Category: Orders & Deliveries

Lion Air orders 22 NG 737-900ER

Boeing recently confirmed a previously unidentified Lion Air order for 22 Next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range) airplanes. Indonesian Lion Air’s order was placed during the second quarter of 2007 and was listed in the unidentified category on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries Web site. This order, valued at more than $1.7 billion at current list prices, brings Lion Air’s combined orders for the 737-900ER to 122. All of Lion Air’s airplanes will be equipped with performance-enhancing Blended Winglets, which improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 4 percent.

Lion Air Next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range)

Lion Air, world’s largest operator of the 737-900ER, received the first 737-900ER in April when the airplane was delivered in a special dual paint scheme that combined the Lion Air lion on the vertical stabilizer and the Boeing livery colors on the fuselage. The airline will receive a total of seven 737-900ERs in 2007. Lion Air operates an all-Boeing fleet and is the largest low-cost airline in Asia, with traffic approaching 1 million passengers per month since the airline began operations in June 2000.

Photo Credit: Boeing
Source: Boeing

Boeing delivers Qatar 777-300ER and Okay Airways 737-800

Last week Boeing delivered the first Boeing airplane to join the Qatar Airways fleet. Qatar Airways’ new 777-300ER arrived in Doha after a nearly 15-hour direct flight from Paine Field in Everett, Wash.
Qatar has ordered a total of 27 777s with options for 5 additional airplanes. Qatar also has ordered 30 787 Dreamliners and holds 30 options.

Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER

Boeing also delivered the first Next Generation Boeing 737-800 to Tianjin-based Okay Airways Company Ltd., China’s first private airline. The new airplane, which is the 7th 737 in Okay Airways’ fleet, is under lease from AWAS (Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services).
This 737-800 is the first new-airplane delivery for Okay Airways and the first new-airplane delivery in four years for AWAS, an aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland.

Okay Airways Boeing 737-800

Photo Credit: Boeing
Source: Boeing

Hawaiian Airlines choose Airbus A350 XWB and A330

Airbus today announced that Hawaiian Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 6 Airbus A350 XWB-800s and 6 A330-200s, selecting Airbus aircraft for the first time in their history.

Hawaiian Airlines will begin receiving the new A330-200s starting in 2012 while A350 deliveries will begin in 2017. Both will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent engines.

The A350 XWB-800s will seat 322 passengers in a two-class configuration (First and Coach) and have a range of 6,900 nautical miles, which will give Hawaiian the capability to fly nonstop between Hawaii and Asia, Australasia, the Americas and Europe. The A350 carries 24 percent more passengers and is 20 percent more fuel efficient per seat mile than Hawaiian’s current fleet.

The A330-200 will seat 305 passengers in a two-class configuration. With an operating range of 5,500 nautical miles, the A330 can fly significantly farther than Hawaiian’s current fleet and will provide the ability to serve all of North America and points in eastern Asia nonstop from Hawaii. In addition, the A330 carries 45 more passengers and is more fuel efficient than Hawaiian’s current fleet.

The aircraft will be deployed within the airline’s Pacific network, which currently extends from Hawaii to nine cities in the Western United States and three cities in the South Pacific.

Source: Airbus & Hawaiian

TAP acquires A350XWBs and takes delivery of A330

Airbus today announced that TAP Portugal has signed a firm contract for 12 A350XWBs, plus 3 options, and a letter of intent for an additional 8 A320 Family aircraft. The Lisbon based airline herewith converts its initial order for the A350, placed in December 2005, into the new A350XWB, and has, simultaneously, increased the number of aircraft ordered, from 10 to 12.

At the same time TAP is taking delivery of its first directly owned A330-200. The aircraft powered, by General Electric CF6-80 engines was handed over, in a ceremony held in Toulouse. The aircraft will seat 268 passengers in a two-class configuration, and will join TAP’s fleet of seven A330-200s currently in operation.

Source: Airbus

KLM orders additional 777-300ER and 737-700

Following the Airbus announcement yesterday about an additional A330 order by KLM, Boeing counters with an KLM order as well.
According to Boeing, KLM has additionally ordered 3 Next-Generation 737-700s and 2 777-300ERs (Extended Range). KLM also took options on 1 additional 737 and 2 additional 777s. The order was previously posted to the Boeing Orders and Deliveries Web site attributed to an “unidentified customer”.
Including the recent orders, the airline has 6 777-300ERs on direct order with Boeing and is scheduled to take delivery of its first of this model in the first quarter of 2008. KLM currently operates a fleet of 15 777-200ERs in a combination of leases and direct purchases.

