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CASABLANCA, Morocco, /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Royal Air Maroc this weekend celebrated the arrival into Morocco of its first 787 Dreamliner. The airline will be the first carrier in the Mediterranean region to operate the 787. The airplane, delivered to the airline on Dec. 31, 2014 from Boeing’s Everett, Wash. Delivery Center, flew a 4,788 nautical mile (8,867 kilometer) nonstop flight to Royal Air Maroc’s home base in Casablanca at Mohammed V International Airport. Royal Air Maroc’s current fleet includes nearly 50 Boeing airplanes, consisting predominantly of Next-Generation 737s, but also 767-300s, a 747-400 and now it first 787. The Casablanca-based carrier operates a domestic network throughout Morocco and serves more than 50 destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. Boeing’s partnership with Royal Air Maroc dates back more than 40 years. Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 01/06/15

EVERETT, Wash /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered Etihad Airways’ first 787-9 Dreamliner sporting the airline’s new “Facets of Abu Dhabi” livery which was revealed at a ceremony earlier in 2014. The colors are reminiscent of the desert landscape, inspired by the culture, Islamic design and architecture motifs of the United Arab Emirates.

The airplane is the first of the 71 Dreamliner’s that the national airline of the United Arab Emirates has on order which includes 41 787-9s and 30 787-10s. Etihad Airways will also be the first airline in the Middle East to operate the 787-9.

“We are confident that the additions of the 787 Dreamliner to our growing fleet will enable us to continue to add vital long-haul destinations from our Abu Dhabi hub,” said Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer for Etihad Airways. “We will first use the aircraft on routes to cities such as Dusseldorf, Washington D.C., Mumbai, Brisbane and Moscow and will have over 70 within the fleet, once our order is complete.

In addition to bringing big-jet ranges to midsize airplanes, the 787 provides airlines with unmatched fuel efficiency, resulting in exceptional environmental performance. The family uses 20 to 30 percent less fuel with 20 to 30 percent fewer emissions than the airplanes they replace. The airplane also has more cargo revenue capacity – a 20 to 45 percent advantage over replacement airplanes.

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 01/06/15

Customer satisfaction means giving the airlines that operate Airbus aircraft exactly what they want. This was achieved on 22 December when A350 XWB MSN006 was delivered to launch customer Qatar Airways, widely recognized for insisting on the highest possible standards for its passengers. The airline has ordered 80 of the world’s most advanced airliners and the on-time, on-quality delivery is the culmination of eight years’ hard work from everyone involved in the A350 XWB programme.

As the delivery ceremony got started Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said, “This is a very proud moment for Qatar Airways, we have watched this dynamic aircraft grow to be truly ahead of the curve and I am delighted to welcome the latest generation into our rapidly expanding fleet. Qatar Airways will be leading the way in the aviation sector by offering our passengers the opportunity to travel onboard the most modern of airliners in the sky.”

“We wanted to fly the first prototype before Paris airshow 2013 and we did it,” Fabrice Brégier told guests. “We wanted to certify this aircraft in the third quarter of 2014, meaning the shortest certification process in aircraft history, and we did it. We wanted to deliver this aircraft a couple of months later and we did it. So I am very proud of the teams led by Didier Evrard and all teams in the functions who supported them. It’s a perfect match, to be handing over the first of an all-new, world class aircraft to a leading world class airline.”

“We are very proud to have worked with Qatar Airways and Airbus on the A350 XWB, using the latest technology to deliver new standards in customer service,” added Eric Schulz, President, Civil Large Engines at Rolls-Royce, the exclusive engine manufacturer. He described the occasion as, “a very important day for everyone at Rolls-Royce.”

Video courtesy of Airbus http://www.a350xwb.com/delivery/qatar-airways/home-page/

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 12/26/14

At a ceremony in Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways, one of the world’s leading airlines, welcomed the first of its ten new Airbus A380 aircraft. Etihad Airways is the thirteenth airline to operate the A380, and the aircraft is the 150th A380 delivered by Airbus.

“Since its inception, Etihad Airways has experienced exponential growth and we’re pleased to have contributed to that success. I am convinced that our flagship, the A380, will provide an efficient solution to support Etihad’s continued expansion,” said Airbus President and CEO, Fabrice Brégier.

Etihad’s A380 is designed to carry 498 guests in four living spaces on the aircraft, including two VIP guests in The Residence by Etihad™, nine guests in the First Apartments, 70 guests in the Business Studio, and 417 guests in Economy SmartSeats. Equipped with the latest entertainment systems and the plush surroundings of Etihad Airways’ interior, passengers can expect an exceptionally comfortable journey.

Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan, said: “The Etihad Airways A380 will offer a world class travel experience across all cabins. We are delighted to launch this first A380, with nine to follow, which will set a new benchmark for air travel, particularly with the introduction of the Residence by Etihad™, the only three room cabin in the sky.”

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 12/18/14

AirAsia X, the long haul affiliate of Asia’s largest low cost airline, has placed a firm order with Airbus for 55 A330neo aircraft. This is the largest single order to date for the best-selling A330 Family and reaffirms AirAsia X’s position as the biggest A330 airline customer worldwide, having now ordered a total of 91 aircraft. The announcement covers the firming up of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for 50 A330neo signed during the Farnborough Air Show in July 2014, plus an additional five aircraft. Deliveries of the newly-ordered aircraft will begin in 2018.

“This latest deal with Airbus will enable AirAsia X to consolidate its growth rate in 2015-2017 before ramping up deliveries from 2018 onwards.” said Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Co-Founder and Director of AirAsia X. “The A330 has proven itself to be exactly the right aircraft for our business model, combining low operating costs, long range flying capability and high levels of comfort. We are extremely excited about the even greater levels of efficiency that will come with the A330neo, which will play a key role in enabling AirAsia X to maintain its position as the long haul low cost leader.”

“This order from AirAsia X is a major endorsement of the A330neo as the most cost-efficient aircraft in its size category,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. “With the A330neo in its fleet, AirAsia X will benefit from even lower operating costs as it expands it network and reach, enabling more people to fly further more often than ever before. We look forward to AirAsia X becoming one of the first operators of the latest version of the highly successful A330.”

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 12/17/14

Finnair, a launch customer for the A350 XWB, has signed an agreement, firming up the order for eight additional A350-900s. Finnair was the first airline to select the A350 XWB and will be the first European airline in autumn 2015 to receive the all new Airbus Widebody. Finnair’s A350 XWBs will seat 297 passengers in a two class configuration. The aircraft will be deployed on Finnair’s long-haul routes to Asia and America.

“Our strategy centers on growth, taking advantage of the unique geographical location of our Helsinki Hub, which offers the fastest connections between Europe and Asia. The A350XWB aircraft will be essential in delivering on our strategy, as they enable growth in both passenger and cargo traffic, offer our customers top class travel experience and considerably enhance our cost competitiveness. Firming up the order for additional eight Airbus A350 XWB aircraft demonstrates our commitment to growth and to operating a world class Airbus fleet”, says Pekka Vauramo, Finnair CEO.” Together with Airbus and our other partners we are preparing to make the A350 entry into service a success.”

Finnair currently operates an all Airbus fleet of 45 aircraft (30 A320 Family aircraft and 15 A330s/A340s). Finnair was launch customer of the A350, and in 2007 placed an order for 11 A350-900s, including an option for further eight. This agreement brings the total committed order to 19 A350-900s.

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 12/03/14

São José dos Campos, Brazil, November 25, 2014 – Embraer S.A. (BM&FBOVESPA: EMBR3, NYSE: ERJ) and SkyWest, Inc. (SkyWest), have confirmed a firm order for seven E175 jets. The aircraft will be flown by SkyWest Airlines under a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) with Alaska Airlines. The value of the firm order, which will be included in Embraer’s 2014 fourth-quarter backlog, is estimated at USD 301 million, based on 2014 list prices.

These aircraft are part of SkyWest’s previous order for 100 (40 firm and 60 re confirmable), E175 current generation E-Jets – with an additional 100 options – placed in May 2013, taking the firm order number to a total of 47. The E175s for Alaska Airlines will be configured with 76 seats including 12 First Class seats. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the second semester of 2015.

“We’re pleased to expand our relationship with Embraer,” said SkyWest, Inc. President Russell “Chip” Childs. “With 15 E175s already flying in the SkyWest network, we couldn’t be more pleased with the design and performance of these state-of-the-art E-Jets.”
SkyWest is the largest regional airline group in the world and is the parent company of SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines. Both companies have long histories with Embraer and were early customers for the Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia turboprop aircraft.

SkyWest Airlines operates a fleet of approximately 15 E175 and 39 EMB 120 Brasilia aircraft. ExpressJet Airlines operates 226 aircraft of the ERJ 145 family and is the largest ERJ operator in the world.

In a separate deal with Embraer, announced in June of 2013, SkyWest became the launch customer of the E175-E2, ordering 100 aircraft with 100 additional options, for deliveries beginning in 2020. As the leader in the 70 to 130-seat segment, Embraer continues to invest in the E-Jets family, which is flown by some 65 airlines from 45 countries.

