Aviation

Does Boeing’s issues contribute to Airbus dominating the aviation market in 2024

In the wake of Boeing’s recent challenges, marked by the in-flight door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9, the aviation industry is witnessing a stark contrast in the fortunes of major players.

While Boeing’s leadership grapples to contain the fallout from its latest crisis, Airbus is confidently asserting its dominance in the commercial airliner business, painting a picture of success in 2023.

As Airbus proudly claims its position as the world’s No. 1 airplane maker for the fifth consecutive year, it becomes evident that the company is pulling ahead of its U.S. competitor. The data on last year’s jet orders and deliveries underscores Airbus’s remarkable achievements, delivering a total of 735 commercial aircraft to 87 customers globally—an impressive 11% increase from the previous year.

The success story for Airbus continues with the Commercial Aircraft business recording 2,319 gross new orders, including 1,835 and 300 orders for the A320 Family and A350 Family aircraft, respectively. With a year-end backlog standing at 8,598 aircraft, Airbus demonstrates both resilience and sustained demand in the face of a challenging operating environment.

On the Boeing front, the company reports significant achievements in 2023, delivering 528 commercial airplanes throughout the year. However, Airbus emerges as the clear winner, boasting higher delivery numbers, a substantial order backlog, and a strategic focus on next-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft.

As Airbus executives exude confidence, readily address questions, and outline plans for accelerating production and introducing new planes in the 2030s, Boeing grapples with the repercussions of the Alaska in-flight incident. The incident has grounded MAX 9s, leading to anticipated production slowdowns due to extra inspections. Moreover, certification delays for the final two MAX models, the MAX 7 and MAX 10, loom on the horizon.

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Aviation

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

After the success of China’s first C919 aircraft, the country is setting its sights on developing a larger plane. COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has officially confirmed plans to build a widebody aircraft, marking a significant step in its aircraft lineup.

Traditionally, Airbus and Boeing dominate the widebody aircraft market, with decades of expertise in developing planes and engines capable of carrying heavy payloads. China, which currently relies on imported engines, is now aiming to challenge these giants with its own widebody jet, the C929, designed to compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.

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The C929 will be China’s first independently developed long-range widebody aircraft. It adheres to international airworthiness standards and boasts independent intellectual property rights. The baseline version is designed to seat 280 passengers and offers a range of 12,000 kilometers, catering to global demand for both regional and international air travel.

Russia, which also needs reliable narrowbody and widebody aircraft, could become a key customer for the C929. Additionally, China plans to target the broader Asian market as it continues to expand its aviation capabilities.

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China’s aviation progress includes the ARJ21 (now called C909), a regional jet with 100 seats for shorter routes, and the C919, a narrowbody jet with 180 seats designed to rival the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. Both models have found increasing demand in the domestic market.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC announced that Air China will be the launch customer for the C929 widebody jet, though details about order size and delivery timelines were not disclosed.

Other major deals announced by COMAC include:

Hainan Airlines: Firm orders for 60 C919 and 40 C909 regional jets.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines: 30 C909 jets, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements.

The C929, renamed from the CR929 after Russia withdrew from the joint development project in 2023, is expected to carry 280–400 passengers with a range of 12,000 kilometers, competing directly with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

According to COMAC’s deputy general manager, Tong Yu, the first fuselage section of the C929 is expected by September 2027, with prototype test flights anticipated soon after.