News

Mexico City-based VivaAerobus formally launched its fleet transition to A320 aircraft today, after the airline started operating its first three Airbus A320 aircraft in April. The low cost carrier will receive an additional two A320s before the end of 2014. The A320s, powered by IAE, are configured in an all economy 180 seat configuration, 32 additional seats or a 22 percent increase in capacity as compared to VivaAerobus’ existing fleet of 737-300s.

The A320s will bring VivaAerobus improved fuel efficiency, performance and range, allowing the airline to ultimately expand its network service throughout Mexico and beyond. The aircraft will be based in the airline’s Cancun hub and fly to Mexico City, Monterrey, Veracruz, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Reynosa and Torreon. Additionally, the aircraft will operate from Mexico City to Reynosa and from Monterrey to Mazatlan.

By the end of 2016, the airline will have completed its fleet transition from 737-300 to become an all-Airbus operator. In October 2013 VivaAerobus signed a purchase agreement for 52 Airbus A320 Family aircraft (40 A320neo and 12 A320ceo), representing the biggest Airbus aircraft order by a single airline in Latin American history.

“In less than a month that our A320ceo have been operating, we are pleased to see that our passengers are genuinely surprised with the comfort and reliability the aircraft offers,” said Juan Carlos Zuazua, CEO of VivaAerobus. “We are also beginning to experience the A320’s excellent fuel and operational efficiencies. We expect to see fuel reductions of up to 30 percent as compared to our actual model, the 737-300, which will help VivaAerobus reduce its costs even more, translating into lower fares for our passengers.”

Airbus has successfully performed certification testing to demonstrate the A350 XWB’s ability to operate on wet runways. During these tests at Istres, France, the flight-test aircraft, MSN004, travelled through troughs containing at least 22mm of water depth, at a variety of speeds, starting at 60kts, and successively increasing to around 140kts.

This test validates how the aircraft would behave on a very rain-soaked runway, and verifies that neither the water under the aircraft nor the spray generated by the nose landing gear will enter the engines or APU. For the test, the “water trough” was created by applying to the runway’s surface grooves and rubber strips inserted in the grooves to retain the water. This pool measured 100m long by 29m wide. The aircraft performed several runs as planned in order to test various cases, including the use of reverse thrust. The results will be analysed by the Airbus Design Office, which will extrapolate them to predict a variety of typical operational scenarios.

The A350 XWB’s certification testing is progressing well, and is on track for certification in Q3 2014, to be followed by entry into service with Qatar Airways in Q4. The first four A350s now flying have together accumulated around 1,600 flight-test hours and over 350 flights. The flight-test fleet will be completed with the fifth aircraft, MSN005, in the coming weeks.

Royal Brunei Airlines has signed a contract with Airbus covering the firm order of seven A320neo aircraft plus three options, under the latest phase of its fleet modernization programme. Featuring a two class premium layout, the aircraft will be operated on the airline’s regional network linking Bandar Seri Begawan with destinations across Asia. The aircraft will be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines.

Royal Brunei Airlines has successfully operated the A320 family of aircraft since 2003. We are confident this latest NEO version will bring even greater levels of efficiency, with 15 per cent less fuel and a significantly reduced impact on the environment. At the same time, the new aircraft will offer unmatched levels of in-flight comfort, longer flying range and significant underfloor cargo capability”, said Dermot Mannion, Deputy Chairman of RB.

SEATTLE, /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Lufthansa celebrated the delivery of the German airline’s 75th 747 on Wednesday.

“Lufthansa is proud to share this milestone with Boeing,” said Nico Buchholz, executive vice president, Lufthansa Group Fleet Management. “The 747 is an amazing airplane and will continue to delight our passengers for many years to come, and provide them with the ultimate in comfort and efficiency.”

Lufthansa is the launch customer for the 747-8 Intercontinental jetliner and took delivery of the first one in April 2012. The airplane delivered Wednesday is Lufthansa’s 13th 747-8 Intercontinental. The airline currently flies the 747 to 22 destinations in 10 countries. Over the years, Lufthansa has ordered a total of 81 747s.

Lufthansa’s first 747 a 747-100 – was delivered in 1970. The airline was also the first to order the 747-200 Freighter.

Qingdao Airlines, a Chinese start-up airline, has taken delivery of the company’s first ever aircraft, an Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklets, on lease from Hong Kong-based China Aircraft Leasing Company (CALC). The airline will become a new operator of the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft and make its first commercial flight from its home base of Qingdao in Eastern China to Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan Province in Southwestern China, later in April.

The A320, powered by CFM56 engines, features a comfort two-class cabin with eight business and 144 economy class seats. Qingdao Airlines placed an order for 23 A320 Family aircraft in 2013.

“We are very happy to receive our company’s ever first aircraft, an A320 equipped with fuel-saving Sharklets,” said Song Zuowen, Chairman of Qingdao Airlines. “We are looking forward to starting operation with this brand new Airbus A320 to offer our passengers a new option for air travel in the fast growing Chinese market.”

Sharklets are made from light-weight composites and are 2.4 meters tall. They are an option on new-build A320 Family aircraft and standard on all members of the new A320neo family. They offer operators up to four per cent fuel burn reduction on longer range sectors and provide the flexibility of either adding an additional 100 nautical miles range or increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms.

SEATTLE, /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Air Canada have finalized an order for 61 737 MAX airplanes to lead the airline’s single-aisle fleet renewal plan. The order, valued at $6.5 billion at list prices, consists of 33 737 MAX 8s and 28 737 MAX 9s, as well as 18 options and 30 rights to purchase additional 737 MAXs.

