Month: July 2008

Synergy Aerospace signs contract for 10 A350 XWB

Synergy Aerospace, main shareholder of Avianca and SAM in Colombia, Oceanair in Brazil and VIP in Ecuador, has signed a contract with Airbus for 10 A350-800s. This contract firms up the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Synergy Aerospace and Airbus in February 2008.

“After having ordered 57 Airbus A320 and A330 aircraft, we at the group have again selected Airbus aircraft for the modernisation of our fleets”, said German Efromovich, President of Synergy Aerospace. “The A350 XWB is simply the best choice for our affiliates, fulfilling our high expectations on passenger comfort and operational efficiency.”

“The A350 XWB will make Synergy Aerospace’s affiliates even more competitive; in terms of fuel savings and operational efficiency this aircraft is unbeatable. It has the widest fuselage, giving airlines ample cabin configuration flexibility, and the passenger maximum comfort and space. It simply offers more of all this with less fuel burn and environmental impact”, said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

Alis Aerolinee Italiane selects the all-new A330-200F to start cargo operations

Alis Aerolinee Italiane, an Italian cargo start-up company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus for the acquisition of five A330-200 Freighter aircraft, plus three options. An engine choice has not been made yet.

With an important cargo market potential, Alis Aerolinee Italiane intends to establish direct links between Northern Italy and long haul markets such as North America, India, China, Japan and South-East Asia.

“By opting for the A330-200F for our operations, we start with the most modern cargo aircraft available on the market in its category. The A330-200F offers superior economics, operational flexibility and overall better value for money what made it the logical choice for Alis and its shareholders,” said Alcide Leali, founder and CEO of Alis Aerolinee Italiane. “We are fully convinced that the A330-200 Freighter aircraft will greatly contribute to our development plans and allow us to operate the most modern and efficient fleet of cargo aircraft in Italy”.

Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers, John Leahy said, “We are proud to have been selected as Alis’s strategic partner in this exciting new project with our all-new A330-200F. This is another endorsement for our game changing A330 Freighter and a recognition of the opportunities the A330F offers carriers who want to run a flexible and optimized freighter operation on mid to long haul routes”.

The A330-200F is the latest addition to the very popular A330 Family of which over 540 aircraft are presently in service with more than 70 operators worldwide. This extensive operator base will greatly facilitate the entry into service of the new all-cargo variant into existing A330 fleets. As for all Airbus aircraft currently in production, the A330-200F will also benefit from Airbus’ unique full operational commonality. The now well recognised Airbus Fly-By-Wire technology also enables faster pilot transitioning to and from other Airbus aircraft, both passenger and freighter.

The A330-200F can carry up to 64 metric tonnes over 4,000 nautical miles/7400 km in its standard version. When selecting the optional payload mode operators can carry 69 metric tonnes up to 3,200 nautical miles/5930km. These range and payload capabilities will enable operators to grow their business by opening up or extending cargo routes currently operated. Thanks to an optimized fuselage cross-section, it has the interior flexibility to carry a wide variety of pallet and container sizes for maximum interlining capability, offering 30 percent more volume than any freighter in its class. Total firm orders for the aircraft stand at 77 from nine customers.

Source: Airbus

Asiana Airlines orders 30 Airbus A350 aircraft

Asiana Airlines of South Korea has signed a contract with Airbus for the purchase of 30 A350 XWB aircraft, plus 10 options. Delivery of the aircraft will begin in 2016 and the airline will take a combination of all three variants of the A350. The carrier will operate the aircraft on its regional and long haul routes.

“The A350 will play a key role in the Asiana fleet of the future,” said Park Chan-Bup, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Asiana Airlines. “In placing this order today, we are ensuring that we will remain at the forefront of the airline industry, offering our passengers the very highest levels of comfort while operating only the most modern, fuel-efficient aircraft.”

AerCap becomes launch customer for new Airbus A320/A321 freighter

Netherland based leasing company AerCap today signed a firm contract with Airbus Freighter Conversion GmbH (AFC) to convert 30 of AerCap’s passenger A320/A321s into freighter aircraft (P2F).

“The A320 and A321P2Fs are setting new standards in the feeder freighter market “, says Klaus Heinemann, Chief Executive Officer of AerCap. “This order will strengthen and expand our portfolio with the most and only modern aircraft in the small freighter segment.”

“We are very proud that AerCap, as a leading global aviation company, is the launch customer for this all new freighter aircraft”, says Lars Becker, CEO of AFC. “We anticipate about 400 Airbus Single Aisle aircraft to be converted from 2012 to 2026. The first A320 P2F will be ready in 2011. After ramp up, we plan to convert around 30 A320 family aircraft per year.”

