ATW Photo Gallery—In the News
September 30, 2013
Sichuan Airlines takes delivery of first sharklet-equipped Airbus A321
Sichuan Airlines has taken delivery of its first sharklet-equipped A321 aircraft, the first of the type to be operated in China. The A321, powered by IAE V2500 engines, has a two-class cabin configuration, which seats 194 passengers with eight in business class and 186 in economy. Courtesy, Airbus
Belavia signs for two E-195s
Belavia Belarusian Airlines has ordered two E-195 regional jets. The first E-195 will be delivered in the first semester of 2014. Courtesy, Embraer
South African start-up FlySafair plans Oct. 17 launch
South African low-cost carrier FlySafair plans to launch Boeing 737-400 operations between Johannesburg and Cape Town Oct. 17. FlySafair is the newly created low-cost arm of South African ad hoc charter and services company Safair, which was formed in 1969. Courtesy, FlySafair
Air New Zealand A320 sporting new livery takes to the skies
Air New Zealand’s first aircraft to sport the airline’s new livery took to the skies last week. Operating on services to Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown, the Airbus A320 features the new white livery with a black tail and the distinctive New Zealand Fern Mark in contrasting white. While most of the fleet will eventually sport this white version of the livery, the airline will also have a small number of signature aircraft in an all black version. Courtesy, Air New Zealand.
Royal Brunei introduces Boeing 787 to fleet
Royal Brunei Airlines has taken delivery of the first of five Boeing 787 scheduled for the carrier’s long-haul fleet expansion plan. It plans to use the 787 for services to Melbourne, Australia, in the 2014 second quarter. Courtesy, Boeing
Aurigny inks firm order for one Embraer E-195
Guernsey-based regional carrier Aurigny has signed a firm contract for one Embraer E-195. Delivery is scheduled in the first quarter of 2014. Courtesy, Embraer
Boeing completes first 787-9
Boeing rolled out its first 787-9 from its Everett, Wash., factory over the weekend. The second variant of the Dreamliner is being prepared for flight “later this summer,” Boeing said, indicating the aircraft will fly within the next month.
Sukhoi Superjet SSJ100 deliverd to Interjet
Interjet SSJ100 at unveiling ceremony in Toluca. Mexico.
Courtesy Fraport
British Airways is temporarily flying its first of twelve Airbus A380s on its London-Frankfurt route. It is the fifth airline to fly the A380 into Frankfurt after Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air and Thai Airways.
American Airlines takes delivery of first A319
American Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A319, the first of 260 planned Airbus narrowbody deliveries as part of its fleet renewal program.
The A319s will begin service in September from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to select cities, followed by additional routes throughout the end of the year, according to a carrier statement. Initial routes planned for the A319 include service between DFW and Charlotte, N.C.; Cleveland; Memphis, Tenn.; and Wichita, Kan.
New airline Bulgaria Air began 4X-weekly Sofia-Budapest Embraer 190 service at the end of June.
Courtesy, Budapest Airport
Garuda Indonesia to take up to 35 ATR 72-600s
Garuda Indonesia and regional aircraft lessor Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) have been revealed as the previously undisclosed customers for 25 ATR 72-600s, plus 10 options. The 25 aircraft were included in the 83 firm orders that ATR announced at this year’s Paris Air Show, although they were attributed to an undisclosed customer. Garuda will take five ATR 72-600s, plus 10 options, directly. NAC will supply the remaining 20 aircraft to Garuda on lease. ATR values the whole deal at more than $840 million at current list prices. Courtesy, ATR
American Airlines new livery
Credit: American Airlines
CRJ Hop courtsey of Air France
Malaysia Oneworld
Trent XWB on A380
Sukhoi Superjet 100 of Lao Central
Airbus A350 XWB (MSN001) rolls out of the paint shop in Toulouse, France.
