Airlines pay the price with limited product choice

The Dreamliner 787 is definitely one of those names that in hindsight Boeing may regret choosing, after this ultra-modern aircraft has become the subject of a series of safety-scares and the focus of negative media attention. Safety is clearly of paramount importance and yet the troubles of the Dreamliner have also highlighted the lack of product choice within the industry.

With new Dreamliners now grounded, you might expect to see Airbus winning orders back from Boeing customers who are still waiting for deliveries of the delayed and potentially faulty 787’s. However, Airbus does not have a comparable aircraft, their anticipated rival plane, the A350 Airbus, is still in development. Plus there are no guarantees that their launch will be without its own technical problems as the plane is similarly complex.

Boeing is still holding the line that all the faults are easy-to-fix and simply teething problems typical of an aircraft launch of this scale, whilst airlines across the globe are left waiting for the problems to be resolved. With new Dreamliners grounded at a huge cost to the industry. The height of customer dissatisfaction levels is a rare sight to see in any industry.

The issues surrounding the Dreamliner impact, not only the current operational health of airlines but their ability to make any progress on future expansion plans. As the saga continues its influence will reach back through the whole aerospace supply chain and this lack of product choice and flexibility within the industry is brought critically into focus.