Published by Michael October 13th, 2008
in Airbus and Orders & Deliveries.
Volaris, a Mexican low-fare airline based in Toluca, Mexico, has received its first Airbus A320 from Airbus. The aircraft was handed over at a ceremony held in Toulouse. In January 2006, Volaris had signed a contract with Airbus for the acquisition of 16 new A319s, which was renewed in 2007 for 14 more A320 Family aircraft.
Volaris, which started operating in 2006, has since successfully expanded its route network with an all-Airbus fleet, and currently operates 18 A319s.
Volaris’ new A320 will carry 174 passengers in a comfortable single class configuration and will be equipped with IAE V2500 engines. The aircraft will be put into service on Volaris’ high density routes from its Toluca hub.
Volaris is an equal partnership between Inbursa (a Mexican financial institution), Protego-Discovery (an investment fund), TACA (a leading Latin-American airline) and Grupo Televisa (a Latin-American media conglomerate).
Source: Airbus
Published by Michael October 6th, 2008
in Airbus and Orders & Deliveries.
On Friday the Colombian flag carrier Avianca took delivery of its first Airbus A330-200. This A330 is the first of ten aircraft of this type to be delivered to the airline. This aircraft is part of an Avianca order for 57 Airbus aircraft, which was signed in May 2007, and includes 47 Airbus A320 Family aircraft and ten A330-200s. Avianca also ordered another three A320s via leasing companies. Avianca’s main shareholder, the Synergy Group, has furthermore purchased ten A350XWBs.
The airline will operate the A330 on its intercontinental network to Europe, and on routes in the Americas. The aircraft will be able to accommodate 280 passengers in a spacious two-class configuration, and will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent772B engines.
Avianca, Colombia’s largest airline, already received one A320 and three A319s this year as start of a complete fleet renewal programme. Until the end of 2008, Avianca will still receive another A319, one more A320 and one additional A330-200.
Source: Airbus
Published by Michael October 1st, 2008
in Airbus and Orders & Deliveries.
Arik Air, the growing private airline based in Lagos, Nigeria, has signed a firm contract for the purchase of three Airbus A340-500s. This order makes Arik Air the 10th and latest customer for the A340-500.
The acquisition of the new A340s is an important step in the airline’s growth strategy to develop Lagos and Abuja as hubs. These aircraft will be used on new routes towards London, New York and Houston. These aircraft are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines and will provide the best possible passenger comfort in a two-class configuration. All the aircraft will be delivered by the end of November 2008.
Source: Airbus
Published by Michael October 1st, 2008
in Boeing, Military and Orders & Deliveries.
Boeing today announced that an international consortium of 10 NATO members - joined by Partnership for Peace nations Sweden and Finland - signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Sept. 24 to acquire three Boeing C-17 Globemaster III long-range cargo jets. The agreement sets the stage for NATO’s first major defense purchase in 30 years.
Under the agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense and the NATO Airlift Management Agency, two of the advanced airlifters would be purchased from Boeing, while a third would be provided by the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft would be assigned to NATO’s Heavy Airlift Wing and jointly operated by the nations from Pápa Air Base, Hungary. Delivery of the first aircraft could take place as early as spring 2009.
Each participating nation would pay for a portion of a C-17 rather than an entire aircraft, allowing them to share a pooled fleet. The 12 countries participating in NATO’s Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) program are Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden and the United States.
The C-17 fleet will allow each nation to meet its airlift requirements to support sovereign and multinational mission requirements. NATO does not currently own a heavy airlift capability and frequently contracts with nations such as the United States and Russia for assistance with its heavy airlift requirements. The MOU calls for Boeing to establish a facility at Pápa Air Base to provide C-17 logistics support under the current Globemaster Support Partnership.
There are 192 operational C-17s worldwide - 178 with the U.S. Air Force; six with the Royal Air Force (UK); four with the Royal Australian Air Force, and four with the Canadian Forces. Boeing received a contract in July to provide the C-17 to Qatar, with deliveries starting in late summer 2009.
Source: Boeing
Photo: Flightstory.net
Published by Michael September 26th, 2008
in Orders & Deliveries and Embraer.
Embraer recently delivered the first E190 jet to Virgin Nigeria. The aircraft accommodates 96 passengers in a dual-class layout, with 12 first-class and 84 Elite seats, and also features a state-of-the-art In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system, with individual TV screens at each seat.
The EMBRAER 190 is the first E-Jet delivered to Virgin Nigeria, and it will assist the airline’s growing domestic and regional network, by providing the right capacity for current routes. The aircraft will also be used to develop international markets, feeding the Lagos hub for its long-haul operations.
Virgin Nigeria’s EMBRAER 190 is equipped with the new-generation i4500 satellite-based In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system supplied by Thales Avionics (USA). As the aircraft enters service, passengers flying short-haul routes will have the opportunity to watch movies, as well as Nigerian and foreign programs, or select from a wide range of music channels.
In November 2007, at the Dubai Air Show, Virgin Nigeria announced firm orders for seven EMBRAER 170s and three EMBRAER 190s, all of which are Advanced Range versions, plus options for six EMBRAER 190s and purchase rights for another eight E-Jets.
Source: Embraer
Photo: Embraer
Published by Michael September 20th, 2008
in Orders & Deliveries and Bombardier.
Bombardier Aerospace announced recently that Croatia Airlines has signed a contract to acquire two Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners. The airline has also taken options for an additional four aircraft. The transaction represents the conversion of two options taken for Q400 aircraft which was announced on June 4, 2007 when Croatia Airlines also placed a firm order for four Q400 aircraft. Two of those aircraft have already been delivered.
Croatia Airlines is the Croatian flag carrier and a Star Alliance member.
Photo: Bombardier
Source: Bombardier
Australia’s flagship airline, Qantas, has received the first of 20 Airbus A380s on order, at a ceremony in Toulouse, France. The Rolls-Royce powered aircraft was handed over to Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Dixon and Qantas CEO-Designate, Alan Joyce by Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO and John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers.
Photos and videos at http://www.a380delivery.com/qantas/
The aircraft - VH-OQA / MSN014 - is named in honour of “Nancy Bird Walton“, an female Australien aviation pioneer.
Qantas’ A380 cabin was created by internationally renowned designer Marc Newson. Typically the A380 seats 525 passengers in three-classes, however Qantas’ cabin is extra spacious with 450 seats (14 First, 72 Business, 32 Premium Economy and 332 Economy) (seat plan).
Qantas’ A380 will stop-over in Singapore before arriving in Sydney on September 21st at 9:00am local time. Qantas’ first commercial A380 services will be launched on October 20th from Melbourne to Los Angeles, and on October 24th from Sydney to Los Angeles. Later Qantas will also fly the A380 to Singapore and London.
Source: Airbus
Published by Michael September 17th, 2008
in Orders & Deliveries and Embraer.
Embraer announced the sale of the first EMBRAER 195 jet to Montenegro Airlines, today. The agreement with the airline from the Republic of Montenegro also includes purchase rights for two more aircraft of the same model.
The EMBRAER 195 for Montenegro Airlines will comfortably seat 116 passengers in a singleclass layout and delivery is expected in 2009. The company plans to use the new airplane for key markets on the European continent, including routes to cities like London and Moscow.
Last June, Embraer delivered the first EMBRAER 195 to Montenegro Airlines through a leasing operation carried out by GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS). This leasing contract includes another aircraft of the same model for delivery next year that will increase the airline’s fleet to three EMBRAER 195s by mid-2009.
Photo: Embraer
Source: Embraer
Published by Michael September 15th, 2008
in Airbus and Orders & Deliveries.
French Caribbean carrier Air Caraïbes has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for three A350-1000 aircraft, and is with this purchase decision becoming the European launch customer for the largest version of the A350 XWB.
The aircraft will be operated on the airline’s network from Paris to the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique and soon to French Guyana. They will be configured in three classes with a total of 440 seats.
Air Caraïbes already operates a young all Airbus long haul fleet of two A330-200s and one A330-300, with three more aircraft of the same type (A330-300) on order. As the airline continues to add capacity on their popular long haul routes, the A350-1000 will become the backbone of the fleet.
Air Caraïbes operates approximately 20 flights per week out of the Paris hub, serving Guadeloupe and Martinique and from there an extensive inter-Caribbean islands route network including, Santa Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Bartholomew, the Dominican Republic, as well as routes to Costa Rica and Panama. The airline distinguishes itself by offering extra comfort with individual TV screens and on demand video systems in all classes.
Source: Airbus
Published by Michael September 9th, 2008
in Airbus and Orders & Deliveries.
Afriqiyah Airways from Libya took delivery of its first medium range Airbus A319. This A319 is the first of three aircraft of this type to be delivered to the young and dynamic airline, and is part of an order signed in 2006, which also includes 11 A320s and three long range A330-200s. To date two A320s have also been delivered to the airline. In 2007, Afriqiyah signed another firm contract for six A350XWB aircraft to further expand their growing international long haul network.
The A319 will be integrated into Afriqiyah’s all Airbus fleet, and be deployed from their hub in Tripoli, from where Afriqiyah operates non-stop key routes in Europe such as Paris, Brussels, Geneva, London, Rome and Amsterdam, as well as to 17 destinations in North-, West- and Central Africa and the Middle East. The aircraft is configured to seat 124 passengers in a very comfortable two-class configuration and is powered by CFM56-5B engines.
Source: Airbus
Published by Michael September 5th, 2008
in Orders & Deliveries and Bombardier.
Austrian Airlines has signed a contract to acquire four Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners. The airline has also taken options on an additional two aircraft. The aircraft will be operated by the regional airline of the Austrian Airlines Group, Tyrolean Airways - brand name Austrian arrows.
Austrian arrows’ current fleet includes 12 Bombardier Q300 and 10 Q400 turboprop aircraft, and 12 CRJ200 LR regional jets.
Photo: Bombardier
Published by Michael September 5th, 2008
in Orders & Deliveries and Embraer.
Embraer today announced the delivery of the first EMBRAER 170 jet to Régional – Compagnie Aérienne Européenne, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Air France Group. This is the first of a total of nine firm orders it has for the EMBRAER 170 from the French airline.
Régional’s EMBRAER 170 is configured in a 76-seat single-class layout. It will enter service this week on its domestic and intra-European networks.
As Embraer’s largest customer in Europe, Régional currently operates a total fleet of 48 Embraer aircraft (6 EMBRAER 190s, 28 ERJ 145s, 9 ERJ 135s, and 5 EMB 120 Brasilias).
Photo: Embraer
Published by Michael September 4th, 2008
in Boeing and Orders & Deliveries.
Well folks, I’m back from holiday and to starting up the blog again, here is a short summary of the latest orders and deliveries announced by Boeing during last weeks.
EgyptAir announced an order for two 777-300ER (Extended Range) jetliners, with options for two additional airplanes, as part of the airline’s twin-aisle fleet upgrade for its long-haul service. Some time ago the airline announced its new, more modern livery, as shown below.
Brazil’s Varig Airlines got delivered two 737-800s. The 737-800s are equipped with Blended Winglets and Boeing’s special short-field performance package designed for short runways such as Santos Dumont in Rio de Janeiro.
Dubai-based airline Emirates celebrated the delivery of a 777-300ER (Extended Range) and a 777-200LR (Longer Range). These new 777s are the 62nd and 63rd of the model type delivered to Emirates. Representatives from the Emirates and Boeing team are pictured here prior to the airplanes’ departure for Dubai.
Istanbul-based airline Saga Airlines announced an order for two Boeing 737-800s with Blended Winglets. Saga Airlines has also secured two purchase rights for the same model.
Photos: Boeing
Published by Michael August 22nd, 2008
in Photos, Boeing and Orders & Deliveries.
Boeing on Monday delivered EgyptAir’s third Next-Generation 737-800. The airplane is the airline’s first 737 to be painted in Star Alliance livery.
On July 11, EgyptAir celebrated its induction as the 21st member of Star Alliance, officially expanding its network to 1624 weekly flights to 69 destinations around the world. The Cairo Airport Authority is scheduled to open a dedicated Star Alliance terminal later this year, capable of serving 11 million passengers annually.
Photo Credit: Boeing
Source: Boeing
Published by Michael August 18th, 2008
in Boeing and Orders & Deliveries.
The first of 8 Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes ordered by TAM Airlines, Brazil’s largest airline, left Paine Field for Sao Paulo yesterday. TAM is the first Latin American airline to operate the 777-300ER, the world’s largest, long-range, twin-engine jetliner, powered by General Electric’s GE-90 Series engines. The delivery also marks TAM’s first acquisition of a new Boeing airplane.
The airline’s new 777s feature the Boeing Class 3 Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), a hardware and electronic data package used by pilots that replaces traditional flight manuals and provides operational and safety benefits. TAM is the first South American carrier to incorporate a Class 3 EFB, which is fully integrated into a commercial airplane’s avionics. The EFB features an Onboard Performance Tool, using sophisticated calculations to help the airline optimize its payload for airport and weather conditions and applicable regulations and policies.
TAM plans to operate its 777-300ERs on international flights within South America and connecting South America with Europe and North America.
Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Boeing
Latest Comments