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SPECIAL REPORT PARIS AIRSHOW

Battle for Supremacy

Le Bourget will be witness to commercial jetliner manufacturers slugging it
out for bragging rights
By Geoffrey Thomas

it CAn be sAid in tHe LeAd uP to everY particularly for widebodies. The dynamics at that both Boeing and Airbus have massive
major industry air show that the industry play are persistently lower fuel prices, intense backlogs in some cases out to six years plus
is at the cross roads, with many questions competition that has depressed yields and the for their best-selling models says the Centre
unanswered and so it is for the 2017 Paris somewhat unstable geopolitical situation. of Aviation. In a client report, Airline Leader
Air Show. Boeing and Airbus, which account CoA also notes that “The smaller regional/
for 85 per cent of all deliveries by number Market Presence mid-sized aircraft manufacturers – Embraer,
and 95 per cent by value are building most But as has been the case in recent years both Bombardier and ATR – have seen a slow but
of their portfolios at record rates with new Airbus and Boeing are quite likely saving up steady improvement in their fortunes.” CoA
designs set for delivery. Boeing has its 787- order announcements or confirmations for says that in 2016, they delivered a combined
10 flying, the 737 MAX series now starting the Paris Air Show. From the Boeing stable, 273 aircraft, their best year since 2008.
deliveries and the 777X about to start build, it could be the launch of the 737-MAX10 and However, it cautions that unlike the larger
while Airbus has the A350-1000 in test, the 777X-10 while Airbus may pitch in with its OEMs, regional aircraft deliveries are “Set to
A330neo soon to fly, while A320neo deliveries A350-8000 stretch. Airbus may also give stall, or even slow, over the next few years.”
accelerate. However, while deliveries are at more colour to its A380 upgrade programme. “Skinny order books for some regional
record levels, orders have slowed somewhat Another issue related to orders is the fact jet and turboprop types, due to low demand

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