The future of aviation is here –and it’s a double-decker plane
March 5, 2006 | 12:00am
Even with fighter jets screaming in the skies and doing amazing stunts on the third day of the Asian Aerospace 2006 at Changi Airport in Singapore, it was a giant commercial airplane’s graceful flight that stole the show.
The Airbus A380 – the 555-seat, double-decker, US$300-million plane due to make its maiden commercial flight with Singapore Airlines (SIA) in December this year – was literally the big news of the air show. The plane flew from Toulouse, France, to Singapore the day before and was due to fly back to Europe on the third day, this time in Hamburg where it would be outfitted to SIA’s specifications.
The Asian Aerospace and Defense Technology Show featured more than 900 exhibitors displaying planes, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS), guns, tanks, aircraft engines, missiles, satellites, combat outfits, and every weapon and gadget Rambo might need in a moment of testosterone frenzy. It also featured companies that make less exciting – but no less important – products such as airplane carpeting and seats, and water purifying systems for a war zone.
You knew this was not an ordinary air show from the tight security and Nepalese Ghurkas armed with rifles guarding the roads leading to Changi. Or from the fighter planes parked right outside the exhibition halls. Or from the British, American and African soldiers in combat gear walking around the halls.
One of the biggest exhibitors of the show was the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), a consortium of aerospace and defense companies from France (Aerospatiale Matra SA), Spain (Construcciones Aeronauticas), and Germany (Daimler Chrysler Aerospace).
EADS owns 80 percent of Airbus, its most well known brand. At its stand in the exhibit, it showed the public just how big it is in the defense business with model helicopters (under Eurocopter), satellites (under EADS Space), and its family of Airbus freight, military transport and commercial planes on display.
The consortium was closing deals left and right before and during the show. Minutes before Airbus CEO-Customers John Leahy briefed Asian media the day before the air show opened, Airbus signed a deal with India’s Kingfisher Airlines worth $2.5 billion.
Understandably, it was the commercial airplanes that got the most interest at the air show. Aviation has never had a better year than 2005 – despite the fact that large airlines are still trying to find their way out of bankruptcy protection – with record orders from new, low-cost airlines. It was also an exciting year because the two leading manufacturers of commercial airplanes were in a war of their own for the biggest share of the Asian market: Airbus with its A380 and Boeing with its wide-bodied 787.
At the moment, Airbus owns bragging rights with its records sales: 51 percent of market share; 378 aircraft deliveries in 2005 vs. Boeing’s 290. Airbus sold 918 narrow-body aircraft in the A320 family in 2005, 79 A330/340s, 87 A350s and 20 A380s, bringing the backlog to 159. Boeing sold 569 of its 737s, 154 of its 777s and 235 of its 787, an airplane that will hit the runways in 2010.
Leahy said that high fuel cost is forcing airlines to acquire new, more fuel-efficient aircraft (the A380 burns 30 percent less fuel than the Boeing 777), and that new, smaller airlines like JetBlue were driving the orders up. He added that while the 20th century belonged to Boeing, Airbus owns the 21st, outselling Boeing every year since 2000. It’s hard to imagine that in 1995, Airbus had only 18 percent market share. That year, Leahy set a goal – that Airbus would take 50 percent of the market by year 2000, a goal the company achieved one year earlier and has held ever since.
But as Leahy explained, in the consortium wars a single order from one airline – or a country like the US acquiring fighter jets and unmanned drones – could tip the scale. This is why the Asia-Pacific plays such a crucial role in the airspace race. Last year Asia accounted for over 45 percent of the global total with more than 500 firm orders from 13 customers for Airbus.
What do all these numbers mean for the travel industry? Are we traveling more despite the rising fuel costs, despite airport security concerns? Yes, people are traveling more – especially in markets such as China and India – and airlines are rethinking their strategies about moving people regionally and globally.
SIA-Philippines marketing communications and services head Rita Dy says the future of travel, whether globally or regionally, can be summed up by two things: "To carry more passengers efficiently as airports around the world get busier and to fly them more affordably and comfortably."
