Boeing strikes positive tone amid Air Show gloom
LE BOURGET, France — Boeing Co. sought Monday to strike a positive tone in face of the ambient gloom surrounding the Paris Air Show, saying key programs such as its 787 commercial airliner remain on track and that the industry may grow again next year.
“Are we down in the dumps about the status of this industry? Have we allowed the current economic situation to overwhelm us and discourage us from the path ahead? The answer is absolutely no,” said Scott Carson, president and chief executive of Boeing’s commercial aircraft division.
“At this point it appears to us that the economic conditions have bottomed,” Carson said. “If they have bottomed and a recovery comes next year, I think we have a shot at getting through.”
Boeing recently cut its outlook for the commercial aircraft market for the first time in at least a decade, which Carson said was mainly driven by the drop in freight traffic due to the global recession.
“On the passenger side, if we have hit the bottom and it feels like we could be bouncing on the bottom and if capital remains available as we move into next year I think we have an opportunity to hold our production rates where they are,” Carson said.
While many aviation industry watchers are focused on gloomy forecasts, expecting the airline industry to collectively lose $9 billion this year due to a plunge in revenue, Carson sought to focus on the industry’s longer range possibilities.
“The long-term prospects for the industry are as robust as they have ever been,” Carson said.
Boeing’s 787, a long-delayed but highly popular new aircraft built for fuel-efficiency with lightweight carbon composite parts, is still expected to make its first flight by the end of this month, Carson said. However, in answer to some hopeful Air Show attendees who thought Boeing might attempt to make a splash with a surprise first flight during the show, Carson had disappointing news.
“If you were expecting the 787 to fly during the air show you will be disappointed,” said Carson. “If it had happened during the air show it would have been great, but it was never our intention to target it at the air show. The airplane will fly when it is completely ready.”
Boeing expects to deliver the first 787 during the first quarter of next year, Carson added.
Boeing’s new 747-8 freighter is now in final assembly in Seattle, and will achieve power on later this summer, Carson said. It is scheduled to make its first flight before the end of the year, he said. “We anticipate delivery to first customers in the third quarter of 2010 and the passenger version will enter service in the fouth quarter of 2011.”
Related News
Tim McGraw seeks wife Faith Hill's approval before launching fragranceOctober 11th, 2009 WASHINGTON - When its comes to launching colognes, country singer Tim McGraw doesn't forget to seek wife Faith Hill's approval. The 42-year-old crooner has recently released his second fragrance called Southern Blend.
Radio host seeks posthumous pardon for great-uncles executed in SC for 1913 murderOctober 8th, 2009 Radio host seeks pardon for executed SC relativesCOLUMBIA, S.C. — Syndicated radio host Tom Joyner is asking South Carolina for a posthumous pardon for two great-uncles executed in 1915 after being convicted of murdering a Confederate Army veteran.
China showcases commercial jet as its aviation industry sets sights on international marketSeptember 8th, 2009 China showcases commercial jet at Asia air showHONG KONG — China showcased its newest and biggest commercial plane Tuesday — a jetliner with as many as 200 seats that could boost the country's fledgling aviation industry to compete with Western rivals like Boeing Co. and Airbus. The narrow-body, single-aisle C919 plane is scheduled to take its maiden voyage in 2014 before being delivered to buyers in 2016, according to Wang Wenbin, an official with the plane's manufacturer, state-backed Commercial Aircraft Corp.
Ashley Olsen wants to ditch fashion industryAugust 25th, 2009 LONDON - Ashley Olsen has confessed that she does not wish to remain in the fashion industry forever. The former Full House star, who turned designer and heads women's fashion collection 'The Row' with her twin sister Mary-Kate, revealed that she might return to her acting roots.
MJ found sex difficult, says long-term palAugust 22nd, 2009 LONDON - Mark Lester, the long-term friend of Michael Jackson, has said that the King of Pop confided in him about his "difficult" sex life. Lester made the revelation while opening up about his decision to donate his sperm to the superstar.
