Airbus – 10000th Order

On Monday Airbus announced its 10,000th order with a firm contract from Virgin America for 60 A320s, including 30 A320neo aircraft. This is the first firm order for the A320 new engine option; therefore Virgin America becomes the launch customer for the A320neo. This formalizes and expands an initial commitment given at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2010 with the inclusion of the A320neo as a new development in that deal. The 30 A320s will feature fuel-saving large wing tip devices called Sharklets. Virgin America has not yet announced its engine choice on the newly ordered A320s or the A320neo. Seating configuration on the aircraft will be the same as its existing A320 fleet (146-149 seats) in a two-class configuration.

Virgin America Airbus A320neo

“At just three years old and at a time when many carriers are contracting, we’re pleased to be growing and bringing our award-winning service to new markets,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. “We credit a great deal of our success to date to having the right aircraft. The low operating costs, cabin comfort and carbon-efficient design of our all-new Airbus A320 fleet has helped fuel our growth and success in the North American market – and we’re confident the A320neo will only build on that.”

“We hit our 5000th order in August of 2004 – after more than 30 years. To achieve the 10,000th order just over six years later is a ringing endorsement of our product line,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO. “And it gives a strong boost to our new, eco-efficient A320neo when ‪Virgin America, one of our newest and trendiest customers, places the first firm order, for which we are extremely grateful.”

The A320neo responds to heightened customer environmental interest, offering a 15 percent reduction in fuel consumption. The option was launched in late 2010 for first deliveries in early 2016. Airlines have the choice between CFM International’s LEAP-X engine and Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G engine. Each variant of the A320neo incorporates Sharklet wing tip devices. In addition to fuel savings, the A320neo will benefit from a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions, reduced engine noise, lower operating costs and up to 500 nautical miles more range or two metric tons more payload. The A319, A320 and A321 models on which the new engine option is offered will have 95 percent airframe commonality with the A320 Family, thus the A320neo will fit seamlessly into the existing Virgin America fleet.

Since the first Airbus aircraft went into service in 1974 with Air France, Airbus has seen sales of its aircraft grow steadily. By 1989, after its first 15 years in operation, Airbus had sold 1,000 aircraft. Less than half that time again, just seven years later in 1996, sales had risen to 2,000. Sales of Airbus aircraft had reached 3,000 in 1998, again cutting the time it took to sell another 1,000 planes by more than half. And by 2000 a total of 4,000 aircraft had been sold to the market.

Source: Airbus
Image: Airbus

Boeing 787 Dreamliner – New First Delivery Date

Boeing today announced a new date for first delivery of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The plane maker expects delivery of the first 787 in the third quarter of this year. The new delivery date reflects the impact of an in-flight electrical fire on ZA002 during testing and subsequently modifications to electrical power distribution panels in the flight test and production airplanes.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner In Flight

“This revised timeline for first delivery accommodates the work we believe remains to be done to complete testing and certification of the 787,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. “We’ve also restored some margin in the schedule to allow for any additional time that may be needed to complete certification activities,” Fancher said.

The 787 program has been gradually returning individual airplanes to the flight test program. After receiving interim software and hardware improvements, four flight test airplanes have been subjected to extensive ground testing and a thorough review to ensure their readiness to return to flight. The remaining two airplanes will be returning to flight in the days ahead to bring the full flight test fleet back up to flight status.

Source: Boeing
Image: Boeing

Cathay Pacific orders 30 Airbus A350 XWB

Cathay Pacific, one of the world’s most prestigious airlines, has firmed up a commitment for 30 ­Airbus A350 XWB aircraft. The purchase agreement was finalised in Hong Kong on 16 September by Tony Tyler, Chief Executive, Cathay Pacific Airways and John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer Customers, Airbus. The aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

Cathay Pacific will operate the A350 XWB across its route network, principally on non-stop services to Europe. Featuring an all-new design, the aircraft will represent a step change in operational efficiency, burning significantly less fuel than existing aircraft of a similar size and offering a corresponding reduction in carbon emissions. For passengers, the extra wide cabin will offer the highest standards in in-flight comfort, with a spacious interior design, new, wider windows and the latest state-of-the-art amenities.

