Boeing News
Boeing Confirms Early 787 Weight Issues, Reaffirms Production Rates
Flight Global (5/6, Ostrower) reported, "While Boeing 787's recent rapd progress is a welcome change...libgering in the background are concerns over the airframer's ability to meet customer promises as the airframer acknowledges its early 787s will be heavy." This "confirmation comes in the wake of a report by a Wall Street research firm which raises concerns over the airframer's ability to meet performance as well as describing production goals - even after being revised - as remaining highly ambitious." In response, Boeing conceded that the "early airplanes are heavy," but said the Bernstein Research report's "conclusion on range is inaccurate."
International News
Airbus Forced To Cut A380 Output
On the front page of its Marketplace section, the Wall Street Journal (5/7, B1, Michaels) reports, "Airbus cut its planned production of A380 superjumbo jetliners this year to 14 from 18, in a move that threatnes to further delay the long-troubled plane's prospects for turning a profit." But, "unlike previous setbacks, which were caused by problems building the world's largest passenger plane," the plane maker "blamed the latest reduction in output on the global enconomic crisis and it's impact on airlines."
