Leeham News and Analysis - Latest News and Information
Boeing has assembled more than 30 Boeing 777‑9 airframes while the type certificate remains pending, exposing the program to extensive change incorporation work. Earlier, the 737 MAX grounding and 787 production flaws forced costly rework through shadow factories, taking months per aircraft. Recent door‑plug separation on an Alaska Airlines flight highlighted deficiencies in parts removal and reinstallation processes, underscoring configuration discipline gaps. The combination of pre‑certification production and inadequate change control threatens delivery timelines and adds significant expense.
Recent hostilities in the Middle East, highlighted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have exposed a hidden vulnerability in Boeing’s supply chain. The disruption threatens the petro‑chemical feedstock needed for carbon‑fiber composites that underpin the 787 Dreamliner and...
Air Lease Corporation will be acquired for $7.4 billion by a consortium including Sumitomo, SMBC Aviation Capital, Apollo and Brookfield, and will be rebranded as Sumisho Air Lease Corp (SALC) in early 2026. Class A shareholders receive $65 cash per share. SMBC...
The blended wing body (BWB) airliner promises up to 15‑20% fuel savings by merging wing and fuselage, but realistic designs often deliver only around 5% efficiency gains. Structural concepts rely on carbon‑fibre webs to create a tube‑like cabin, reducing skin...
The article revisits alternative‑propulsion aircraft, contrasting serial and parallel hybrid concepts. It argues that serial hybrids increase both production and operating costs without delivering meaningful efficiency gains. By highlighting that aircraft lack the regenerative‑braking cycles that make automotive hybrids valuable,...
The escalating Iran‑Israel conflict is prompting Gulf states to reconsider US‑linked defense and commercial aviation contracts, putting major aircraft orders under review. Boeing’s flagship 777X program now faces heightened risk as regional airlines delay fleet expansion, while Airbus could capture...
Aerospace executives report that supply‑chain performance has improved relative to the pandemic‑era lows, with fewer missed deadlines from OEMs like Airbus and Boeing. However, Kevin Michaels of Aerodynamic Advisory warns that new headwinds—regulatory bottlenecks, rare‑earth concentration, and persistent engine and...
Rare earth shortages, especially yttrium and scandium, are tightening for U.S. aerospace and semiconductor manufacturers as Chinese export controls drive prices up to 69 times higher. China still dominates the global rare‑earth value chain, controlling roughly 70% of mining, over...
Embraer announced it will boost aircraft deliveries this year after posting record fiscal‑2025 revenue and seeing its order backlog swell by 20%. The Brazilian manufacturer expects higher output from both its commercial jet and executive‑aircraft divisions, leveraging strong demand for...
The discussion highlights that successful aircraft manufacturers typically begin with modest, proven platforms before expanding into larger families. Rising crew‑costs, amplified by a global pilot shortage, erode the economics of hybrid regional jets that carry few passengers. Without an established...
The article reviews the limitations of series‑hybrid aircraft, highlighting the significant energy losses when a turbogenerator feeds an electric motor through multiple conversion stages. These inefficiencies make series hybrids uneconomical compared to conventional models like the Cessna Caravan or Saab 340....
The Iran‑Israel conflict has effectively shut down the airspace over the Persian Gulf, halting normal operations for the Gulf’s three largest carriers—Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad. Only a minimal trickle of repatriation flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha is...
Airbus has failed to meet its commercial aircraft delivery guidance for three consecutive years, with shortfalls driven by engine shortages, buyer‑furnished equipment delays, and quality‑control problems. The company repeatedly revised its outlooks as supply‑chain bottlenecks persisted, undermining the reliability of...
Airlines across the Middle East and India have plunged into the worst travel chaos since the COVID‑19 pandemic, with more than 7,000 flights cancelled over a three‑day span. Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways alone scrapped hundreds of services, while Air...
Rolls‑Royce reported a robust 2025 full‑year performance, with net profit rising year‑on‑year and the company lifting its mid‑term earnings and cash‑flow targets. The engine maker reiterated its plan to re‑enter the narrow‑body market, highlighting new partnership opportunities and a refreshed...