Cathay Pacific Airbus A350-900 XWB

Mr Tyler said: “I am delighted that we have now finalised this milestone deal for Cathay Pacific. The purchase of these new generation aircraft is an important step in our plan to grow our fleet to ensure that we stay at the forefront of the industry. The A350 fits perfectly into our operation. Its passenger capacity, flight range and operating economics are just right to become the backbone of our mid-sized long haul wide-bodied fleet.”

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family is an all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three basic passenger versions (A350-800, A350-900, A350-1000) seating between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts. Scheduled for entry-into-service in 2013, the A350 Family has already received a total of 558 firm orders from 34 customers worldwide. One unit costs between $208 million and $270 million.

Source: Airbus
Image: Airbus

Boeing 787 First Delivery – New Date

Boeing today announced that it now expects delivery of the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner in the middle of the first quarter 2011.

The delivery date revision follows an assessment of the availability of an engine needed for the final phases of flight test this fall.

While Boeing works closely with Rolls-Royce to expedite engine availability, flight testing across the test fleet continues as planned.

Boeing said last month that the cumulative impact of a series of issues, including supplier workmanship issues related to the horizontal stabilizer and instrumentation delays, could push first delivery of the 787 a few weeks into 2011. The delay in engine availability has extended that estimate to mid-first quarter 2011.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner In Flight

Source & photo: Boeing

Airbus Delivers 6000th Aircraft

Airbus today celebrated the delivery of the 6,000th aircraft in the airframe manufacturer’s 40 year history. The aircraft, an A380 (MSN025), was handed over to Emirates Airline in a ceremony in Hamburg. The aircraft is Emirates’ eighth A380.

6000th Airbus Aircraft - 25th Airbus A380

Accepting delivery of the new aircraft, Adel Al Redha, Executive Vice President, Emirates’ Engineering and Operations, said: “The A380 represents the future of air travel and our strength and determination to drive forward, alongside Airbus, to meet our ambitious expansion plans and traffic demand. If a powerful demonstration of the resilience of the aviation industry was required, today has provided that. All who have flown the A380 will realise that this is a very special aircraft, embracing the latest in passenger comfort, technology and environmental credentials.”

“Today’s delivery is our 25th A380 so far, and more importantly, the 6,000th Airbus produced in our 40 year history. It is particularly significant that it is both an A380 and for Emirates, as they were involved in its development from early on. We are proud to have the words’ Airbus 6,000th Aircraft’ inscribed alongside the Emirates livery,” said Tom Enders, Airbus CEO.

With a total order for 58 aircraft, Emirates is the single largest customer for the A380. Established in 1985, Emirates became an Airbus operator from the outset. Today, Emirates’ Airbus fleet has grown to 55 aircraft with a further 121 on order.

Airbus delivered its first customer aircraft in May 1974 – an A300B2
The 1,000th aircraft was delivered in March 1993 – an A340-300
The 2,000th was delivered in May 1999 – an A340-300
The 3,000th was delivered in July 2002 – an A320
The 4,000th was delivered in September 2005 – an A330-300
The 5,000th was delivered in December 2007 – an A330-200

Airbus was formed in 1969, and by 2005 had reached more than 50 per cent of worldwide deliveries in a single year, of all aircraft of more than 100 seats. It also took Airbus some 30 years after its initial creation to bypassBoeing in terms of sales and remain at around half the market share.

Source: Airbus
Photo: Airbus

Korean Air orders 747-8 Intercontinental

Boeing announced an order for five 747-8 Intercontinental jetliners by Korean Air. Korean Air is the first Asian airline to order the passenger version of the new 747-8.

The airplanes have a total average list price value of $1.5 billion. Korean Air already has arrangements to operate seven 747-8 Freighters. Korean Air plans on flying the 747-8 Intercontinental on long-haul routes to the Americas and Europe.

