All the speculation and chatter over the prospects of
re-engining the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737s families will finally end this year, judging by statements from senior Airbus and Boeing executives this month. In fact, John Leahy, Airbus COO for customers, went so far as to say that his company would like to decide whether or not to proceed with a re-engining project by the time the Farnborough Air Show opens in July.
Leahy’s surprise disclosure during the Singapore Airshow (February 14 to 19) might well signal a sense of urgency neither company, until recently, has felt compelled to betray. And while Boeing, Airbus’ U.S. rival, continues to preach the virtues of patience, the coming challenge posed by the likes of Bombardier’s C Series and Comac’s C919 appears to have caught the attention of the Boeing hierarchy. “You can’t sit on a lead,” said Boeing CEO Jim McNerney at this month’s Cowan & Company Aerospace and Defense Conference. “Particularly as you’ve got the Canadians and the Chinese. If you milk a product too long, you invite competition.”
