News

LEEDS, United Kingdom, /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and UK Leisure Airline Jet2.com finalized an order today for three Next Generation 737-800s, valued at $288 million at current list prices. Jet2.com previously ordered 27 Next Generation 737-800s in September 2015 and operates an all-Boeing fleet of more than 60 airplanes. Jet2.com is a subsidiary of Dart Group PLC, a UK Aim listed Leisure Travel and Distribution & Logistics Group. The Company commenced commercial aircraft operations in 1983 and passenger flights to sun destinations from Leeds Bradford Airport in 2003. Jet2.com now flies over three million customers each year through a combination of package holidays and flight only services to 55 destinations across 364 holiday resorts from seven Northern departure bases. Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 12/18/15  

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. Boeing [NYSE: BA] South Carolina marked a major milestone this week as the site’s 100th 787 Dreamliner rolled out of the factory. The airplane now begins system checks, fueling and engine runs on the flight line. The 787-8 will be delivered to American Airlines next year

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 12/18/15

 

SEATTLE, /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE:BA] is pleased that China Southern Airlines has announced a commitment to purchase 80 737s. The commitment includes a combination of 30 Next-Generation 737s and 50 737 MAX airplanes, valued at $8.38 billion at current list prices.

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 12/18/15

TAP Portugal has signed a firm order with Airbus for 53 Widebody and single aisle aircraft including 14 A330-900neo, and 39 A320neo Family aircraft (15 A320neos and 24 A321neos). The aircraft will join TAP Portugal’s fleet as part of its fleet renewal announced by the airline’s new majority owner Atlantic Gateway. As part of the agreement, TAP Portugal is replacing its previous order of 12 A350-900s with the A330-900neo.

“Our latest order for 14 Airbus A330-900neo aircraft and 39 A320neo Family aircraft reflects our ongoing commitment to provide our customers with the next generation of fuel efficient aircraft,” said Fernando Pinto, TAP Portugal CEO. “The A330neo, like the A320neo Family, will give us the flexibility to enter new markets and improve the frequency of existing ones due to its combination of high reliability, low operating costs and exceptional comfort,” he added.

With this order for 53 brand new aircraft TAP is reborn. This order shows Airbus confidence in TAP’s future and TAP’s commitment to having the best products for its customers. These aircraft are the right aircraft for TAP’s current missions and growth markets TAP Portugal is an all Airbus customer, currently operating 43 A320 Family aircraft and 18 Widebody Family aircraft.

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 11/16/15

 

Vietnamese carrier Vietjet has placed a firm order with Airbus for the purchase of 30 more A321s (9 A321ceo and 21 A321neo). The order was signed at the Dubai Airshow by Vietjet President and CEO, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, and John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

“The order for additional A321s responds to our growth strategy and to the need for additional seat capacity on both domestic and international routes,” said Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Vietjet President and CEO “Our aim is to be Vietnam and Asia’s new age carrier, known for quality, efficiency and comfort and our A320 fleet has earned us this reputation.”

“This additional order from the fast growing airline Vietjet confirms the success of the A320 Family as the preferred choice for airlines in the single aisle market”, said John Leahy. “We are delighted Vietjet once again selected the A321, our largest single aisle and the perfect partner for the airline’s continued impressive growth.”

Vietjet first took to the skies at the end of 2011 and now operates a fleet of 29 A320 Family aircraft including three A321s, on a network covering Vietnam and a growing number of destinations across Asia. Following today’s announcement the airline has placed firm orders with Airbus for a total of 99 A320 Family aircraft.

The A321 is the largest member of the best-selling single aisle A320 Family. To date, the A320 Family has won more than 12,200 orders and over 6,700 aircraft have been delivered to more than 300 operators worldwide.

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 11/16/15

The Board of the International Airlines Group (IAG) has firmed up orders for 19 additional widebody and single aisle aircraft (2 A330-200s, 2 A330-300s and 15 A320neos). This latest agreement with IAG and its airlines takes their cumulative Airbus orders to a total of nearly 470 aircraft.

The two A330-200s will be assigned to Iberia and the two A330-300s will be operated by Aer Lingus. The 15 A320neos will be assigned within the group.

