News

Avianca has signed a purchase agreement for 100 A320neo Family aircraft, the largest single order ever made in Latin America’s aviation history. The agreement, which includes A319neo, A320neo and A321neo aircraft, will allow Avianca to maintain one of the youngest fleets in the region as the airline aims to replace airplanes currently operating from their Bogota, Lima and San Salvador hubs. “This historic order allows us to solidify our passenger experience strategy in local markets on a broader scale,” said Fabio Villegas Ramirez, Avianca Chief Executive Officer. “Thanks to the A320neo Family’s fuel efficiency, technical reliability and unique passenger comfort, we can further Avianca’s fleet modernization process, while connecting the region and supporting its development.” Established in Colombia in 1919, Avianca was the first airline in the Americas, and is the second oldest airline in the world. The Airbus-Avianca partnership was taken to a new level in 1998 when TACA (now part of Avianca), LAN, and TAM placed a joint order for 90 single-aisle aircraft. This was the largest joint contract ever signed in Latin American commercial aviation history. To date, the Avianca airline group has ordered nearly 300 aircraft including 276 A320 Family (among them, 133 A320neo Family) and 15 A330 Family. Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 05/08/15

PANAMA CITY /PRNewswire/ — Panama President Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez and U.S. President Barack Obama witnessed a historic agreement in which Copa Airlines [NYSE:CPA] and Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced an order for 61 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 airplanes. The order, valued at $6.6 billion at list prices, is the largest commercial transaction ever between a Panamanian and a U.S.-based company.

The signing ceremony took place in Panama City as leaders from throughout the Western Hemisphere gathered for the seventh Summit of the Americas.

Presidents Varela and Obama were on hand as Copa Chairman Stanley Motta, Copa CEO Pedro Heilbron and Boeing Chairman and CEO Jim McNerney signed documents recognizing the agreement. The airplanes were previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries web site.

“Copa is proud to sign this landmark order in the presence of our two presidents,” said Heilbron. “The Next-Generation 737 is the backbone for our fleet today, and our order for the 737 MAX shows our continued commitment for the future to bring people together across all of the Americas using the most modern and efficient airplanes in the sky as well as our Hub of the Americas in Panama City.”

“It is an honor to be joined by Presidents Varela and Obama on this great day. All of us at Boeing are proud to partner with Copa as it works to remain one of the most progressive airlines in the world,” said McNerney. “Copa has a history of leading the way for Latin America’s aviation industry, and this order shows their dedication to continuous improvement in performance, customer satisfaction and efficiency.”

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 04/12/15

São José dos Campos, Brazil – Embraer announced today a firm order for 15 E175s and two E190s from KLM Cityhopper, KLM’s regional subsidiary. The contract for the 17 E-Jets also includes an option for 17 additional E-Jets for KLM Cityhopper or Air France regional subsidiary HOP! The firm order, which will be included in Embraer’s 2015 first-quarter backlog, has an estimated value of USD 764 million based on Embraer’s current list prices. The transaction is valued at USD 1.5 billion, if all options are exercised.

Both the E190s and the E175s will be configured in single-class layouts. They will join the 28 E190s already flying with KLM Cityhopper to replace the remaining 19 Fokker F70s that the carrier is phasing out.

The delivery of the first E190 is scheduled to occur by year-end. The first E175 will join KLM Cityhopper’s fleet in the first semester of 2016. The Air France/KLM group started the process of replacing the Fokker 100 for E-Jets in Regional/Air France and KLM Cityhopper in 2008, in order to enhance the existing network and to permit the development of new routes. When the last aircraft from this order is delivered, Air France/KLM group will have 71 E-Jets, the largest E-Jet fleet in Europe.

“Purchasing these seventeen Embraers and taking out an option to order an additional seventeen in the future, represents a giant stride for KLM in terms of fleet renewal. KLM continues to invest in its fleet and product in order to offer passengers the best, as well as reaffirming KLM and KLM Cityhopper’s commitment to our customers,” said KLM President & CEO Pieter Elbers. KLM Cityhopper was recently awarded by the Air Transport News magazine as Regional Airline of the Year 2015.

The E175s feature a new wingtip that, among other technical enhancements, improves aerodynamic performance. Fuel consumption on a typical flight is 6.4% lower than the original E175. The reduction makes the operating economics of today’s E175s comparable to large-capacity turboprops and presents new opportunities for the E175.

