Aircraft
Qantas 787 Cancellations Spell Uncertainty for OEMs
The cancellation of Boeing 787s is part of a fleet adjustment plan at Qantas Airways that will also see some of these Airbus A330s reassigned to domestic services in Australia. (Photo: Airbus)
The cancellation of Boeing 787s is part of a fleet adjustment plan at Qantas Airways that will also see some of these Airbus A330s reassigned to domestic services in Australia. (Photo: Airbus)

Qantas Airways’ August 23 cancellation of “firm commitments” covering 35 Boeing 787-9s previously slated for delivery beginning in 2014 demonstrates the need for an airframer to remain flexible in the face of changing industry demand. The sudden change, prompted by after-tax losses in the current financial year, also demonstrates the continued vulnerability of the airline sector to rising costs and uncertain demand.