“Between them, the airlines in IAG operate or have on order our full range of Airbus aircraft. IAG is one of our most prestigious customers and these new repeat orders for A330s and A320neos confirm again the high added value and superior productivity of our widebody and single aisle aircraft.” Said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer.

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 11/16/15

 

EVERETT, Wash /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines are celebrating the delivery of the airline’s first 787-9 Dreamliner. Over the coming years the 787 will play a key role in the Dutch flag carrier’s fleet renewal and expansion. KLM acquired this airplane through leasing company AerCap.

“We are very proud to welcome our first Boeing 787 Dreamliner today,” said Pieter Elbers, KLM President & CEO. “This aircraft symbolizes a new phase in the future of KLM. Investment in our customers is one of our priorities. This efficient aircraft is part of that investment. It’s testimony to the great work of 33,000 KLM employees, who are committed to giving their best for our customers every day.”

In addition to today’s delivery, the Air France-KLM Group has 19 787-9s and six 787-10s on order and will lease 12 787s through AerCap. KLM will operate its first 787-9 on its Amsterdam – Abu Dhabi – Bahrain service.

The 787-9 complements and extends the 787 family. With the fuselage stretched by 6 meters (20 feet) over the 787-8, the 787-9 can fly up to 20 percent more passengers and 23 percent more cargo farther yet with the same exceptional environmental performance – 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than the airplanes they replace.

KLM was founded in 1919, and is the oldest airline still operating under its original name. Based at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, KLM is part of the Air France-KLM Group and serves 135 destinations worldwide. Over the past half century KLM has taken delivery of more than 200 Boeing airplanes.

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 11/15/15

EVERETT, Wash /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE:BA] and EVA Air celebrated the unveiling of the airline’s new livery during a delivery ceremony for the carrier’s 22nd 777-300ER (Extended Range).

EVA Chairman K.W. Chang. “EVA was a launch customer for the 777-300ER in 2005 and the aircraft has become the backbone of our long-haul fleet. By the end of 2017, we will be operating more than 30 Boeing 777-300ERs. These new generation Boeing 777-300ERs have significantly upgraded our in-flight service and cabin environment.”

This delivery is also the first of four 777’s to be leased from Air Lease Corporation (ALC) to EVA. The carrier is expected to grow its partnership with ALC as it continues to expand its long-haul fleet.

EVA’s new corporate identity retains its original compass design, borrowed from the logo of its parent company, Evergreen Group, which symbolizes the airline’s seamless network and services. In the livery, the simplified tail design establishes the compass as the focal point for the EVA Air brand and represents the carrier’s commitment to quality service and flight safety.

EVA Air currently operates more than 36 Boeing airplanes, including 21 777-300ERs. The airline plans to introduce seven more 777-300ERs to its fleet by the end of 2016 and deploy them on North American routes.

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 11/15/15

SEATTLE, /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Ryanair celebrated the Irish low-cost carrier’s 375th direct delivery of a Next-Generation 737-800 today. Ryanair is the largest Next Generation 737-800 customer in the world having ordered more than 530 of the airplane type.

“As Europe’s largest airline, the reliability and customer appeal of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft has been the cornerstone of our successful growth over the last 16 years and we are proud to take delivery of our 375th Boeing 737-800 aircraft today,” said Mick Hickey, Ryanair’s Chief Operations Officer. “Our current and future Boeing orders will allow us to grow our fleet to over 540 all-Boeing aircraft, which will see our traffic, double from 91 million annual customers last year to 180 million per annum by 2024.”

The Dublin based airline is this year celebrating its 30th anniversary of operations since its first flight in 1985. Today, Ryanair is the largest all-Boeing operator in Europe. Ryanair operates more than 1,600 flights per day and is projected to carry more than 105 million passengers this year. As well as 100 737 MAX 200s, the carrier also has more than 150 unfilled orders for 737-800s.

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 11/14/15

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, announced an order for 75 737 MAX 8 airplanes at the 2015 Dubai Airshow.

