HOUSING. Is Airbus profiting from the failures of Boeing, which is going through a zone of turbulence?

It was investigated by the US Civil Aviation Administration (FAA) after an episode of doors being torn off due to missing screws. After six weeks at Boeing, on the 737 MAX assembly line and at its supplier Spirit AeroSystems, the results are astounding. According to New York Times, out of 89 audits conducted on its manufacturing processes, Boeing failed 33 times. The FAA gave him 90 days to submit a corrective action plan to address the quality control issues.

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And as if that wasn’t enough, a series of incidents involving almost all Boeing models further tarnished its image. Losing wheels, cargo door opening in flight, burning engine, damaged wing, landing gear collapse, sudden loss of height… all these problems have to do with operations and not production. So they cannot be attributed to Boeing. The fact remains that passenger and company confidence is collapsing. A boon for Airbus?

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The European planemaker is one step ahead of its rival in orders, there’s no denying that, but airlines continue to buy Boeing despite everything. In 2023, they ordered 1,300 aircraft from him. The crash of the 737 MAX, its forced immobilization, and delays to the 777X and MAX-10 programs did not lead to cascading cancellations. While some companies like United Airlines are threatening to do so, few have stepped in at this point. Boeing even had fewer cancellations than Airbus last year, 160 compared to 225. So the battle between the two giants is still alive and well.

Airbus needs Boeing

The European aircraft manufacturer has in all cases, any interest in continuing this duopoly. WITH 8,500 aircraft in the order book, companies that signed an agreement with Airbus today dointment WaitDr.six years old on average, they receive their first copies. If this delay has just been extendedthey are customers might then be tempted to go see competition. In order not to be overwhelmed by orders and to deliver its aircraft within a reasonable time frame, Airbus paradoxically needs Boeing to restore part of the market. Without new factories, Airbus production will not be able to exceed 1,200 devices per year by 2026.

Contrasting cash flows but common subcontractors

MAX problems and closing down during the health crisis had the major effect of burdening accounts L’HASAmerican who he had to go into debt. Group has five consecutive financial years in the red and is now struggling with $40 billion in net debt. In this context, launching a new low-carbon aircraft program, for example to keep up with Airbus, is mission impossible. For a European, on the other hand, all lights are green. He has clean cash over €10 billion. This is an undeniable benefit for the implementation of various projects, such as its hydrogen aircraft, its intelligent wings or its aerotaxi.

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However, Airbus is not happy about “Boeing’s misfortune”. With ramp-ups, labor shortages and supply problems, it’s just like its competitor going through the roof. And some of its partners, especially the French, also work for Boeing. Lhas “Boeing French Team” as we call it includes among others Latécoère, Safran, Thales, Daher a Ratier-Figeac. They provide power line, of door, of engines, of ‘avionics, or structural parts for several planes like Boeing 787, 737 MAX and 777X. When an American aircraft manufacturer gets cold feet, about ten French suppliers cough. And that’s not good for anyone.