Rimotorizzazione: anche Airbus ci ripensa?
- Autore Discussione diesel niner
- Data d'inizio
Bernstein sees Airbus tilting against A320 re-engine
By Geoffrey Thomas | November 19, 2010
Bernstein Research believes that Airbus may have cooled on the re-engine of its A320 aircraft, becoming “increasingly hesitant based on challenges associated with resource availability,” a situation flagged by the group in October.
“While we have expected Airbus to re-engine, it appears that Airbus is laying the groundwork to back away from that decision,” Bernstein noted. In a client report, the New York based-research group said that Airbus management will make the "no or no-go" decision before the end of this year.
The research group noted that the hurdle for Airbus is ensuring that adequate resources are available to do the re-engine at the same time as the company continues to see engineering talent stretched on the A350, A400M and A380. “This issue has not yet been resolved and has engendered more concern over the last several months. The challenge for Airbus is not total engineering resources or dollars but specific types of highly skilled engineers, which include engineers experienced in wing design and stress—always a scarce resource,” Bernstein noted.
Bernstein said that Airbus management sees customer feedback as positive and the business case as attractive. The company has completed preliminary agreements with both engine manufacturers. “Both engine manufacturers—CFM and Pratt & Whitney—have appeared cautiously optimistic that Airbus will go ahead. We believe the ultimate decision will depend on the tolerance for risk among Airbus top management,” it said.
“But with A320 sales likely to continue for some time even without the NEO [New Engine Option] there is very little downside to not doing the re-engine.” For Boeing, a "no-go" decision by Airbus on the NEO would be the best outcome and it may well be the best outcome for Airbus, suggested Bernstein.
The research group believes that transition to the NEO will deliver the premium price of $7 million to $8 million per aircraft that Airbus hopes for but believes all it will do is help Airbus in deals over Boeing’s 737NG.
ATWOnline
By Geoffrey Thomas | November 19, 2010
Bernstein Research believes that Airbus may have cooled on the re-engine of its A320 aircraft, becoming “increasingly hesitant based on challenges associated with resource availability,” a situation flagged by the group in October.
“While we have expected Airbus to re-engine, it appears that Airbus is laying the groundwork to back away from that decision,” Bernstein noted. In a client report, the New York based-research group said that Airbus management will make the "no or no-go" decision before the end of this year.
The research group noted that the hurdle for Airbus is ensuring that adequate resources are available to do the re-engine at the same time as the company continues to see engineering talent stretched on the A350, A400M and A380. “This issue has not yet been resolved and has engendered more concern over the last several months. The challenge for Airbus is not total engineering resources or dollars but specific types of highly skilled engineers, which include engineers experienced in wing design and stress—always a scarce resource,” Bernstein noted.
Bernstein said that Airbus management sees customer feedback as positive and the business case as attractive. The company has completed preliminary agreements with both engine manufacturers. “Both engine manufacturers—CFM and Pratt & Whitney—have appeared cautiously optimistic that Airbus will go ahead. We believe the ultimate decision will depend on the tolerance for risk among Airbus top management,” it said.
“But with A320 sales likely to continue for some time even without the NEO [New Engine Option] there is very little downside to not doing the re-engine.” For Boeing, a "no-go" decision by Airbus on the NEO would be the best outcome and it may well be the best outcome for Airbus, suggested Bernstein.
The research group believes that transition to the NEO will deliver the premium price of $7 million to $8 million per aircraft that Airbus hopes for but believes all it will do is help Airbus in deals over Boeing’s 737NG.
ATWOnline