The new 747-8 Intercontinental is stretched 18.3 feet (5.6 m) from the 747-400 to provide 467 seats in a three-class configuration, an additional 51 seats. It also offers a range of 8,000 nautical miles (14,815 km). Using the new GEnx-2B engines, the 747-8 provides airlines a quieter, more fuel-efficient airplane. The 747-8 also provides nearly equivalent trip costs and 13 percent lower seat-mile costs than the 747-400, plus 26 percent greater cargo volume.

Korean Air Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental

The 747-8 also features a new wing design and an upgraded flight deck. The airplane interior incorporates features from the 787 Dreamliner, including a new curved, upswept architecture that will give passengers a greater sense of space and comfort, while adding more room for personal belongings. The architecture will be accentuated by lighting technology that provides smooth transitions for a more restful flight.

The 747 program is in the later stages of the 747-8 Intercontinental design phase. Assembly on the airplane is set to begin around mid-2010, with the first delivery of the passenger version scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2011.

The Korean Air order only marks the second 747-8i order of a commercial airline. Lufthansa, the launch customer of the 747-8 Intercontinental, has 20 planes on order. The remaining orders for 8 planes come from several unidentified VIP customers. One (or two) of these VIP orders could be a replacement for the aging “Air Force One” Boeing 747-200B (Boeing VC-25)

Image: Boeing

Dubai Airshow 2009 Orders Update

Following orders have been announced by Airbus, Boeing and Embraer at Dubai Airshow 2009 so far:

Airbus

  • Ethiopian Airlines Airbus A350 XWB
    Ethiopian Airlines confirms order for 12 Airbus A350 XWBs
    Ethiopian Airlines has ordered 12 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft, bringing total orders for the A350 XWB family to 505.
    In selecting the A350-900 to operate from their hub in Addis Ababa on routes to Europe, the US and Asia, Ethiopian Airlines becomes a new member in Airbus’ family of over 300 customers.
  • Yemenia Airlines Airbus A320
    Yemenia Airlines to acquire 10 Airbus A320s
    Yemenia, the official carrier of the state of Yemen, based in Sanaa, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 10 Airbus A320 Family aircraft. Yemenia’s A320s will be configured in a comfortable two-class configuration with seating for 12 passengers in Business Class and 138 in Economy. The aircraft will be deployed to enhance and expand services on regional, African, Indian and European routes. It will enable Yemenia to demonstrate its role as a growing regional carrier and contributor to the growth of Yemen’s economy.
  • Comlux orders 10th Airbus corporate jet
    Comlux has ordered a third Airbus’ Corporate Jetliner (ACJ), taking its total orders for Airbus corporate jets to ten aircraft – 4 A318s, 3 Airbus ACJs, 2 A320 Prestiges and one A330-200 Prestige – and making it the largest Airbus ACJ Family customer.
    Some of the aircraft are managed for private customers and some are used to provide VVIP charters – as will the newly ordered aircraft.
  • Air Austral signs firm order for two single class A380s
    Air Austral, based in Saint Denis, La Réunion, has ordered two A380s, the most advanced, spacious and eco-efficient airliner in service today. Powered by Engine Alliance engines and seating around 840 passengers in a single-class configuration, the aircraft will be operated on the high-density route from La Réunion to Paris, France.
  • Nepal Airlines signs Memorandum of Understanding for A320 and A330
    Nepal’s national carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is modernising its international fleet with one A330-200 wide-body and one Airbus A320 single aisle aircraft. The new Airbus aircraft will be deployed on international services to Japan and will for the very first time connect Nepal to Europe with direct flights.
    The two class, A330-200 will be deployed on routes to Europe and North Asia and will play an instrumental role in developing Nepal’s tourism industry especially around to country’s ‘Visit Nepal 2011’ tourism campaign to attract foreign tourists.