South Korean newspaper seeks $7.9 million from Michael Jackson's estateAugust 6th, 2009 Korean paper seeks millions from Jackson estateLOS ANGELES — Court records show a South Korean newspaper is seeking nearly $7.9 million from Michael Jackson's estate for an unpaid judgment entered against his parents and brother. The Segye Times filed court records on Monday in Los Angeles seeking priority for repayment of a $4 million judgment entered against Katherine and Joe Jackson and their son, Jermaine in 1994 that seeks payment for canceled concert dates and interest payments.
Joost exits consumer online video business, to focus on serving businessesJuly 1st, 2009 Joost exits consumer online video businessStruggling online video startup Joost, begun with much fanfare in 2007 by the same people behind Skype and Kazaa, is restructuring its business after discovering that it can't survive on advertising to fund its operations. The chief executive, Mike Volpi, has stepped down but will remain as chairman.
Source: Michael Jackson's mother seeks control of estateJune 29th, 2009 Source: Katherine Jackson seeks control of estateLOS ANGELES — A person close to the proceedings says Michael Jackson's mother has moved to take control of her son's estate, filing a second court action shortly after petitioning for custody of the singer's three children. According to the person, the court action was initiated by Katherine Jackson with the intent to protect Jackson's legacy.
'West Wing' actor Bradley Whitford and 'Raising the Bar' actress Jane Kaczmarek divorcingJune 20th, 2009 Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek are divorcingLOS ANGELES — After over 16 years of marriage, actors Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek (KAZ'-mehr-IKH) are divorcing. Whitford's publicist, Melissa Kates, says the "The West Wing" actor and "Malcom in the Middle" actress are divorcing.
Beating Boeing for orders, Airbus says Paris Air Show shows aviation slump may be past worstJune 19th, 2009 Airbus sees bottom of industry slumpLE BOURGET, France — Airbus CEO Tom Enders was in high spirits on Friday, saying the unexpected crop of orders won at the Paris Air Show shows the heart of the aviation industry is still beating despite the recession. Unlike archrival Boeing Co.
Jetliner captain dies in middle of trans-Atlantic flight; other pilots land plane safelyJune 19th, 2009 Pilot on Continental flight dies; jet lands safelyNEWARK, N.J. — The only inkling passengers had that something was wrong on the Continental Airlines flight over the Atlantic Ocean was when an announcement came over the loudspeaker asking if there was a doctor on board.
Airbus wins order for 50 jets with budget carrier Wizz Air, promises more on the wayJune 18th, 2009 Airbus extends air show order lead over BoeingLE BOURGET, France — Airbus extended its lead over arch-rival Boeing Co. in the hunt for orders at the Paris Air Show on Thursday with the signature of two deals with Chinese and Hungarian airlines.
Boeing gets order for 2 737-800 jets from MC Aviation PartnersJune 17th, 2009 Boeing gets first Paris Air Show orderLE BOURGET, France — Boeing Co. says it has won an order for two of its updated 737-800 jets from aircraft leasing company MC Aviation Partners, the U.S.
Dying Manson cultist who killed Sharon Tate seeks parole, but hearing postponed until Sept.June 4th, 2009 Dying Manson killer seeks parole; hearing put offLOS ANGELES — Susan Atkins was expected to succumb to brain cancer months ago, but the former Charles Manson follower imprisoned for killing actress Sharon Tate nearly four decades ago still clings to life. Now, a hearing that is perhaps her last chance at freedom has been abruptly put off until September.
Administration and Congress weighing pay standards as part of financial regulationsMay 13th, 2009 Administration weighs pay standards for banksWASHINGTON — The Obama administration wants government to have a say in how financial institutions pay their employees and is working to change Wall Street practices so that compensation is more closely tied to performance over time. The attention to pay practices arises from the Obama administration's belief that lucrative compensation packages encouraged financial sector executives to engage in short-term risky ventures that had adverse consequences and contributed to the financial crisis.
Loading ...