BE Aerospace, the world’s biggest supplier of plane seats, sparked concerns in the sector when it announced it was cutting outlook for 2010 as a result of the weakened economy.
The US company said airlines had been hit by fuel costs, financing problems, lower traffic and capacity, all of which were combining to force them to conserve cash.
Many Midland companies in the sector will be eyeing developments.
The warning is unusual as it came on a day when BE Aerospace announced two major contracts. The first, worth £500 million, has been awarded by Airbus parent EADS. It will see the company supply galley systems for the new Airbus A350 XWB, set to rival the Boeing 777.
The second contract is to supply the same planes with oxygen technology.
