Another dog fight at S'pore Airshow
Saturday, February 16, 2008
WHEN the Singapore Airshow takes off next Tuesday, the perennial Airbus-Boeing fight for plane orders could hinge on delays to Boeing's new 787 jumbo.
The Singapore aviation event, billed as the world's second largest in size after Paris but smaller than others such as Dubai in terms of orders, is seen as a way for planemakers to get access to the fast-growing Asia-Pacific aviation industry.
Strong domestic growth has prompted national airlines from India, China and Australia to expand their fleets and has also spurred a boom for regional low-cost carriers. Eyes are on whether airlines such as Malaysia's AirAsia X and Thai Airways will pick Airbus' A350 or the 787 Dreamliner.
Boeing announced a second delay in its top-selling 787 last month, pushing first deliveries out until early next year. Airlines have so far ordered 857 of the planes, worth US$140 billion at list prices, and some are seeking compensation for the postponement.
Boeing's problems mirrored that of rival Airbus, whose A380, the world's largest passenger jet, was delayed two years before the first delivery last October to Singapore Airlines
"It will be an interesting contest to see if the 787 delays cause any airlines to switch to Airbus," said Aviation International News senior editor Charles Alcock.
Analysts expect the Singapore event to see between US$15-20 billion in total aircraft orders. Boeing has said it will announce about US$8 billion worth of orders at the show.
The city-state's last air show in 2006 saw US$15.2 billion in plane orders.
But some are expecting airlines to be more subdued in announcing plane orders, as growth forecasts in world travel demand have been slashed this year.Reuters
The Singapore aviation event, billed as the world's second largest in size after Paris but smaller than others such as Dubai in terms of orders, is seen as a way for planemakers to get access to the fast-growing Asia-Pacific aviation industry.
Strong domestic growth has prompted national airlines from India, China and Australia to expand their fleets and has also spurred a boom for regional low-cost carriers. Eyes are on whether airlines such as Malaysia's AirAsia X and Thai Airways will pick Airbus' A350 or the 787 Dreamliner.
Boeing announced a second delay in its top-selling 787 last month, pushing first deliveries out until early next year. Airlines have so far ordered 857 of the planes, worth US$140 billion at list prices, and some are seeking compensation for the postponement.
Boeing's problems mirrored that of rival Airbus, whose A380, the world's largest passenger jet, was delayed two years before the first delivery last October to Singapore Airlines
"It will be an interesting contest to see if the 787 delays cause any airlines to switch to Airbus," said Aviation International News senior editor Charles Alcock.
Analysts expect the Singapore event to see between US$15-20 billion in total aircraft orders. Boeing has said it will announce about US$8 billion worth of orders at the show.
The city-state's last air show in 2006 saw US$15.2 billion in plane orders.
But some are expecting airlines to be more subdued in announcing plane orders, as growth forecasts in world travel demand have been slashed this year.Reuters
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