Rita emphasizes passenger comfort. With the Airbus A380 being able to carry at least 555 passengers in a three-class configuration, SIA has decided to retrofit the plane with fewer than 480 passengers in the same configuration. This means fewer seats and more space and – like its present A345 plane flying the Singapore-New York and Singapore-Los Angeles routes in SIA’s New Executive Economy Class (the plane can accommodate more than 300 passengers but SIA fitted it for only 181) – wider seats, more legroom and passenger areas where they can meet and have drinks or talk.
"We always listen to what the passengers want. As for how the A380 will look when it finally flies, that’s still a secret, but you can be sure it’s going to be a great travel experience for our customers on this aircraft, particularly those in the premium classes will enjoy the greater luxury and comfort that the increased space on this aircraft affords. The cabin products will also be noticeably different from what is on offer today. This much I can tell you at the moment."
SIA has 10 A380s on firm order and 15 on option and will be the first to fly the A380 in December this year. The first route will be the kangaroo route between Singapore, Sydney and London.
Will the A380 ever touch down at our own airport? It depends on the demand and airport compatibility. Airbus says that at present more 10 airports around the world are compatible, and new airports are being designed to accommodate it.
Airbus also noted the rise in single-aisle-airplane orders. This family of aircraft allows for faster deplaning and boarding, offers low fuel burn, emissions and economy, and efficiency for medium-haul routes like Manila-Singapore, Hong Kong, or Thailand.
Four years from now, in 2010, a new member of the fly-by-wire family of Airbus will enter service: the A350, which has three aircraft in its family, offering from 295 to 380 seats in a three-class configuration. The wide-body aircraft will boast more spacious interior and is designed for long-haul travel. As much as 60 percent of its weight is composed of advanced, lightweight material including the latest aluminum lithium alloys.
While Airbus may be the most well known and visible company in the EADS Group (it accounts for 60 percent of the business), the consortium is so diversified that you can say it’s part of people’s lives without their knowing it. For instance, countries like Portugal, the US, Romania, Brazil, and Italy have in place EADS global security solutions. The company’s systems help secure borders and populations, major events (sports arenas are especially vulnerable to terrorist attacks), critical infrastructures (airports, highways and power plants); its manned and unmanned aircraft are used for surveillance and reconnaissance; its satellites are used for earth observation, weather prediction, mapping out disaster areas to help in recovery and global security; its coastal and maritime systems help slow down illegal immigration, smuggling and trafficking; its communication systems help countries integrate their law enforcement agencies and armed forces; and with MBDA Missile Systems it develops weapon systems.
EADS is the acknowledged leader in aviation and defense industries. It is publicly listed on the Frankfurt, Madrid and Paris stock exchanges with 34 percent of the shares distributed among public shareholders, including its employees. When it was consolidated in 2000, the price per share was $18, after 9-11 it dropped to $7, but by the end of 2005 it had steadily risen to hit $33.5 per share. Last year the company’s turnover amounted to 210 billion euros (184 billion euros was from Airbus).
Because it has five divisions (Airbus, Eurocopter, military transport aircraft, space, and defense and security systems), technology transfer plays a great role and EADS puts back five percent of its annual turnover to research and development. The synergy between the companies has led to innovation and disruptive technologies that change the way things are done.
EADS CASA is the world leader in the light and medium military transport aircraft market. The Spanish Air Force was the first to employ the new CASA C-295, followed by the Polish Air Force, while the United Arab Emirates Navy selected the CASA C-295 ASW with the CASA FITS mission system for its maritime patrol aircraft program.
Eurocopter, which has had a presence in Asia for more than 30 years, accounts for almost 40 percent of the civil and parapublic turbine helicopter fleet currently in service in Asia (with 45 percent in Japan, 48 percent in the Philippines and more than 60 percent in Indonesia). Its helicopters were some of the first to arrive in New Orleans to help in the recovery of those stranded by the floods.
In the 50- to 70-seater turboprop market (these are the kinds of planes that fly to Boracay and other island destinations with short runways), EADS also leads through its subsidiary ATR. Demand for these aircraft is going up primarily because of high fuel costs.
