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Cathay Pacific Airways Announce Order for 21 777-9Xs

By Airline Adviser | Dec 23, 2013 | Airline Adviser, Boeing, Cathay Pacific

HONG KONG /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Cathay Pacific announced Friday the airline’s decision to become Asia’s first 777X customer with an order for 21 777-9X airplanes, as part of Cathay’s future long-haul fleet strategy. The order is valued at more than $7 billion at current list prices.

“The 777-9X promises us improved payload range capability and reduced operating costs, in addition to a significant reduction in environmental emissions,” said John Slosar, chief executive of Cathay Pacific Airways. “We think it will be an ideal fit for long-haul destinations in North America and Europe, in particular those routes where we carry high volumes of passengers and cargo each day. Cathay Pacific is committed to modernizing its fleet to provide a superior experience to passengers.”

The 777X program was launched at the Dubai Airshow last month where it garnered a record 259 orders and commitments worth $95 billion at list prices. The 777X currently stands as the largest product launch in commercial jetliner history by value and is targeted for first delivery in 2020.

“Cathay Pacific and Boeing share a long-term partnership that spans four decades,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. “We are honored to continue our tradition of launching new airplane models with Cathay Pacific in Asia, starting with the Rolls Royce powered 747-400 and the original 777-200s, 777-300s, 777-300ERs and naturally, now with the 777X family.”

Advanced technology including a new composite wing, all-new engines and superior aerodynamics will result in the incredible fuel efficiency promised by the 777X family. The 777-9X, with 400 seats, will be the largest and most efficient twin-engine commercial jet in the world with the lowest operating cost per seat of any commercial airplane and no competitor in its market segment.

Hong Kong’s flag carrier operates 55 777s, including 38 777-300ERs and an all-Boeing freighter fleet that includes 13 747-8 Freighters.

Source Boeing / Edited By Airline Adviser 12/22/13

Saratov Airlines Becomes First Russian E-Jet Operator

By Airline Adviser | Dec 23, 2013 | Airline Adviser, Embraer, Saratov Airlines

Courtesy Embraer

São José dos Campos, Brazil – Embraer Commercial Aviation welcomes Saratov-based Saratov Airlines (Saravia) as the first E-Jet customer in Russia. The airline has leased two E195s that will start operations in the coming weeks. The E190 and E195 were certified by Russia’s Interstate Aviation Committee in December 2012.

The E195s will be configured with 114 seats in dual class and deployed from the airline’s base at Saratov Airport. The aircraft are planned for scheduled services as well as for charter flights to Dubai, Europe, Asia and Africa in association with Saratov’s tour partner, Magellan.

“We see good potential in Russia for aircraft of the capacity that Embraer E-Jets offer,” said Paulo Cesar Silva, President & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “As the first Russian airline to fly the E195, Saratov Airlines will showcase the aircraft’s excellent economics, reliability, and cabin design. I am positive both passengers and crews are going to enjoy flying the E-Jets and the airline will see, rapidly, the benefits of it.”

“Saravia selected the E195 because of its proven ability to operate in wide range of business applications,” stated Saratov Airlines General Director, Konstantin Sokolov. “We are keen to start realizing improvements in fleet efficiency with this airplane and to have a cabin that we know our passengers will love. The E195 is going to keep us competitive.”

Saratov Airlines joins a growing list of operators in Eastern Europe and Central Asia that have added E-Jets to their fleets: Air Astana, Air Lituanica, Air Moldova, Azerbaijan Airlines, Belavia, Bulgaria Air, Estonian Air, LOT Polish, Montenegro Airlines and Ukraine International Airlines. Combined, these airlines operate a fleet of 66 E-Jets.

Source Embraer / Edited By Airline Adviser 12/22/13

American Airlines Order for up to 150 Embraer Aircraft

By Airline Adviser | Dec 23, 2013 | Airline Adviser, American Airlines Group Inc, Embraer

Courtesy Embraer

São José dos Campos, Brazil – Embraer announced that it has received a firm order for 60 E175 jets from American Airlines, Inc. The contract also includes options for another 90 E175s, taking the total order potential up to 150 aircraft. The firm orders, which have a value of USD 2.5 billion at list price, will be included in Embraer’s 2013 fourth-quarter backlog.

