- Tuesday's Heavy Dose of Data to Dictate 'Risk' Behavior
- World's Largest Share Issue Priced at Deep Discount
- Obama says Boosting US Jobs is Top Priority
- GM to Cut up to 9,500 Jobs in Europe
- Playboy to Outsource Most Magazine Operations: Report
- Why the Dollar Will Likely Stay Weak for Some Time
- Appeals Court Denies Microsoft's Alcatel Petition
- HP Comes in As Expected; Is It Time to Buy?
- Cramer: What Monday’s Housing Number Really Means
- Can Murdoch Help Bing Challenge Google and Shift the Content Equation?
- HP's Mark Hurd
- HP Comes in As Expected; Is It Time to Buy?
- 9 Stocks That Play Rising Water Costs: Strategists
- Weis' Deal Likely Won't Change Big Money Contracts
- Gold Prices Can Double in 3 Years: Portfolio Manager
- Nov. 23: Unusual Volume Leaders
- Help Wanted—Please Run $4 Billion University
- Apple Comes to AT&T's Rescue
MOST SHARED
- The 'Real' Jobless Rate: 17.5% Of Workers Are Unemployed
- Why Amazon Rules Retail
- Wave of Debt Payments Facing US Government
- The Social Media Gaming Threat
- China Eastern to Complete Shanghai Air Buy by End '09
- Paul: Audit the Fed
- Gold Will Collapse Like Oil Did in 2008: Charts
- JAL Slides to Record Low on Bankruptcy Jitters
- Prepare For Large Decline In Stocks, Next Year?
- Lyondell Urged to Consider Reliance Takeover Offer
Text Size 
This is the 100th Paris Airshow but the aviation industry has little to celebrate. The grey weather here at Le Bourget really sums up to mood of most CEOs in the industry and it's extremely unlikely that we will see the flurry of aircraft orders normally associated with the event. The tragic news associated with Air France 447 is also casting a long shadow and is likely to dominate many of Airbus' scheduled events.
That said, there is some talk of recovery and Scott Carson the CEO of Boeing Commercial told me earlier that he is looking for a bounce in 2010. However, he admits there are many significant potential problems to be overcome before that happens.
With the price of oil rising and credit remaining tight, he says airlines are going to find it hard to make a profit and most won't be looking to spend what cash they have on new aircraft. Even Middle East carriers such as Emirates won't be making a splash though look out for a sizable order from Qatar.
If there is a silver lining for Boeing it's that the downturn has given the firm a little more breathing space to fix the problems associated with its 787 Dreamliner. The project is already well behind schedule and is a huge drag on both profitability and more significantly cash flow. The company, I suspect, was hoping to have the jet flying before Paris but it's missed this window and should now have it flying in the next few weeks.
Staying with the silver lining theme, the rising oil price should play to Honeywell's strength. The firm provides the brains of most aircraft (the avionics and flight control systems) and the most up-to-date versions will help carriers save money. Despite this, CEO Dave Cote is still cautious about predicting when the rain clouds will clear.
On that note, it has just started raining again so I am going to head off to find out if there is anything behind this morning's speculation that Qatar is going to provide the days news and announce a big order for Boeing or Airbus.
Print
Email
- A diet high in fat and sugar might actually be good for your portfolio.
- Warren Buffett and Bill Gates discuss the economy and other subjects with CNBC's Becky Quick.
- From the AIG&T to the Merrill Lychee, Jane Wells lists this year's fashionable holiday cocktails.
- The show attracts a big TV audience every year, but this year it may take on even more importance.
- …you'll want to be prepared. Tips for getting the most out of the post-Thanksgiving shopping frenzy.
- Congressman Ron Paul explains to Squawk Box why he’s pushing legislation to audit the Federal Reserve.
Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes