China’s passenger jet C919 is lagging behind schedule

Status: 19.06.2021 07:29 a.m.

China’s domestic C919 passenger aircraft is set to compete with Airbus and Boeing. But the approval is still missing – and there is still no date for the first delivery.

From Steffen Wurzel, ARD studio Shanghai

China’s government has invested billions in developing and building its own passenger aircraft in recent years. There are great hopes for the C919. This medium-haul aircraft from the state manufacturer Comac should be able to carry up to 190 passengers in the future. In terms of size and equipment, the C919 is comparable to the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. “Technically, the C919 is actually an international aircraft,” says David Yu, aviation analyst and economics professor at Shanghai’s New York University. Many individual parts of the machine come from the USA and Europe. “It will be assembled in Shanghai. Yes, the C919 is a Chinese aircraft, but with a significant proportion of foreign components,” says Yu.

Approval in China possible this year

Their Maiden flight had the C919 four years ago. It is still unclear when the machine will be delivered. The project is several years behind schedule, which is normal for all manufacturers around the world when they develop new aircraft models.

So far, the C919 does not even have official approval from the Chinese Civil Aviation Authority (CAAC). If this approval is granted – and that could happen this year – the machine will probably only fly in China for the time being. It is still unclear whether the responsible aviation authorities in Europe (EASA) and the USA (FAA) will also approve the machine.

In 2017 the C919 took off on its maiden flight – the start of delivery is currently still open. Image: picture alliance / Andy Wong / AP / dpa

For the time being, probably only in Germany

Nevertheless: Even if the Chinese medium-haul jet is initially only allowed to fly on domestic routes in the People’s Republic, Airbus and Boeing will not be left without a trace, says aviation analyst Yu. “Asia and especially China are the largest growth markets for the aircraft industry. If you also look at who ordered the aircraft – especially Chinese airlines and leasing companies – it becomes clear that the C919 will take Airbus and Boeing’s market share in China reduce, “said Yu. In China, all airlines and even leasing companies belong to the state – or they are subject to the instructions of the communist leadership. Ultimately, this can decide which aircraft type is bought by whom. This is also a clear advantage for the state-owned Chinese manufacturer Comac

CNN reported on the 15th that several U.S. officials confirmed that the United States and Europe decided to truce at the summit in Brussels, that is, to suspend trade disputes caused by their respective government subsidies to Airbus and Boeing. Although no U.S. and European officials have directly said that the truce is related to China, CNN explained that both the U.S. and Europe are currently trying to counter China’s growing economic influence, and the truce is conducive to enhancing relations with the Atlantic Ocean.

CNN said in the headline of the report, “The United States and Europe have terminated the Airbus-Boeing dispute with their eyes on the threat from China”, but it gives the impression that American media such as CNN always “have their eyes on China” when reporting on their own. CNN said that the United States and the European Union will suspend the collection of tariffs caused by this dispute within five years. The two parties will also issue a statement detailing the “acceptable (government) support” for the two major aircraft manufacturers.

According to reports, US Trade Representative Dai Qi said that this “resolved the long-standing trade troubles in US-EU relations.” “It’s not fighting with one of our closest allies, but finally uniting and responding to threats together,” Dai Qi said. However, she also said that if Europe does not abide by the agreement, the United States will reserve the right to re-impose tariffs.

According to the report, the Airbus Boeing dispute can be traced back to 2004, when the European Union stated that Boeing had received $19 billion in unfair subsidies from the US federal and state governments. In the same year, the United States made similar accusations regarding European subsidies to Airbus.

CNN also quoted a senior government official as saying that later on the 15th, the United States and the European Union will announce the establishment of a joint committee to resolve trade and technical issues. This is to a certain extent to better examine “China’s economy. activity”. The official also said, “The purpose of this working group is to formulate route rules for the next generation, especially in the fields of economy and emerging technologies.”

Regarding the relationship between the United States, the European Union and China, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today (15th) that China has maintained continuity and stability in its EU policy, has always regarded the EU as a comprehensive strategic partner, and has always firmly supported Europe. The integration process supports the unity and self-reliance of the EU and supports the EU to play a greater role in international affairs. China believes that China and Europe are comprehensive strategic partners, not institutional opponents. Cooperation between China and Europe is far greater than competition, and consensus far exceeds differences. China-EU cooperation is complementary, mutually beneficial and win-win, and has brought tangible benefits to the people of both sides. We have always hoped that the EU and China will meet each other halfway, uphold the spirit of mutual respect, equal treatment, mutual benefit and win-win results, and jointly promote the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations.

