News
Skymark Airlines becomes first Japanese A330 operator
By Airline Adviser | | Airbus, Airline Adviser, Skymark Airlines
Courtesy Airbus
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.
Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 03/02/14
Kuwait Airways firms up commitment for 25 Airbus aircraft
By Airline Adviser | | Uncategorized
Courtesy Airbus
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.
Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 02/24/14
Aerolíneas Argentinas places order for four A330-200s
By Airline Adviser | | Aerolíneas Argentinas, Airbus, Airline Adviser
Courtesy Airbus
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.”
Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 02/24/14
Airbus ProSky opens new offices in Singapore
By Airline Adviser | | Airbus, Airline Adviser
Courtesy Airbus
Airbus ProSky has announced its decision to set up a new office in Singapore from April 2014.
This announcement comes a year after the Research Collaboration Agreement (RCA) between the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and Airbus ProSky to jointly develop a Concept of Operations for Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM)* based on Collaborative Decision Making (CDM)**.
“Asia-Pacific is the world’s fastest growing region for air travel. Opening a new office in Singapore is the next logical step towards fulfilling the commitment jointly started with CAAS and other Air Navigation Services Providers for the modernization of Air Traffic Management in the region“, said Paul-Franck Bijou, Airbus ProSky CEO.
Airbus ProSky has been involved in many projects in Asia-Pacific focused on enhancing Air Traffic capacity, increasing flight efficiency and improving access to airports. In Australia for example, following the deployment of ATFM and CDM with Airservices in 2012, results have shown a reduction of five minutes in flight time on the 5th busiest world city pair Melbourne-Sydney, in combination with reduced airborne holding leading to a consequent fuel burn reduction.
Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 02/16/14
Amedeo firms up order for 20 A380s
By Airline Adviser | | Airbus, Airline Adviser, Amedeo, DORIC Lease Corp
Courtesy Airbus
Amedeo (previously Doric Lease Corp) and Airbus have finalised the contract for 20 A380s originally announced at the 50th Le Bourget Airshow on 17th June 2013. The final agreement was signed today at the Singapore Airshow 2014 by Mark Lapidus, CEO of Amedeo and John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.
“This firm order from Amedeo is a clear recognition of the A380’s long-term market appeal. The A380’s unbeatable economics and passenger comfort are now available to airlines through operating leases from Amadeo,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “The A380 is the best tool for airlines to capture growth and increase profits. Amedeo’s tailored leasing solutions will make these benefits available to an even wider airline community, allowing us to expand the operator base of the A380 in partnership with Amadeo.”
Amedeo’s customers will benefit from unbeatable seat-mile costs for their cabin configurations with a baseline three class, 573 seat layout. The main deck comfortably seats 427 passengers in 18.5 inch wide economy seats, while the upper deck offers 12 first class, 66 business class and 68 economy seats. This cabin layout offers an efficient and at the same time flexible cabin configuration that minimises reconfiguration costs and eases transition from operator to operator.
Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 02/16/14
Singapore Airlines pilots feel at home in the A350 XWB
By Airline Adviser | | Airbus, Airline Adviser, Singapore Airlines
Courstesy Airbus
The A350 XWB has been given high marks by two Singapore Airlines pilots following a demonstration flight from Changi Airport in this new jetliner – as both praised its commonality with the A380 and A330 they currently fly, while also appreciating new features incorporated in the cockpit.
Taking the controls from the left seat pilot-in-command position, the two aviators were provided a first-hand A350 XWB experience during a weekend evaluation flight performed prior to the Singapore Airshow’s opening.
Captain Quay Chew Eng, the Vice President and Chief Pilot Training at Singapore Airlines – who currently flies the A330 – found the A350 XWB’s handling characteristics to be nearly the same as the rest of Airbus’ fly-by-wire jetliner family, and predicted a nearly seamless transition for pilots to this latest member of the company’s product line.
He said the A350 XWB’s new cockpit features, including the use of six large-format LCD (liquid crystal display) screens to display flight information for improved pilot interface, were “quiet intuitive.”
Captian Gerard Yeap, Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice President – Flight Operations, said he was immediately comfortable on the A350 XWB flight deck based on his current experience flying the A380.
