| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2010 2:06 pm |
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 Southwest Air announces order for 25 737s Southwest Airlines said today that it had exercised an option for 25 Boeing Co. 737 aircraft when reporting its earnings. Boeing previously had the order on its order tally attributed to an unidentified customer. Boeing will begin delivering the new 737-700s in 2011 through 2016. The order doesn't mean a net increase for Southwest's fleet, as the airline is swapping out some of its older 737s for new ones. Boeing has 279 net orders through July 27. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Boeing workers back Murray in new ad Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., has a new campaign ad out today, The Herald's politics writer, Jerry Cornfield, reports this morning. The ad was shot at the Future of Flight. In it, Boeing workers focus on Murray's support of Boeing and its bid to win the Air Force tanker contest. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
India's SpiceJet plans to order 30 Boeing Co. aircraft, according to reports. The Economic Times reports that SpiceJet will add 30 737-800s to its fleet beginning in 2014. The order is worth between $2.7 billion and $3 billion. SpiceJet is India's second largest low-cost carrier. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Ala. official: Even Boeing believes EADS will win tanker contest The U.S. Air Force tanker contest has been the topic of several stories coming out of the Farnborough Airshow being held this week outside London, England. Boeing gave a presentation and showed a new video on its NewGen 767 tanker. Overall, media and analysts say Boeing didn't reveal much new information about its tanker offering even though the Chicago-based aerospace company submitted its bid to the Air Force for the $35 billion contract July 9. During their briefing, Boeing officials didn't even say which 767 their tanker will be based on. EADS brought a boom operator and a pilot to help promote their tanker, based on an Airbus A330 jet. EADS is the parent company of Airbus. Analyst Scott Hamilton, with Leeham Co., called EADS' presentation “highly effective.” Here's a video with the pilot and boom operator, both served in the U.S. Air Force: Earlier this week, Boeing's CEO called the tanker contest a ‘price shootout' in this WSJ article. Today, EADS North America's chief told Reuters that the company will look to expand its presence in the United States regardless of whether it wins or loses the tanker contest. Lastly, Sam Jones, the mayor of Mobile, Ala., is at the Farnborough Airshow this week to promote his town, the site where EADS would assemble its tanker. Jones tells CNN: ‘I'm confident we'll win the competition again. I think Boeing believes that.' (about 1:35 minutes into the video): ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Joe Sutter, who is considered the “father” of the Boeing Co.’s 747 jumbo jet, received the Flightglobal Lifetime Achievement Award at the Farnborough Airshow. It’s the first time Flight International has given out this award. "Joe Sutter helped shrink our planet for tens of millions of ordinary travelers," said Murdo Morrison, editor of Flight International. "More than 40 years on, the Boeing 747 remains a unique and radical design – unmistakable and beautiful, but most importantly, a highly efficient people and cargo mover." Sutter began work at Boeing in 1946 and took over the role of chief project engineer on the 747 in 1965. He still serves on Boeing’s senior advisory group. "Joe Sutter was and remains a significant figure in the history of our industry," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh. "He played a vital role in configuring several of our key programs, in addition to his leadership of the 747 program. Everyone at Boeing Commercial Airplanes and in commercial aviation owes him a great debt." The Flightglobal Achievement Awards honor the most-admired individuals in aviation and aerospace. Readers of flightglobal.com nominate and vote for winners every year. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
S.C. and Ala. officials travel to Farnborough; economy keeps Wash. leaders ... The tough economy kept leaders from Washington state from attending the Farnborough Air Show this year. But the economy didn't keep the state's rivals from the South from going to the show. South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and representatives from the state commerce department as well as U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham are at teh air show outside London, England, to promote that state's growing aerospace business. Boeing announced last year that it's locating a second 787 final assembly line in Charleston. The company has since said it will add a 787 interiors fabrication site there, too. From the Charleston Regional Business Journal: "With the success our state has had over the last year in attracting aerospace investment, I wanted to maximize my time left as governor in working with the Department of Commerce to make this the beginning of a new era in South Carolina's economic history,” Gov. Sanford said. “What we're witnessing, I believe, is South Carolina taking the lead in attracting investment in an industry that's only going to grow in importance around the globe. Indeed, it's our vision to make our state the international aerospace market's leading competitor in the Southeastern United States.” Alabama Gov. Bob Riley told the AP last Friday that he hopes to announce a deal from Farnborough this week to bring 300 aerospace jobs to that state. He's at Farnborough to "woo" potential aerial refueling tanker suppliers to Alabama, reports The Birmingham News. A delegation of representatives from Alabama (including Mobile County, where EADS would build its U.S. Air Force tanker if awarded the contract) toured EADS' facility in Madrid and Airbus' site in Toulouse last weekend before the air show began. Six companies from Washington will be at the air show, where Washington has an exhibit. No Washington state politicians or commerce department officials are at the air show. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment New lessor orders Airbus jets Airbus won orders from new leasing company Air Lease Corp. at the Farnborough Air Show. Air Lease Corp. is headed up by Steven Udvar-Hazy, who founded International Lease Finance Corp. Udvar-Hazy retired from ILFC earlier this year. Air Lease Corp. ordered 51 A320 jets. “With a wide airline customer base, and the continued global demand for replacement and growth, the A320 and the A321 are an integral part of our fleet portfolio strategy. In today's airline world, low operating costs, fuel efficiency, environmental friendliness and maximum operating flexibility are important ingredients," Udvar-Hazy said. " The latest versions of the Airbus family of single aisle aircraft meet and exceed those high standards." ALC will offer to its customers the A320s with "sharklets" -- Airbus answer to Boeing "winglets." The curved end of the wing tip cuts drag and saves fuel. Airbus also won an order from Aeroflot for 11 A330s. It's the Russian carrier's first direct order for A330s with Airbus. And Airbus picked up an order from GE Capital Aviation Services for 60 A320 family aircraft. Boeing also announced orders today at Farnborough. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
The Boeing Co. may delay the delivery of its 747-8 revamped jumbo jet, according to reports. Just last week, Boeing provided a "cautionary note" that delivery of its first 787 jet could slide into 2011 as well. Both aircraft were expected to be delivered by year's end. Boeing has pushed back deliveries of its 747-8 jumbo jet several times. Company officials said earlier this year that they were adding a fourth 747-8 to the flight test fleet, given concerns that the new jumbo jet might not meet its delivery deadline. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Former ILFC chief starts new aircraft leasing firm The Associated Presshas an interesting piece on Steven Udvar-Hazy, the founder of International Lease Finance Corp., and his plans to form Air Lease Corp. Udvar-Hazy retired from ILFC earlier this year. In 1990, ILFC was bought by insurer AIG, which had to be bailed out by the government last year. Udvar-Hazy said he has lined up $1.3 billion in equity. His new venture should have 100 airplanes by next spring, he said. That number could rise to between 350 and 500 by 2015. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Air China considers order for Boeing 787s, Airbus A350s Air China is in talks with the Boeing Co. and Airbus for a major widebody jet order. The carrier is considering ordering Boeing's 787 or Airbus' A350 XWB, according to Reuters. Air China already has an order for 15 Boeing 787s -- an order placed in August 2005. Commercial jet orders was on the mind of Randy Tinseth, Boeing's vice president for marking, when he posted Airbus has a history of announcing major orders at the air shows. Boeing has said it doesn't "save up" orders to announce at the air show. "Even though we’ve been “out-announced” by something like 3 to one at the ai shows, believe it or not, we’ve found a way to be the market share leader when you total up all year-end orders for the past five years," Tinseth wrote. ... E-mail | Print | Comment
Antonov and U.S. Aero offer $150 million tanker to Air Force Late-comers to the U.S. Air Force aerial refueling tanker party, Ukraine's Antonov and U.S. Aerospace, Inc., have submitted their proposal for the $35 billion contract. The duo said their tankers will cost taxpayers $150 million each, for a grand total of $29.55 billion. The pair announced their interest in competing for the lucrative deal supplying the Air Force with 179 tankers just last week. Both the Boeing Co. and Airbus parent, EADS, are competing for the contract. Here's the Antonov-U.S. Aerospace press release on their tanker bid. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment What they're saying about Boeing's tanker bid ... Here's what people are saying about the Boeing Co.'s bid for the Air Force aerial refueling tanker contract: Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. “Now that the bids are in, the Pentagon should move forward quickly in choosing a contractor to build the next-generation Air Force tanker, but should do so while ensuring we have a level playing field for competition." Aaron Reardon, Snohomish County Executive "Choosing Boeing to build the NewGen Tanker will provide more than 50,000 jobs nationwide, including thousands of jobs right here in Snohomish County. This refueling tanker should be American built ..." Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., at the tanker rally in Everett "For too long you've had to compete not only against rival workers and companies, you've had to also compete against the treasuries of European governments. “So today I want to be very clear - The illegal subsidies Airbus receives have hurt workers in this room – they need to end – and I won't stop fighting to ensure they are considered in this contract." Ray Stephanson, Mayor of Everett, at the tanker rally in Everett "The finest airplanes in the world are built here by the world's most talented workforce." Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., at the tanker rally in Everett "We aren't going to allow cheating in Europe to take away jobs in America." Tom Wroblewski, president of local Machinists union "Whether it's 2001 or 2010, the Boeing tanker is the right tanker for America." Gov. Chris Gregoire and her US Tanker 2010 Coalition "We respectfully urge the leadership at the Pentagon to finish the procurement process and move forward on this critical investment in our national security. America's workers are the finest in the world and stand ready to build the finest aircraft in the world, as they have done for the past 60 years." Who will win the Air Force's tanker contract? Have your say. ... [Read More]