Source Embraer / Edited By Airline Adviser 04/04/15

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT), a global leader in transportation finance has placed a firm order for five more A321ceo aircraft, in effect doubling its most recent commitment for five A321ceo’s signed at the 2014 Farnborough International Airshow and firmed up in November 2014.

This latest agreement brings CIT’s total order for the A320 Family to 205 aircraft, comprising 155 CEO and 50 NEO aircraft.

“We continue to see strong demand for the A320 Family CEO and NEO models from operators looking to grow their business,” said Jeff Knittel, President of CIT Transportation & International Finance. “The larger A321 in particular is becoming an increasing sought after model, as steady passenger growth encourages airlines to deploy larger fuel-efficient aircraft.”

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 04/03/15

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Air India celebrated the airline’s milestone delivery of its 20th 787 Dreamliner from Boeing’s final assembly facility in North Charleston, S.C.

“Taking delivery of our 20th 787 Dreamliner marks an important day for Air India,” said Rohit Nandan, Chairman and Managing Director, Air India. “With this airplane we are building on the success of our other 787s, which are providing an exceptional experience to our passengers while allowing us to expand our network both within India and around the world.”

The new Dreamliner also features the Star Alliance livery, Air India’s – and the world’s – first 787 to do so. The flag carrier joined the leading global airline network last year, reflecting the strong network growth of the Indian aviation market.

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 04/02/15

SEATTLE, /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE:BA] and All Nippon Airways (ANA) today finalized an order for three 787-10 Dreamliners, valued at approximately $900 million at list prices. With this order, originally announced as a commitment in January 2015, ANA becomes Boeing’s newest 787-10 customer and first airline in Asia to operate the entire family of 787 Dreamliners.

ANA, the launch customer of the 787, currently operates the world’s largest 787 fleet with 34 Dreamliners. The airline will further expand their future fleet with an additional 49 787s on order, leveraging the added efficiency and full flexibility of the complete 787 family.

In addition, ANA will maintain the innovative passenger experience onboard the Dreamliner that customers have grown accustomed to over the years.

The 787-10 is the third and longest member of the super-efficient 787 family. With its greater passenger and cargo capacity, high degree of commonality and passenger-pleasing features, the 787-10 will complement the family while setting a new benchmark for fuel efficiency and operating economics.

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 04/02/15

The first A350 XWB for Vietnam Airlines has been rolled out of the Airbus paint shop in Toulouse on Friday 6th March, featuring the airline’s updated distinctive blue and gold lotus livery.

The aircraft, which will be leased from AerCap, is now entering the advanced stage of production. This will include installation of the engines, completion of cabin furnishing, and cockpit fitting, followed by ground and flight tests. The aircraft is scheduled for delivery in the middle of the year.

Vietnam Airlines will become the first Asian airline to fly the A350 XWB and the second operator in the world. Vietnam Airlines will acquire 14 A350 XWBs, including ten on order from Airbus and four under lease agreements. The carrier will operate its A350 XWB fleet on premium long haul routes, beginning with services between Hanoi and Paris.

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 03/09/15

Argentina’s flagship carrier, Aerolineas Argentinas, has taken delivery of their first new, directly purchased Airbus A330-200 aircraft as a part of the carrier’s fleet renewal strategy. The aircraft, equipped with GE engines, joins the airline’s existing fleet of 11 Airbus widebody aircraft, comprising four A330-200s and seven A340s.

“The addition of this new A330-200 to our wide body family will enable Aerolineas Argentinas, to redefine its long-haul network and enhance its international service offering,” said Dr. Mariano Recalde, President of Aerolineas Argentinas. “This new A330 not only shares commonality with our existing A330 and A340 airliners, it also offers exceptional operational flexibility with the right range and lowest costs. It will play a key role in our fleet renewal strategy, ensuring that we continue to offer our passengers the best in world class comfort and service levels.”

Aerolineas Argentinas will deploy its new A330 on starting on long haul routes from their Buenos Aires hub to Miami and New York City, and then Madrid in July 2015.

Aerolíneas Argentinas has been an Airbus operator since 1994 when the airline began flying the A310-300. In February 2013, Argentina’s national airline announced their order for four Airbus A330-200s to renew and consolidate its widebody fleet.

