Industry Study Paper: The Aircraft Industry, AY 2004, Seminar 2

摘要

The aircraft industry now appears to have weathered the 'perfect storm' of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), emerging somewhat battered but poised to begin a slow recovery in the coming years. Orders for new aircraft are up and thus revenues and profits should begin to climb in 2005, reversing declining trends since 2001. However, airlines remain under intense pressure to cut costs to remain profitable, forcing aircraft and engine manufacturers to adopt austere measures. Meanwhile, defense expenditures have received a boost from heightened security concerns and developing technologies such as unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs). The defense market also will continue to enjoy expansion as a result. The overall outlook for the aircraft industry now appears to indicate steady growth over the next decade and should provide sufficient demand for both Airbus' A380 and Boeing's 7E7, as well as the growing regional jet market, albeit in an atmosphere of intense competition. However, security remains a top concern, as another terrorist attack on or involving passenger aircraft would have devastating long-term effects on the entire industry. This report focuses on four sectors of the aircraft industry: commercial fixed wing; military fixed wing; rotor craft (helicopters and tilt rotor aircraft); and aircraft jet engines. Key players in the individual sectors will be highlighted in the respective sections of the report. Special focus segments have also been included on regional jets and UAVs.