Commercial aircraft market holding steady
The Airbus A380 did a few flybys at the Paris Air Show today, causing many to whip out their cell phones for close up pictures and videos. However, the buzz in the Airbus Chalet was less about the 380 or the future 350 aircraft and more about how the commercial aircraft market is bottoming out.
The Airbus A380 did a few flybys at the Paris Air Show today, causing many to whip out their cell phones for close up pictures and videos. However, the buzz in the Airbus Chalet was less about the 380 or the future 350 aircraft and more about how the commercial aircraft market is bottoming out.
Folks I talked to in the very crowded chalet believe that economic conditions shouldn't get any worse for commercial aircraft sales, but are uncertain as to when orders will pick up again.
Echoing aerospace industry forecasts from earlier this year the air frame manufacturer still sees China as the biggest growth market for commercial aircraft.
Airbus did announce small aircraft orders today such as Vietnam Airlines ordering 16 more single aisle A321s along with signed agreement for two additional A350 XWBs.
The aircraft orders this week are much smaller than in past shows where Airbus would announce orders in the 100s, but business appears steady.
The mood in the Airbus Chalet appeared quite optimistic.
Attendees at the air show also were more lively today as rain stopped and the sun came out. The exhibit halls got busier and the Eurofighter dazzled those outside with very cool aerodynamics.
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
