Orders & Deliveries – Page 6 – Flightstory.net

Fuji Dream Receives Its First E170

Embraer delivered the first Embraer 170 jet to Japanâ€™s Fuji Dream Airlines, a company of the Suzuyo Group. The airline has ordered another Embraer 170, which is scheduled for delivery later this year.

“Beginning deliveries to a new customer is always a challenging milestone for us. The specific case of Fuji Dream is more than that, since weâ€™re taking part in the birth of a brand-new airline in a highly competitive and demanding market like Japan,â€ stated Mauro Kern, Embraer Executive Vice President, Airline Market. â€œWe are proud to be a part of this business initiative headed by an energetic airline like Fuji Dream.â€

This Embraer 170 from Fuji Dream can comfortably carry up to 76 passengers in a singleclass layout, and will operate out of Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport, in central Japan. Shizuoka Airport is currently under construction and is expected to be completed and operational by July, 2009. Fuji Dream will operate 1 daily flight to Kagoshima, 1 to Kumamoto, and 2 daily flights to Komatsu.

Fuji Dream Airlines was incorporated in June 2008 to be the Suzuyo Groupâ€™s air transportation arm.
By entering the airline business and building on the convenience of Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport, Suzuyo Group contributes to Shizuokaâ€™s economic development.

Photo: Embraer
Source: Embraer

First Boeing 777 Freighter Delivered to Air France

Boeing celebrated the delivery of the first Boeing 777 Freighter to launch customer Air France in a ceremony at the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour near Paine Field.

“Our new Boeing 777 Freighter will operate very well with our 747-400ER Freighters,” said Air France Executive Vice President for New Aircraft & Corporate Fleet Planning Pierre Vellay. “Also, we will benefit from the airplane’s commonality with our proven 777 passenger fleet and improve our cargo efficiency to help us through the current economic difficulties.”

Providing cargo capacity normally associated with larger airplanes, the 777 Freighter can fly 4,880 nautical miles (9,038 kilometers) with a full payload of 226,700 pounds (103 metric tons). The new airplane is expected to progressively replace the 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) in the Air France Cargo fleet. Air France currently operates five 747-400ER Freighters and four 747-400BCFs.

“The 777 Freighter uses less fuel per cargo tonne than any freighter operating,” said Aldo Basile, vice president, Sales, Europe, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “With the 777F, Air France also will experience the lowest maintenance costs and the lowest trip costs of any large freighter, as well as outstanding environmental performance.”

The 777 Freighter is the world’s longest-range freighter and features the lowest trip cost of any large freighter, with high cargo density and 10-foot (3.1-meter) interior height capability that complement the popular 747 Freighter family.
“The 777 Freighter provides a new level of cargo economics, with low tonne-kilometer costs to help cargo airlines in the current environment,” said Larry Loftis, vice president and general manager of the Boeing 777 Program. “The 777 Freighter is a great example of Boeing’s commitment to continuously improve the 777 family to deliver top value to owners and operators.”

The 777 Freighter is powered by General Electric’s GE90-110B1L and meets QC2 noise standards.
Air France Cargo also was the first operator of the 747-400ER Freighter.
Twelve customers have ordered a total of 73 777 Freighters.

Photo: Boeing
Source: Boeing

Boeing delivers first Australian 777 to V Australia

Boeing and the Virgin Group’s new V Australia long-haul airline celebrated the first 777-300ER to go to an Australian carrier. The airplane, delivered by Boeing to International Lease Finance Corp. and leased to V Australia, is one of seven leased and purchased 777-300ERs V Australia will deploy on trans-Pacific and other routes.

V Australia will launch three-class Sydney-Los Angeles non-stop service on Feb. 27, building to daily flights by March 20. Brisbane-Los Angeles flights begin April 8. V Australia’s 777-300ER carries 361 passengers in business, premium economy and economy classes, with advanced in-flight entertainment options.

Boeing has been eager to see an Australian airline using the 777’s capabilities in the South Pacific region, according to Stan Deal, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president, Asia Pacific Sales.
“It is a great day to see this 777-300ER take on the job it was designed for,” he said. “V Australia will be first with 777 service on the Sydney-Los Angeles route – exactly why we built this airplane. We congratulate V Australia for its visionary role.”

V Australia’s 777-300ER is powered by the GE90-115B.