Boeing

  • Air Algerie Boeing Next-Generation 737-800
    Air Algerie orders 7 737-800s
    Boeing and Air Algérie announced an order for seven Next-Generation 737-800s.
    The airplanes will grow the Air Algérie Next-Generation 737 fleet to 22 airplanes. ir Algérie ordered its new 737s with Blended Winglets, which further reduce fuel burn by approximately four percent.
    A Boeing customer for nearly 40 years, Air Algérie operates a Boeing fleet that includes 10 737-800s, five 737-600s and three 767-300s.
  • Tassili Airlines Next-Generation 737-800
    Tassili Airlines orders 4 Next-Generation 737-800s
    Tassili Airlines of Algeria placed its first order for Boeing airplanes with a signed deal for four Next-Generation 737-800s.
    Tassili Airlines, a 100-percent-owned subsidiary of government-owned Sonatrach Petroleum Corporation, will use the 737-800s to transport employees and cargo between large Algerian cities and Sonatrach work sites. Tassili plans to put its 737s into commercial passenger service on domestic and regional routes in the near future. (Great livery btw!)

Embraer

  • Oman Air EMBRAER 175
    Oman Air orders 5 EMBRAER 175
    Four of the jets will be operated by the airline and one will serve with the Royal Omani Police. The newly ratified deal also includes purchase rights for another five aircraft. The first delivery is scheduled for the first quarter of 2011. Oman Air’s EMBRAER 175 will be configured with 72 seats in a full-service, dual-class layout, with 12 seats in business class and 60 in economy.
  • Air Astana EMBRAER 190
    Air Astana orders 2 EMBRAER 190
    The airline will operate two EMBRAER 190 jets out of Almaty, Kazakhstan, under a newly ratified agreement with the U.S. aircraft leasing company Jetscape, Inc., based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This deal is already included in Embraer’s firm order backlog for the third quarter of 2009. Both EMBRAER 190s – configured in a dual-class layout, featuring nine seats in first class and 88 in economy – are scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2011.

Sources: Airbus, Boeing, Embraer
Photos: Airbus, Boeing, Embraer

Guggenheim Receives First 777 for Lease to Korean Air

Boeing today announced that the plane maker recently delivered one of the first 777 to Guggenheim Aviation Partners. The Boeing 777-300ER will be operated under lease by Guggenheim customer Korean Air.

The 777-300ER is Guggenheim’s first leasing arrangement with Korean, as well as the first new Boeing passenger airplane delivery to Guggenheim. The delivery is the 25th 777 for Korean.

Guggenheim Aviation Partners - Korean Air Boeing 777-300ER

Guggenheim is scheduled to take delivery of additional five 777s.

Guggenheim Aviation Partners is a leading participant in commercial aircraft leasing with offices in Seattle, London and Singapore.

Source: Boeing
Photo: Boeing

First A380 Delivery to Air France

Tomorrow Friday 30 October 2009, the first Airbus A380 will be delivered to Air France (MSN0033 / F-HPJA). Air France will be the first European airline receiving an A380. The ceremony will be held at Airbus’ delivery centre Hamburg (Germany).

First Air France Airbus A380

The delivery ceremony will be streamed live on http://www.a380delivery.com/airfrance
Live video streaming is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. French time (10:00 a.m. GMT).

Photo: Air France

Norwegian Air Shuttle Orders Additional Next-Generation 737s

Boeing and low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle today confirmed an order for additional six Next-Generation 737-800s. With this order, Norwegian has a total of 48 Next-Generation 737 airplanes on order from Boeing as well as 22 airplanes from leasing companies.

The new 737s will feature advanced-technology Blended Winglets, an environmental innovation that reduces drag, resulting in less fuel consumption and a decrease in carbon emissions of 3.5 to 4 percent.

6000th Boeing 737 - Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA (LN-NOL)

The Oslo-based carrier is one of the first airlines in Europe that will incorporate the spacious new 737 Boeing Sky Interior starting at the end of 2010. Inspired by years of design research on the 787 Dreamliner, airlines with this new interior will feature the soft, blue-sky-like lighting overhead, contemporary sculpted sidewalls and window reveals designed to draw passengers’ eyes to the airplanes’ windows, enhancing the passengers’ overall flying experience.

Norwegian’s aircrafts are equipped with state-of-the-art Recaro seats which offer increased legroom without compromising capacity. Norwegian has opted for a 186-seat configuration in its aircraft contrary to a full capacity 189-seat configuration.

Source: Boeing
Photo: Boeing