Aviation Week analyses the upcoming “narrow-bodies battle” as plane manufacturers are considering future product strategies.

Aviation Week analyses the upcoming “narrow-bodies battle” as plane manufacturers are considering future product strategies. Airbus and Boeing face “increasingly tough production decisions” as they try to elaborate strategies for the end of the next decade. With the introduction of Bombardier’s C-Series,

Boeing warned against any change in the bidding rules that could favour EADS in the competition to supply tankers to the US Air Force.

Boeing warned against any change in the bidding rules that could favour EADS in the competition to supply tankers to the US Air Force. At the Farnborough Air Show, Dave Bowman, newly appointed vice-president of Boeing Tanker Programmes, said

The Farnborough Air Show has shown that Airbus and Boeing stand up to the uncertain economic context.

The Farnborough Air Show has shown that Airbus and Boeing stand up to the uncertain economic context. The 2008 edition of the Farnborough Air Show closed its doors to professionals yesterday.

Boeing intends to ramp up weapons sales overseas

Boeing intends to ramp up weapons sales overseas, reports The Wall Street Journal Europe. During the Farnborough Air Show, Jim Albaugh, CEO of Boeing’s Integrated Defence Systems unit,

Louis Gallois yesterday saluted the Pentagon’s decision to restart competition for the $ 35Bn contract to supply air refuelling tankers to the US Air Force

Louis Gallois yesterday saluted the Pentagon’s decision to restart competition for the $ 35Bn contract to supply air refuelling tankers to the US Air Force. He said EADS committed to supporting its partner Northrop Grumman’s efforts to answer the client’s needs. This decision is a blow at Airbus and the US Air Force, comments Aujourd’hui en France.

Airbus and Boeing remain optimistic ahead of the Farnborough Air Show

Airbus and Boeing remain optimistic ahead of the Farnborough Air Show. In spite of the oil crisis hitting the airline sector, the civil aeronautics industry fares well, ensures Boeing. For its part, Airbus

The delays to Boeing’s Airborne Early Warnings& Control (AEW&C) will result in a $ 250M exceptional charge

The delays to Boeing’s Airborne Early Warnings& Control (AEW&C) will result in a $ 250M exceptional charge in the group’s second-quarter accounts. Yet, Boeing confirms its 2008 forecasts

Boeing showed optimism yesterday over global demand for new aircraft.

Boeing showed optimism yesterday over global demand for new aircraft. Indeed, the company deems that high oil prices will push airlines into accelerating the renewal of their fleets over the next 20 years.

Boeing also revealed order deferrals.

Boeing also revealed order deferrals. While Airbus announced 48 order cancellations in the first half of 2008, Boeing said postponements and cancellations accounted for 10 to 11% of its order book.

Boeing delivered 126 aircraft in the second quarter of 2008.

Boeing delivered 126 aircraft in the second quarter of 2008. This represents a 10.5% leap on the same period in 2007. Since January, Boeing has delivered 241 aircraft in total. Brian Nelson, an analyst

Damage on the mid-body fuselage section of the fourth of six test Boeing 787 planes could have an impact on the already-delayed programme.

Damage on the mid-body fuselage section of the fourth of six test Boeing 787 planes could have an impact on the already-delayed programme. The Seattle Times explains that the section is built in South Carolina

Climbing oil prices put Airbus and Boeing at risk of losing new-jet orders

Climbing oil prices put Airbus and Boeing at risk of losing new-jet orders. The Wall Street Journal Europe recalls that demand from airlines outside the US has allowed the two giant manufacturers to rack up almost 7,000 orders for new, more fuel-efficient aircraft during the past three years. But even the strongest airlines are seeing their economics shattered by the current landscape. Several airlines, indeed, are taking actions similar to those they took after the Sept-11 terrorist attacks: Grounding aircraft, cutting capacities and postponing orders. Both Airbus and Boeing acknowledge that

EADS’s “Americanisation” will probably be delayed by the GAO’s ruling over the US Air Force tanker contract.

EADS’s “Americanisation” will probably be delayed by the GAO’s ruling over the US Air Force tanker contract. Analysts expect a second round of bidding for the US Air Force contract to be more favourable

EADS and Boeing are now waiting for the US Air Force to make a decision about the multibillion tanker contract

EADS and Boeing are now waiting for the US Air Force to make a decision about the multibillion tanker contract. The international press largely comments the US Government Accountability Office (GAO)’s ruling which will probably force the Air Force to reopen a competition for refuelling tankers. This outcome is a further blow at EADS who faces an accumulation of concerns and “turbulences”, says Les Echos. Though the game is not lost yet, adds the daily, it should be long and difficult. “Boeing will propose such a competitive solution that it will leave no chance to EADS”, estimate Exane analysts. Beyond the tanker contract,

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) supported Boeing’s protest of the tanker contract award to Northrop Grumman and EADS.

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) supported Boeing’s protest of the tanker contract award to Northrop Grumman and EADS. “Our investigation has led us to the conclusion that the US Air Force made a significant number of mistakes that could have wronged the outcome of the competition between Boeing and Northrop Grumman”, announced the GAO in a statement yesterday. The ruling is only a recommendation, however, and it is now up to the Pentagon to decide –within 60 dayswhether it reissues a bid call or not.