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UPDATE
Week ending January 12, 1997
+++ Scheduled traffic shows continued growth +++ Arianespace still number one in the international launch business +++ Airbus consolidates market position in 1996 +++ Boeing retains market leadership in 1996 +++ Virgin Global Challenger lands safely +++ MD-95 wings in assembly +++ Tyrolean doubles profits +++ Boeing offers new 767 derivative +++ SOFIA contracts awarded +++ News in Brief +++

Scheduled traffic shows continued growth
ICAO meldet steigende Passagierzahlen

Total scheduled traffic of the world's airlines in 1996 was six percent above that for 1995 in terms of tonne-kilometres performed, and international traffic was up eight per cent, according to preliminary estimates released by teh International Civil Aviation Organization. Just looking at the passenger-kilometre figures, these rose seven per cent in total and by nine per cent on international services. Freight traffic growth was lower, 5 per cent in tonne-kilometres and six per cent internationally. The airlines carried nearly 1350 million passengers and about 22 million tonnes of freight in 1996. Capacity increases for passenger services were kept in check, so the average load factors rose slightly to reach 68 per cent , levels not achieved since 1990.

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Arianespace still number one in the international launch business
Arianespace bleibt Marktführer bei Satellitenstartdiensten

The marketing organisation for the European Ariane launch vehicle is set for further cost reductions by 25 to 30 per cent and a reduction of cycle time by 50 per cent. After a successful 1996, inspite of the Ariane 5 disaster, Arianespace President Charles Bigot and his designated successor Francis P. Avanzi informed the press in Paris that these measures shall increase the competitiveness of the European company very positively.
Long term launch contracts, the strategic joint venture with Russian space agency RKA and the Samara ZSKA space center as well as other new cooperations furthermore underline the dominating market position of Ariane.
In 1996 ten Ariane 4 launched 15 satellites. For 1997 launches of Ariane 4 are scheduled for each month. The second launch of Ariane 5 is currently planned for July 8th. The failure in 1996 resulted in a setback of the programme by one year and additional cost of approximately FF 5 billions until 1998.

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Airbus consolidates market position in 1996
Gute Marktposition für Airbus

In year end statistics, Airbus Industrie claims firm orders for 326 new aircraft valued at $23.6 billion from 31 customers in 1996. Airbus Industrie defines firm orders as those for which a contract has been signed, a deposit paid and, where necessary, government approval granted. When memoranda of understanding and letters of intent are added, in line with the practice adopted by its competitors, the total number of firm orders and commitments rises to 498, worth $34.4 billion. Rigorous management of its order book resulted in only 25 cancellations in 1996, bringing net firm orders for the year to 301. The company's order backlog rises to 753 aircraft worth $58.4 billion.
The A330/A340 widebody family continued to outsell all competing aircraft in the 250-350 seat category, winning 112 orders and commitments, or 57 percent of sales in this size category. This includes 50 orders and commitments for the new A330-200. Demand was also strong for the A319/A320/A321 single-aisle product line, which won 366 new firm orders and commitments in 1996. In 1996, orders for the A320 family passed the symbolic 1,000 firm order landmark - only eight years after entry into service.
A total of 126 aircraft were delivered by Airbus Industrie in 1996, comprising 38 A330/A340 and 16 A300/A310 widebody aircraft, and 72 aircraft from the A319/A320/A321 single-aisle range. Altogether, the deliveries generated sales for the year of $8.8 billion. For comparison, 1995's sales of 9.6 billion were higher because of a greater proportion of large aircraft in the deliveries.
As a result of the sharp upturn in orders and commitments achieved in 1996, Airbus Industrie has increased its production rates for 1997. Deliveries are scheduled to rise by 45 percent to a total of 183 aircraft of all types in 1997, with a further increase in total production during 1998 to some 220 aircraft.

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Boeing retains market leadership in 1996
Boeing bleibt weiter vorn

Fueled by continuing demand for its popular 737 airplane, the Boeing Commercial Airplane Group claims a 64 percent share of the market for new commercial jet airliners with more than 100 seats. Boeing, the world's largest producer of commercial airplanes, concluded the year with 717 announced orders, about two-thirds of which were for the 737, The announced value of the orders represents $53 billion.
To arrive at its market share calculation, Boeing accounted for the number of order cancellations and conversions to other airplane models it received from customers in 1996. Based on preliminary data, the net order total is 559 airplanes, with a dollar value of $42.8 billion. There need to be deducted a further 103 aircraft from this, as American Airlines at least for the moment is not in a position to take the 103 Boeing jetliners it announced due to union difficulties.
Boeing's 1996 market share, based on dollar value and the industry's net new orders, is in line with the company's historic market average of about 60 percent. Market share varies from year-to-year, but over time, In 1996, competitors Airbus Industrie and McDonnell Douglas accounted for 32.3 percent and 3.3 percent respectively. Other manufacturers of airplanes with over 100 seats accounted for 0.4 percent.
Boeing's announced orders for 1996 were:
     Model       U.S.        Non-U.S.    Total Units    Announced Value Total

