What's in store for commercial aerospace

SAE 100 Future look: Forecast International predicts a number of dramatic changes may be on the horizon for the various market segments that comprise the commercial aerospace field.

The airline industry, for its part, has already begun experiencing a shakeout of sorts. Some airlines are merging, while others are banding together in large code-share alliances. A few carriers, perhaps even more than a few, may not survive much longer.

The type of aircraft that will be required by this changing industry is a matter of considerable debate. Indeed, Airbus and Boeing, the two leading commercial airliner manufacturers, have distinctly different views on the subject. Airbus recently celebrated the first flight of its new 555-passenger A380, and the European manufacturer sees a robust market for 550+-seat airliners to move passengers on dense trunk routes between hub airports.