So, yes, the world of aviation is changing – everything is becoming faster, safer, cheaper, and more efficient. Now if only other airlines will take SIA’s cue and give passengers more legroom!
The Airbus A380 – the 555-seat, double-decker, US$300-million plane due to make its maiden commercial flight with Singapore Airlines (SIA) in December this year – was literally the big news of the air show. The plane flew from Toulouse, France, to Singapore the day before and was due to fly back to Europe on the third day, this time in Hamburg where it would be outfitted to SIA’s specifications.
The Asian Aerospace and Defense Technology Show featured more than 900 exhibitors displaying planes, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS), guns, tanks, aircraft engines, missiles, satellites, combat outfits, and every weapon and gadget Rambo might need in a moment of testosterone frenzy. It also featured companies that make less exciting – but no less important – products such as airplane carpeting and seats, and water purifying systems for a war zone.
You knew this was not an ordinary air show from the tight security and Nepalese Ghurkas armed with rifles guarding the roads leading to Changi. Or from the fighter planes parked right outside the exhibition halls. Or from the British, American and African soldiers in combat gear walking around the halls.
One of the biggest exhibitors of the show was the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), a consortium of aerospace and defense companies from France (Aerospatiale Matra SA), Spain (Construcciones Aeronauticas), and Germany (Daimler Chrysler Aerospace).
EADS owns 80 percent of Airbus, its most well known brand. At its stand in the exhibit, it showed the public just how big it is in the defense business with model helicopters (under Eurocopter), satellites (under EADS Space), and its family of Airbus freight, military transport and commercial planes on display.
The consortium was closing deals left and right before and during the show. Minutes before Airbus CEO-Customers John Leahy briefed Asian media the day before the air show opened, Airbus signed a deal with India’s Kingfisher Airlines worth $2.5 billion.
Understandably, it was the commercial airplanes that got the most interest at the air show. Aviation has never had a better year than 2005 – despite the fact that large airlines are still trying to find their way out of bankruptcy protection – with record orders from new, low-cost airlines. It was also an exciting year because the two leading manufacturers of commercial airplanes were in a war of their own for the biggest share of the Asian market: Airbus with its A380 and Boeing with its wide-bodied 787.
At the moment, Airbus owns bragging rights with its records sales: 51 percent of market share; 378 aircraft deliveries in 2005 vs. Boeing’s 290. Airbus sold 918 narrow-body aircraft in the A320 family in 2005, 79 A330/340s, 87 A350s and 20 A380s, bringing the backlog to 159. Boeing sold 569 of its 737s, 154 of its 777s and 235 of its 787, an airplane that will hit the runways in 2010.
Leahy said that high fuel cost is forcing airlines to acquire new, more fuel-efficient aircraft (the A380 burns 30 percent less fuel than the Boeing 777), and that new, smaller airlines like JetBlue were driving the orders up. He added that while the 20th century belonged to Boeing, Airbus owns the 21st, outselling Boeing every year since 2000. It’s hard to imagine that in 1995, Airbus had only 18 percent market share. That year, Leahy set a goal – that Airbus would take 50 percent of the market by year 2000, a goal the company achieved one year earlier and has held ever since.
But as Leahy explained, in the consortium wars a single order from one airline – or a country like the US acquiring fighter jets and unmanned drones – could tip the scale. This is why the Asia-Pacific plays such a crucial role in the airspace race. Last year Asia accounted for over 45 percent of the global total with more than 500 firm orders from 13 customers for Airbus.
What do all these numbers mean for the travel industry? Are we traveling more despite the rising fuel costs, despite airport security concerns? Yes, people are traveling more – especially in markets such as China and India – and airlines are rethinking their strategies about moving people regionally and globally.
SIA-Philippines marketing communications and services head Rita Dy says the future of travel, whether globally or regionally, can be summed up by two things: "To carry more passengers efficiently as airports around the world get busier and to fly them more affordably and comfortably."
Rita emphasizes passenger comfort. With the Airbus A380 being able to carry at least 555 passengers in a three-class configuration, SIA has decided to retrofit the plane with fewer than 480 passengers in the same configuration. This means fewer seats and more space and – like its present A345 plane flying the Singapore-New York and Singapore-Los Angeles routes in SIA’s New Executive Economy Class (the plane can accommodate more than 300 passengers but SIA fitted it for only 181) – wider seats, more legroom and passenger areas where they can meet and have drinks or talk.
"We always listen to what the passengers want. As for how the A380 will look when it finally flies, that’s still a secret, but you can be sure it’s going to be a great travel experience for our customers on this aircraft, particularly those in the premium classes will enjoy the greater luxury and comfort that the increased space on this aircraft affords. The cabin products will also be noticeably different from what is on offer today. This much I can tell you at the moment."
SIA has 10 A380s on firm order and 15 on option and will be the first to fly the A380 in December this year. The first route will be the kangaroo route between Singapore, Sydney and London.
Will the A380 ever touch down at our own airport? It depends on the demand and airport compatibility. Airbus says that at present more 10 airports around the world are compatible, and new airports are being designed to accommodate it.
Airbus also noted the rise in single-aisle-airplane orders. This family of aircraft allows for faster deplaning and boarding, offers low fuel burn, emissions and economy, and efficiency for medium-haul routes like Manila-Singapore, Hong Kong, or Thailand.
Four years from now, in 2010, a new member of the fly-by-wire family of Airbus will enter service: the A350, which has three aircraft in its family, offering from 295 to 380 seats in a three-class configuration. The wide-body aircraft will boast more spacious interior and is designed for long-haul travel. As much as 60 percent of its weight is composed of advanced, lightweight material including the latest aluminum lithium alloys.
While Airbus may be the most well known and visible company in the EADS Group (it accounts for 60 percent of the business), the consortium is so diversified that you can say it’s part of people’s lives without their knowing it. For instance, countries like Portugal, the US, Romania, Brazil, and Italy have in place EADS global security solutions. The company’s systems help secure borders and populations, major events (sports arenas are especially vulnerable to terrorist attacks), critical infrastructures (airports, highways and power plants); its manned and unmanned aircraft are used for surveillance and reconnaissance; its satellites are used for earth observation, weather prediction, mapping out disaster areas to help in recovery and global security; its coastal and maritime systems help slow down illegal immigration, smuggling and trafficking; its communication systems help countries integrate their law enforcement agencies and armed forces; and with MBDA Missile Systems it develops weapon systems.
EADS is the acknowledged leader in aviation and defense industries. It is publicly listed on the Frankfurt, Madrid and Paris stock exchanges with 34 percent of the shares distributed among public shareholders, including its employees. When it was consolidated in 2000, the price per share was $18, after 9-11 it dropped to $7, but by the end of 2005 it had steadily risen to hit $33.5 per share. Last year the company’s turnover amounted to 210 billion euros (184 billion euros was from Airbus).
Because it has five divisions (Airbus, Eurocopter, military transport aircraft, space, and defense and security systems), technology transfer plays a great role and EADS puts back five percent of its annual turnover to research and development. The synergy between the companies has led to innovation and disruptive technologies that change the way things are done.
EADS CASA is the world leader in the light and medium military transport aircraft market. The Spanish Air Force was the first to employ the new CASA C-295, followed by the Polish Air Force, while the United Arab Emirates Navy selected the CASA C-295 ASW with the CASA FITS mission system for its maritime patrol aircraft program.
Eurocopter, which has had a presence in Asia for more than 30 years, accounts for almost 40 percent of the civil and parapublic turbine helicopter fleet currently in service in Asia (with 45 percent in Japan, 48 percent in the Philippines and more than 60 percent in Indonesia). Its helicopters were some of the first to arrive in New Orleans to help in the recovery of those stranded by the floods.
In the 50- to 70-seater turboprop market (these are the kinds of planes that fly to Boracay and other island destinations with short runways), EADS also leads through its subsidiary ATR. Demand for these aircraft is going up primarily because of high fuel costs.
So, yes, the world of aviation is changing – everything is becoming faster, safer, cheaper, and more efficient. Now if only other airlines will take SIA’s cue and give passengers more legroom!
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