Source Embraer / Edited By Airline Adviser 12/01/14

Azul Brazilian Airlines has signed a purchase agreement for 35 A320neo Family aircraft. The airline, which is also leasing another 28 A320neo aircraft, has chosen the A320neo Family to carry out domestic long haul flights and high density routes, including Campinas – Salvador and Campinas – Recife. For Azul, an important driver for selecting the A320neo was the aircraft’s low operating costs and excellent fuel efficiency. Azul has selected CFM engines for their A320neo fleet.

“Azul is an airline that truly serves all of Brazil. With more than 100 destinations , Azul will soon offer even more seats on our longer haul flights, allowing us to reduce operating costs,” said David Neeleman, CEO and Founder of Azul. “In addition to its market leading economics, which will allow Azul to stimulate new demand, the A320neo is also a perfect complement to our E-Jet fleet, giving us additional seats and capacity that can be dedicated to strategic projects like TudoAzul, Azul Viagens and Azul Cargo.”

In April, Azul announced that it would start operating long haul flights by early December. The airline expects to fly new international routes with a fleet of 12 leased wide body Airbus aircraft, including seven Airbus A330-200 and later five Airbus A350-900 equipped with Rolls-Royce engines.

Airbus has obtained regulatory approval for training of A350 XWB airline pilots in accordance with the original goal of an A330/A350 “Common Type Rating” (CTR). This will enable Azul pilots to benefit from reduced training time in the transition from one Airbus jetliner model to another, resulting in significant benefits for airline profitability, pilot productivity and scheduling flexibility.‎

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 12/01/14

Vietnam’s VietJetAir has celebrated the delivery of its first A320 ordered directly from Airbus at a special ceremony in Toulouse today. The event was attended by top management from the airline, including Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao and Managing Director Luu Duc Khanhm, and witnessed by Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Transport Pham Quy Tieu.

The delivery marks the start of a major expansion at the airline which will see it acquire up to 100 A320 Family aircraft, including 63 on firm order with Airbus. In addition, the airline has purchase rights with Airbus for another 30 aircraft and will lease seven more from third party lessors.

“The A320 has proven to be extremely efficient in service with VietJetAir and is a favourite with our passengers,” said Luu Duc Khanh, Managing Director, VietJetAir. “Based on this experience, we look forward to developing our business across the Asia-Pacific region, with the most economic and comfortable aircraft. We are delighted to celebrate this delivery as we embark on a new phase in our expansion.”

VietJetAir first took to the skies in 2011 and is the first private airline in Vietnam to operate domestic and international flights. Today, the carrier operates a fleet of 17 leased A320s on a network covering Vietnam and a growing number of destinations across Asia. The 63 aircraft already on firm order with Airbus comprise 14 A320ceo, seven A321ceo and 42 A320neo.

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 11/26/14

Frontier Airlines has placed a firm order for nine Airbus A321ceo (current engine option) aircraft. This is the first time Frontier has ordered the largest member of the Airbus A320 Family. The airline currently flies a fleet of 35 A319ceo, and 20 A320ceo aircraft. In addition, Frontier has on its order backlog 80 A320neo (new engine option) family aircraft.

Including the order announced today, Frontier has a backlog of 89 Airbus single-aisle aircraft. The airline has not yet announced its engine selection or the seating configuration for its A321s.

Frontier began its transition to an all-Airbus fleet when it took delivery of its first Airbus aircraft in 2001. Since that time, the Airbus single-aisle family has allowed the airline to expand its route network while minimizing operating costs.

“We continue to come back for more A320 Family aircraft because they fulfill our mission of providing low fares through low operating costs,” said David Siegel, Frontier Airlines CEO. The A321 is a natural fit with our unique brand of Low Fares, Done Right and will continue to help meet our customers’ expectations for a safe and reliable travel experience while allowing us to provide low fare service to more of the country.”

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 11/24/14

Delta Air Lines has placed a firm order for 50 new Airbus widebody aircraft, 25 A350-900 and 25 A330-900neo aircraft. Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines will power the Airbus A330neo aircraft and Trent XWB engines will power Airbus A350 XWB aircraft.

Delta Air Lines currently flies both Airbus single-aisle and widebody aircraft, including 57 A319ceo and 69 A320ceo aircraft, plus 11 A330-200s and 21 A330-300s. In addition to the order announced , Delta has an order backlog of 10 A330-300s and 45 A321ceo aircraft, bringing its total Airbus backlog to 105 aircraft.

