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Disconnecting Russia from aviation’s world order came gradually – then all at once

Jon Ostrower·February 28, 2022

Denial of aviation is a weapon that predates the 21st century battlefield. Yet, with the return of war to Europe, it is also aviation’s Achilles’ heel. With it comes a cascading series of immediate and longer term consequences in the skies as commercial and industrial links are quickly broken after decades of cultivation following the fall of the Soviet Union.

With China recertification, Boeing pivots to ramp 737 Max output

Jon Ostrower·December 9, 2021

The industry is closely watching Boeing’s progress as a bellwether for its own health and that of the disrupted global supply chain. While its build rate will accelerate to 31 early next year, the company will need to advance its delivery rate well over that level in order to burn down its enormous inventory of 737 Max aircraft built and stored during the grounding.

CAAC clears 737 Max, but aviation in China is different 33 months later

Jon Ostrower·December 2, 2021

Yet, even with this key development, the jet will return to a transforming Chinese aviation ecosystem that bears little resemblance to the world just before the Max was grounded in March 2019. Since then, the dynamics between the U.S. and China have shifted considerably, along with a pandemic that has reshaped its logistical relationship with the world. And all this against the backdrop of major shifts in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s approach to western business.

Delta variant hits hard, but aviation has learned how to take a punch

Jon Ostrower·August 25, 2021

As COVID-19 mutates to continue its torment, aviation adapts right along with it.

Boeing’s Max lands in China amid a fog of political uncertainty

Jon Ostrower·August 11, 2021

Challenges from logistical to geopolitical permeate every level of the Boeing’s 737 Max visit to China. ATR's struggle to certify its own turboprop is a template for Boeing's uncertainty.

Making sense of the post-pandemic role of regional aircraft

Courtney Miller·July 22, 2021

Understanding the nuances of regional aircraft -- turboprops and regional jets -- is first and foremost a matter of understanding the role of geography in their success.

Premium economy’s surprising pandemic rebound

Courtney Miller·July 7, 2021

As the traffic recovery continues, passengers are migrating toward different levels of service as the cabin continues on a path toward even-greater segmentation. There’s no one standard definition of what premium economy is or how it’s deployed, but there is a growing passenger preference emerging. Around the globe, premium economy is outpacing the return of other higher-fare classes

As China freezes out Boeing, Airbus ramp grows output imbalance

Jon Ostrower·June 17, 2021

“Boeing is very much relying upon that commercial pressure from the airlines in China, putting political pressure on Beijing...And so far it hasn’t happened yet,” said Air Lease CEO John Plueger.

Emirates’ Tim Clark has the audacity to think long-term

Jon Ostrower·April 15, 2021

Globalization, technology and crippling debt will shape the future of flying after COVID-19, says longtime Emirates airline president Sir Tim Clark.

A new Boeing 737 Max for Air China rolls out of the paint hangar at Renton, Wash. on March 23, 2021. Photo Credit Woody's Aeroimages.

Jetliner diplomacy between the U.S. and China looks a long way off

Jon Ostrower·March 24, 2021

Boeing has started building 737 Max aircraft again for China, but the plane maker Comac -- its Chinese counterpart -- are at the mercy of the peculiar adversarial interdependence between China and the U.S.

China’s momentary air travel collapse and rebound

Courtney Miller·February 26, 2021

How China shut down its air travel system for Lunar New Year.

Three Points: Dash 8-400 pause, flying on Mars, miniaturizing the long-haul cabin

Jon Ostrower·February 17, 2021

De Havilland Canada's time building the Dash 8-400 turboprop in Downsview is coming to an end as the company plans to indefinitely pause production, but is leaving the door wide open to start again to begin a new for a post-COVID-19 rebound in demand. The fourth rock from the sun is slated to become the solar system's second planet to host a powered flight. Perseverance and Ingenuity arrive on Mars on February 18. As single-aisle jets like the Airbus A321XLR take on roles once assigned for long-range twins, the more narrow cabin is going to be a battleground for increasingly complex passenger systems in the fight against commodification.