“We are delighted with this remarkable order from American Airlines, one of the most respected and renowned airlines worldwide. American achieved impressive results with the ERJ 145 aircraft family, and we are sure that will continue with the E175, the most fuel efficient, cost effective, and passenger friendly 76 seater in the market today – which makes the E175 the clear choice of North American airlines, and proven with hundreds of orders this year,” said Paulo Cesar Silva, President & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “Embraer is honored to provide the new American with the E175, and it is committed to supporting the development of the new airline, to which we wish great success.”

American Airlines will configure the E175s with 12 First Class, 20 Main Cabin Extra and 44 Main Cabin seats, with a total of 76 seats. The delivery of the first aircraft is scheduled for the first quarter of 2015.

“It’s been an exciting week for American Airlines,” said Kenji Hashimoto, American Airlines Senior Vice President – Regional Carriers. “Now that we’ve closed our merger with US Airways, we can deliver a top tier regional product that offers a First Class cabin, Main Cabin Extra and in-flight Wi-Fi – important elements of an improved flying experience for our customers. These new regional jets are also a big win for our employees at our wholly owned subsidiary, and will greatly improve economic efficiencies by lowering operating costs.”

During 2013, including this order from American Airlines, Embraer has received firm orders and options for more than 700 E-Jets from U.S. airlines for both current-generation and the E-Jets E2s.

Source Embraer / Edited By Airline Adviser 12/22/13

Air Caraïbes commits to six A350XWBs

By Airline Adviser | Dec 22, 2013 | Air Caraïbes, Airbus, Airline Adviser

Courtesy Airbus

Air Caraibes has signed a firm contract with Airbus for three A350-1000s, the largest member of Airbus’ new generation A350XWB Family. The airline will also lease three new A350-900s from ILFC. The aircraft will enter into service between 2016 and 2022.

The Air Caraïbes’ A350-1000s will seat 439 passengers in three classes, and the -900 will seat 387 passengers. The aircraft will be operated on the airline’s routes from Paris to Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Marteen, Haïti, Saint-Domingue and French Guyana which are currently flown by five A330s.

“We are delighted with our decision to buy A350-1000s”, said Jean-Paul Dubreuil, President of the Supervisory Board of Air Caraïbes. “We already benefit from the excellent performance and economics of our fleet of five A330s, and this new order for A350s will allow us to add capacity and give us an unrivalled economic advantage in a very competitive market”.

Source Airbus / Edited By Airline Adviser 12/22/13

AirAsia X orders 25 more A330-300s

By Airline Adviser | Dec 22, 2013 | Air Asia X, Airbus, Airline Adviser

Courtesy Airbus

AirAsia X, the long haul affiliate of the AirAsia Group, has placed a firm order with Airbus for 25 more A330-300s. The contract is the largest A330 order received by Airbus in a single purchase agreement and increases the carrier’s total firm orders for the type to 51. These will be supplemented by another six A330-300s leased from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC).

The contract was signed in Paris by Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X and Fabrice Brégier, President and CEO, Airbus, witnessed by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Co-founder and Director of AirAsia X.
AirAsia X will start taking delivery of its newly-ordered A330-300s in 2015 as it begins a major expansion of its network across the Asia-Pacific region. The new order includes the latest extended range versions of the A330-300, providing the carrier with the ability to offer non-stop service to destinations in Europe or one-stop service to the US.

Tan Sri’ Tony Fernandes, Co-Founder and Director of AirAsia X said, “This order stamps our firm intent to dominate the long-haul, low cost carrier space and marks the next phase in our development to be the undisputed global market leader. Our commitment would allow us to remain as the youngest wide body fleet age in the region at under five years throughout 2019, with corresponding competitive fuel efficiency, reliability and cabin comfort benefits.”

“The aircraft orders would further cater to our expansion plans in Malaysia, and the proposed new Thai AirAsia X hub as well as other long-haul ventures planned across Asia. The developments will complement the AirAsia Group’s long-term vision of developing its presence in key markets in Asia and strengthen the connectivity between long-haul and short-haul low-cost network.”