Zhao Lijian said that as for the United States trying to draw a line with ideology and engage in a small circle against China, what I want to emphasize is that China and Europe represent two important forces in a multipolar world. We believe that the EU will continue to strengthen its strategic autonomy and will not be kidnapped by other countries’ wrong China policies.

Aircraft builder Dispute over Airbus and Boeing put on hold

Status: 15.06.2021 6:17 p.m.

The transatlantic dispute between Airbus and Boeing had far-reaching consequences – in the form of special tariffs. Now the two aircraft manufacturers have buried the hatchet for the time being. By Torsten Teichmann, ARD studio Washington You speak of a breakthrough in Brussels. But the US and the European Union have not yet agreed on whether Airbus should repay subsidies or Boeing should forego funds. They have not found a long-term solution on how to regulate government support for the aircraft industry. Instead, both sides decided to freeze the dispute. US tariffs that have already been issued, which are intended as punitive measures for Europe, will remain suspended – for another five years. The same applies to punitive tariffs imposed by Europeans on certain imports from the USA.

“Armistice” in favor of jobs

The situation in the aviation industry certainly contributed to the compromise: The industry is severely affected worldwide by the consequences of the pandemic, travel restrictions and entry bans. Boeing needs security to invest in a successor to the 737 series, a new medium-haul aircraft with a single aisle and composite wings. For the USA there are a total of 1.2 million jobs, justified the trade representative of the USA, Katherine Tai, the readiness for a ceasefire in the trade conflict. The decision is in the interests of the American middle class.

June 15, 2021

Contribution to the transatlantic détente

And at the same time, the step serves the foreign policy goal of relaxing transatlantic relations again – as far as the domestic political sensitivities in Washington allow. Because the accusation of the elected US President Donald Trump that Europe is exploiting the United States has never completely disappeared. Specifically, the US is suspending higher tariffs on certain European imports as long as the EU’s support for Airbus does not go beyond the agreement that has now been made. And vice versa, presumably the same applies to the EU tariffs on Washington and Boeing.

June 15, 2021

Controversy has been smoldering for many years

The transatlantic trade conflict over direct and indirect state aid has existed for 16 years. The World Trade Organization (WTO) decided in autumn 2019 that subsidies for Airbus put its competitors at a competitive disadvantage. The WTO gave the United States the option of penalizing imports from Germany, France, Great Britain and Spain with tariffs totaling 7.5 billion US dollars annually. Since then, French cheese, German wine and EU aircraft have become significantly more expensive for the US market. Because nothing was progressing in talks from the US point of view, the administration under President Trump increased tariffs on European aircraft from ten to 15 percent in March 2020. In a second procedure, the WTO again approved the Europeans, who in turn paid higher customs duties on imports from the USA. It was about additional taxes amounting to 4.5 billion US dollars, for example on whiskey, nuts, tobacco and airplanes.

interview 11/10/2020

Business recently stagnated on both sides

In the past few months, Boeing and Airbus had only delivered a few machines. According to the “Wall Street Journal”, however, the tariffs on planes in the USA mainly affect Delta Airlines, which is expanding its Airbus fleet. In Europe, Ryanair in particular had to reckon with rising prices with its standard Boeing 737 fleet. It is not known whether the airlines took over the customs duties when the machines were delivered or the manufacturers themselves. The agreement in Brussels and the postponed conflict should give both sides a little more security.

11/9/2020

Focus on new competition

The US Trade Representative Tai also said that instead of fighting with your closest allies, they are coming together to face a different challenge. And the common adversary is – once again on this trip by US President Joe Biden through Europe: China. The People’s Republic is building its own aircraft industry with state investments. Europe and the US are complaining that China is violating the rules of international trade and laws protecting intellectual property. But that’s also true: a competitor is just emerging for medium-haul aircraft like the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 – and that on the lucrative Chinese market.

