summary
- Boeing’s absence from the Singapore Air Show reflects the negative impact quality control issues have had on the company’s reputation and airliner business.
- Boeing Commercial Airplanes will not display commercial airliners, but Boeing Defense will display its inventory, which includes helicopters and military aircraft.
- Boeing rival Airbus plans to focus on displaying its A350, A330, A330MRTT, A400M and helicopters as it aims to attract potential customers at the air show.
Attendees at this year’s Singapore Air Show who were looking forward to a traditional high-performance takeoff by a Boeing passenger jet will be disappointed. The aircraft manufacturer has announced that it will not send commercial aircraft to the bi-annual air show, which is scheduled to begin on February 20th.
The news is the latest development in what appears to be a cultural downfall for the aircraft manufacturer due to continued deficiencies in quality control in 737 MAX production that were uncovered after the Alaska Airlines flight AS1282 accident. Air shows have traditionally served as an opportunity to promote the company’s airliners to customers and the general public.
Photo: Andrew Kreider | Simple Flight
But Boeing Commercial Airplanes will have a presence at the air show with what it calls the “777X Cabin Experience Immersive Display.” Boeing said in a statement that it is proud to once again be participating in the Singapore Air Show, delivering essential capabilities to commercial and government customers across the region.
focus on defense
Boeing commercial aircraft will have a significantly shorter presence this year, but Boeing Defense will bring the majority of its inventory to both static and flying displays. Inventory on display includes a CH-47F Chinook helicopter, AH-64 Apache, F-15 Eagle, P-8A Poseidon naval fighter (737-based), and C-17 Globemaster.
Meanwhile, rival aircraft manufacturer Airbus has not yet announced which of its product lineup will be on display at the air show, but said it will be concentrated on the A350, A330 family, A330MRTT, A400M and H225M. ing. H145M helicopter. Historically, Airbus was the first commercial aircraft manufacturer to make a significant static display at an airshow, unveiling its then-state-of-the-art A380 at the inaugural Singapore Airshow in 2008.
past air shows
Airbus will take on the majority of aircraft orders when air shows resume in 2022 for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Air shows were largely suspended in 2020 due to pandemic concerns, with many companies reducing attendance or pulling out altogether.
This year’s Singapore Airshow follows the Dubai Airshow 2023 on the bi-annual airshow circuit. These air shows have always been headline-generating opportunities for aircraft manufacturers and aerospace companies. In Dubai, Boeing has more than 246 aircraft on order, including an order for 90 777Xs from Emirates, split between two types. Meanwhile, Airbus also used the air show to confirm orders that would be announced after the show ended.
Photo: Ryan Fletcher | Shutterstock
Not to be outdone by what won’t be on display at the airshow, Chinese plane manufacturer COMAC is giving aviation enthusiasts and business professionals a chance to celebrate what will be on display at this year’s Singapore Airshow: the C919.
Meanwhile, the C919 competes with the A320neo and 737 MAX for customers in Asia. So far, only Chinese airlines have ordered the jet. The participation in Singapore will be the aircraft’s first public airshow appearance and follows the aircraft’s first public appearance at Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor in December.