Inside these posts: Airplane

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Jet suppliers cite potential gain from Airbus move

Aircraft suppliers Rockwell Collins and Goodrich said on Thursday they could gain new business as a result of this week’s announcement that EADS unit Airbus would upgrade its A320 plane with better engines that offer 15 percent fuel savings.

Airbus, the world’s largest plane maker, said it would spend roughly $1.3 billion to improve efficiency of the narrowbody aircraft. Its main rival Boeing is also mulling whether to upgrade its competing 737 plane. Get the full story »

Sources: Airbus, Boeing mull further output hikes

Airbus and Boeing have begun sounding out suppliers on their ability to cope with further production increases of their most popular jets, taking combined output well above 80 a month within four to five years.

Three senior industry sources told Reuters consultations had started on a historic upswing which could see Airbus producing as many as 44 A320 single-aisle planes by 2014 or 2015 and its rival simultaneously rising to as many as 42 737s a month. Get the full story »

Execs return to private planes as economy improves

Private planes at Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, N.J. (AP Photo/Jeff Zelevansky)

U.S. executives, including those at government-owned General Motors, are getting back on corporate planes as the economy slowly recovers.

While airlines still account for the majority of corporate travel, many businesses are gradually returning to private planes. They are eager to avoid airport hassles, flight delays and other potential logistical snags associated with commercial flying. For some companies, corporate jets are also a better value.

“We appear to be off the bottom,” said Dan Hubbard of the National Business Aviation Association trade group that represents companies that own and charter planes. “We seem to be seeing things stabilize at this point.” Get the full story »

Boeing takes order for eight 777s

Boeing Co. said on Thursday it took a new order for eight 777s, potentially worth $2.7 billion, from BOC Aviation in the week ended Nov. 2.

The company, which competes with Airbus for commercial plane sales, also identified Russian Technologies as the buyer behind an order for 50 737s. The buyer was previously listed as unidentified. Get the full story »

FAA says Boeing can start training 787 pilots

Boeing Co. said Monday it’s been given approval by the Federal Aviation Administration to start pilot training courses for its new 787.

The Chicago company called the approval a “significant milestone” as it ramps up to start flight training.