“Our narrow body fleet renewal program with the 737 MAX is expected to yield significant cost savings and is a key element of our ongoing cost transformation program ,” said Calin Rovinescu, President and CEO of Air Canada. “Projected fuel and maintenance cost improvements of more than 20 percent per seat will generate an estimated CASM reduction of approximately 10 percent compared to our existing narrow body fleet. In addition, the 737 MAX offers improvements to the environment, making this the best choice for Air Canada.”

The 737 MAX improves fuel efficiency and reduces carbon emissions by 14 percent, while reducing the operational noise footprint by 40 percent, compared to today’s aircraft.

The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology LEAP-1B engines from CFM International with other advancements including Advanced Technology winglets, large flight deck displays and the Boeing Sky Interior to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

SEATTLE, March 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) Monday March 17, 2014 kicked off expansion of its 737 Commercial Delivery Center (CDC) at Boeing Field in Seattle. The project more than doubles the space that will be available for customers and groups supporting increased 737 deliveries.

The expanded CDC will be more than 90,000 square feet and include a new three-story building, as well as new delivery and departure areas with three covered jetways. The design features an open, airy look with large windows overlooking the Boeing Field flight line. The CDC expansion is the latest of many investments Boeing is making across the Puget Sound region and in the future of the 737 program.

“The continued investment Boeing is making to build this facility at Boeing Field demonstrates the company’s long-term commitment to Washington and the Seattle region, home to the best aerospace workers in the world,” said Seattle Mayor Ed Murray.

Production of the 737 is set to increase to 42 airplanes per month in April and to 47 airplanes per month in 2017, an increase in output of nearly 50 percent since 2010. Deliveries of the 737 MAX, with the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines and other efficiency enhancements like Advanced Technology winglets, will also begin in 2017 at the upgraded facility.

Plans are in place to ensure seamless deliveries to 737 customers during construction, which includes the demolition of one building. The CDC expansion is scheduled for completion in mid-2015.

HYDERABAD, India/PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and SpiceJet announced at India Aviation 2014 an order for 42 737 MAX 8s. The order, previously listed as unidentified on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website, is valued at $4.4 billion at list prices.

“SpiceJet greatly values the ties we have built over the years with Boeing. The Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, the mainstay of the fleet ever since SpiceJet started operations, have vindicated our choice by their endurance, reliability and cost effectiveness,” said S.L. Narayanan, Group CFO for The Sun Group. “The induction of Boeing 737 MAX will further modernize our fleet, improve customer experience, and ensure that we operate the most efficient fleet well into the future.”

The 737 MAX brings the most advanced engine technologies to the world’s best-selling airplane, building on the strengths of today’s Next-Generation 737. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

Skymark Airlines, Japan’s third largest airline has taken delivery of the first two A330-300s out of a total of ten on lease. Skymark Airlines becomes the first Japanese carrier to operate Airbus’ market leading, A330 wide-body aircraft.

Skymark Airlines’ A330s, configured in a very high comfort, all ”Green Seat” cabin with 271 seats, will start scheduled flights in April 2014 from Tokyo Haneda to Fukuoka. Skymark Airlines has also announced plans for A330-300 services from Tokyo Haneda to Sapporo and Naha at a later date.

Shinichi Nishikubo, President of Skymark Airlines, said:  “We are confident that with these cost-efficient, reliable A330-300s in our fleet, we will grow our business and win market share by attracting passengers who demand only the highest levels of comfort. Together with our A380s to come, we confirm Skymark’s intention to remain at the forefront of our market, having one of Japan’s youngest, most modern fuel-efficient fleets.”

The A330-300 received Validation Type Certificate (VTC) from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in January 2014. Skymark Airlines signed a Flight Hour Services (FHS) components contract with Airbus covering support for all of 10 leased A330 aircraft.  Airbus Customer Services will provide spare parts availability guaranteed through an extensive scope of more than 700 line replaceable units. Skymark Airlines’ A330s will be equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines.

Airbus confirms Kuwait Airways, the National airline of Kuwait, has ordered 25 aircraft including ten A350-900 and 15 A320neo Family aircraft as part of the airlines’ fleet renewal strategy. Kuwait Airways already operates three A320, three A310, five A300 and four A340 Family aircraft.

“We are pleased to sign this deal with Airbus at this juncture of our sixty years journey” said Rasha Al Roumi, Kuwait Airways Chairperson. “The A350-900 will strengthen our long haul route development whilst the A320neo will further boost our regional route network. These aircraft are an essential part of our ambitious growth plans.”

The A320neo is offered as an option for the A320 Family and incorporates new more efficient engines and large “Sharklet” wing tip devices, which together will deliver up to 15 percent in fuel savings. It is as well the fastest selling commercial airliner ever.

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) is an all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three versions. The new Family, whose fuselage cross-section is optimized to accommodate Airbus’ 18-inch economy seat-width for long range passenger comfort, will also bring a 25 percent step change in efficiency compared with existing aircraft in this size category.

Aerolíneas Argentinas has signed a purchase agreement for four Airbus A330-200s to renew and consolidate their widebody fleet. Aerolíneas Argentinas will announce the engine selection at a later date.

Argentina’s flagship carrier will deploy the new A330 aircraft for medium and long haul routes from their Buenos Aires hub to destinations throughout Latin America, Europe and the United States. The airline currently operates eight A340-300s, four A340-200s and four A330s.

“Because we are committed to offer our customers the best service possible, we have added four A330-200s to our fleet,” said Mariano Recalde, President of Aerolíneas Argentinas. “This wide-body aircraft provides the latest innovation, modern interior design and onboard entertainment, while allowing us to significantly improve our fleet’s operational and economic efficiencies. We are very proud of this decision, which makes our relationship with Airbus stronger than ever.”