FlightGlobal Focus

With an annual turnover of almost $21 billion, Boeing Global Services' activities span everything from aircraft maintenance and fleet support for commercial and military customers, to parts and distribution, manufacturing cabin products and delivering training. FlightGlobal Focus sat down with BGS CEO Chris Raymond to discuss the affects of ongoing Middle East instability, soaring fuel costs and the resulting potential for fleet adjustments and new aircraft sales. Plus, we look at latest developments involving Boeing's integration of the former Spirit AeroSystems business in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and a recent deal to deliver enhanced support for the UK military's fleets of Apache and Chinook helicopters.

From Rolls-Royce’s hydrogen tests to Russian powerplant developments and GE Aerospace’s push to address Leap engine durability shortcomings, we break down the conventional and unconventional tech shaping aviation propulsion.

The global market for military airlift has long been dominated by just a few options.
Lockheed Martin’s C-130 has been a mainstay for decades, now representing 20% of the military cargo fleet worldwide.
Airbus captures around 10% of the market with its C295 and A400 together, while Boeing’s larger C-17 represents 6% of the active global inventory.
Leonardo’s C-27J doesn’t even make the top 10 list by market share, falling below China’s Y-8 and out-of-production designs from former Soviet manufacturer Antonov.
But recently a new contender has been scoring win after win in competitions for new military airlifters.
After launching operations in 2009, orders for Brazilian manufacturer Embraer's C-390 have started pouring in from around the world, now with 12 customers spread across Europe, Asia, Latin America and, most recently, the Middle East.
FlightGlobal's defence team discusses Embraer's strategy in developing the C-390, with choices like opting for a jet-powered design over a turboprop.

As airline executives prepare to gather in Rio for IATA’s Annual General Meeting, soaring fuel prices, worries of fuel shortages and the collapse of Spirit Airlines have intensified concerns about the industry’s position. Carriers globally are cutting capacity and hiking fares, while US discounters are navigating particularly pressured business models.

What this spring’s biggest aerospace shows reveal about the future of flight — and how a sudden fuel shock might change the picture.