Source: Boeing

Further Airbus A330 orders announced

Airbus announced several new A330 orders. Following the orders in detail.

US Airways expands A330 order
US Airways is expanding its A330 fleet with the purchase of 5 more A330-200 aircraft. This firm order is in addition to the 92 Airbus aircraft, including 10 A330-200s ordered by US Airways in October of this year.

Doug Parker, chairman and CEO of US Airways said: “The A330-200 with its superior range relative to our existing fleet will allow US Airways to continue international expansion to new destinations across the globe from the Pacific to the Atlantic. We intend to use the A330s to expand our existing gateways as well as provide the potential to eventually add intercontinental service from our west coast hubs.”

“We are delighted that US Airways, our largest world-wide operator, continues to choose Airbus aircraft for its fleet. This additional order reaffirms the A330 as a superb performer for US Airways’ expanding international route network,” said John Leahy, Airbus’ Chief Operating Officer-Customers.

KLM signs follow-up contract for 2 A330s
KLM Royal Dutch Airlnes has signed a contract for the acquisition of two further A330-200s plus an option on two, herewith bringing their total A330 fleet to 12 aircraft. This acquisition is part of the longer term fleet renewal and expansion plans of KLM.
The A330s, powered by CF6-80E(1A3) engines, will mainly serve on intercontinental and will have a two-class configuration with 251 seats.

Source: Airbus

3rd C-40C delivered to U.S. Air Force

The Boeing Company Friday 16th November delivered the third of three C-40C transport aircraft to the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), providing a critical airlift asset to government leaders on official business.
Maj. Gen. Robert Duignan, commander, 4th Air Force, accepted the aircraft at Boeing facilities in Seattle and flew it to Scott Air Force Base (AFB), Ill., where it will begin service with the AFRC.

U.S. Air Force Boeing C-40C (NG 737-700)

The 932nd and 375th Airlift Wings, units of the AFRC and Air Mobility Command respectively, will use the Next-Generation 737-700 Boeing Business Jet derivative to provide congressional delegations and senior government personnel safe, secure and reliable transportation — often to remote locations around the world — while supporting their need to conduct in-flight business.
Aircraft modifications include military avionics that augment the 737’s commercial flight deck; satellite communications equipment for passenger use; a reconfigurable interior that comprises 40 business-class seats, two work areas with conference table or divan and accommodations for 11 crew members; and auxiliary fuel tanks that extend the aircraft’s range to approximately 4,400 nautical miles.
The airplane joins a family of 18 C-40s already in service with the U.S. government: three C-40Cs with the Air National Guard at Andrews AFB, Md., as well as the two already delivered to AFRC at Scott AFB; four Air Force C-40Bs supporting the U.S. Combatant Commands at Andrews, Ramstein AFB, Germany, and Hickam AFB, Hawaii; and the U.S. Navy Reserve’s nine C-40As stationed at Naval Air Stations North Island, Calif., Fort Worth, Texas, and Jacksonville, Fla.

Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Boeing – Jim Coley

First AirBridgeCargo 747-400 Freighter Delivered

On 16th November, Boeing delivered the first Boeing 747-400 Freighter to enter the fleet of AirBridgeCargo, a subsidiary of Volga-Dnepr Group, under lease from GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS).
The new airplane is the sixth 747 freighter in the AirBridge fleet, joining five 747-200/-300 Freighters. It is also the first of two 747-400 Freighters that AirBridgeCargo will lease from GE Commercial Aviation Services, and the carrier will take an additional 747-400F on lease in the second quarter of 2008. The Volga-Dnepr Group has also ordered five of Boeing’s new 747-8 Freighters, the next model in the 747 freighter family.
GECAS has another 747-400F delivery in early 2008; which also will be leased to AirBridgeCargo.
The new airplane will be used on AirBridgeCargo’s routes worldwide. AirBridgeCargo’s new Boeing 747-400 Freighter is powered by General Electric CF6-80C2 engines.

AirBridgeCargo 747-400 Freighter (Volga-Dnepr Group)

Source & Picture: Boeing

Dubai Airshow 2007 – Airbus Orders Overview

Airbus S.A.S. LogoAirbus ended the 10th Dubai Airshow with major orders, re-enforcing customer confidence in its leading product range. During the show, Airbus received 163 firm orders valued at US over $28 billion at catalogue prices, from 10 customers. Airbus also won its largest ever order in terms of value for 70 A350 XWBs and 11 A380s from Emirates Airline. In addition, it received 132 commitments from three customers.