The announcement marks the largest order in Jet Airways’ history and supports the airline’s replacement strategy to have the most modern and environmentally progressive airplane fleet. The order, previously attributed to an unidentified customer, includes conversions of 25 Next-Generation 737s to 737 MAX 8s, as well as options and purchase rights for an additional 50 aircraft.

“Incorporating the latest design and technology features, the highly efficient 737 MAX will allow us to drive our operational efficiency and reaffirms our commitment to providing a best-in-class full service travel experience to our guests,” said Naresh Goyal, chairman of Jet Airways. “This order is an endorsement of our confidence in the long-term prospects of the Indian aviation sector, which reflects the positive forecast for the country’s economy and offers tremendous potential for growth and development.”

The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 11/14/15

Aviation growth in the Middle East has been so impressive; few regions of the world can match it. In the last decade, travel to from and within the region has quadrupled earning the region the title of today’s aviation crossroads. Thanks to aircraft like the A380, the A350 XWB, the A330 and A330neo, now well over 90% of the world’s population can connect via the Middle East. Latest estimates say aviation supports two million jobs and US$116 billion in GDP in the region.

In the next 20 years (2015-2034) traffic in the Middle East will grow at 6.0% well above the world average 4.6%. This will drive a need for nearly 2,460 new passenger and freighter aircraft valued at US$590 billion. Of these nearly 1,890 will be for growth and 570 for replacements. By 2034, the fleet of passenger and freighter aircraft in the Middle East region will almost treble from nearly 1,100 in 2015, to over 2,950 by 2034.

Long haul is at the heart of international traffic growth, this is possible through the use of wide-body aircraft like the A380, A330, and increasingly in the future the A350 and the A330neo. In the next 20 years, the region will require some 1,570 widebody aircraft to meet demand.

Domestic and inter-regional growth is becoming increasingly significant also growing at nearly 6%. Fuelled by urbanisation, an increase in the number of mega-cities from four to nine, and a doubling in the propensity to travel for business and tourism (leisure and cultural), by 2034, the Middle East will need an additional 890 single aisle aircraft driven by these trends.

Emerging economies are now the real engines of worldwide traffic growth. Economic growth rates in neighbouring economies such as China, India, and Africa will average 5.8% per year, doubling the number of middle classes to 4 billion people. By 2034, the 6.3 billion people in these economies will account for 40% of private worldwide consumption compared to 31% today, a trend that is good for their economies and for growth in air travel.

In the next 20 years (2015-2034), according to Airbus’ Global Market Forecast, global passenger traffic will grow at an average 4.6% a year, driving a need for some 32,600 new aircraft (31,800 passenger sized 100 seats and above and 800 freighters) worth US$4.7 trillion. By 2034, passenger and freighter fleets will more than double from today’s 19,000 aircraft to 38,500. Some 13,100 less fuel efficient passenger and freighter aircraft will be retired.

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 11/10/15

 

Korean Air has signed a contract with Airbus covering a firm order for 30 A321neo aircraft plus 20 options, becoming a new customer for the best-selling single aisle A320 Family. The purchase agreement finalises a commitment announced earlier this year and was signed in Seoul by Walter Cho Won Tae, Korean Air Executive Vice President and Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO.

The order comes as Airbus and Korean Air celebrate 40 Years of Airbus operations at the airline, which began in October 1975 when the carrier’s first A300B4 entered service on the Seoul-Fukuoka route. Since that time Korean Air has continuously operated Airbus widebody aircraft, including various versions of the A300, the A330 and the double-deck A380.

Korean Air will operate the A321neo with a two class full service layout on regional services, including on longer sectors to selected destinations in South East Asia. The aircraft will be fitted with premium amenities, including wider seats in both classes and the latest in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems.

“We are pleased to be able to finalise our first ever single aisle aircraft order with Airbus,” said Cho Yang Ho, Chairman of Korean Air Group. “The A321neo will bring new levels of efficiency, longer flying range and greater in-flight comfort to our single aisle fleet, as well as reduced impact on the environment. The A321neo will contribute to our ongoing commitment to offer true excellence in flight wherever we fly.”

