Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES
AIRBUS INDUSTRIE has told airlines that it will present firm proposals on the A3XX ultra-high capacity airliner by the end of 1996. The moves signals a dramatic acceleration in the European consortium's plans to compete with Boeing's proposed 747-500X and -600X development.
The sudden switch from a plan which had envisaged proposals to be ready in late 1997 has been driven by airline pressure to see the details of the Airbus product before they make their minds up on whether to sign up for the rival Boeing offering.
Airlines such as British Airways, Japan Air Lines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International and United are expecting to see specific proposals on fuel consumption, prices, range and performance and direct operating costs from the Europeans to compare with those of the 747-500X and 600X.
The Airbus offering is already being used as a bargaining chip in the pre-launch negotiations with Boeing. This has protracted the go-ahead of the Boeing project, helping Airbus to gain time on its rival.
Airbus' timescale change emerged in mid-September when the General Electric-Pratt & Whitney engine alliance and Rolls-Royce were told to prepare more detailed specifications of their offerings for the larger Airbus.
The engine makers expected to develop the GP7176 and Trent 900, respectively, to meet the thrust demands of the 747-500/600X first, and then develop derivatives for the A3XX. "Now it looks like we're going to have to come up with a defined engine a bit quicker and produce a concurrent design. It will be literally the same engine", says one manufacturer.
Airbus confirms the move, and although it will not talk about the affect on the overall timescale of the project, the acceleration represents a further squeeze on Boeing's lead time over Airbus.
Current projections indicate that the 747-600X will enter service in December 2000, with the first A3XX entering operations by mid-2003. Airbus had planned to complete a preliminary design freeze in the third quarter of 1997, complete final design definition in 1998 and launch in late 1999.
Now it appears that the consortium plans to "-pull forward the whole thing by 12 months", says one engine maker.
While Airbus firms up its technical options, it still has some financial and structural hurdles to cross, primarily the finding of risk-sharing partners or associates for up to 40% of the required investment.
Boeing, meanwhile, confirms that it has received authority from the board to offer the 747-500X and -600X.
Source: Flight International
