Farnborough Air Show 2024 has so far brought what might be characterized as a shift in focus across the main aircraft manufacturers.
The dynamic this year began with the early expectation of a softer profile from Boeing – notably on both the new order front and active aircraft displays.
Order acquisitions have been softer for both Boeing and Airbus. This is perhaps unsurprising, given the relatively large order backlogs both manufacturers currently carry.
Farnborough Air Show Day 3
The move towards passenger experience and the capitalization on a global market shift towards high-end leisure travel is evident with premium cabin product.
On the regional aircraft front, Embraer has seen a shift towards longer-term development of its existing product range.
Let’s recap the major events of FIA2024 Day 3:
Embraer
The Brazilian aircraft manufacturer continued to make inroads in the military aviation sector, particularly with its C390 Millennium aircraft and A29 Super Tucano.
On the commercial aviation front, Farnborough 2024 has been particularly sedate for the manufacturer in terms of new order announcements.
Embraer is actively playing a strategic long-term game, as evidenced by its announcement of developments across its E-Jet product range during the Farnborough Air Show.
Embraer revealed wide ranging upgrades and performance improvements across its commercial jet product line up.
A Longer Term Strategy for Embraer
The upgrades on the E195-E2, E190-E2, and E175, include fuel burn and range improvements, and avionics and cabin upgrades.
As well as improving operational effectiveness, these measures will deliver a net present value of US$6 million per aircraft over 15 years in cost reduction and additional revenue.
E175 improvements – adding E2 features
- Larger overhead bins and mood lighting
- Multi-band satellite connectivity
- Recaro Seats
- Next generation weather and data avionics
E2 Improvements
- Fuel burn reduced by 2.5% on E190 and E195 E2 aircraft
- Improved range – Up from from 2600NM to 3000NM on the E195 E2
- GTF time on wing – Engine improvements on the E2s GTF engines will increase time on wing by 10%
- Enhanced take off system
- Cabin optimisation
ATR
Air Tahiti ATR 72-600 Order
Regional aircraft manufacturer ATR secured an order for four new ATR 72-600 aircraft with Air Tahiti.
The aircraft are supported by an eight-year Global Maintenance Agreement (GMA). Deliveries of the new aircraft are scheduled between 2025 and 2028.
The Pacific island airline currently operates a fleet of 11 aircraft, comprising nine ATR 72-600 and two ATR 42-600.
The introduction of the new aircraft secured at Farnborough will enable Air Tahiti to address both flight frequency and capacity needs.
Boeing & Airbus: The Move to Premium
As global aviation continues to move through the post-pandemic rebound era, the industry has seen a shift in customer sentiments towards high-end leisure air travel demand.
As a result, major airlines are consistently seeing monthly gains from their First Class and Premium class sales.
A Shift in Focus to Premium and First Class Product
This was perhaps surprising to some, however the shift in focus towards high-end cabin product has been particularly evident at Farnborough this year.
Manufacturers and major airlines will likely increasingly focus on product development and the cultivating of improved customer experience to meet this market demand.
On the orders front for the two major manufacturers, the overall tone for the first two days of the event was relatively docile.
This is perhaps unsurprising, given the relatively large order backlog which the two manufacturers have accrued across the past year.
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