Orders in detail

  • C Jet Limited of Hong Kong has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the first VIP Airbus A350XWB, becoming a new customer for the type. Called the Airbus A350XWB Prestige the aircraft will feature a VIP cabin customised to C Jet Limited’s needs.
  • New Egyptian airline Nile Air has agreed to buy 9 Airbus A321 aircraft. The privately owned regional carrier signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus to base its future fleet on the A321 aircraft.
  • Airblue, Pakistan’s fastest-growing airline has signed a firm contract for eight Airbus A320s, taking their total order for the A320 Family to 14. In late November 2006, Airblue signed firm contracts for six Airbus A320s. The aircraft will be configured to seat 157 passengers in two classes.
  • Al Jaber Aviation, a member of the Al Jaber Group, has placed a firm order for two Airbus A318 Elites and has signed a letter of interest for two Airbus A380s. Al Jaber Aviation is the first company to purchase the Airbus A318 Elite in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The aircraft will be powered by CFM International CFM56-5B9/P engines.
  • Oman Air has signed a firm contract with Airbus for 5 new aircraft from the A330 Family. The order is for 3 A330-300s and 2 A330-200s. No engine choice has been made.
  • Yemenia, the official carrier of the state of Yemen, based in Sanaa, has signed a firm contract for ten Airbus A350 XWB aircraft as part of its long haul fleet modernization programme. Yemenia’s A350 XWBs will be configured in a comfortable two-class configuration with seating for 18 passengers in First Class and 265 in Economy.
  • DAE Capital, the aircraft leasing and financing division of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to buy 100 aircraft from Airbus. The order is for 70 A320 Family and 30 A350 XWB Family aircraft.
  • Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, Chairman of Kingdom Holding company, has signed a firm order with Airbus for an A380 Flying Palace, becoming the first customer for the VIP version of the new double-deck airliner. … more
  • Air Arabia, the first and largest low cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, has signed a firm contract for 34 Airbus A320 aircraft with an option for 15 more. … more
  • Saudi Arabian Airlines, Saudi Arabia’s national airline, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 22 Airbus A320 aircraft as part of the fleet modernisation plans. The agreement allows Saudia to increase the order by eight further A320s. … more
  • Dubai based Emirates Airline has signed a firm contract for 81 Airbus wide-body aircraft – 50 Airbus A350XWB -900 plus 20 -1000, and 11 additional A380s – in an agreement which could eventually rise to 131 aircraft. According to Airbus, this is largest ever order in terms of value. … more
  • Riyadh based National Air Services (NAS) has signed a firm contract to buy 20 Airbus A320 Family aircraft for the company’s budget airline arm, nasair, following an earlier agreement signed at the 47th International Paris Air Show in Le Bourget. The agreement includes 18 purchase rights.
  • C Jet Limited, has placed a firm order for an Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ), becoming a new customer. …more

Source: Airbus

Dubai Airshow 2007 – Boeing Orders Overview

Boeing Logo Boeing could not announce as many new orders as Airbus at Dubai Airshow 2007, however some big orders have been signed.

Orders in detail

  • Royal Jordanian signed an order for two additional 787 Dreamliners. The airline also has announced an agreement to take two more 787s on lease from CIT Aerospace.
  • Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) signed a proposal acceptance at the Dubai Air Show for 100 airplanes that includes four of Boeing’s production models (70 737s and a mix of 787s, 777s and 747s). This agreement follows a memorandum of understanding to forge a strategic partnership signed by Boeing and Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) in Paris on June 18, 2007.
  • The leasing company, LCAL, has placed an order for six additional 787-8 Dreamliners, expanding its fleet to 21 aircraft. The deal, worth approximately $972 million at list prices, previously was listed on the Boeing Orders and Deliveries Web site and attributed to an unidentified customer.
  • Qatar Airways ordered 30 787 Dreamliners and five 777 Freighters. The airplane deal is valued at over $6.1 billion at list prices. The airplanes were previously listed on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries Web site as unidentified.
  • Emirates announced an order for 12 777-300ERs on the opening day of the Dubai Air Show. The approximate value of the airplane deal is $3.2 billion at list prices. The airplane order was previously listed on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website as unidentified.

Source: Boeing