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.

13th A380 - Emirates Airbus A380

“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

Safety Report – 12/29/2008 – Planes collide at SEA

Date & Time: 12/28/2008 15:15
Location: Seattle, WA – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA/KSEA)

Aircraft:

Boeing 737-832 Registration: N397DA Operator: Delta Air Lines Flight: 1288


Boeing 757-351 Registration: N585NW Operator: Delta Air Lines (ex Northwest Airlines) Flight: 620

Phase: Pushback
Damage:
N397DA – Substantial damage to left elevator
N585NW – Substantial damage to left elevator and horizontal stabilizer

Injuries & Fatalities: None
Description: While pushback of both aircraft from the gate, both aircraft struck each other – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA/KSEA)

Source: FAA
Correctness of this posting is not guaranteed & completeness not intended. This posting is just for informational purpose.

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.

British Airways Embraer E190

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

Continental B737 Off Runway at Denver

On Saturday 20 Dec. 18:18 local time, Continental Air Lines flight 1404, a Boeing 737-524 (N18611) bound from Denver International Airport (DEN/KDEN) to Houston-George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH/KIAH) went off runway 34R during takeoff and caught fire.

All 115 people on board were evacuated using the emergency slides, at least 38 occupants were taken to hospitals, 1 was reported seriously injured – there’re no fatalities reported.

On a press conference Chief of Denver Fire Dept. described a heavy fire on the entire right side of the plane and significant fire damage inside the cabin with luggage compartments beeing melted, dropping down on the seats.

Videos

Raw Video – Aftermath of Denver plane Accident by AP

Video by CBS

Link: Video by CBS4

Link: Phone Call with Passenger

Link: CBS4 Video – Press Briefing

Photos

Link: Photos at Times Online

Photo of the Day – Delta 747 Taking Off

Delta Boeing 747 taking off
Click for full size!

This photo – released by Delta just today – is showing N665US / 6305, the first of 16 “new” Delta Boeing 747-400 taking off from Victorville, CA. Former operated by Northwest Airlines, the 747 is now wearing its new Delta livery. Delta didn’t operate 747s for nearly 31 years.

View additional pictures: Photos – Delta Unveils 747-400 in New Livery

Embraer Delivers E195 to Azul Linhas Aereas

Embraer delivered the first EMBRAER 195 jet, last Thursday, to Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras, which will be the first Brazilian airline to operate the E-Jets. The contract is for 36 firm orders: 31 EMBRAER 195s and five EMBRAER 190s. The deal was announced in March of this year, and also includes options for another 20 aircraft and purchase rights for another 20.

Azul Linhas Aereas Embraer 195

Azul begins operations out of Viracopos Airport, in the city of Campinas, in outstate São Paulo, to Porto Alegre and Salvador. The airline company received its Authorization Certificate as an Air Transportation Company from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency and has already announced the first routes it intends to operate in Brazil.

Azul’s EMBRAER 195 is configured in a single class and will comfortable accommodate 118 passengers. A state-of-the-art entertainment system, with Live TV and individual screens, will be available and each passenger may select the programming of their choice.
With a range of 2,200 nautical miles (4,077 km), the jet will be able to fly nonstop between any two Brazilian capital cities.

Source: Embraer
Photo: Embraer

Photos – Delta Unveils 747-400 in New Livery

31 years after Delta retired all of their 747s, Delta Air Lines today unveiled the first Boeing 747-400 in the new Delta paint scheme. Ship 6305 is the first of 16 747-400s operated by Northwest Airlines, now a part of Delta, to be rolled out of a hangar in Victorville, CA in the new paint scheme.

Many travelers over the holiday period will be among the first to see the newly painted Delta aircraft as it re-enters service in mid-December.

Photos
Delta Boeing 747-400
Delta Airlines Boeing 747-400 New Livery
Delta Air Lines Boeing 747-400
Delta Boeing 747-400
Delta 747-400
Delta Boeing 747-400 New Livery

Courtesy of Delta Air Lines

Related: Photo of the Day – Delta 747 Taking Off

Safety Report – 12/12/2008


Date & Time: 12/11/2008 22:01
Location: Greer, SC
Aircraft Type: McDonnell Douglas MD-88 Registration: N924DL
Operator: Delta Air Lines Flight: 1102
Phase: Landing
Damage: Unknown
Injuries & Fatalities: None
Description: Delta Airlines flight 1102 on landing blew out two tires and came to a stop on the taxiway – passengers evacuated via slides on the taxiway

Source: FAA
Correctness of this posting is not guaranteed & completeness not intended. This posting is just for informational purpose.

787 Dreamliner First Flight and Delivery Delayed Again

Boeing today announced an updated schedule for its all-new 787 Dreamliner program that moves the commercial jet’s first flight into the second quarter of 2009 and first delivery into the first quarter of 2010. The new schedule reflects the impact of disruption caused by the recent Machinists’ strike along with the requirement to replace certain fasteners in early production airplanes.

“Our industry team has made progress with structural testing, systems hardware qualification, and production, but we must adjust our schedule for these two unexpected disruptions,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Scott Carson.
Prior to the strike that halted much of the company’s commercial airplane work from early September into November, the 787 was to make its first flight late in the fourth quarter of 2008. First delivery was slated for the third quarter of 2009.
“We’re laser focused on what needs to be done to prepare for first flight,” said Pat Shanahan, 787 program vice president. “We will overcome this set of circumstances as we have others in the past, and we understand clearly what needs to be done moving forward.”
Included in the preparations for first flight, Shanahan said, are finalizing and incorporating remaining engineering changes and completing systems testing, qualifications and certification.
Boeing is evaluating the specific impact of this delay on customer delivery dates and will provide customers with updated schedules once completed. The company is also determining any financial impact from this schedule change and will incorporate that into updated financial and overall airplane delivery guidance that will be released at a later date.