                                                         (in billions)

     737         354            95          449                $19.5

     747         22             53           75                $12.6

     757         43             16           59                $3.8

     767         23             21           44                $4.4

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Virgin Global Challenger lands safely
Ballon-Rekordflug kurz nach dem Start abgebrochen

Richard Branson, Per Lindstrand and Alex Ritchie had to abort their attempt to circumnavigate the globe by balloon in the morning of January 8. The Virgin Global Challenger landed near Bechar Military Base in a desert setting in North West Algeria. The landing was controlled and all three crew members are unhurt as well. In a phone interview from the landing site, Richard Branson commented:"After a night of relatively smooth flying, we experienced a sudden drop, we were in danger of coming down too quickly in the Saharan Atlas mountain range. Alex Ritchie showed unbelievable bravery by climbing onto the roof to release ballast to slow our descent. He was on top of the capsule for 5 minutes held on only by tank straps. Once the ballast was released we were able to begin a controlled descent. I truly believe that Alex saved our lives."
More Info on the Internet at http://WWW.challenger.icinet.co.uk

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MD-95 wings in assembly
Flügel für die MD-95 sind im Bau

The first wingset for the prototype MD-95 is currently in assembly at the McDonnell Douglas Canada plant at Toronto. There are four panels in a wing set for the new 100-seat twin jet, and at the end of December, workers will be ready to stuff teh wing boxes with fuel systems. Fixed leading and trailing edges will also be added before shipment to Tracor Flight Systems at Palmdale, where they will be joined to form a complete wing and then sent to Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach for final assembly. Later in the production programme, the wing will be produced by Hyundai Space and Aircraft Co. in Korea.

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Tyrolean doubles profits
Gewinnverdoppelung bei Tyrolean Airways

Tyrolean Airways has reported very good results for 1996. Operating profits were more than doubled to 77 million Schillings, while turnover went up 14 per cent to 2,92 billion Schillings. Passenger boardings are up ten per cent to 1,4 million, on flights to six domestic and 24 international destinations.
According to managing director Fritz A. Feitl, the positive trends should continue in 1997, with a further rise in passengers to voer 1,5 million and still more profits. Investments this year are budgeted at 735 million Schillings, to increase the jet fleet to seven Canadair Jets and three Fokker 70s. Also, a Dash 8-300 Quiet with active noise suppression will be introduced. With an average age of two years, Tyrolean has one of the youngest fleets in Europe.

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Boeing offers new 767 derivative
Neues 767-Modell im Angebot

In response to market interest, the Boeing Board of Directors on January 6 authorized the Commercial Airplane Group to offer a proposed 767-400ERX for sale to the world's airlines. A program go-ahead would depend on obtaining sufficient launch orders. The tentative target delivery date is the year 2000.
The 767-400ERX is planned as a derivative of the 767, and would be an important new member of the Boeing family of airplanes sized between the 767-300 and the 777-200. The new derivative features a stretched fuselage; aerodynamic improvements, including additional wing span and winglets on the wing tip; increased takeoff weight capability; and an all new main landing gear. The 767-400ERX would provide: 10- to 15-percent more seats than the 767-300 -- accommodating 245 passengers in a three-class configuration compared to 218 in the -300 version.

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SOFIA contracts awarded
Verträge für SOFIA vergeben

NASA has selected the team for the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). The Universities Space Research Association (USRA), Columbia, Maryland, will receive the contract to acquire, develop and operate the 747 based SOFIA. Estimated value of the contract is $484,2 million.
The contract (Cost-Plus-Incentive and Award Fee) includes a base period for development plus one five-year operations cycle. SOFIA is expected to operate for 20 years. The contract will be managed by NASA's Ames Research Center, Mountain View, CA.
Team members are:
  • Central Texas Airborne Systems (CTAS), Waco, TX, a divison of Raytheon,
  • United Airlines, San Francisco,
  • Astronomical Society of the Pacific and The SETI Institute, Mountain View,
  • Sterling Software, Redwood City, CA,
  • University of California, Berkeley and Los Angeles.
The Boeing 747SP is planned to operate from 1998 on and will be based in Moffett Federal Airfield, Mountain View. The SOFIA telescope is provided by the German space agency DARA, pending completion of a formal Memorandum of Understanding.