Photo: Boeing
Source: Boeing

Korean Air orders more A380s

Korean Air has placed firm orders with Airbus for two more A380 aircraft. This latest purchase agreement brings the total number of A380s ordered by Korean Air to 10 aircraft. The carrier will operate the aircraft in a three-class layout on routes linking Seoul to destinations in North America and Europe, including Los Angeles, New York and Paris.

“Our decision to purchase the A380 aircraft is in line with our vision to become a global leading carrier providing the best quality of service to our passengers,” said Yang Ho Cho, Chairman and CEO of Korean Air. “The A380 is a comfortable, environment-friendly aircraft for the 21st century and it will enable Korean Air to provide Excellence in Flight to our customers.”

Total orders for the aircraft now stand at 200 from 16 customers.

Source: Airbus
Image: Airbus

Airbus News – Air Austral selects A380 – SIA gets first A330 – Wataniya Airways gets first Airbus

Last week Air Austral, the airline based in Saint Denis, La Reunion, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus for the purchase of two A380s in a single-class configuration.

In a single-class configuration the aircraft will seat around 840 passengers in the widest economy class seats and the service proven quietest cabin in the sky. Air Austral plans to operate the A380 through one of its subsidiaries on its high-density route from La Reunion to Paris, France. No engine choice has been made at this stage.

Today Singapore Airlines has added a new Airbus type to its fleet with the delivery of its first A330-300. Acquired under a lease agreement with Dublin-based AWAS, the A330-343 (9V-STA) was handed over to the airline at a ceremony in Toulouse attended by Mak Swee Wah, Executive Vice President Operations and Services, Singapore Airlines, Frank Pray, President and Chief Executive Officer of AWAS and Tom Enders, President and Chief Executive Officer, Airbus.

Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, the A330 fleet will be operated by the carrier on regional and medium haul routes, initially linking Singapore with destinations in Australia and Japan. The airline is configuring its A330s in a high comfort layout seating 285 passengers in two classes, with accommodation for 30 in Business Class and 255 in Economy.

Today Kuwait based Airline Wataniya Airways, has taken delivery of its first leased A320 aircraft, and has become the newest Airbus operator. Wataniya Airways, founded in 2006, plans to take delivery of a total of seven leased A320s.

In a standard two class configuration, the A320 can seat 180 passengers, however Wataniya’s configuration is particularly spacious with just 122 seats.

Wataniya Airways will offer scheduled services to major destination in the Gulf and the Middle East based out of its own premium services terminal at Kuwait international Airport from early 2009.

Source: Airbus
Images: Airbus

Embraer sells Super Tucano to the Dominican Republic

Another news from Embraer this week – The Brazilian aircraft manufacturer yesterday confirmed the sale of 8 Super Tucano to the government of the Dominican Republic through a contract that was finalized at the end of last year. The aircraft will be operated by the Dominican Air Force to perform internal security and border patrol missions, within an operations theater focusing on fighting the drug traffic.

This is the third export contract for the this aircraft, after sales that were made to the Air Forces of Colombia (FAC) and Chile (FACH).

To date, 63 units of the Super Tucano have already been delivered to the Brazilian Air Force (ForÃ§a AÃ©rea Brasileira â€“ FAB) and 25 to the FAC, and they are successfully used for border surveillance and other operational missions. In all, 144 aircraft have been sold to four Latin American customers. The Air Forces of Colombia received its 25th Super Tucano in August of last year, thus finalizing the deliveries begun to this customer, in December 2006. The contract was the first export of this aircraft, and the agreement included TOSS (Training and Operation Support System), an advanced training and operational support system with ground stations. The FACH agreement for the sale of 12 aircraft was also announced by Embraer in August 2008.

The Super Tucano went into operation with the FAB in December 2003, to be used for pilot training, as well as for operational missions. This capability ranks the Super Tucano as the worldâ€™s only aircraft in production that is able to handle advanced pilot training and surveillance and counter-insurgency missions, even at night, using night vision goggles and electro-optical and infrared sensors.

Source: Embraer
Photo: Embraer

Embraer sells another ERJ 135 to Thailand

Embraer last week announced that they have signed a contract with the Royal Thai Army for a second ERJ 135 jet. This third airplane for the Government of Thailand will be used to carry civilian and military officials, and the delivery is scheduled for 2009.

