More looks at ‘06

Published 9:00 pm Monday, January 2, 2006

Here’s hoping your New Year is off to a good start.

And speaking of the new year, Flight International takes a look http://www.flightinternational.com/Articles/2006/01/03/Navigation/177/203865/Forecasts+2006+Airframers+-+record+orders+in+2005,+what+for.html at what’s likely to happen in the next 361 days. Generally speaking, sales will be down, but aerospace industry activity will pick up, the magazine says.

Key Quote: “As it works to keep the A380 on track, Airbus faces another difficult task in 2006 –- deciding what to do about the A340-500/600 family. The manufacturer is known to be proposing a major enhancement programme … incorporating elements from its A350 … If it can generate enough interest to secure deals, Airbus may decide to launch the aircraft during the year.

Boeing also faces a dilemma with the 787. It has already designed a stretch derivative -– the 787-9 -– but is coming under pressure from some potential customers (in particular Emirates) to develop an even larger version, the so called -10X … a decision on the 787-10X could be taken this year.”