The A350 XWB is the latest addition to the market-leading Airbus widebody product line. Offering its customers a 25 percent reduction in fuel-burn, the all-new mid-size long-range A350 XWB Family aircraft can seat up to 369 passengers in a typical two-class layout. The A350 has a carbon fibre fuselage and wings and sets new standards in terms of passenger experience, operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. At the end of October 2014, the A350 XWB had won 750 orders from 39 customers worldwide.

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 11/23/14

SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, has taken delivery of its first A330-300 becoming a new operator for the type. The wide-body aircraft arrived at Colombo International Airport, having flown from Toulouse, France, and joins the airlines’ existing fleet of A320, A321, A330-200 and A340-300 aircraft. SriLankan will take delivery of a further five A330-300s.

“We have a reputation as a global leader in service, comfort, safety, reliability and punctuality; all of which are qualities reflected in selecting the A330,” said Kapila Chandrasena, CEO of SriLankan Airlines. “The addition of the A330-300 to our family will enable us to drive our offering to new heights.”

SriLankan Airlines and Airbus embarked upon a long-term, strategic partnership in 1993 when the airline began operating the A320 and A340. It has since grown to be an all Airbus operator, and is now an award winning carrier, expanding and diversifying its wide range of products and services to drive the country’s ongoing boom in tourism and economic development.

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 11/02/14

SEATTLE – Boeing [NYSE: BA] is pleased that Kunming Airlines has committed to purchase 10 737s, including four Next-Generation 737-700s and six 737 MAX airplanes.

The commitment, valued at $897 million at current list prices, is subject to the approval of the Chinese government and will be posted on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website once all contingencies are cleared.

“This commitment is a major step in our growth strategy,” said Xuan Yuen, CEO, Kunming Airlines. “The 737 is the backbone of our fleet and will continue to be in the future. These airplanes will further expand and improve our route network, contributing to our vision to build Yunnan’s gateway airport to be the forefront of the province’s economic development.”

Kunming Airlines, based at Changshui International Airport in the capital city of Yunnan province, began operations in 2009. The carrier currently serves more than 25 cities across China by operating a fleet of 10 737-700s and five 737-800s.

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 10/26/14

Évora, Portugal – Embraer performed the first metal cut of the E-jets E2, second generation of the E-Jets family of commercial jets, at its Évora plant in Portugal. The part is the wing stub forward pressure bulkhead of the first prototype of the E190-E2 jet, whose first flight is scheduled for 2016.

“The production of this first part, on schedule, is an important milestone in all aviation programs, marking the transition from the project stage to beginning the manufacturing phase of the airplanes,” said Paulo Cesar Silva, President & CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation. “There is still a long road ahead, until it actually enters service, but we harbor no doubts as to whether we will deliver to the market the most efficient, modern and robust aircraft in this segment, as well as a very comfortable cabin for passengers.”

The pressure bulkhead is made of aviation aluminum and was manufactured at one of the advanced high-speed milling centers of the Embraer metallic structures plant in Évora. The part will now be sent to Brazil to start the first aircraft assembly.

Embraer announced the choice of Évora to install the Embraer Composites and Embraer Metallics plants, in 2008, and inaugurated them in September 2012. The final assembly of the E2 jets and the delivery process to customers will be done at Embraer’s headquarters in São José dos Campos, in the same facilities now used to produce the current generation of E-Jets.

Source Embraer / Edited By Airline Adviser 10/21/14

LONDON /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE:BA] and Virgin Atlantic Airways are celebrating the delivery of the airline’s first 787-9 Dreamliner. The airline is the first European airline to take delivery of the 787-9 and plans to operate the airplane initially on its London Heathrow to Boston route.

Virgin Atlantic’s first 787-9 touched down at London’s Gatwick Airport following a more than 7,400 kilometer (4,000 nautical mile) nonstop flight from Paine Field in Everett, Wash. The airplane, named ‘Birthday Girl’ in reference to the UK carrier’s 30th anniversary, is the first of 16 787-9s Virgin Atlantic has ordered from Boeing.

Based out of London’s Gatwick and Heathrow Airports, as well as Manchester and Glasgow Airports, Virgin Atlantic Airways operates a fleet of approximately 40 airplanes. Along with its first 787-9, the British operator also has a Boeing fleet of 12 747-400s operating on routes across North America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia.

To date, nearly 60 customers from around the world have ordered more than 1,000 Dreamliners, approximately 40 percent of which are 787-9s.

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 10/15/14