Latest news with #787
Int'l Business Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Boeing CEO Confident US Will Clear Higher MAX Output In 2025
Boeing is eyeing approvals for significantly higher production of the 737 MAX in 2025 after US authorities allowed increased output on the 787 plane, the company's CEO said Thursday. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said the company could win US approval to raise MAX output at mid-year and again at the end of 2025. The faster than expected timeframe boosted shares. The Federal Aviation Administration in the last month green-lighted Boeing to produce seven 787 Dreamliner planes per month, up from five, Ortberg said at a financial conference. The FAA review is "the same process we're going to use for the 737 MAX increase," Ortberg said. "So I feel pretty good, and we talked with the FAA extensively to make sure we're aligned." The FAA has currently capped Boeing's MAX production at 38 per month. The agency began more closely monitoring Boeing's production processes following a January 2024 incident on an Alaska Airlines plane in which a window panel blew out mid-flight. The Alaska Airlines incident was the most significant involving a MAX plane since two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 spawned numerous lawsuits and government probes. Ortberg was recruited to Boeing last August following a leadership shakeup. Boosting plane output is essential to returning Boeing to profitability after a series of losses. Ortberg is targeting a mid-year FAA approval to 42 per month for the MAX in light of improved production processes. That could set the stage for an FAA approval to 47 per month around the end of 2025, although the company would not begin producing that many planes in 2025, he said. "Having said that, if we're not ready we won't do it," Ortberg said. "Key performance indicators have to be there for us to move to the next rate. And you don't know where you are until you move there, so we'll see how things progress." Ortberg also said Boeing was on track to complete FAA certification on the 777X and of new versions of the 737 MAX. On tariffs, Ortberg reiterated that the company's bigger worry surrounds potential retaliation from trading partners rather than the impact of the levies on manufacturing supplies. He said China had reversed a ban on airlines accepting Boeing planes following the deescalation of the trade war between Washington and Beijing. "The first deliveries will be next month," Ortberg said of Chinese carriers. Shares of Boeing jumped 4.4 percent in morning trading.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The complex life cycle of giant aircraft – and why you might be better off in an older model
At 19, the world's oldest commercial A380 is hardly ancient but – in aircraft years – it's reached an age at which most large jets (the affectionate nickname for all wide, long bodied aircraft) retire to the great boneyards of the desert. Not this one though: after a five-year hiatus, it's back ploughing the skies for Emirates, according to The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) says that most planes have a life cycle of around 25-30 years, but that includes a long period of research and development before their first commercial flights take off. If you find yourself on a comparatively ancient aircraft, don't worry: planes are subjected to frequent tests to ensure safety and usually retire because they become less commercially competitive rather than dangerous. A wide-body aircraft's journey involves a long period of incubation and subsequent nurturing before it can go out into the world. 'The journey from the design board to commercial service for a commercial aircraft is one of the most complex undertakings in modern industrial engineering,' says Linus Benjamin Bauer, founder and managing direction of the aviation consultancy BAA & Partners. 'Typically, the aircraft development programme takes up to 15 years to bring a new aircraft such as the A380 to market.' The original jumbo, Boeing's 747, was conceived in 1966 and began to fly commercially four years later thanks to tight deadlines imposed by its first purchaser, Pan Am. But, before paying passengers can get onboard, planes face 'initial conceptual studies, customer consultations, digital modelling, prototype development and regulatory certification,' according to Bauer. 'Certification itself is particularly rigorous,' he says. 