At the end of 2008, Embraer delivered one ERJ 135 to the Royal Thai Army and other to the Royal Thai Navy. They will be
used in Thailand to transport government officials and to handle Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) missions by the Royal Thai Navy.

The airplane for the Royal Thai Navy is based at the U-Tapao Air Base, and the Royal Thai Armyâ€™s aircraft in Bangkok.

Source: Embraer
Photo: Embraer

Indian Navy Selects Boeing P-8I

The Government of India has selected the Boeing Company to provide eight P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft to the Indian navy. The P-8I is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing is developing for the U.S. Navy.

India is the first international customer for the P-8. Boeing will deliver the first P-8I within 48 months of the contract signing, and the remaining seven by 2015.

The P-8I is a true multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) that features greater flexibility and a broader range of capabilities than MPAs currently in service. The P-8I can operate effectively over land or water while performing anti-submarine warfare missions; search and rescue; maritime interdiction; and long-range intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance.

The aircraft features an open system architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies, and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment.

The P-8 is a militarized version of the 737-800. The P-8 is unique in that it has 767-400ER-style raked wingtips, instead of the blended winglets available on 737NG variants. It also includes 6 additional body fuel tanks, three in the forward cargo compartment and three in the rear, for extended range.

Source: Boeing
Photo: Boeing

Airbus delivers 12th A380 in 2008

Airbus yesterday reached its target of delivering 12 A380 aircraft in 2008, bringing the total number of A380s delivered to date to 13.

The first A380 was delivered to Singapore Airlines on 15th October 2007, with five more delivered to the airline in 2008. Qantas received three A380s in 2008, and Emirates four – the most recent of which was delivered on the 30th December 2008 from the Airbus delivery centre in Hamburg, Germany.

“We have met our 2008 delivery schedule”, said Tom Enders, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer. “That was only possible thanks to a tremendous team effort. This gives us a good basis to further ramp up our production in 2009. With the in-service fleet steadily growing, our airline customers are benefiting from lower operating costs while their passengers are benefiting from unequalled cabin comfort and quietness. The environment is benefiting too. With lower emissions and noise, the A380 is the most eco-efficient aircraft in service today.”

The in-service A380 fleet has flown more than 21,000 revenue flight hours in more than 2200 commercial flights carrying more than 890,000 passengers. The world’s first full double-deck aircraft is now connecting four continents and flying on seven major international routes. A380s in service link Singapore with Sydney, London and Tokyo, Dubai with New York and London, and Sydney and Melbourne with Los Angeles.

Being greener, cleaner, quieter and smarter, the A380 is setting new standards for air transport and the environment. In addition to the quiet and spacious double-deck cabin, the A380 is also setting new industry-standards for the environment. The in-service experience has shown that the A380 consumes 20 percent less fuel per seat than the previous largest aircraft, representing the lowest fuel burn of any large aircraft ever.

Orders for the aircraft stand at 198 from 16 customers. In 2009 Airbus plans to deliver 21 A380s.

Source: Airbus
Photo: Airbus

British Airways orders 11 Embraer E-Jets

Embraer recently announced that the Brazilian aircraft builder and British Airways signed a contract for 11 E-Jets, comprised of six Embraer 170 and five Embraer 190SR jets, to be operated by BA CityFlyer.

The deal, which heralds a significant modernization of its regional fleet, also includes options for another three Embraer 190SR jets. The first BA CityFlyer Embraer 170, configured with 76 seats, is scheduled for delivery in the second semester of 2009. The larger Embraer 190SR will seat up to 98 passengers.

The Embraer 170 obtained steep approach certification to operate at London City Airport in June 2007. This approach uses a software solution developed within the existing fly-bywire system, which means improved flight quality and control and reduced pilot workload, with less weight and maintenance cost. The Embraer 190SR is currently undergoing a series of engineering evaluation tests with a view to receiving its steep approach certification by the end of 2009.

In order to support its new Embraer fleet during the next ten years, British Airways also signed the Embraer Pool Flight Hour Program, which provides optimized inventory control at reduced initial investments for parts and infrastructure.

On September 30, 2008, Embraer had logged 865 firm orders and 813 options for the E-Jets family. With 500 aircraft delivered to date, the family has a broad base of 52 operators in 35 countries, on five continents.

Source: Embraer
Image: Embraer