India crash a wake-up call for aviation industry, says Airbus
What's the story
The recent crash of an Air India Boeing 787 in Ahmedabad, which claimed more than 240 lives, has sent shockwaves across the aviation sector. In light of this tragedy, Christian Scherer, the Chief Commercial Officer at Airbus, stressed that safety should be the industry's top priority. He said that such incidents are reminders of the inherent risks in aviation and the industry's commitment to preventing future accidents.
Safety 1st
'Tragedy shouldn't be seen as competitive advantage...'
Scherer stressed that the tragedy should not be seen as a competitive advantage for any plane maker. He said, "Safety is in everything that we do, so the tragedy in India—we don't see that in any way, shape or form as a competitive input." The crash has sparked discussions about the need for improved safety measures and protocols within the aviation industry.
Show cancelation
Boeing CEO cancels Paris Air Show appearance
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has canceled his appearance at the upcoming Paris Air Show. The decision comes as he intends to focus on the investigation into the crash and support his team during this difficult time. The move highlights the gravity of the situation and its impact on key players in the aviation industry.
Market response
Airbus still plans to ramp up output
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said that despite the crash, the company still plans to ramp up output. However, he noted that achieving this goal has become "a little bit more difficult" due to global volatility and supply-chain constraints.
Future outlook
Airbus optimistic about future growth
Despite the current challenges, Airbus remains optimistic about future growth. The firm expects the global commercial aircraft fleet to double to almost 50,000 by 2044, driven by rising air travel demand in emerging markets such as India. In its latest market forecast, Airbus predicts an increase of 24,480 aircraft in service over the next two decades.