AIRCRAFT MAKERS ARE STILL FLYING HIGH
BUT AIRCRAFT MAKERS ARE STILL FLYING HIGH WHILE airlines are facing turbulence in 2012, aircraft makers and their suppliers are still flying high.
Earlier this month, Airbus announced delivery of its 7,000th aircraft to US Airways, which it claimed highlighted the health of commercial aviation and demand for environmentally friendly aircraft.
The group, part of European aerospace giant EADS, said its A320neo, a revamped version of its traditional A320 narrow-body jet with new more fuel-efficient engines, had secured 1,196 orders by the end of November.
Boeing, meanwhile, announced the first order for its revamped 737 Max on December 13, from Southwest Airlines of the US, due to enter service in 2017.
Ashley Steel of KPMG said 2012 was looking good for manufacturers due to record orders driven partly by demand for more fuel-efficient jets. "It's bonanza time for the manufacturers," Steel said.
Steel said smaller makers like Brazil's Embraer and Canada's Bombardier were also set to benefit from ongoing strong demand for smaller jets.
Douglas McNeill at Charles Stanley said a healthy appetite for new jets from airlines in the Far East was likely to keep demand buoyant.
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