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 03/04/15

DUBLIN, March 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Ryanair have announced an order for three Next-Generation 737-800s. The order, previously unidentified on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website, is valued at $280 million at current list prices. With this order the Irish low-cost carrier now has unfilled orders for 174 Next-Generation 737-800s and 100 737 MAX 200s.

“We are pleased to announce the purchase of three more Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft, which will be delivered in early 2016, bringing our total recent orders to 183 737-800s, in addition to further orders for up to 200 ‘gamechanger’ Boeing 737 MAX 200 aircraft,” said Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair. “These Boeing aircraft orders will allow us to expand our fleet to over 520 aircraft and to increase our traffic to 160 million customers per annum by 2024, creating some 10,000 new positions for pilots, cabin crew and engineers, as we continue to grow tourism, routes and jobs across Europe.”

The 737-800 is the best-selling version of the highly successful Next-Generation 737 family, the most reliable and technologically advanced airplanes in the single-aisle market. Ryanair operates the largest all-Boeing fleet in Europe with more than 300 737-800s in service and is the biggest customer for the airplane type, ordering more than 530 throughout its history. The Dublin based airline is also the launch customer for the newest member of the 737 MAX family of airplanes, the 737 MAX 200, finalizing an order for 100 airplanes last year, with options for 100 more.

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 03/04/15

ARKIA Israeli Airlines, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for up to four A330-900neo aircraft. The commitment makes ARKIA the first Airbus widebody customer in Israel and the first customer for the type in the region. The aircraft will help ARKIA to expand their growing operations into long haul business and leisure markets with the world’s most popular wide-body. The A330-900neo is the most cost-efficient in its size category, offering a reduction in fuel burn of 14 percent per seat, an increase in non-stop flying range of up to 400 nautical miles and the lowest possible maintenance costs.

ARKIA’s A330-900neo will join the four A321neo aircraft ordered at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2012. With Airbus’ Cross Crew Qualification concept, pilots and engineers can transition from the single-aisle A320 Family, to the twin-aisle A330 quickly. Airlines can operate and maintain both types with the same pool of pilots and engineers. The A330neo also offers the latest in In-Flight entertainment either 4th generation or light IFE. Moreover, it offers connectivity to the ground should it be mobile telephony and internet access services and in parallel on board wireless services enabling passengers to access Wi-Fi content and services on their personal electronic devices.

“The A330-900neo will be a key asset to help us grow efficiently on highly competitive international long-haul routes from and to Israel. The A330-900neo will offer our passengers the latest product with great cabin comfort on direct, long-haul flights,” said Nir Dagan, ARKIA President and Chief Executive Officer. “Thanks to the proven reliability and fuel efficiency of the A330 family, the A330neo will also ensure that our majority shareholders, the Nakash brothers and Jordache Enterprises, are super happy.”

Nakash Holdings is the private investment office arm of Jordache Enterprises (from the Jordache jeans fame). The company manages a multibillion-dollar investment portfolio including MG Aviation in Hong-Kong, U.S. POLO Assn, retail, agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, hotels and real estate located in prime locations throughout the world. The real estate portfolio consists of retail, office, multifamily and hospitality properties. Among the group’s recent acquisitions are the Versace Mansion and the famous Art Deco Setai Miami Beach.

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 02/26/15

SEATTLE, /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE:BA] and Transavia Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Air France KLM Group, announced an order for 17 Next-Generation 737-800s, including options for three additional airplanes. The order, valued at $1.6 billion at current list prices, was previously booked and attributed to an unidentified customer on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website.

The order will significantly support the growth of Transavia’s operations from France and the Netherlands. The airline currently has a combined all-Boeing fleet of 45 Next-Generation 737s.

“We have grown to become one of the leading low cost carriers in France and the Netherlands by effectively utilizing the unrivalled economics and unmatched reliability of the Next-Generation 737,” said Bram Graber, CEO, Transavia Company. “This latest order will provide us with a solid platform to grow our business, while offering our passengers outstanding value and comfort.”

Transavia Company has six bases, with Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport and Paris-Orly Airport as its main hubs, serving 110 destinations in Europe and North Africa. Passenger numbers reached 10 million in 2014.

