Commercial Aviation

Machinist strike delays 787 even more

Bob — 2008-09-11T11:55:00Z

Boeing's CFO admitted yesterday that the machinist strike would delay the 787 by at least another month. Even before the strike began there was speculation that the maiden flight would not take place in the fourth quarter of 2008 like Boeing had planned. I'm sure it will be a great airplane once it finally starts flying, but until then I will continue to refer to it as the In-Your-Dreams-Liner.

Fuel surcharges to stay awhile

Bob — 2008-09-10T14:01:49Z

I read an Associated Press article talking about how U.S. airlines have no plans in the near-term to cut fuel surcharges despite the recent decline in the price of crude oil. My response to that was basically, "Duh! Of course they're not going to cut them anytime soon." Even with the price of crude oil well off its high of around $147 a barrel, the airlines don't suddenly become huge profit machines with oil at $103 a barrel. Not even close. They're going to keep those fuel surcharges in place as long as they can, until market forces convince management that it's time to cut them.

Further 787 Delays

Bob — 2008-01-16T13:37:42Z

It's being widely reported that Boeing will announce further delays to its 787 program today. What is up with this airplane? Frankly I always thought from the beginning that the program schedule seemed to be rather quick for an all-new aircraft. Airbus must be loving this, after they received so much criticism for the A380 delays. I'm no longer calling this aircraft the Dreamliner...until its maiden flight I'm calling it the In-Your-Dreams-Liner.

LH buys 19% stake in B6

KRMN — 2007-12-14T01:27:15Z

pretty interesting...gotta think this was a bargain buy for LH with B6 stock being down recently and the high Euro strength to the dollar

UFO order is BBAM

KRMN — 2007-12-12T18:14:40Z

SEATTLE, Dec. 10, 2007 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management (BBAM) today announced that BBAM, in conjunction with its long-term business partner, Nomura Babcock & Brown, has placed an order for 20 Next-Generation 737-800s. The order, valued at $1.5 billion at list prices, was previously listed on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries Web site and attributed to an unidentified customer. "Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management has experienced great success in placing the Boeing Next-Generation 737 with airline operators around the world and we look forward to taking delivery of these aircraft from Boeing, which will bring our fleet of Next-Generation 737s to more than 125 aircraft," said Steven Zissis, president, BBAM. "Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management has been one of the fastest growing leasing companies over the past three years," said John Feren, vice president of Sales, Leasing & Asset Management, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are pleased Babcock & Brown has chosen to expand their portfolio with the very popular Boeing Next-Generation 737." The Next-Generation 737 family is the most technologically advanced airplane family in the single-aisle market. The Next-Generation 737's market success is confirmed by air finance investors, who consistently rank it as the most preferred airplane due to its wide market base, superior efficiency and lowest operating costs in its class. To date, 109 customers have placed orders for more than 4,300 Next-Generation 737s. Unfilled orders for the Next-Generation 737 exceed 1,800 airplanes, worth over $130 billion at list prices. Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management's aircraft leasing portfolio is the world's fifth largest, managing 245 leased commercial jets with a total value in excess of $6.5 billion. The fleet, which is currently 100 percent utilized and leased to 72 customers, has an average age weighted by value of 7.6 years. In December 2006, the leasing company announced that it would purchase 23 new 737-800s from Delta Air Lines immediately upon delivery from Boeing. Congrats to Boeing and BBAM