It takes about 18 months from order to airplane. If 2013 is realistic, my earlier posts about fleet renewal were spot on, as were my comments about when the order would be announced and its likely effect on contract negotiations. Still on target for roughly June 21, 2011 around about 10am in Paris. Although that is just a guess.

This announcement was for public consumption. Mr. Anderson has been stressing cap ex discipline to the extent of denying any intent to place orders. But, those who closely follow the investment side of the business will locate upticks in orders at manufacturers like Precision Cast Parts which they will follow to the source. He (and, or, our board) has to start letting the cat out of the bag slowly.

Another guess is that the C Series was engineered around too small a wing and structure. The Airbus is very well positioned.

It is a shame what has happened to Boeing. I would not count the 737 out, but it sounds like it will be passed by in the marketplace. Boeing has drug their feet for too long.