The targeting of Russia by western countries and companies has infiltrated every corner, and the airline industry has not, unsurprisingly, escaped being targeted. Boeing, the world's largest aerospace giant, recently suspended supplies of aircraft parts, maintenance and technical support to Russian airlines. Now Boeing is thinking again.
Boeing announced on March 7 that it was suspending titanium purchases from Russia and had closed its technical departments in Moscow and Kiev to stop shipping fuselage parts to Russian airlines.
Boeing signed a strategic partnership in November 2021 with VSMpo-Avisma, the world's largest titanium manufacturer, which supplies large amounts of titanium for Boeing's 777X, 737, 787 and 777 aircraft.
Boeing buys a third of its titanium from Russia. This time, Boeing announced the suspension of procurement, can be said to have left Boeing with a large titanium gap. It makes one wonder if Boeing could produce a plane with titanium.
In response, Boeing said that the current titanium inventory is still relatively sufficient, the company will continue to import titanium from Japan, The United States and Other countries, there is no need to worry about production problems. Airbus, Boeing's biggest rival, was less adamant.
Airbus has said it still needs to import titanium from Russia, which it relies on for half of its titanium needs.
Analysts believe that Boeing's move, the damage caused to its own far greater than the loss caused by Russia. Russia has the world's largest titanium producer, and if Boeing doesn't buy it, other countries will. The problem for Boeing today is that it buys a third less titanium. It is obvious who has lost more.
It is worth noting that Boeing's current approach is likely to benefit Chinese airlines. Western countries are targeting Russia everywhere, and there will be no relief in the near future. Boeing will follow the western mainstream to act. That gives China an opportunity.
The Chinese made C919 transport aircraft is likely to enter the Russian market, as Boeing's move is no different from pulling out of the Russian market, and China could be the biggest winner.