Air Berlin Airbus A330-200
Photo by Kurt Hofmann
Adria Airways MD-82 at London Heathrow
By Rob Finlayson
Austrian Airlines Boeing 777
By Kurt Hofmann
Turkish Airlines Boeing 737NG
Courtesy, Boeing
Oman Air artist rendering of Airbus A330-300
Courtesy, Airbus
Airbus A320 in unified Avianca livery
Courtesy, Avianca
Etihad Airways began 3X-weekly South America service to Sao Paulo June 1 using Airbus A340-500s.
Courtesy, Etihad Airways
Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB engines ran for the first time on the Airbus A350 XWB June 2, 2013 (MSN1) as part of preparations for the aircraft’s maiden flight.
Courtesy, Airbus
China Southern Airlines June 1, 2013, became the first Chinese carrier to take delivery of its first Boeing 787.
Courtesy, China Southern Airlines
Aer Lingus Regional began 3X-daily Dublin-Birmingham on June 1, 2013 with ATR 72-700s.
Courtesy, Aer Lingus
Boeing has begun the final assembly on the 787-9 in Everett, Wash
Courtesy, Boeing
Qatar Airways adds three daily Doha-Paris flights for a total weekly schedule of 21. Flights are made with Airbus A340-600s.
Avianca new livery on an Airbus A320 with sharklets.
Courtesy, Airbus
Volga-Dnepr will base its new Ilyushin IL-76TD-90VD freighter at Paris-Vatry Airport for charter cargo operations.
Courtesy, Volga-Dnepr
WestJet takes delivery of its first of 20 Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft.
Courtesy, Bombardier
Airbus executives showed journalists the first A350 flight test aircraft, MSN1, at the company’s Toulouse facility June 6, 2013.
Photo by Kurt Hofmann
JetBlue introduces ‘Mint’ transcontinental service
JetBlue Airways has unveiled its new premium US transcontinental product, which will feature lie-flat seats and personal “suites” on New York Kennedy (JFK)-Los Angeles (LAX) Airbus A321 flights starting in June 2014. Courtesy, JetBlue
Airbus executives showed journalists the first A350 flight test aircraft, MSN1, at the company’s Toulouse facility June 6, 2013.
Photo by Kurt Hofmann
Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand sign a $20 million-agreement to promote tourism in New Zealand.
Courtesy, Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand unveils new black and white liveries for MOU with Tourism New Zealand.
Courtesy, Air New Zealand
The Airbus A350 XWB will make its maiden flight Friday, June 14, the company has announced.
Courtesy, Airbus
Cebu Pacific takes delivery of first Airbus A330-300.
Courtesy, Airbus
Qantas Airbus A380 damage to the No. 2 Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) concluded that a fatigue crack in an incorrectly manufactured oil feed pipe caused a Qantas Airbus A380 engine failure. Shortly after take-off from Singapore on Nov. 4, 2010, VH-OQA suffered an uncontained failure in its No. 2 Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine. The incident sent debris into the aircraft’s left wing and fuselage, causing significant damage to its electrical, hydraulic and other systems. This caused multiple system failures, but the crew ultimately managed to return the aircraft safely to Singapore.
“The ATSB found that the engine failure was the result of a fatigue crack in an oil feed pipe. The crack allowed the release of oil that resulted in an internal oil fire. The oil fire led to one of the engine’s turbine discs separating from the drive shaft. The disc then over-accelerated and broke apart, bursting through the engine casing and releasing other high energy debris,” the ATSB said in its final report released June 27. Courtesy, Australian Transport Safety Bureau
British Airways Boeing 787
British Airways has taken delivery of its first of 42 Boeing 787s. The original order, placed in 2007, was for 24 firm 787s, with 18 options, which were converted in April. British Airways will operate the 787 on its Heathrow-Toronto service from Sept. 1 and Heathrow-Newark service from Oct. 1. Courtesy, British Airways
Libyan Airlines Airbus A330-200
Libyan Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330-200, becoming a new operator for the type. The carrier operates seven A320 aircraft, with three A330-200 and four A350-800 aircraft on order. The aircraft, which is configured in a two-class configuration, is powered by GE CF6-80 engines. Courtesy, Airbus
Norwegian Air Shuttle Boeing 787
Norwegian Air Shuttle has taken delivery of its first leased Boeing 787 from International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC). The aircraft was delivered to ILFC and Norwegian simultaneously June 27. Courtesy, Boeing
Air Canada rouge launches operations
Air Canada rouge, the Montreal-based carrier’s new low-cost international subsidiary airline, launched operations Monday with an Airbus A319 flight from Toronto to Kingston, Jamaica. Courtesy, Air Canada rouge
Jakarta-based Garuda Indonesia has taken delivery of its first Boeing 777-300ER.