Singapore Airlines has booked 70 firm orders for the A350-900 version, making it one of Airbus’ largest customers for the next-generation aircraft.
Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 02/16/14
A350 XWB jetliner’s Singapore Airshow apperance
By Airline Adviser | | Airbus, Airline Adviser
Courtesy Airbus
Airbus’ A350 XWB took centre stage at the Singapore Airshow, previewing what will soon become a familiar sight in this region’s airports and skies after the next-generation jetliner enters service starting later this year.
Asia-Pacific represents the A350 XWB’s largest customer base by number of airlines, with 11 carriers ordering 244 aircraft comprising all three family members: from the shorter-fuselage A350-800 version to the cornerstone A350-900 and higher-capacity A350-1000 variant.
“With some 30 per cent of the total A350 XWB backlog coming from Asia, this next-generation widebody jetliner product line clearly meets the requirements of the region’s operators,” said Mike Bausor, the A350 XWB Marketing Director at Airbus. “Asia-Pacific airlines will soon shape the efficiency of future air travel with this all-new aircraft, which provides unmatched fuel efficiency, while offering superior comfort for passengers.”
In terms of quantity of aircraft ordered, two of the Airbus’ top-five worldwide A350 XWB customers are based in the region: Singapore Airlines, with 70 firm orders for A350-900s; and Cathay Pacific Airways, which has booked 46 A350 XWB jetliners (20 A350-900s and 26 A350-1000s).
The A350 XWB also received a key endorsement in Asia from Japan Airlines, the nation’s flag carrier which ordered 31 A350 XWB aircraft covering A350-900 and A350-1000 variants in 2013, marking the aircraft’s first Japanese order.
Further highlighting the A350 XWB’s appeal with leading airlines around the world, other Asia-Pacific A350 XWB customers include: AirAsia X, Air China, Asiana Airlines, China Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Thai Airways International and Vietnam Airlines.
With 814 orders from 39 worldwide customers through January 2014, this Asian success contributes to the A350 XWB’s global popularity. Airbus booked 239 new orders for this next-generation widebody in 2013, maintaining the aircraft’s momentum for its planned certification and service entry later this year
Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 02/16/14
A320 Family acquisition for VietJetAir
By Airline Adviser | | Airbus, Airline Adviser, VietJet Air
Courtesy Airbus
The growing importance of low-cost carriers in Asia-Pacific – and the A320 Family’s advantages in meeting their needs – was underscored with Singapore Airshow announcement by VietJetAir for more than 100 jetliners in both the current engine option (CEO) and new engine option (NEO) versions.
Vice Chairwoman and CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao said the fleet of A320 aircraft currently operated by this Vietnam-based carrier already has contributed to significant operational cost savings for the young airline, and has become a preferred choice for passengers. VietJetAir was formed in 2011 and is the first private Vietnamese airline to operate domestic and international flights.
At a standing-room-only Singapore Airshow press conference, VietJetAir signed a purchase agreement for 42 A320neo, 14 A320ceo and seven A321ceo jetliners, plus 30 additional purchase rights. Eight more A320 Family aircraft will be leased from third-party lessors.
Dr. Dinh Viet Phuong, the airline’s Vice President – Business Development, explained that VietJetAir had captured a 26.2 percent domestic market share by the end of 2013, and became profitable in its second year of operation – serving 16 domestic routes and four international destinations with load factors of over 90 percent.
Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 02/16/14
India’s Air Costa order for 50 E-Jets E2s
By Airline Adviser | | Air Costa, Airline Adviser, Embraer
Courtesy Embraer
Singapore – Embraer S.A. has signed a definitive agreement with India’s Air Costa for a firm order for 50 E-Jets E2s with an additional 50 purchase rights. The acquisition is a mix of 25 E190-E2s and 25 E195-E2s and has an estimated value of USD 2.94 billion based on 2014 list prices. The purchase rights are for an additional 25 E190-E2s and 25 E195-E2s, bringing the total potential order to up to 100 aircraft and can reach USD 5.88 billion if all are exercised. This transaction raises the total E-Jets E2 orders to 200 firm and 200 options/purchase rights since the launch of the E2 program, in June 2013.