E-mail | Print | Comment Poll: Who will win the Air Force tanker contest? Boeing vs. EADS The deadline to submit proposals for the Air Force aerial refueling contract is today. Boeing submitted its bid today. EADS turned in its proposal yesterday. And late entrant, U.S. Aerospace and Antonov, are expected to offer three different tankers before day's end. Who wins? ... [Read More]
E-mail | Print | Comment Boeing to fly 787 Dreamliner to Farnborough The Boeing Co. confirmed today that it will fly its third flight test 787 Dreamliner to the Farnborough Air Show outside London. The 787 will touch down on Sunday, July 18 and will remain there until mid-day July 20. Boeing also will feature its unmanned systems at the air show. "We've chosen Farnborough as a venue for spotlighting the breakthrough capabilities and innovations of both our commercial airplanes and our defense, space and security businesses," said Tom Downey, senior vice president, Boeing Communications. "We look forward to an optimistic mood this year as industry leaders meet amid signs of economic recovery." Watch for Boeing updates from the air show beginning July 15 at the company's Web page. ... [Read More]
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Updated with details of fly over, photo. Move over Farnborough. Boeing's 787 graced Arlington's air show first. The Dreamliner flew over the Arlington Fly-In this afternoon. Arlington is about 20 miles north of Everett, where Boeing's 787 jet goes through final assembly. Herald photographer Mark Mulligan tells me that the 787 flew over the Arlington Fly-In twice, beginning at about 3:20 p.m. Boeing chief test pilot Mike Carriker was in the announcer's booth during the fly over. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment WTO ruling on Boeing aid delayed to Sept. The World Trade Organization has delayed its ruling on whether the Boeing Co. received illegal subsidies until September. The ruling had been expected July 16. The WTO finalized its ruling that Airbus received illegal "launch aid" late last month. Boeing hailed the WTO's ruling as a "landmark victory." Airbus officials expressed disappointment over the "last minute" announcement of the delay: Another delay is a disappointment. But we are looking forward to the Boeing subsidies panel report. It will eventually come, and it will show: Boeing has received billions of dollars in WTO illegal subsidies. The importance of this report is greater, however, than a simple vindication of the obvious fact that Boeing aircraft such as the B787 would not exist without government subsidies. Boeing backers want the Air Force to consider the WTO ruling in its $35 billion tanker competition. Airbus' parent company, EADS, submitted its bid for the contract today. The Air Force has declined to consider the WTO ruling. Boeing is expected to submit its bid tomorrow, when the bids are due. Airbus officials voiced concern over the timing of the delay, given that Boeing is expected to fly its 787 to the Farnborough Air Show later this month. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Boeing Machinists plan tanker rally; EADS does, too Machinists, along with Washington politicians, will hold a rally Friday in support of the tanker Boeing is proposing to the Air Force. Bids for the $35 billion aerial refueling tanker contest are due Friday. Boeing's main rival for the contract, EADS, will host its own rally on Monday in Mobile, Ala., where the European company would assemble its tanker, based on an Airbus A330 commercial jet. EADS is the parent company of Airbus. Boeing will offer the Air Force a 767-based tanker. The company assembles its commercial 767 jet here in Everett. The Machinists rally begins at 10:30 a.m., Friday, at the union hall, 8729 Airport Road, Everett . ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment Boeing's McNerney weighs in on tanker, WTO ruling, exports Boeing CEO Jim McNerney was interviewed in this video by Bloomberg. In it, McNerney says the WTO ruling against Airbus in an illegal subsidy case will change its' parent company EADS' business practices over time. U.S. companies need a level playing field worldwide to compete and ultimately, to create American jobs, he said. "We've got to get the country going again," McNerney said. On the tanker, he says "It's a major program, to be sure. But it doesn't change the face of Boeing forever if we lose it. But we want to win it." EADS and Boeing will submit bids for the $35 billion Air Force tanker contest this Friday. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment Obama appoints ex-Boeing exec. Mulally to export council President Barack Obama said today that his export initiative is off to a good start, after naming former Boeing executive Alan Mulally to the export council. Mulally, now CEO of Ford Motor Co., joins Boeing's CEO Jim McNerney on the council. In March, Obama appointed McNerney as chairman of the council. Obama has pledged to double U.S. exports over the next five years. U.S. exports are up 17 percent in the first four months of the year. McNerney released this statement over Obama's newly announced appointments: "President Obama has assembled an outstanding team to help reach the goal he has set for our nation to double U.S. exports over the next five years. It is an ambitious goal. However, with this team in place, I am confident we can develop a solid plan for the public policy decisions that will expand free and fair trade and strengthen the United States economically. I congratulate and welcome the new members named today and look forward to working with them in the months ahead." ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Machinists: Boeing insincere about peace with union Boeing isn't interested in long-term labor “peace” with its Machinists, the president of the local union district told members in his monthly column. Tom Wroblewski, president of IAM 751, pointed to recent negotiations between Machinists and other aerospace companies as evidence that the union can negotiate (amicably and successfully) with aerospace companies. “It's become clear that Boeing's pleas for ‘labor peace' are about as sincere as a card-cheat's smile,” Wroblewski wrote. Machinists signed a three-year deal with Triumph Composites in Spokane last month. The union's workers in Kansas inked a 10-year deal with Boeing and Airbus supplier Spirit AeroSystems. Boeing Machinists in St. Louis voted last week to accept a new contract, one that does away with the company's defined pension plan for employees hired after January 2012 and offers them, instead, a plan more similar to a 401(k). Union leaders had recommended that members reject the contract. Wroblewski says that Boeing's “game plan is obvious. It is systematically eliminating employee pensions . …They follow a regular pattern, so I've no doubt that Boeing will come after our new hires' pensions in 2012.” Boeing and the Machinists discussed a long-term contract last year as the company was trying to decide where to locate its second 787 final assembly line. The deal fell through and Boeing picked South Carolina, rather than Washington, as the second assembly site. Boeing spokesman Tim Healy noted that the Machinists in Kansas only accepted Spirit's long-term deal by default. Fifty-seven percent of the voting members rejected the contract offer; 58 percent voted to strike. The union requires that two-thirds of the members vote in favor of a strike in order to initiate one. Without enough votes for a strike, by default, the Machinists accepted Spirit's offer. Like the local Machinists, Boeing has maintained it was serious about talks with the Machinists last fall for a long-term contract in order to land the second site. Despite Boeing's pick of Charleston, Healy said the talks with the Machinists last year were useful. “We talked about some of the critical issues in a more productive way than (we had) before,” Healy said. The local Machinists' contract with Boeing comes up for negotiations again in 2012. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Seattle's Museum of Flight is opening a new exhibit July 10 that looks at the role of women in the aerospace industry. It starts with pioneer French aeronaut Élisabeth Thible, who became the first woman to fly in a balloon in 1784, and it continues through to today's pilots and astronauts. The Chasing Horizons exhibit will include the lesser-known aviation pioneers, as well as the contemporary ground breakers in air and space travel. For more information see: http://www.museumofflight.org/exhibits/chasing-horizons-women-aerospace-industry ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Boeing completes design of 787-9 The Boeing Co. said today that it's completed the design of its stretch 787, the 787-9, allowing partners and potential customers to plan for making the new jet and using it. “Firm configuration means the airplane's structural, propulsion and systems architectures are defined and not changing,” Mark Jenks, vice president of 787-9 development for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said in a statement. Boeing has completed the studies required to sign off on the airplane's capability and basic design, allowing it and its suppliers to begin detailed design of parts, assemblies and other systems. The first 787-9 is set for delivery in late 2013. The 787-9 is the second member of the 787 family. A slightly bigger version of the original 787, the airplane will seat 250-290 passengers, 16 percent more than the original 787. The 787-9 will have a range of 8,000 to 8,500 nautical miles. Boeing is still producing the first 787s, which are scheduled to be delivered near the end of this year. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment
Boeing calls WTO ruling a 'landmark' victory The Boeing Co. is claiming victory in an international trade ruling over government subsidies provided to its rival Airbus. "This is a landmark decision and sweeping legal victory over the launch aid subsidies that fueled the rise of Airbus and that continue to provide its products a major cost advantage," said Jim McNerney, Boeing's chief executive. The World Trade Organization issued its final ruling in trade dispute between Boeing and Airbus. The organization had handed down a preliminary ruling last year. For this ruling, the WTO looked at Boeing's claims that Airbus received illegal "launch aid" for several of its commercial aircraft programs. The European Union, acting on Airbus' behalf, has the right to appeal the ruling. Airbus has filed a counter complaint with the WTO, alleging the U.S. government, including Washington state, gave Boeing unfair subsidies. The WTO is expected to issue a preliminary ruling in that case next month. Airbus noted that the WTO rejected about 70 percent of Boeing's claims. “These results are in line with the previous versions of the WTO panel’s findings. Airbus, the EU and the Member States are closely analyzing the report in advance of a possible review by the WTO Appellate Body," said Rainer Ohler, Head of Public Affairs and Communications of Airbus. Airbus said it expects the WTO cases to drag out for several years. Read Boeing's statement on the ruling. Here's Airbus' statement. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | Comment |
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