Airbus logo at the factory in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo: AFP/VNA) European aircraft maker Airbus has welcomed a truce between the European Union (EU) and the US to ease transatlantic trade tensions over government subsidies for the two manufacturers. airplane export Boeing and Airbus . Speaking at a press conference on June 15, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer Christian Scherer said: “From an Airbus perspective, we warmly welcome that agreement.” Mr. Scherer stressed that anything that levels the playing field in this highly competitive industry and avoids a nasty tariff confrontation where neither side wins is good news. Earlier, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said that the EU and the US had come to an agreement to suspend retaliatory tariffs related to the dispute over subsidies for two aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing in the past 5 years. year. Ms. Katherine Tai said Washington could re-impose punitive taxes if US companies cannot “ fair competition ” with European companies. This agreement is said to mark a diplomatic victory in the US President’s trip Joe Biden to Brussels. In March, the EU and the US also agreed to suspend for four months the imposition of retaliatory tariffs related to subsidies to Airbus and Boeing. The suspension will last until July 10, with tariffs re-imposed on July 11, if no solution is reached. Due to a trade dispute over government subsidies for two of the world’s top rival aircraft manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing, EU and US continuously roll out tariffs to punish each other. In March 2018, then US President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tax on imported steel products and 10% on aluminum imported from the EU, Canada and Mexico. In response, the EU approved regulations to impose tariffs on $3.2 billion in US goods, including a 25% tax on American whiskey. In addition to the Airbus-Boeing issue, the two sides are currently arguing over France, Spain and some EU countries imposing digital taxes on major US technology firms.

Besides, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed optimism that the two sides will reach an agreement as soon as possible. US and EU express cooperation on protection issues for Boeing and Airbus In March, the EU and the US also agreed to suspend counter-tariff actions for four months over a dispute related to protections for Airbus and Boeing. The US accused the EU of protecting aircraft maker Airbus to create a competitive advantage, while the EU also accused the US of taking similar measures against Boeing. The related lawsuits have dragged on for the past 17 years but have not come to an end. The dispute has led Brussels and Washington to repeatedly launch tariffs to punish each other. In March 2018, former US President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on imported steel products and 10% on aluminum imports from the EU, Canada and Mexico. In response, the EU approved a regulation to impose tariffs on $3.2 billion in US goods, including a 25% tax on the country’s whiskey. In addition to the issue of Airbus-Boeing, the two sides are currently arguing about France, Spain and some EU countries imposing digital taxes on major US technology firms.

The US-EU reached a historic agreement to settle a 17-year dispute involving Airbus and Boeing. (Source: Getty Images) US officials confirmed that the country and the EU had reached an agreement to end a dispute over government subsidies to the world’s top commercial aircraft manufacturers at the US Summit- EU in Brussels. The two sides agreed to suspend the tariffs for a period of five years. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the deal “resolves a longstanding trade issue in the US-EU relationship”. “Instead of fighting one of our closest allies, we are ultimately fighting a common threat together,” Ms. Tai said. Under the agreement between Airbus-Boeing, any passenger aircraft built in the future will not be allowed to receive subsidies from the government. In addition, these two allies also pledged to settle another dispute related to imported aluminum and steel products. According to the CNN The fact that the EU and the US reached an agreement to end the dispute and impose a “eaten patty” tax for the past 17 years is a positive signal for bilateral cooperation under President Joe Biden. Immediately after the news was announced, shares of Airbus group rose 1.4% on the Paris exchange. Meanwhile, shares of Boeing have not changed much. (according to CNN)

Boeing suspends 737 MAX deliveries due to electrical problems. (Source: Rappler) The slow delivery process will affect Boeing’s cash flow, as airlines and customers often pay most of the order value after receiving the goods. The 737 MAX is Boeing’s best-selling plane, but has been grounded for 20 months after two crashes that killed 346 people. Deliveries of the aircraft resumed in November last year, after Boeing updated its flight control system. But now, about 100 737 MAX planes are still “on hold” because of an electrical fault, and it took Boeing longer than anticipated to fix the problem. Ed Pierson, a former Boeing production manager, said the electrical fault should have been discovered during the evaluation of the 737 MAX aircraft after the two crashes. He once “complained” to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for focusing only on reviewing the flight control system without checking for other problems in the production process. Boeing said it received an order for 25 planes last month, but 17 of the 737 MAX planes were cancelled, leaving the number of planes ordered down to just eight. (according to Rappler)

