5 single aisle aircraft per month in Seattle

Resumption of air traffic, passengers as cargo, large programs fledging Finally, resumption of the after-sales: for aircraft manufacturers and the aviation equipment, the worst seems to be passed. In any case, this is what emerged from the comments of a few big names in the sector, the last week the publication of quarterly results. "None of the signals is sufficient to say that the crisis is over, but all go in the same direction", for example said Friday the President of the Executive Board of Zodiac Aerospace, Olivier Zarraouati. And this sense, he added, clearly marks the end of the periods "adaptation", implied reduction in costs. The contrast is striking from the feeling prevailing barely five months ago ("Les Echos" from November 24). A point that the manufacturer of seats or slides feels an appetite renewed for acquisitions.

Last Wednesday, it is Boeing that had given the "the", the American manufacturer indicating inter alia that it thought to the possibility of increasing the rates of production of the 737. It currently out 31.5 single aisle aircraft per month in Seattle. Better, added its CEO Jim McNerney, deflates the "stock" of requests for deferral of delivery on the part of airlines. And the first commissioning of the 787 "Dreamliner" - the highly anticipated new long-range over-water - stands for the end of the year (with two years of delay).

A little less enthusiastic, Jean-Paul Herteman, the President of the Executive Board of Safran, indicated that the aviation market had remained "volatile" in the first quarter. Evidenced by sales of pods of engines and landing gear for business or even a little weak regional aircraft. Production of the A380 delays have also weighed in trade performance. Nevertheless, he said, "signs of improvement seem really promising".

Cockpit view succeeded

After a year of turbulence, the sector therefore has good reason to hope for a return to better fortune. With satisfaction successful a cockpit view finally without big breaks. To the extent that the crisis of 2008-2009 - presented as the most serious since 1945 - would rather stay in the annals as a crisis of "rich". Aircraft manufacturers and suppliers themselves are obviously tight belt. At the end of string, number of small subcontractors have experienced difficult months purposes. But, apart from perhaps segment of aircraft for business or a part of regional aircraft, the sector has not been dramatic decreases of downsizing, the image of that seen in the automobile or steel.

Inflated block before the crisis, Airbus and Boeing order books have cashed without too much problem cancellations or postponements of deliveries. A that teaches that the two major aircraft manufacturers almost have not moved their production rates. "It has just won a little less money", recognizes, under cover of anonymity, the leader of a major equipment manufacturer. It is unpleasant, but the fundamentals remain. "The fundamentals Doubling provided the fleet of commercial aircraft in the next two decades, as even noted Friday the Zodiac's CEO. And if the number of aircraft, it is all insured long-term sales of associated services, maintenance visits, or spare parts. What to ensure a sound damper for the next air holes.