Air Costa has become the first customer of E-Jet E2s in the Indian market and will take delivery of the E190-E2 in 2018. The E195-E2 is scheduled to enter service in 2019. Today, the airline flies four E-Jets: two E170s and two E190s. Air Costa is based out of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
Air Costa is currently connecting cities in southern India such as Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Vijayawada, as well as key secondary cities in the North and Northwest of the country. The airline plans to link underserved markets with more direct flights, increasing frequencies and routes, thus serving growing metropolitan areas, as well as key secondary and tertiary business centers.
Air Costa’s E2s will feature new-design cabins with an even higher standard of comfort and more personal space. The E190-E2 will be configured with 98 seats in dual class layout, with six seats in first class, and the E195-E2 with 118 seats, with 12 seats in the first class.
Source Embraer / Edited By Airline Adviser 02/14/14
First Russian airline with Sharklet equipped A320
By Airline Adviser | | Aeroflot, Airbus, Airline Adviser
Courtesy Airbus
Aeroflot, Russian national carrier, has taken delivery of its first A320 aircraft equipped with sharklets, becoming the first in Russia to benefit from these new fuel saving wing tip devices. Aeroflot’s A320, powered by CFM56 engines, features a comfortable two class cabin, seating 158 passengers with 8 in business class and 150 in economy. The aircraft is named after a famous Russian chemist Alexander Butlerov.
Sharklets are newly designed wing-tip devices that improve the aircraft’s aerodynamics and cut the airline’s fuel burn and emissions by up to four per cent on longer sectors. They are made from light-weight composites and are 2.4 meters tall.
Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 02/14/14
Boeing Business Jets Delivers First Two 787-8s of 2014
By Airline Adviser | | Airline Adviser, Boeing
Courtesy Boeing
SEATTLE /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] Business Jets (BBJ) celebrated the first two BBJ 787-8 deliveries of 2014. The deliveries, made over the past week to separate undisclosed customers, mark the second and third BBJ 787 airplanes delivered to date.
As awe-inspiring as its commercial counterpart, the BBJ 787 takes advantage of technological advances such as lightweight composite structures and a cabin environment designed for new heights in passenger comfort. It also features increased head room, cleaner air, enormous cargo space and breakthrough fuel efficiency. The BBJ 787-8 has a range of about 9,260 nautical miles (17,150 km).
The first BBJ 787-8 was delivered in December 2013. To date, customers have ordered 13 BBJ 787s, with deliveries occuring through 2018.
Boeing Business Jets delivers the airplanes to customers unpainted and without an interior. A completion center of the customer’s choosing installs the jet’s VIP interior. More than 400 Boeing airplanes are in service in the VIP market.
Boeing Business Jets offers a wide variety of ultra-large-cabin, long-range airplanes perfectly suited for the private jet market. The product line includes the BBJ, BBJ 2 and BBJ 3 – high-performance derivatives of the commercially successful Next-Generation 737 airplane family and the new 737 MAX family – as well as Boeing twin-aisle airplanes including the 747-8, 767, 777 and 787.
Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 02/09/14
SilkAir Begins Transition to All 737 Fleet
By Airline Adviser | | Airline Adviser, Boeing, SilkAir
Courtesy Boeing
SEATTLE, /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and SilkAir celebrated the delivery of the carrier’s first Next-Generation 737-800. The delivery also marked the start of the Singapore-based airline’s transition to an all-Boeing fleet. Over the coming years, Boeing will deliver a total of 23 737-800s and 31 737 MAX 8s to SilkAir.
“The new Boeing 737 aircraft will support our network expansion plans,” said SilkAir Chief Executive Leslie Thng. “The transition to an all-Boeing fleet will enable us to efficiently serve more destinations, fly longer routes and increase capacity on existing routes.”
SilkAir’s new 737 will enter service later this month, flying to existing destinations including in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. With the follow-on 737 deliveries, SilkAir will fly the aircraft to more destinations in Cambodia, Vietnam, India and the Philippines starting in March.