The Boeing 737 MAX plane is about to land in a test flight in Seattle, Washington state, USA on June 29, 2020. Photo: AFP / VNA On May 11, Boeing said it delivered 17 planes in April, including four 737 MAX planes. Boeing CEO David Calhoun has warned that the number of aircraft delivered in April has been affected due to the aforementioned 737 MAX problem. The slow handover process will affect Boeing’s cash flow, as airlines and other customers typically pay a large portion of the value of their orders upon receipt. The 737 MAX is Boeing’s best-selling aircraft, but was banned for 20 months after two plane crashes that killed 346 people. Handover operations resumed last November after Boeing updated its flight control system. But now, about 100 737 MAX planes are waiting for an electrical fault, and it takes Boeing longer than expected to fix the problem. Ed Pierson, a former Boeing manufacturing manager, said the aforementioned electrical error should have been discovered during the assessment of the 737 MAX after two crashes. He has “complained” for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for focusing only on the flight control system without examining problems in the production process. Boeing said it had received an order for 25 planes last month, but that 17 737 MAX planes were canceled, leaving the number of aircraft ordered to only eight.

Super typhoon Surigae shot from Japanese satellite Himawari 8 at 8am on April 18. The strongest wind of a super typhoon reaches level 17 (200-220 km / h), jerking above level 17. Himawari 8 satellite recorded super typhoon activity in the last 4 hours. Himawari 8 is a Geostatic Weather Satellite (single-position fixed observation) operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). This satellite, built by Mitsubishi Electric with the assistance of Boeing, was launched into orbit on October 7, 2014 with a cost of manufacturing about 800 million USD. Users can track images from satellite Himawari 8 via website himawari8.nict.go.jp. It is expected that by the evening of April 18, the super typhoon center is about 380 km east of the central coast of the Philippines. Wind power is unchanged from before. Super storm images updated live on website zoom.earth. This page synthesizes images from Himawari 8 satellite, X GOES data and Meteosat satellite chain. Super storm image at 8:20 am April 18. It is forecast that by the evening of April 19, the super typhoon center is about 280 km southeast of the central coast of the Philippines. The wind power now drops to level 16, recoil above level 17. The direction of super typhoon Surigae on windy.com. Users can download the application on the smartphone to monitor live weather, storms, if any. Image from satellite SAT24 shows the super typhoon about 400 km from the central Philippines. This is the first super typhoon this year to form in the Pacific Northwest. Experts say that even without going to the mainland, the super typhoon appeared in the area at this time is quite early.

The aircraft carrying the Cessna Grand Caravan 208B trademark made its first self-driving flight. However, self-driving flights can only serve distances under 500 miles and are of considerable commercial importance. Xwing believes that they can gain a foothold in the context of increasing freight demand. “Over the past year, our team has made significant progress in expanding and refining its AutoFlight,” said Marc Piette, CEO and founder of Xwing. for seamless integration of operations from runway to takeoff, landing and flight operations, all overseen from our operations center via data link routes. In addition, our tested commercial freight operations have provided essential supplies including Covid-19 vaccine to remote communities as of December 2020 ”. The recently conducted flight is a Cessna Grand Caravan 208B-branded aircraft that has left the runway, took off, landed and returned to the fully automatic starting point. The flight is monitored remotely and all air traffic control interactions are performed from the ground. After the recent crashes related to the self-driving system failure on Boeing 737MAX aircraft, many people believe that passenger confidence has been significantly eroded. However, a recent ANSYS study found that was not the case. In fact, 70% of passengers say they’re ready to fly on self-driving flights. Xwing’s entry into the self-driving airline market is seen as the right moment. Recent reports show that by 2025, there will be a global shortage of about 34,000 pilots. The logistics services (logistics) are also under tension with the increasing demand for fast delivery. With the increase in e-commerce sales amounting to $ 4.2 trillion, the success of e-commerce inherently depends on the efficiency of the air transport industry. Xwing plans to leverage its technology for e-commerce logistics, allowing more access to small airports and more efficient freight transportation. Phan Van Hoa (according to ZDnet)