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 02/17/15

Spring Airlines, an all Airbus A320 Family operator and China’s first low cost airline, has taken delivery of a new A320 at Airbus (Tianjin) Delivery Centre on lease from ICBC Financial Leasing, a leasing company owned by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. The newly received aircraft brings the carrier’s total Airbus A320 fleet to 50.

The aircraft, the 210th A320 Family aircraft assembled at the Airbus Tianjin Final Assembly Line, is powered by CFM 56 engines and is configured in an efficient lay-out with 180 economy class seats. Based in Shanghai, Spring Airlines has been an Airbus operator since July 2005.

“We are pleased to expand our all Airbus A320 fleet to 50 as we are going to celebrate our 10th anniversary in July this year. From the first to the 50th, our partnership with Airbus has lasted for 10 years. Airbus is our closest partner,” said Wang Zhenghua, Chairman of Spring Airlines. “The low cost mode that we initiated in China 10 years ago has proved to be successful and it is becoming more and more popular today.

Derived from Spring Tourism Company, Spring Airlines took its maiden flight in 2005 as one of the first private enterprises entering into the airlines business and first positioning itself as a low cost carrier. The slogan of Spring is ‘to make flying affordable for everyone.” Competitive pricing, quality service and smart operation make Spring an outstanding airline.

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 02/17/15

SEATTLE – /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Okay Airways celebrated friday the delivery of the carrier’s first Next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range). The delivery marks the first 737-900ER to be delivered to a Chinese customer and is the first of eight 737-900ERs that Okay Airways has on order.

“The 737-800 has been the backbone of our fleet and has fueled our growth with its proven reliability and efficiency,” said Liu Weining, President of Okay Airways. “The addition of the 737-900ER airplanes will fit seamlessly into our existing fleet of 737-800 airplanes, allowing us to efficiently match capacity to market demand with industry leading economics.”

Okay Airways’ new 737-900ER is configured with 200 seats in a one-class layout. It will feature Boeing’s innovative Sky Interior with modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, larger pivoting overhead stowage bins, as well as LED lighting that enhances the sense of spaciousness.

Okay Airways, the first privately owned airline in China, is headquartered in Beijing with its main hub at Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN). Its jetliner fleet includes 13 Boeing 737-800s and one Boeing 737-300 Freighter, which serves more than 100 domestic and international routes.

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 02/01/15

SEATTLE – Boeing [NYSE:BA] and All Nippon Airways (ANA) Announced Friday January 30, 2015 the airline’s intent to purchase three 787-10 Dreamliners to add additional flexibility to the airline’s 787 fleet. In addition, ANA announced an order for five Next-Generation 737-800s to bolster the airline’s growing narrow-body fleet. This agreement, once all commitments are finalized, will be valued at approximately $1.4 billion at current list prices, and ANA will become the first airline in Asia to operate the entire family of 787 Dreamliners.

ANA, the launch customer of the 787, is poised to become Boeing’s newest 787-10 customer and has taken more 787 deliveries than any other customer at 34, with 46 still on order.

ANA plans to leverage the added efficiency and full flexibility the complete family of 787s will allow for its future fleet. In addition, ANA will be able to maintain the innovative passenger experience onboard the Dreamliner that customers have grown accustomed to over the years. The airline will use the new 737-800s to enhance the flexibility of its expanding fleet.

The 787-10 is the third and longest member of the super-efficient 787 family. With its greater passenger and cargo capacity, high degree of commonality and passenger-pleasing features, the 787-10 will complement the family while setting a new benchmark for fuel efficiency and operating economics. The 787-10 will be 25 to 30 percent more efficient than airplanes of its size today and more than 10 percent better than anything offered by the competition for the future.

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 02/01/15

ANA Holdings has ordered seven more A321 aircraft. The order of our A321ceo with Sharklets and three A321neo came in Friday January 30, 2015. This in addition to the firm order for 30 A320neo Family, seven A320neo and 23 A321neo placed in July 2014.

The latest agreement brings ANA’s total order for the A320 Family to 37 aircraft which will gradually replace its existing single aisle fleet. ANA will be the first Japanese operator of both Sharklet-equipped A321ceo and A321neo.

ANA became an Airbus customer in 1987, when it ordered ten A320s. In 1995 ANA also selected the larger A321, with a total of seven orders.

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 02/01/15