Airbus and Boeing set out different aircraft plans at Farnborough

Airbus and Boeing gave different views of the future of commercial aircraft at the Farnborough airshow near London, with Airbus preparing a successor to its A320 single-aisle jet and Boeing focusing on improved performance from its existing 737 MAX line.

Airbus said it hopes the A320 successor will enter service in the second half of the next decade. Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury said the company began studying what was needed in early 2018 and how to prepare for the next generation of aircraft.

At Farnborough, Airbus presented its "wing of tomorrow", a longer, lighter and folding wing structure designed to cut fuel use by up to 30 percent. Test flights are due to begin this year.

Boeing is taking a more cautious position. It says three conditions must be met before it starts a new aircraft programme: finances, technology readiness and a mature market.

Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said production rates were central from a financial perspective. She said about 70 percent of Boeing's cash flow comes from the 737 and that raising production to 47 aircraft per month from 38 was essential to the company's recovery.

Boeing also pointed to the expected certification this year of the 737 MAX 7 and 737 MAX 10, after years of delays, as a step that could release significant engineering resources. Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg said airlines were asking for better performance from current fleets and more reliable and durable engines rather than an all-new aircraft.

Engine makers are developing technologies that could support either approach. CFM International, a joint venture between France's Safran and GE Aerospace of the United States, makes Leap engines for all Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and nearly 60 percent of Airbus A320neo planes. CFM said its open-fan "Rise" engine under development is expected to reduce fuel use by up to 20 percent. It has undergone hundreds of hours of ground tests, with airborne testing expected before the end of the decade.

CFM said it believes it can serve both Airbus and Boeing if Airbus chooses an open-fan engine and Boeing chooses a more conventional design.