Korean Air placed its first order, for the original A300B4 in September 1974, becoming just the fourth airline in the world and the first from outside Europe to sign an aircraft purchase agreement with Airbus. Today, the A380 is the flagship of the airline’s long haul fleet, while the mid-size A330 is operated by the airline on services across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as on selected routes to Europe.

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 11/07/15

 

South Korea’s Asiana Airlines has placed a firm order with Airbus for 25 A321neo aircraft. The contract, which finalises a commitment announced earlier this year, was signed at a special ceremony in Seoul by Kim Soo Cheon, President & CEO, Asiana Airlines and Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO.

Seating 180 passengers in a two class layout, the new aircraft will be operated on Asiana’s regional services, as well as on selected domestic routes. Asiana will make a decision on its engine of choice for the aircraft at a later date. The A321neo will join an existing fleet of A320 Family aircraft operated by Asiana Airlines and its low cost subsidiary Air Busan, with the A321 set to become the primary single aisle type at both units.

“The finalisation of our latest order with Airbus will ensure that we will continue to operate the most efficient aircraft the industry has to offer in all size categories,” said Kim Soo Cheon, President & CEO, Asiana Airlines. “The A321neo will bring a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and increased flying range. And for our passengers the aircraft will enable us to offer the very highest standards of service and comfort on even our shortest routes.”

Asiana Airlines currently operates 33 Airbus singe aisle aircraft, 15 widebody A330-300s and four double deck A380s. Meanwhile, Air Busan currently operates 10 A320 Family aircraft on its domestic and regional services. Following this order, the Asiana Group now has firm orders with Airbus for 57 aircraft, comprising two more A380s, 30 mid-size widebody A350 XWBs and 25 A321neo.

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 11/07/15

 

SEATTLE, /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Korean Air finalized the airline’s order of 30 737 MAXs and two additional 777-300ER (Extended Range) jetliners valued at nearly $4 billion at current list prices. The airline also has options for additional 737 MAXs as part of the order, which was previously announced as a commitment during the Paris Air Show in June.

As part of this order for 737 MAX airplanes, Korean Air also adds another two 777-300ERs as it continues to modernize its long-haul widebody fleet. Korean Air currently operates a fleet of 91 Boeing passenger airplanes that consist of 737, 747 and 777 models. The airline also operates an all-Boeing cargo fleet of 28 747-400, 747-8 and 777 Freighters.

Korean Air’s Aerospace Division is a key Boeing partner on both the 747-8 and 787 programs, supplying the distinctive raked wing-tips for each model. They are also one of two suppliers producing the new 737 MAX Advanced Technology (AT) Winglet.

The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. Beginning in 2017, the new single-aisle airplane will deliver 20 percent lower fuel use than the first Next-Generation 737s and the lowest operating costs in its class – 8 percent per seat less than its nearest competitor. With broad market acceptance, the 737 MAX has 2,929 orders from 60 customers worldwide.

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 11/06/15

 

TEL AVIV, Israel, /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and EL AL Israel Airlines agreed on an order for up to nine 787 Dreamliners, valued at more than $2.2 billion at current list prices. Three of the orders will be added to Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website on Nov. 5 and the remainder will be posted as further contractual requirements are finalized.

EL AL will also lease six additional 787s from independent leasing companies as the Israeli-flag carrier looks to replace and grow its existing long-haul fleet, increasing capacity and providing greater route flexibility to and from its hub at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv.

“I am proud to unveil today the largest aircraft acquisition program in the history of EL AL. Our agreement to purchase 787 Dreamliners is a significant step forward in the optimization of our route network, enhancing passenger service and the overall flight experience,” said David Maimon, President and Chief Executive Officer, EL AL. “These aircraft are the latest and most advanced in the world and are efficient and economical. EL AL has been an all-Boeing carrier since taking delivery of its first Boeing airplane in 1961 and currently operates a fleet of 22 737s, seven 747s, seven 767s and six 777s.

“Boeing is proud of our long-standing relationship dating back to the delivery of the airline’s first 707 in 1961 and we are pleased to now count EL AL as the newest 787 customer,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner.

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 11/02/15