Boeing's Darkest Hour: A Dreamliner Crash Shadows the Paris Air Show

The Force is Weak with This One: Boeing's CEO Bails

Disturbances in the Force I sense. Or rather a catastrophic disturbance in the skies. The news of the Air India Dreamliner crash has forced Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg to abandon his triumphant entry into the Paris Air Show. A shame really. He had hoped to bask in the glow of increased 737 Max production but instead he's left grappling with a fiery reminder that 'size matters not' when facing the wrath of gravity. Shares are up they said? Perhaps they underestimated the power of the Dark Side...of aviation safety. I find his lack of presence... disturbing.

A Galaxy Far Far Away...From Smooth Landings

This Paris Air Show meant to be a glittering display of aerial prowess is now overshadowed by a grim specter. Champagne wishes and model plane dreams are crashing harder than that ill fated 787 8. Ortberg's note to employees speaks of focusing on 'customer and investigation.' A noble sentiment perhaps but it will take more than focus to quell the fear that this crash has ignited. Remember 'fear is the path to the dark side.' And a faulty plane? Well that's just bad engineering.

Black Boxes: Hope or False Hope?

The hunt for answers continues. The black boxes those tiny oracles of aviation doom hold the key to understanding this tragedy. But as we all know technology can fail. Just ask the Death Star architects. The investigation will undoubtedly be long and arduous. 'It is important that we do not speculate about the accident,' Ortberg says. Wise words though I suspect the Empire could have extracted the truth far more efficiently. A little Force persuasion perhaps? 'I find your lack of faith disturbing'.

Missiles and Mayhem: When Geopolitics Ground Flights

As if one tragedy weren't enough the escalating military conflict between Israel and Iran has thrown another wrench into the works. Flights canceled jets diverted...the skies are far from friendly. This heightened tension will undoubtedly shift the focus of the air show to military budgets and spending. One thing is certain: the cost of war is far greater than the cost of a few new planes. Unless of course those planes are equipped with a certain planet destroying superlaser.

The Show Must Go On...Or Does It?

Despite the doom and gloom the air show presses on. Hundreds of airplane orders are expected wait times stretch into the next decade and Boeing predicts a need for 43,600 new commercial airplanes in the next 20 years. These markets account for more than half of the world's fleet in 2044 up from a 40% share last year. Perhaps this is where Boeing can redeem itself? But promises are cheap. Deliveries are delayed by the lack of trained workers 'on again off again' tariffs have raised concerns about more expensive aircraft and components. Remember people “only through me can you achieve a power greater than any Jedi”. I hope I make myself clear that the world can do better.

Airlines in Short Supply

With aircraft still in short supply lease rates are also going up for older planes. A 12 year old Boeing 737 costs $241,000 a month to rent as of the end of April up nearly 42% from two years earlier and an Airbus A320 of the same age was $239,000 a month a 50% gain. Airplane customers are going bigger as international travel continues to bring in money. Aboulafia said he doesn't expect a big impact on demand because of the crash though some might be held back during the show. Now 'everyone is booking these monster twin aisle orders for international traffic.' I find that disturbing maybe the airline industries are planning a trap for the Empire.