“As air travel in the Asia Pacific region continues to grow, Boeing is proud to support SilkAir’s plans to fly more passengers and serve more cities,” said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president of Asia Pacific and India Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 737-800s efficiency and reliability makes it an excellent addition to the SilkAir fleet. SilkAir’s passengers also will enjoy an enhanced flying experience with the comfort of the 737 Boeing Sky Interior and the airline’s award-winning service.”
SilkAir is a full-service airline and the regional wing of Singapore Airlines. It currently flies more than 350 weekly flights to 45 destinations in 12 countries.
Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 02/04/14
Boeing 787 increases production levels
By Airline Adviser | | Airline Adviser, Boeing
EVERETT, Wash /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) has rolled out the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner built at the rate of 10 airplanes per month. The airplane, a 787-8 and the 155th Dreamliner built, will be delivered to International Lease Finance Corp. for operation by Aeromexico.
The new 10 per month rate is the highest ever for a twin-aisle airplane. The 787 program has now increased its production rate three times in just over a year, including to five airplanes per month in November 2012 and seven per month in May 2013.
“This rate increase reflects the continued strong demand for the 787,” said Larry Loftis, vice president and general manager, 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “A disciplined approach that combined employee teamwork with technology was key to achieving the higher rate.”
Boeing assembles and delivers 787s in two locations: Everett, Wash., and North Charleston, S.C. To date, 115 787s have been delivered to 16 customers. The program has 1,030 total orders from 60 customers worldwide.
“The entire 787 team is now focused on capturing efficiencies at this historic level of production, as well as meeting our commitment to increase the production rate to 12 per month in 2016 and to 14 per month by the end of the decade,” Loftis said.
Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 01/27/14
GECAS Order 20 737 MAXs and 20 Next-Generation 737s
By Airline Adviser | | Airline Adviser, Boeing, GE Commercial Aviation Services
SEATTLE/PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of General Electric (NYSE: GE), announced an order for 40 737s. The order, valued at $3.9 billion at list prices, consists of 20 737 MAX 8s and 20 Next-Generation 737-800s. The order, booked in 2013, was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website.
“We ordered more 737 MAX 8s and Next-Generation 737-800s because demand continues to grow as our airline customers require more fuel-efficient aircraft to compete in the marketplace,” said Norman C.T. Liu, president and chief executive officer, GECAS. “This order further strengthens the large GECAS order book.”
The follow-on order increases the GECAS order book for the 737 MAX to 95 airplanes and the Next-Generation 737 to 387 airplanes, the most for both models by any company in the leasing industry.
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. Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see an 8 percent operating cost per seat advantage over tomorrow’s competition. To date, 32 customers have ordered 1,763 MAX airplanes.
GECAS has ordered 638 airplanes directly from Boeing, which includes 737s, 747s, 757s, 767s, 777s and 787s. To date, GECAS has taken delivery of 459 of the airplanes.
Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 01/21/14
Air Algerie Order Eight Next-Generation 737-800s
By Airline Adviser | | Air Algerie, Airline Adviser, Boeing
ALGIERS, Algeria, Jan. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Air Algerie today announced a commitment for eight Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes. When finalized, the order will be worth $724 million at list prices and will be posted to the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website. Today’s announcement represents a key part of the airline’s continued fleet renewal and expansion.
“The 737-800 continues to be the backbone of Air Algerie’s fleet. So far, we are pleased with these aircraft, and anticipate receiving all eight of these new units before the end of 2016,” said Mohamed Salah Boultif, chief executive officer of Air Algerie.
“Air Algerie has been a major player in North African aviation for more than 50 years and has already experienced the enhanced performance and improved economics of the 737-800,” said Van Rex Gallard, vice president of Sales for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Today’s commitment for additional 737-800s underlines Air Algerie’s position as a leading carrier committed to providing its passengers with a wide choice of destinations and exceptional in-flight comfort.”
Based in Algeria’s capital city Algiers, at Houari Boumedienne International Airport, Air Algerie currently serves more than 40 destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East. The Algerian flag-carrier currently operates a fleet of 17 Next-Generation 737-800s and five 737-600s. To date, more than 4,500 737-800s have been ordered by the world’s leading airlines.
Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 01/06/14
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