Airways seems back in the organic growth mode. More here. The airline is looking for up to 60 planes. Many are replacements so the narrow body fleet, which will be the bulk of this order, is not growth.
The news is around the widebody jet order. The airline has 20 A350s on oder – the original variety, not the XWB. Clearly the price on the new model is a lot different otherwise the airline would be doing what Finnair did, and stick with it. But it seems the race is on between the 787 and A350. The airline has big ambitions – it wants into China. In the likely event they don't get the route (US Airways' case will probably be swamped by those of Continental, Delta or American), we expect to see them file for Hong Kong. We have said it before, Hong Kong-Las Vegas has lots going for it.
Since the XWB has grown, and likely will grow more, the 787 is a far better fit for US Airways. But the 787 discount game is not like it was. So if the airline "overbuys" on the XWB because it gets a great price it would be rational. Problem is EIS for the XWB is a slippery number. We suspect the airline goes for the 787. If the XWB works out and fits better, selling 787 delivery slots is a walk in the park.
