New jets threaten Airbus and Boeing duopoly
Boeing and Airbus suddenly have competition. For nearly two decades, the two have had the global market for big commercial jets largely to themselves. That is all changing, with three new competitors -- from China, Russia and Canada -- rolling out their own entrees into the so-called single-aisle market. Orders for these new jets are few for now, and the Russian and Chinese makers won't deliver planes for years. The jury is also still out on how popular they will ever be. Boeing and Airbus, meanwhile, are selling plenty of their own, tried and tested work horses in the category. Still, if even one of these new competing jets is a hit, it could threaten one of the most lucrative sectors for Boeing and Airbus. "I don't have any problem buying Russian or Chinese aircraft," if a viable model emerges, Akbar Al Baker, CE of Qatar Airways, one of the world's biggest jet buyers, said recently. The sudden competition is unfamiliar for both jet makers, and it adds pressure on them as they face waning demand in other markets. Bigger, long-haul jets aren't selling nearly as well as single-aisle, or narrowbody, jets and both Boeing and Airbus have struggled recently with big cost overruns and delays for some of their military programs. The narrowbody market has been the industry's sweet spot for years. Big airlines and fast-growing budget ones love them for their size and fuel efficiency. Amid that booming market, three new players have swept in. China flew its C919 narrowbody for the first time in early May. The Chinese jet, built by state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp., known as Comac, has secured more than 500 orders, mainly from Chinese buyers. First delivery is expected around 2020. Comac didn't respond to requests for comment. Russia's MC-21, which can seat up to 211 passengers, also made its maiden voyage in May. It is made by Irkut Corp., which says it has taken in 175 orders and will deliver its first in 2019 as it prepares for further tests. Canada's Bombardier Inc., meanwhile, began delivering a 130-seat version of its CSeries plane in November. <br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2017-07-18/general/new-jets-threaten-airbus-and-boeing-duopoly
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New jets threaten Airbus and Boeing duopoly
Boeing and Airbus suddenly have competition. For nearly two decades, the two have had the global market for big commercial jets largely to themselves. That is all changing, with three new competitors -- from China, Russia and Canada -- rolling out their own entrees into the so-called single-aisle market. Orders for these new jets are few for now, and the Russian and Chinese makers won't deliver planes for years. The jury is also still out on how popular they will ever be. Boeing and Airbus, meanwhile, are selling plenty of their own, tried and tested work horses in the category. Still, if even one of these new competing jets is a hit, it could threaten one of the most lucrative sectors for Boeing and Airbus. "I don't have any problem buying Russian or Chinese aircraft," if a viable model emerges, Akbar Al Baker, CE of Qatar Airways, one of the world's biggest jet buyers, said recently. The sudden competition is unfamiliar for both jet makers, and it adds pressure on them as they face waning demand in other markets. Bigger, long-haul jets aren't selling nearly as well as single-aisle, or narrowbody, jets and both Boeing and Airbus have struggled recently with big cost overruns and delays for some of their military programs. The narrowbody market has been the industry's sweet spot for years. Big airlines and fast-growing budget ones love them for their size and fuel efficiency. Amid that booming market, three new players have swept in. China flew its C919 narrowbody for the first time in early May. The Chinese jet, built by state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp., known as Comac, has secured more than 500 orders, mainly from Chinese buyers. First delivery is expected around 2020. Comac didn't respond to requests for comment. Russia's MC-21, which can seat up to 211 passengers, also made its maiden voyage in May. It is made by Irkut Corp., which says it has taken in 175 orders and will deliver its first in 2019 as it prepares for further tests. Canada's Bombardier Inc., meanwhile, began delivering a 130-seat version of its CSeries plane in November. <br/>