'Manufacturers must demonstrate compliance with thousands of airworthiness requirements. Each new aircraft must pass a full-scale evacuation test – where all passengers must exit within 90 seconds using only half the available exits. Structural integrity is validated through static testing, where airframes are pushed 50 per cent beyond their design limits, and fatigue testing, which simulates decades of flight cycles.' These tests can make or break a plane's popularity: when they uncovered issues with weight in some of Boeing's earliest 787 aircraft (nicknamed the 'Terrible Teens'), the planes were rejected by airlines including All Nippon Airways and Royal Air Maroc, according to the website (though they now take to the skies with Ethiopian and Air Austral). The A380 also had a complicated conception. 'While technologically advanced, it was delayed by nearly two years due to a major production issue,' says Bauer. 'The wiring systems designed in Germany were incompatible with the French-built fuselage sections because they used different 3D modelling software versions. This misalignment triggered an expensive and [potentially] reputationally damaging cascade of redesigns.' Running costs affect the lifespan of an aircraft, as well as advancing technology and trends. The A380 is a hulk of a plane and its days have long been numbered, thanks to expenses linked to its size. In 2021, Emirates, the biggest fan of the aircraft with 121 in its fleet, took delivery of the last one ever made. It meant that the A380 had a much shorter run than the 747, which only went out of production in 2022, after more than five decades. Born out of a desire to fit more passengers into the cabin and raise per-seat profits, the 747 has been a huge success, with no competitors to match it in terms of seat capacity until the A380 came along 37 years later. Both aircraft continue to fly, with Forbes claiming there are 400 747s still in service (almost double the amount of A380s ever made). Keeping older planes going requires meticulous maintenance and careful piloting. New tech is retro-fitted and they often have makeovers to bring their cabins or liveries up to date too: in May 2025, Korean Air unveiled a 747-8i sporting its smart new blue look and logo. 'Over the course of a jet's life, it will undergo extensive maintenance and repair, but these do not imply degradation in safety,' says Bauer. 'On the contrary, aircraft become more stringently monitored as they age. Airlines conduct daily line checks, periodic A- and B-checks, and deep-dive C- and D-checks where the aircraft is virtually dismantled, inspected, and rebuilt every six to ten years. Engines are overhauled or replaced, flight control systems updated, and any structural fatigue is carefully monitored using non-destructive testing techniques. Safety margins remain extremely high, and ageing aircraft are continuously evaluated under regulatory oversight from authorities such as the Federal Aviation Authority and EASA.' But the shadow of retirement always lingers, because aircraft manufacturers are endlessly innovating to make their products lighter and more sustainable. It's been impossible to fly from the UK in a 747 since 2020, when both BA and Virgin Atlantic retired theirs (hop to Frankfurt, however, and you can board a Lufthansa 747-8 to one of 12 destinations, including Tokyo Haneda, Buenos Aires and Newark). President Trump also travels on the two, heavily customised 747s in the Air Force One fleet, and was recently gifted another one by the Qatari government. It will, however, require a bit of retrofitting if it is to serve in the fleet. 'The President and his travel companions enjoy 4,000 square feet of floor space on three levels, including an extensive suite for the President that features a large office, lavatory, and conference room. Air Force One includes a medical suite that can function as an operating room, and a doctor is permanently on board,' the White House website reveals. For normal passengers, A380s remain attractive: roomy, with a smooth ride, they're renowned for being comfortable on long-haul journeys while their First Class and Business cabins have space for plenty of onboard luxuries. There are even proper showers on some Emirates' A380s – which goes some way to explain the reluctance to decommission them by some airlines, despite 787s and A350s being more economical. In 2024, IATA revealed that the average age of a commercial aircraft was 14 years and 10 months, and the EASA states that almost a third of all of Europe's planes are due to be retired in the next decade. The lucky ones will live out their days in aerospace museums such as Paris's Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace in Paris Le Bourget. Others are dismantled so that approved working parts can be reused, and some cabin furniture finds its way into films and TV shows, offices and even homes. Much of what can't be reused, including titanium, aluminium and rubber, can be recycled, though about 15 per cent of waste ends up in landfill, according to the EASA. Among the retirees, there are bound to be more A380s and 747s because, in 2026, another giant is expected on the scene: the 777-9. Longer even than the 747-8, with the largest engines of any passenger plane, it should still cut fuel consumption by 10 per cent and has been ordered by British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Lufthansa amongst others. 