Courtesy, Boeing
El Al 777-200ER
Courtesy of Boeing
Oman Air A330
Aer Lingus A330-200 at JFK
British Airways Airbus A380
Syphax A320neo
FedEx 767 300F livery
Courtesy of Boeing
Kenya Airways 737-800
Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crash site at San Francisco International Airport
Just before 11:30 a.m. San Francisco time July 6, an Asiana Airlines Boeing 777-200ER came down short of SFO runway 28L; the rear of the aircraft apparently hit a sea wall. Most of the 307 passengers and crew aboard were able to safely evacuate after the 777 came to a stop completely off the runway with its tail section detached. But there were two fatalities, identified as teen-aged female Chinese citizens, and an unspecified number of passengers sustained injuries, some reportedly very serious. After it was on the ground, the 777 was engulfed in flames, significantly damaging the fuselage and the passenger cabin, but there does not appear to have been passengers and crew still on board during the worst of the fire. Courtesy, NTSB
Thomson Airways Boeing 787 launches long-haul operations
Thomson Airways has begun Boeing 787 long-haul commercial operations, with two initial departures from Manchester and Glasgow. Courtesy, Boeing
ATR begins Firely deliveries
Malaysian short-haul specialist Firefly has received the first aircraft of a major order for ATR 72-600 turboprops. Courtesy, ATR
NTSB investigator documents Asiana Flight 214 wreckage
NTSB: Asiana 777 commanding pilot assumed auto-throttles were maintaining speed. Courtesy, NTSB
Charred cabin interior of Asiana Flight 214
Charred cabin interior of Asiana Flight 214. Courtesy, NTSB
South African Airways takes delivery of its first two of 20 Airbus A320s
South African Airways (SAA) has taken delivery of its first two of 20 Airbus A320s, which were ordered in 2010. The aircraft will allow SAA to expand its Sub-Sahara regional route network and boost revenue in the rapidly growing market. The 138-seat A320s, powered by IAE-V2500 engines, feature a two-class cabin configuration.
Boeing shows the first 787-9 Dreamliner in the new Boeing Commercial Airplanes livery
The new livery retains many of the features of the original 787-8 livery, adding a prominent number on the tail to help distinguish among models within the same product family. The 787-9’s fuselage is stretched by 20 feet (6 meters), will carry 40 more passengers and have an additional range of 300 nautical miles (555 kilometers) compared to the -8. Courtesy, Boeing
Airbus A319 in new Air Serbia color scheme
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has purchased a 49% stake in Serbian flag-carrier JAT Airways, which will be rebranded to Air Serbia.
Philippine Airlines takes delivery of first Airbus A321
The aircraft—44 single-aisle A321s and 20 widebody A330s—were ordered in 2012 under a major fleet modernization program. The aircraft are configured in a two-class layout, with 12 seats in business class and 187 in economy. The airline will operate its new A321s primarily on international routes across the Asian region, as well as on selected domestic flights.
Aeromexico takes delivery of first 787-8
Aeromexico has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-8, making it the first Mexican carrier to operate the type. The aircraft is the first of nine 787-8s the carrier will receive, including five on lease from International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC). The 787s will be configured with 32 premier class lie-flat seats and 211 economy class seats.