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NEWS IN BRIEF - KURZMELDUNGEN

Eurofighter has failed to fly further EF2000 prototypes by year-end. Harsh weather conditions were blamed for the additional delays in the test programme. Meanwhile, negotiations to secure German government money for the production investment phase contiune. A result is now promised for March.
+++
On January 7, Atlantic Southeast Arilines announced its intention to order 30 Canadair Regional Jets plus options on another 30. This would be the largest single deal for the regional jet to date. Value of the 30 firm aricraft would be aproximaletely 600 million Dollars. Deliveries will begin in August.
+++
On January 8, Rolls-Royce has announced that Kawasaki will become a risk and revenue-sharing partner in the Trent 900 programme to power the next generation of Super Jumbos. The Japanese company is to take an initial six per cent share, but this could rise if further talks are successful. Kawasaki also took another one per cent in the Trent 800.
+++
Air Berlin has reported a trunover of 285 million DM for 1996, 35 million more than the year before. 1,45 million passengers flew with the charter airline, which serves main holiday destinations around the Mediterranen, the Canary Islands and Ireland.
+++
An unconnected hose was responsible for the loss of Clipper Graham on July 31st. The Incident Investigation Board now released its final report: "The primary cause of the vehicle mishap was that the brake line on the helium pneimatic system for landing gear 2 was not connected. This unconnected brake line prevented the brake mechanism from being pressurized to release the brake and resulted in landing gear 2 not extending. The vehicle became unstable upon landing, toppled onto its side, exploded and burned."
+++
Lockheed Martin and the FAA (Federal Aviationa Administration) have flown the first in a series of flight tests to qualify the C-130J Hercules for FAA certification. The tests for civil approval of the new freighter are scheduled for completion in May. Currently, four Js are in the air to achieve the test programme needed before delivery to the RAF and USAF.
+++
In further restructuring measures, TWA will end transatlantic services to Frankfurt and Athens on January 13. Frequencies on other routes will be reduced. The airline plans to limit its operations at New York Kennedy to one terminal in a bid to save 400 million Dollars. Around 1000 jobs will be affected.
+++
The fifth of nine planned docking missions between an American space shuttle and the Russian space station Mir will take place with STS-81. The launch of orbiter Atlantis is scheduled for February 12th, the landing in Edwards is expected on February 22nd. Astronaut John Blaha, who has been on board Mir since September 1996, will be exchanged by Jerry Linenger, who is planned to stay in Mir in May 1997 with STS-84.
+++
Amsterdam Schiphol airport recorded very positive growth in 1996, with passenger figures rising to 27,8 million (+ 9,5 per cent) and freight to 1,081 million tons (+ 10,6 per cent). Movements increased 11 per cent to 322000.
+++
According to US press reports, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman have entered a bidding race to take over Hughes Electronics from the General Motors company. The sales of Hughes is valued at around nine billion Dollars.
+++
The last Preliminary Design Review of the X-33, conducted by NASA and industry members, concludes the series of PDRs for the X-33. This last session concentrated on the detailed design of the Ground Support System and the Launch Facility at Edwards AFB. In November the combined team had agreed on the final detailed vehicle design and long-lead procurement. The next milestones will the Critical Design Review (CDR) starting in January and the Operations CDR scheduled for August 1997. The Construction of the Launch Facility at Edwards will begin in September this year.
+++
On January 9, Air France said it launched a new tour subsidiary, Air France Holidays, to market air and land packages throughout the U.S. The airline said Air France Holidays will introduce a summer product line in early March, in association with Rail Europe Inc. as
tour operator.
+++
Worldwide, defence and aerospace companies announced or completed mergers and acquisition deals worth almost $40 billion in 1996, and the pace of activity this year could make 1997 another record year, reports Defense Mergers & Acquisitions in its just-published year-end review. "Conditions for merger and acquisition activity in the U.S. defense and aerospace industries continue to be well-nigh perfect," said Stuart McCutchan, editor of the industry newsletter and database service.
+++
Boeing and Airbus Industrie have made separate offers to Israel Aircraft Industries' Bedek division for collaboration in the development, manufacture and marketing of a new refueling aircraft, the Globes newspaper reported. Airbus has offered Bedek participation in developing a refueling version of the passenger aircraft Airbus-320, while Boeing plans to offer the Boeing-767 as its platform. Bedek General Manager David Arzi said Bedek to-date has sold "dozens" of refueling planes to more than 10 countries, including Australia, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela and a number of Southeast Asian countries.

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Previous updates are still available:

LRI Fakten - News from the BDLI

The German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI, Bundesverband der Deutschen Luft- und Raumfahrtindustrie e.V.) is publishing a monthly newsletter, which we are pleased to offer to our international readership online. Just klick here for the November/December issue of LRI Fakten.

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Copyright 1997 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved.
Last updated January 10, 1997