Airbus Chief Endorses Open-Rotor Technology with Cautious Optimism

Airbus Chief Endorses Open-Rotor Technology with Cautious Optimism

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury expressed optimism about the potential benefits of open-rotor technology during the Global Aerospace Summit. CFM International, a leading engine maker, is currently testing the technology, which offers promising improvements in efficiency and emissions reduction. However, Faury acknowledged that the commercial viability of open-rotor engines remains uncertain.

CFM Engine Deliveries Continue to Face Delays

Despite the promise of open-rotor technology, Faury noted that deliveries of CFM International’s current generation of LEAP engines are still facing delays. This has contributed to Airbus’s recent profit warning and reduced delivery target. GE Aerospace, a co-owner of CFM, is actively working with suppliers to address these supply-chain issues.

CFM Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation

CFM, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, is exploring a range of technologies in its RISE demonstrator, including open-rotor designs. Industry sources suggest that Boeing may have reservations about the near-term viability of certain aspects of the demonstrator. However, Faury remains hopeful about the potential of open-rotor technology and its potential fuel-efficiency gains.

Airbus Considers Single Engine Supplier Amidst Technological Choices

As Airbus prepares to launch development of a new jet by the end of the decade, it faces choices about engine architecture. Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce are working on designs based on geared technology, while CFM’s open-rotor concept stands out from the traditional engine shape. Faury expressed his preference for multiple engine suppliers but did not rule out going with just one if CFM’s offer meets Airbus’s long-term requirements.

Engine Architecture to Shape Future of Air Transport

Analysts emphasize that the choices made about engine architecture in the coming years will have a lasting impact on air transport. As Airbus and Boeing renew their best-selling medium-haul products and China poses a growing challenge to their market duopoly, the development of efficient and environmentally sustainable engine technologies will play a crucial role in shaping the future of air travel.