“The state-of-the-art A320/A321P2F address the future growth of the air cargo market and target at the replacement of the ageing small freighters in service today”, says Christian Scherer, Airbus Executive Vice President Strategy and Future Programmes. “These modern fly-by-wire aircraft will bring new levels of efficiency to freight operations. In addition, this new application will further extend the service-life of the successful A320 Family far into the 21st century and boost their residual value. We see a substantial market demand.”

“The conversion of A320 Family aircraft is an important project for UAC”, adds Alexey Fedorov, UAC President. “Irkut Corporation, a member of UAC, is acting as a key player in this project. At the moment we are preparing a platform for P2F conversion, which will be located in Zhukovskij, perspective centre of Russian aircraft industry.”

Oleg Demchenko, Irkut corporation President, added: “The signature of the contract with the launch customer is an important milestone in the realisation of the joint project. We are happy that one of the leading international leasing companies AerCap became our launch customer. The interest to A320/A321 conversion, demonstrated by a number of companies, shows that the product is in demand on the world market.“

“With 160 converted widebody freighter aircraft delivered to customers worldwide, EADS EFW is well known as the Airbus freighter conversion expert. In this new project launched, we contribute our know-how for the benefit of all partners and customers to meet the market demand for a new smaller Airbus converted freighter,” said Dr. Andreas Sperl, President and CEO of EADS EFW. The Airbus A320 Family passenger to freighter conversion is an ideal extension of today’s product portfolio.”

Airbus Freighter Conversion GmbH (AFC) is responsible for the conversion of Airbus A320/A321 Family aircraft. The company is the interface to the customer and responsible for programme coordination, marketing and sales, customer contracts and the delivery of the converted aircraft. AFC is an EADS EFW, Airbus, UAC and Irkut joint company, headquartered in Dresden, Germany. The establishment of AFC in March 2007 marked a new step in the long-term, extensive cooperation programme between Russian and European industries. Russian share in the Joint Venture equals 50% and is divided between UAC (25%) and Irkut (25%). The other 50% are divided between EADS EFW (32%) and Airbus (18%). After ramping up the conversion line at the EFW facilities in Dresden, Germany, a second conversion line will be established in Zhukovskij, Russia.

Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus

Qatar Airways orders 4 additional Airbus A321s

Qatar Airways, the national airline of Qatar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the purchase of four Airbus A321 aircraft. The agreement was signed at a ceremony at the 46th Farnborough International Airshow by Qatar Airway’s Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, and Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders.

The Doha-based airline’s current in-service fleet consists of a total of 19 A320 Family variants, one A300-600R, three A300-600 freighters, 31 A330s, and four A340-600s.

Tunisair places firm order for A350s, A330s and A320s

North African airline Tunisair, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, has signed a firm contract with Airbus for the acquisition of 3 A350-800s, 3 A330-200s and 10 A320s, as part of an important fleet development plan that will modernise and expand the fleet of this growing airline. With this acquisition, that follows an initial agreement announced last April, Tunisair is the third African airline to order the all-new A350 XWB. Tunisair currently already has 12 A320s, 4 A319s, and 3 A300-600s in operation.

The all-new, eco-efficient A350s will provide the right aircraft at the right time for the long-term development plans of Tunisair for long haul routes to North America and Asia. Meanwhile, the A330s will allow the airline to modernize its wide-body fleet and seamlessly enter the long haul market, shortly opening new routes to North America with the most modern and cost efficient aircraft available today. Furthermore, the A320s will allow Tunisair to renew and expand its regional operations with more efficient and cost effective aircraft complementing its current fleet.

Aviation Capital Group to acquire 23 additional A320 Family aircraft

United States based lessor Aviation Capital Group (ACG) has signed a firm contract for the purchase of 23 Airbus A320 Family aircraft. With this contract, the wholly owned subsidiary of Pacific LifeCorp will have ordered 68 A320 Family aircraft since March 2007 and will have 148 A320 Family aircraft in its portfolio.

Aircraft lessor DAE Capital signs firm order for 100 Airbus aircraft

DAE Capital, the aircraft leasing and financing division of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), has signed a firm contract for the purchase of 30 Airbus A350-900 and 70 Airbus A320 aircraft. The contract follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the Dubai air show in November 2007.

DAE Capital aims to become a leading lessor based in the Middle East. DAE Capital’s parent company DAE is a fast developing global aerospace company with activities including airport development and operations, engineering, manufacturing and services.

Aeroflot orders five Airbus A321s

Russian flag carrier Aeroflot has signed a contract with Airbus for the purchase of 5 A321 aircraft to add to its growing medium haul fleet. The contract was signed at the 46th Farnborough International Airshow.

Powered by CFM International CFM56-5 engines, Aeroflot’s A321s will feature a spacious and comfortable two-class cabin layout, and will be deployed on the airline’s extended European and domestic networks.

Aeroflot was the first airline in Russia to operate the A310, with an entry into service in 1992, as well as the first to operate the A320 Family as from 2003. Currently, Aeroflot operates a fleet of 38 A320 Family aircraft.

Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus