Trends
Airbus CEO upbeat on new engine technology, but says jury still out
OUR TAKEAirbus CEO Guillaume Faury is feeling pretty optimistic about the open-rotor technology being developed by CFM International, but he’s not totally convinced it’ll be a commercial success. Meanwhile, Airbus is facing delays in engine deliveries from CFM’s LEAP engines, which is having an impa…
Headline
OUR TAKEAirbus CEO Guillaume Faury is feeling pretty optimistic about the open-rotor technology being developed by CFM International, but he’s not totally convinced it’ll be a commercial success. Meanwhile, Airbus is facing delays in engine deliveries from CFM’s LEAP engines,…
Context
OUR TAKE Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury is feeling pretty optimistic about the open-rotor technology being developed by CFM International, but he’s not totally convinced it’ll be a commercial success. Meanwhile, Airbus is facing delays in engine deliveries from CFM’s LEAP engines, which is having an impact on the company’s aircraft delivery targets. While the open-rotor technology could bring some fuel-efficiency benefits, the challenges in implementation and ongoing engine delivery issues are making people wonder if these innovations will be reliable in the short term. –Heidi Luo, BTW reporter Airbus is facing delays in engine deliveries from CFM International, particularly for the LEAP engines that power its A320neo jets. These delays have forced Airbus to reduce its 2024 aircraft delivery target by 30 units.
Evidence
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Analysis
The company had already issued a profit warning in July due to ongoing supply chain issues, with engine delays being a major contributing factor.At the same time, CFM International is testing an innovative open-rotor engine that could reduce fuel consumption by 20%. While Airbus is optimistic about the potential efficiency gains, CEO Guillaume Faury emphasised that the technology’s commercial viability is still uncertain as noise and vibration issues remain. “We’re still testing the open-rotor and checking it meets noise, vibration and performance standards. We hope it will be fuel-efficient,” Faury said. Also read: Firefly Aerospace Breaks Record with Victus Nox Mission
Key Points
- Airbus is facing delays in engine deliveries from CFM International, causing setbacks in its aircraft delivery targets for 2024.
- CFM’s open-rotor technology is promising, but Airbus remains cautious about its commercial viability amid industry scepticism.
Actions
Pending intelligence enrichment.
