Aviation

Engine maker Rolls-Royce reuses spare parts amidst supply chain crunch

Rolls-Royce has reduced its dependency on Russian supply by entering a new relationship with a titanium source in the United States.

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According to source In light of supply chain challenges that are generating problems for the aerospace sector, British engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is refurbishing and recycling spare parts. Rolls-Royce stated in a first-half results presentation on August 4, 2022 that two of the major difficulties the company is facing are rising prices and supply chain disruption.

Airlines are already being impacted by a lack of spare components. Six of Latvia-based airBaltic’s Airbus A220s are unable to fly due to a lack of availability for routine maintenance. Right now, there is a lot of tension in the one aisle area. Everyone started out very slowly, and now they are under pressure to ramp up quickly, according to East.

Rolls-Royce reducing supply-chain risks Kakoullis emphasised that Rolls-Royce has reduced its dependency on Russian supply by entering a new relationship with a titanium source in the United States. Olivier Andriès, the chief executive of French aircraft engine supplier Safran, told analysts that he anticipates the problems with the supply chain will continue and probably through the end in 2023.

With the situation in Ukraine, inflationary pressures, and supply chain restrictions all having an effect on our business, the external environment continues to be difficult. In all, Rolls-Royce reported underlying operating profit of £125 million ($152 million), down from £307 million ($374 million) a year earlier, which the firm claimed was the result of one-time profits in the prior year. It reaffirmed its full-year group targets and stated that it expected operating profit margins to increase in the second half.

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.