'The aircraft features new carbon-fibre composite wings, advanced GE9X engines, and a reimagined passenger cabin,' says Bauer. 'From my point of view, the 777X will effectively mark the end of the 747 in passenger service. While some 747-8is may remain in limited use, and freighter versions will continue for years due to their payload advantages, the age of four-engine passenger aircraft is over. It is not sentiment but economics – as well as evolving regulation on noise, emissions, and sustainability – that has redrawn the map. In this new landscape, efficiency, not size, is king.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Qatar Airways places 'record' order for 160 Boeing planes during Trump visit
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday Qatar Airways had placed a "record" order for 160 planes from Boeing, as he signed a raft of deals in Doha alongside Qatar's emir. The order, Boeing's largest ever for its wide-body jets, deepens ties between the US aerospace giant and the giant Middle East carrier. Qatar Airways will honour a "$96-billion agreement to acquire up to 210 American-made Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines," according to a White House fact sheet. "This is Boeing's largest-ever widebody order and largest-ever 787 order," it said. The order is comprised of 130 Dreamliner planes and 30 Boeing 777-9 jets, which are still being certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration. There are also options for 50 additional 787 and 777X planes, according to a Boeing news release. "We are deeply honored that Qatar Airways has placed this record-breaking order with Boeing, one that solidifies their future fleet," Boeing commercial plane chief Stephanie Pope said. The order represents a win for new Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, although analysts noted that the planes will not be delivered for at least five years due to industry backlogs. Both Boeing and rival Airbus, which has also sold extensively to Qatar Airways, have struggled in recent years with supply chain problems as they have taken thousands of plane orders amid strong airline demand. Boeing has also been beset with safety and labour problems that have limited output. Ortberg joined Trump for part of Wednesday's signing ceremony that also included defence agreements and the purchase by Qatar of American MQ-9B drones, after about two hours of talks with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. "It's over $200 billion but 160 in terms of the jets. That's fantastic. So that's a record," Trump said, adding: "It's the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing. That's pretty good." The list prices of the 777X and 787 Dreamliner suggest the total value of the Boeing deal is well under $200 billion. The $96 billion figure in the White House factsheet also appears to include some business for GE Aerospace. Plane backlog Trump's Qatar visit is the second destination of his Gulf tour, after a first stop in Riyadh, where he made a surprise announcement lifting sanctions on Syria and met the country's president. Relations between Washington and Doha have been in the spotlight over Qatar's offer to Trump of a $400 million luxury aircraft to serve as a new Air Force One and then pass into his personal use. Since 2016, Boeing has received 118 gross orders from Qatar Airways and delivered 65 planes to the carrier, according to Boeing's website. Morningstar analyst Nicolas Owens said the order represents "good news" for Boeing, but noted that it would be years before Boeing receives revenues for the jets in Wednesday's order. "If you're ordering a plane today it's not going to be on your landing strip for at least five years," Owens said. Owens said the announcement is also a "vote of confidence" in the much-delayed 777X, which is still to be certified, with Boeing pointing to first deliveries in 2026. A press release from Qatar Airways praised the new 777 planes for reducing fuel use and emission by 25 percent compared to the aeroplanes they will replace. Ortberg joined Boeing in August 2024 following a leadership shakeup after a series of safety and quality control problems. He has focused on upgrading Boeing's operations under the close scrutiny of US air safety regulators, saying improving Boeing's corporate culture will take time. Shares of Boeing rose 0.6 percent.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Boeing, GE and Trump's Middle East trip to remember
