Abstract
Demographics
In 1940 there were 10 million passengers a year; in 1960 there were 20 million, and now, thanks to the baby boomers, there are 1656 millions. The forecasting announces that air traffic will double in the next 15 years. The demographic environment is clearly increasing, and aircraft manufacturers have a real challenge which is to supply in time to the market.
Economical
Currently the world is entering a downturn. The characteristics are a fall in the number of consumers, sales and prices, and fewer jobs. But Airbus has accumulated contracts for the 6 next years. Thanks to its full order book, it will be able to avoid internal crisis.
Natural
Today there is an increasing concern about the way we have exploited the planet. People want to be respectful in order to leave a clean planet for their children. Aeronautical builders have understood the concerns, and are working on planes which are more environment-friendly.
Political
Politically, we notice that the rivalry between the companies is more a rivalry between states. Each country wants to be independent of the other which is why they develop their own aircraft industry. Hence, in the next 10 years Airbus and Boeing will see Asiatic companies penetrating the market. The main actors are helped by governments who subsidize the aircraft industries indirectly through research and technology funding in order to develop this business. They also influence some decision as relocation. Other important protagonists are lobbies and political parties. For instance Obama and Mc Cain were in opposition concerning the contract between Airbus and the Pentagon for military planes.
