Aviation

Why Boeing Prefers Hiring 20 Times More Engineers in India Over China

Boeing, the aerospace giant, is undergoing a notable shift in its hiring strategy, focusing heavily on recruiting engineering talent in India while reducing its reliance on China.

According to a report by SCMP on August 1, Boeing is hiring nearly 20 times more engineers in India compared to China, signaling a significant strategic pivot.

The SCMP report highlights that as of a recent Wednesday, Boeing’s Careers site listed only five job openings in China, with three being engineering positions. In stark contrast, India had 83 job openings, including 58 engineering roles. This disparity in job postings has been consistent for several weeks, according to the report.

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Currently, Boeing employs about 2,200 people in China and over 6,000 in India, despite India’s commercial aviation fleet being roughly one-sixth the size of China’s. Several factors contribute to Boeing’s increased focus on India.

Firstly, many leading US companies are viewing India as an emerging hub for diversifying manufacturing operations away from China. Recent comments from a senior US official about prioritizing Indian students for STEM fields underscore a broader strategy of leveraging India’s scientific talent alongside its manufacturing capabilities.

Boeing’s strategic shift is also driven by market dynamics. China has shown a growing preference for Airbus over Boeing for new fleet acquisitions, compelling Boeing to seek growth opportunities elsewhere. India, with its burgeoning pool of engineering talent and rapidly expanding aviation market, presents an attractive alternative.

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Currently, India ranks as the world’s third-largest domestic airline market, behind only the US and China, and is projected to require 2,835 aircraft deliveries by 2043. The broader context of US-India relations also plays a crucial role. “India and the US are collaborating extensively on defense and technology, along with many other areas, including aerospace,” said an expert in the SCMP report.

Boeing’s increased involvement in India aligns with this collaborative trend. Notably, Airbus is also expanding its presence in India, further solidifying the country’s role as a key player in the aerospace sector.

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Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.