President Donald Trump is getting high marks for his diplomacy during his Middle East visit, but it's his wheeling and dealing for Boeing and GE Aerospace that left investors cheering. Boeing shares tacked on 5.6% this week, while GE added nearly 8% after Qatar Airways announced an order of 210 widebody jets, the largest ever for America's plane maker, valued at $96 billion, according to the White House. In an expanded deal with Qatar, GE will provide 400 engines to power Boeing's 777-9 and 787 aircraft. Air Force One Vs. Qatar's Plane Gift To Trump For Boeing investors, the deal more than steadies the plane maker, which has been marred by controversy over quality, safety and production lapses. "Let the good times roll," Jefferies analyst Sheila Kahyaoglu wrote in a May 14 research note, reported by Seeking Alpha. "Boeing is largely sold out for the next couple of years and, in some instances, into the end of the decade," she added. Read On The Fox Business App Trump's Overweight Friend Helped Shape Policy To Cut Drug Prices Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, who took over in August and accompanied Trump on his trip, highlighted the deal, which will create 400,000 jobs. "All of these aircraft will be built in the United States, creating a significant number of jobs," Ortberg said. GE Aerospace CEO Larry Culp, who was also on the trip, discussed the specifics of the order as Boeing's exclusive engine provider. "Our GE NX, which powers the 787, the fastest-selling high thrust engine in history, and our new 9X will power the 777X, which will be the largest commercial engine in the world" he noted. The majority of analysts are bullish on both stocks, as tracked by ThomsonOne. Of the 29 who cover Boeing, 20 rate the shares a buy or strong buy compared to eight who rate them as a hold and one a sell. GE Aerospace has a similar profile. Nineteen of the 21 analysts rated the shares a buy or strong buy with one sell rating. Both stocks are outperforming the S&P 500, which is now up 1% this year, recovering from tariff-driven volatility. Boeing shares have gained nearly 20% this year. While shares of General Electric, parent of GE Aerospace, have gained 37%. After this blockbuster Qatar deal, the two companies secured $14.5 billion from Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways for the 787 and 777X, the White House announced. How Boeing Bungled Air Force One Contract While shilling for Boeing, Trump did give the company a jab over its delay of Air Force One, which encouraged the president to accept a gift of a $400 million used 747 jet from Qatar. "They are very late with the plane," Trump told Fox News' Sean Hannity. During his weeklong trip Trump secured over $2 trillion in deals from Middle East allies. The White House said that included a "$600 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia, a $1.2 trillion economic exchange agreement with Qatar, $243.5 billion in U.S.-Qatar commercial and defense deals and $200 billion in U.S.-United Arab Emirates commercial deals."Original article source: Boeing, GE and Trump's Middle East trip to remember Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
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Business Standard
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Qatar Airways profit jumps 28% to $2.1 bn, expects strong demand ahead
State-owned Qatar Airways posted an annual net profit of a record 7.8 billion riyals ($2.1 billion) for the 2024 financial year ended March 31, up 28% from a year earlier, the company said on Monday, and expects strong demand ahead. Demand from the Gulf has defied a global slowdown, with regional airlines reporting steady bookings even as trade tensions, currency swings and recession fears weigh on key Western markets. CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said the company had established strategic partnerships across the industry to enable it to "remain agile in the face of ever-shifting world events, whether political, economic or environmental." "Our best year commercially in the airline's history was 2024 and we fully expect demand in 2025 to remain as strong," Al-Meer said in a statement. Revenue and other operating income rose over 6% to 86 billion riyals for the 12 months ended March 31. The airline carried just over 43 million passengers over the year, up 7.8% year-on-year. Network capacity grew by 4% compared to the previous financial year. Over the past year, Qatar Airways has acquired a 25% stake in Virgin Australia and a 25% stake in South Africa-based regional carrier Airlink. It placed an order last week for 160 Boeing 777X and 787 planes with GE Aerospace engines worth $96 billion, the largest ever widebody deal for the companies, during U.S. President Donald Trump's high-profile visit to Qatar. Qatar Airways saw above-market growth in passenger numbers from April 2024 until January this year, a senior executive told Reuters in March, up 9% across its network.
