Decision on revisions could come soon for A350

Airbus could announce plans to overhaul the A350 at this summer’s Farnborough air show, according to reports out of Germany today.

Reuters http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=businessNews&storyid=2006-04-25T103019Z_01_FAB011518_RTRUKOC_0_US-TRANSPORT-AIRBUS.xml reports that the move could come because of airline pressure.

Key Quote: “Important Airbus customers including Singapore Airlines have criticized Airbus for not doing enough to make the A350 competitive with rival Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, which has sold out the first three years of production.”

Agence France Presse notes http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=1729435&C=airwar that International Lease Finance Corp. has publicly flogged the A350 design — Steve Hazy, you no doubt recall, starting talking about A350 upgrades last month here in Everett. But Airbus chief Gustav Humbert defends his jet.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Key Quote: “‘We have an A350. It’s very good. I see no reason to bin it completely,’ he said, insisting that the changes were only ‘improvements’ suggested by clients.”

And clients have some pretty specific suggestions, the Associated Press reports. http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?feed=AP&Date=20060425&ID=5666419

Key Quote: “Airbus has been mulling alterations following criticism from executives including Chew Choon Seng, CEO of Singapore Airlines Ltd. Seng has said Airbus should have designed a new fuselage, having already gone to the trouble of designing a new wing, tail and cockpit.”

However, the Master of Sammamish — Leeham Co.’s Scott Hamilton — raised an interesting point last week on his Web site. http://www.leeham.net/filelib/ScottsColumn041806.pdf

Key Quote: “The industry watched in fascination as Leahy took a public shellacking over the A350, but the cynics in the industry — and the press — wonder whether this was a put-up job with Leahy and Hazy colluding to put public pressure on the reluctant bosses at Airbus and EADS to spend the money for a truly new airplane at a time when cash flow is tight. … We wouldn’t be surprised.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

Izaac Escalante-Alvarez unpacks a new milling machine at the new Boeing machinists union’s apprentice training center on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists union training center opens in Everett

The new center aims to give workers an inside track at Boeing jobs.

Some SnoCo stores see shortages after cyberattack on grocery supplier

Some stores, such as Whole Foods and US Foods CHEF’STORE, informed customers that some items may be temporarily unavailable.

People take photos and videos as the first Frontier Arlines flight arrives at Paine Field Airport under a water cannon salute on Monday, June 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Water cannons salute Frontier on its first day at Paine Field

Frontier Airlines joins Alaska Airlines in offering service Snohomish County passengers.

Amit B. Singh, president of Edmonds Community College. 201008
Edmonds College and schools continue diversity programs

Educational diversity programs are alive and well in Snohomish County.

A standard jet fuel, left, burns with extensive smoke output while a 50 percent SAF drop-in jet fuel, right, puts off less smoke during a demonstration of the difference in fuel emissions on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sustainable aviation fuel center gets funding boost

A planned research and development center focused on sustainable aviation… Continue reading

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

FILE — Jet fuselages at Boeing’s fabrication site in Everett, Wash., Sept. 28, 2022. Some recently manufactured Boeing and Airbus jets have components made from titanium that was sold using fake documentation verifying the material’s authenticity, according to a supplier for the plane makers. (Jovelle Tamayo/The New York Times)
Boeing adding new space in Everett despite worker reduction

Boeing is expanding the amount of space it occupies in… Continue reading

Hundreds wait in line to order after the grand opening of Dick’s Drive-In’s new location in Everett on Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Dick’s Drive-In throws a party for opening day in Everett

More than 150 people showed up to celebrate the grand opening for the newest Dick’s in Snohomish County.

Patrick Russell, left, Jill Russell and their son Jackson Russell of Lake Stevens enjoy Dick’s burgers on their way home from Seattle on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. The family said the announcement of the Dick’s location in Everett “is amazing” and they will be stopping by whenever it opens in 2025. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Dick’s Drive-In announces details for Thursday’s grand opening in Everett

Dick’s will celebrate its second Snohomish County location with four days of festivities.

Katie Wallace, left, checks people into the first flight from Paine Field to Honolulu on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Executive order makes way for Paine Field expansion planning

Expansion would be a long-range project estimated to cost around $300 million.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.