Great Engines and Where to Find Them: GE Aerospace Soars Despite Trade Winds

Blimey! More Engines Than You Can Shake a Nimbus 2000 At

Right so yours truly Harry Potter is taking a break from battling dark wizards (again) to bring you the latest on GE Aerospace. Apparently their CEO a bloke named Larry Culp reckons they're going to be churning out 15% to 20% more jet engines this year. That's a lot of engines! Makes you wonder if they've got a few house elves down there in the factory conjuring them up. I mean where else would you get that much horsepower from? "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," said the GE production line as it revved up!

Boeing's Boggart: The Production Potion

Now about Boeing. They're trying to get their 737 MAX production back on track like Ron trying to fix a broken wand with Spellotape. Culp wants GE to be "completely in sync" with Boeing. Which is all well and good but let's hope they don't start experiencing the same… ahem… 'quality control issues'. You know the kind that makes you want to shout 'Accio broomstick!' and fly far far away. Seriously with all this going on I wouldn't be surprised if someone accidentally turned a plane into a ferret. Not that I'm naming any names *cough* Malfoy *cough*.

A Galleon Short: The Tariff Troubles

But hold on to your Sorting Hats folks because there's a snag. GE Aerospace is expecting to lose over $500 million due to tariffs. That's like having to pay Filch for accidentally setting off a Dungbomb in his office! These trade wars are about as welcome as a visit from Dolores Umbridge. Still GE has a secret weapon: their partnership with Safran the French wizards who make the LEAP engine. Together they're basically the Hermione and Harry of the jet engine world.

Parts and Services: The Real Golden Snitch

Even though travel's a bit dodgy in the States apparently 70% of GE's engine income comes from bits and bobs and fixing things. So older planes are flying longer. Think of it as the aviation equivalent of Dumbledore – old wise and still kicking (though hopefully less likely to fall off a tower). It's like what Dumbledore said "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live," so keep those engines running eh?

Qatar Airways: A Magical Deal

And here's a bit of good news! GE Aerospace has made a deal with Qatar Airways to supply over 400 engines! That’s enough to power a whole fleet of Firebolts! Culp also mentioned things are improving internally with deliveries from suppliers going up. Sounds like someone's been brewing up a batch of Felix Felicis (liquid luck) in the back. Maybe they could share some with Boeing eh? Just a thought!

The Thousand Headed Supply Chain Dog

Of course it's not all butterbeer and Quidditch victories. The supply chain is still a bit of a nightmare. "A lot of people say what's the one thing you need to solve for? I wish it was just one thing right? It's 1,000 and it changes," Culp said. Sounds about right like trying to remember all the ingredients for Polyjuice Potion. He's working with Boeing's CEO to make sure everything lines up in 2026 and 2027. Let's hope they don't end up needing a Time Turner to sort it all out! GE Aerospace is having an investor day in Paris which I hope will not go anything like my trip in the fourth book where Voldemort came back.