Engine Makers Battle Anew For Increased Market Shares

摘要

For the first half of this decade, engine makers were preoccupied with market share. The horrors of "three on a wing" competitions, coupled with ever-increasing customer demands for more concessions and financing, left the big three exhausted. After several years of emphasizing profitability and caution, engine makers are again returning to their quest for market share, with new and different approaches. Obviously, the most direct indications of a new market share war are fleet engine change decisions. In August 1999, China Airlines selected General Electric CF6s for its new 747-400F acquisition, despite having a fleet of Pratt & Whitney PW4000-powered MD-11 and 747-400s. This represented the biggest fleet engine change since British Airways switched from GE90s to Rolls-Royce Trents for its second 777 purchase.