Boeing and Airbus have such a backlog of orders that the current fuel-cost issue that’s hurting airlines really isn’t a major concern to the planemakers. Nobody’s cancelling aircraft orders, according to this Economist story. Even if Airbus’ orders are cut, says the story, there will still be a years-long backlog. Why? From the story:
One reason the planemakers are bullish is that neither is dependent on the hard-hit American market. “We’re fortunate because, unlike in other cycles, only 10% of our backlog is in America,†says Boeing’s chief executive, Jim McNerney. Another reason is that demand for new, more fuel-efficient aircraft has never been greater. The latest versions of the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, the single-aisle workhorses for which demand is strongest, are up to 40% cheaper to run than the vintage planes some American airlines still use.
