Farnborough: puzzles on the Boeing NMA 797 aircraft

B Visitors generally admire planes in the sky and on the runway. However, the aviation trade fair, which begins in Farnborough near London on Monday, will mainly provide a template for discussions that do not even exist yet. "New Midmarket Airplane", short NMA, is the name of the plane you think and talk about with Boeing. It's a jet, at the interface between the center-aisle models and the two-row, two-engine large-capacity jets, for about 225 to 270 pbadengers

shortly before the show started, the Boeing boss Dennis Mullenberg announced that the group next year will decide whether the new model will be built. Previously, it had been speculated in industry circles that Boeing could give the starting signal already to Farnborough. The aviation company already had the model designation 797 protected, the newspaper "Flight Global" discovered. Because building a completely new plane costs about $ 10 billion and binds developers for years, it's not an easy decision for Americans.

Aircraft builders have just enough work and worries anyway. It starts with the expansion of production while the engines are missing. Added to this are the uncertainties caused by the Brexit and the trade policy of the American president. His rival Airbus even suggests that he does not believe this plane ever takes off.

The new model could be delivered from 2025

Boeing himself never stops weighing. We will not make a hasty decision, recently told sales director, Ihssane Mounir, at the AJPAE (Association of Aviation Journalists) in Paris. "For us, it's important to do things right." For Boeing's director, it's the first air show to meet the new Airbus sales manager, Eric Schulz. As a result, he looks forward to announcing most orders at the aerospace fair.

Boeing's chief of sales, Mounir, said in any case that the decision of the NMA model is taken on time, so that the plane could be delivered from 2025. It would be more than six years for development and approval. With completely new planes, however, there are almost always delays.

Boeing has already discussed with 60 airlines, which features have the NMA model and which, according to sales boss Mounir Markets should serve. This is the range – probably 5000 nautical miles (9260 km) and more space in the cabin. Speculation relates to a slightly oval fuselage cross section. The goal is the comfort of a two-aisle plane priced at a single-aisle plane, says Boeing. The concept and system of digital technology production would be revolutionary.

Potential Customers Need a Planning Security

The market could be huge. Over the next 20 years, the need for a so-called "mid-range segment" according to conservative estimates of 4,000 to 5,000 jet aircraft, according to Mr. Mounir. In a recent survey conducted by Aviation Week journalists with 200 airlines in partnership with Bank of America Merrill Lynch, 82% expressed interest in the NMA model. However, the survey also revealed that their needs differed from the Boeing draft.

Engine manufacturers and other suppliers are asking for a quick decision. Because they have to plan because they are already reaching their limits with the strong expansion of Airbus and Boeing production. The German supplier of cabin equipment Diehl recently said that he would request NMA orders – if there is a decision.

Airlines as potential customers also need certainty in planning. As the first customer, the American airline Delta is traded. Delta could not order the model, however, as long as Boeing's board of directors did not give the green light to launch the program, recently said Delta boss, Ed Bastian . Delta would be interested in replacing two older Boeing models: the 757 with 234 seats and the 767 with 208 to 261 seats. Both models are no longer manufactured for civil airlines.

Faster boarding and easier service

With a Boeing 797, the American aircraft manufacturer would fill the gap left by the hiring of the 757 model 15 years ago. Airbus has recognized and sold its A321 Neo LR (Long Range) model in this extremely successful segment. Boeing tried with his 737 Max 10 to create a balance. The A321 and Boeing 737 models are single-aisle aircraft. It takes longer to board and disembark the pbadengers and the service on board is also more difficult. A big jet can be a lot more comfortable.