Boeing has insisted it has the “right products” for the market, with the boss of Dublin-based jet leasing firm Avalon claiming last week that the US planner has “lost its way”.
Eren Hulst, Vice President of Commercial Marketing at Boeing Commercial Airplanes Irish independent Ryanair is one of Boeing’s “best customers”.
Ryanair last September ended talks with Boeing about a potentially large new order for 737 MAX-10 jets.
Boeing has been under financial and operational pressure, with deliveries if its widebody 787 Dreamliner stalled since last year due to structural issues with the jet. However, deliveries are scheduled to resume later this year.
The aircraft maker’s 777X program – which aims to deliver the world’s largest twin-engine jet – is behind schedule, with the first jet not expected to be with a customer until 2025. This is five years after the original planned date.
At the Airline Economics conference in Dublin on Monday – which gathers aviation executives from around the world – Steven Udvar-Hazy, Air Lease’s executive chairman and one of the world’s most influential leaders in the aircraft leasing sector, also spoke about the future. expressed doubts. of the 777X program.
Last week, Avalon Chief Executive Officer Domhnall Slattery stressed the need for Boeing to “radically redefine its strategy in the market.”
“Everyone has their own opinion,” said Mr. Hulst. Irish independent. “Basically, we have the right products for the market. In order to get the 787X into service, there is a near-term process and work that we are doing to get the 787 back on delivery – I mean this product. Strategy is execution.
“We have found the Max family on the market that offers the most flexibility for single-isle spaces,” he said. “We have the 787 that covers the least risk-averse market in the widebody space. The products are right. We have challenges, but we’ve got the right roadmap to get where we need to go and it sets that platform up.” Where we can invest beyond that.”
When Ryanair halted talks with Boeing last September over a potential order for the jet-maker’s 737 MAX 10 aircraft, group chief executive Michael O’Leary said the US company’s outlook on aircraft pricing was too optimistic. Was.
“They blow one of our best products in the 737″ [Max] 8-200, which is high potential,” said Mr. Hulst.
Ryanair’s Max 8-200 can carry 197 passengers, while Max 10 can carry 230 passengers.
“We are excited about bringing the Max 10 to market because I think it is a great complement to the Max 8 in terms of more seats at a lower seat cost,” said Mr. Hulst.
He added: “In terms of efficiency per seat, in terms of capacity, it matches or exceeds everything you can do with today’s aircraft. Ultimately that will determine how the conversation and the market play out.” .
Ben Faers, managing director of capital markets and outreach at Boeing, said he “doesn’t see laser activity slowing down at all” as aircraft deliveries increase.