The 25th Anniversary of 9/11: Impact on Airbus and Boeing | Aviation International News

The 25th Anniversary of 9/11: How it Changed Airbus and Boeing

The fall-out from the terror attacks was to have short- and long-term consequences

Boeing Sonic Cruiser — In early 2001, Boeing unveiled the concept called the Sonic Cruiser. It would fly just below the speed of sound, cutting flight times by a few hours but not comparable with a true supersonic transport. Economics would be the same as a Boeing 767. After 9/11, airlines wanted an airplane to cut costs, not increase speed.

By Scott Hamilton • Managing Editor, Leeham News & Analysis

September 11, 2026

The events of the 9/11 terrorist attacks impacted businesses across most industries and around the globe. It's impact on major airframers Airbus and Boeing was especially acute. Each was faced with order cancellations or deferrals.

Airbus, then still closely tied to government funding, was less affected. Boeing, a true capitalist firm whose order book was heavily weighted toward U.S. carriers, faced a much more dire near-term future. But, more ominously, 9/11 set in motion a chain of events that would bring shame on the company, the wrath of one of the most cantankerous and powerful men in the U.S. Senate, and an international controversy that lasted for 20 years.

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