The market for civil aircraft, worldwide, is almost monopolized by only two major manufacturers:
Airbus and Boeing
.
In 2002, for the first time established, the number of orders for Boeing surpassed Airbus. The news made its way to a lot of noise because Boeing has for decades been the undisputed leader (except for a brief period of Mac Donnell - Douglas lucky thanks to the fleet and still in DC-9 and MD-80) of the civilian sector ' aviation. The passing was largely justified by the large investments that led to the Airbus family of narrow-bodies
A320 (with all its derivatives A 321, A319 and the midget at 318). The A 320
"defeated" competition from the B 737 as compared to the second family of 737 (versions -400, -500 and -600) have innovative features such as
fly-by-wire ( for example), allowing a greater economy of use. The response was the Boeing Next Generation
(version -700, -800 and -900) modernized in many aspects and competitive, tied to the original design (of the 60s!) Only as general guidelines, but with revised aerodynamics and systems of control date.
With the A 330 and A 340, Airbus has been able to compete with Boeing (B 767) in the field of wide-bodies , albeit with a little less luck, always relying on their own innovations.
The only area where it had not yet been able to disturb the American giant was linked to the B 747, in mythical Jumbo Jet Thus there arose the idea of \u200b\u200bthe A 380: A Giant air that can carry 550 passengers in three classes, with two bridges. The technological challenge was considerable.
Well, the facts show that in part has failed. Despite a backlog of respect and fair despite the huge investment the project has been significant and repeated delays. Consequently, the investment cost is increased. These days the news
Emirates that, after yet another postponement (10 months) the date of delivery of the first aircraft, is rethinking its strategy on all orders and options (to give the idea originally the first aircraft should have been delivered in late 2006 and now we are talking about October 2008!). Emirates and Singapore Airlines are the major carriers have placed orders of the A 380. If the program is released by both A 380 would be at least the end financially. For Airbus would be a huge loss.
the A380 delays, is also associated with those of the A350 next project, conceived as a response to the B 787 Dreamliner which Boeing promises great strides sel operational side of the efficiency.
Considernado also that sales of B 777 are better than a little disappointing, A 330 and, more importantly, to become the future of Airbus A340, to date, it seems far from rosy.