The highly anticipated STEM in the Park event is set to return to Memorial Gardens in Crawley on Saturday, May 18, from 11 am to 4 pm. This exciting event is dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities, providing children and families with an opportunity to explore these fields through hands-on activities and career advice.
China’s aviation sector is putting pressure on Airbus and Boeing to increase production, according to Greg Waldron, Asia managing director at FlightGlobal. This pressure is not limited to Boeing but also affects Airbus. The increase in demand is driven by China’s rapidly growing aviation market, which is expected to continue to expand in the coming years.
Boeing has reported a $355 million loss in the first quarter, highlighting the challenges the company faces as it grapples with safety concerns and manufacturing issues. Despite a revenue decline, the loss was not as significant as analysts had predicted. The company is prioritizing manufacturing improvements, evidenced by a slowdown in production that is impacting plane deliveries to airline customers. Concerns about safety remain after an incident involving a door plug blow-out on a Boeing 737 Max, bringing previous deadly crashes back into focus. The Justice Department continues to consider whether to prosecute Boeing related to the 2019 crash in Ethiopia. Despite current setbacks, Boeing’s strong market position and diverse product portfolio suggest that it will remain a major player in the aerospace industry.
Positive developments have emerged regarding the potential reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Mayor Ros Jones has indicated that tour operator TUI is keen on resuming flights from the Yorkshire travel hub. The airport’s closure in 2022 has been met with discontent among locals, and efforts are underway to revitalize the facility and boost economic stimulus in the region.
Industry sources report that Korean Air is currently engaged in negotiations with Boeing for the potential purchase of at least 10 Boeing 777X jetliners, marking a possible shift back towards its long-standing partnership with the US-based manufacturer. Korean Air has traditionally relied on Boeing for its fleet, but recently placed a significant order with Airbus, its European competitor. Discussions regarding the acquisition of the 777X, an advanced version of the 777 mini-jumbo currently in service with Korean Air, are ongoing between the two companies. However, a third industry source suggests that Korean Air remains in continuous discussions with Boeing on potential orders but has no immediate concrete plans to finalize an agreement for new 777s. Korean Air has not yet released an official statement, while Boeing declined to comment, directing fleet-related inquiries to the airline.
The 2024 edition of the International Conference on the Future of Aviation and Aerospace hosted by IIM Bangalore and Toulouse Business School France, featured insightful discussions and expert insights from over 300 senior executives in the sector. The conference addressed a wide range of topics, including macroeconomic environment, global and local aviation market, drones, talent management, and the challenges of achieving net zero emissions.
Airlines still have a lot of older narrowbody aircraft to replace, with the Airbus A320ceo, A321ceo, and Boeing 737-800 leading the way. According to AviationValues, 59% of the aircraft within this segment are either the Airbus A320ceo or Boeing 737-800, both of which have been replaced by new-generation aircraft. However, more airlines are moving toward larger aircraft, with the A321neo’s backlog now surpassing the A320neo’s backlog. As of March, the split between older and newer generation aircraft was 70% to 30%, meaning there is still a lot of work to do for airlines to replace their older aircraft.
Robin Hayes, former CEO of JetBlue, has been named as the new CEO of Airbus’ North America division, effective June 2023. Hayes brings over three decades of aviation industry experience to the role, having previously held senior executive positions at JetBlue and British Airways. He is tasked with leading Airbus’ commercial, helicopter, space, and defense operations in the region, overseeing a workforce of over 10,000 employees and an annual expenditure of $15 billion. Hayes aims to enhance Airbus’ presence in the North American commercial market and contribute to the company’s sustainability initiatives.
