Another slow day in Singapore

Published 12:18 pm Friday, February 22, 2008

Just three months ago, at the Dubai Air show, commercial jet orders poured in for the Boeing Co. and Airbus.

But the momentum didn’t last for the Singapore Air show. Boeing made a splash Tuesday with a Lion Air order that had been discussed previously. Airbus picked up a handful of orders: Korean Air requested three A380s; and Singapore’s BOC Aviation ordered five A330 freighters today.

The scarcity of orders at the air show has prompted some to speculate the industry is headed for a more drastic downturn than previously anticipated. And Boeing could see slightly fewer of the year’s orders if carriers like Japan Airlines switch to Airbus because of delays to Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

A decline in commercial orders makes winning the U.S. Air Force tanker contract that much more important as it ensures a steady stream of business. The Air Force expects to announce a winner next week.