Aircraft
Pandemic Likely to Delay New Aircraft Developments for Years
Industry leaders estimate that the industry won't see any major new aircraft announcements for three to four years as airlines/OEMs struggle to recover.
New regional aircraft designs might come to fruition before larger commercial aircraft as OEMs and manufacturers focus on recovering from the pandemic downturn, according to Embraer Commercial Aviation president and CEO Arjan Meijer. (Photo: David McIntosh)
New regional aircraft designs might come to fruition before larger commercial aircraft as OEMs and manufacturers focus on recovering from the pandemic downturn, according to Embraer Commercial Aviation president and CEO Arjan Meijer. (Photo: David McIntosh)

The Covid-19 pandemic downturn will delay any major developments for new aircraft by at least three to four years while the commercial aircraft manufacturing and airline sectors focus on recovery, leading commercial aviation executives believe. Even then, derivatives of existing aircraft appear more likely unless "disruptive" technologies come to fruition.