Mexico's Interjet announces first commercial SSJ100 route
Interjet’s first commercial route using the Sukhoi Superjet 100 will be Mexico City-Torreon. Courtesy, Interjet
Asian Wings Airways ATR 72
Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) is set to invest $25 million in Myanmar’s Asian Wings Airways (AWA), giving it a 49% stake in the carrier. Courtesy, Asian Wings Airways
Air India returns to Australia with 787 service
Air India has resumed service to Australia, becoming the first airline to operate Boeing 787 passenger service to Australia. The airline will use the 787 to operate a daily service from Delhi, on a triangular routing, serving Sydney and Melbourne. The carrier will offer 4X-weekly nonstop services to Sydney and 3X-weekly nonstop services to Melbourne. Photo by Rob Finlayson
Delta orders 40 Airbus aircraft
Delta Air Lines has placed a firm order for 40 Airbus aircraft comprising 10 A330-300 and 30 A321ceos for delivery between 2015 and 2017. The 10 A330-300 aircraft will augment Delta's existing fleet of 32 A330s. The first A330 delivery is scheduled for spring of 2015, with three additional aircraft scheduled for that year, four in 2016, and the final two in 2017. They will be powered by GE Aviation CF6-80E1 engines. Courtesy, Boeing
FedEx Express takes delivery of first Boeing 767-300 freighter
FedEx Express has taken delivery of its first Boeing 767-300 freighter as part of its fleet modernization strategy to replace its MD-10Fs. Courtesy, Boeing
Qatar Airways’ first A380 performs maiden flight
Qatar Airways’ first Airbus A380, scheduled for delivery in March 2014, has departed Toulouse for cabin fitting and painting in Hamburg. Qatar will take delivery of its first Airbus A380 next March, followed by another two in 2014. Its first A350 is also due to arrive in 2014. Courtesy, Airbus
Finnair takes delivery of first sharklet-equipped Airbus A321
Finnair has taken delivery of its first of five sharklet-equipped Airbus A321s, becoming the first airline to operate the type. The aircraft will eventually replace the carrier’s four Boeing 757-200s. By Kurt Hofmann
Bombardier waits for good weather window for CSeries maiden flight
Bombardier Aerospace has been conducting high-speed taxi testing with its new CSeries aircraft in preparation for an anticipated first flight in the next few days. No date has been given for the maiden flight of flight test vehicle 1 (FTV1), but it is expected to occur as soon as weather conditions are good. Courtesy, Bombardier
MRJ Fuselage in assembly for test flight.
Courtesy, Mitsubishi Aircraft
The Trent 1000-TEN engine will enter service in 2016
This later variant will be certified to 78,000 lb thrust and will be applicable to all variants of the Boeing 787, including the recently launched -10. Courtesy, Rolls-Royce
Airbus construction progresses on US A320 manufacturing facility
Airbus announced it has placed the first steel column on the Brookley Aeroplex site for its A320 family assembly line in Mobile, Ala. The steel support, rising 100 feet into the air, is the first of many that will form the frame for the final assembly building. Airbus announced it would establish the facility in July 2012, with the intention to assemble and deliver A319, A320 and A321 aircraft. Groundbreaking of the assembly line began in April.
According to Airbus, the A320 family aircraft assembly is slated to begin in 2015, with first deliveries from the facility in 2016. Airbus anticipates the facility will produce between 40 and 50 aircraft per year by 2018. Courtesy, Airbus
Bombardier CSeries lands after first flight
Bombardier's first CSeries airliner landed around 12:20 p.m. Montreal local time after capping a successful first flight with a slow flyby over Mirabel Airport runway. The aircraft conducted a two hour, 29 minute first flight Monday, Sept.16. During the flight the first flight-test aircraft, FTV1, was expected to cycle the landing gear and flaps and check the maneuverability of the fly-by-wire aircraft. By Graham Warwick
Boeing 787-9 takes to the skies for first test flight
Boeing’s first 787-9 took off from Paine Field in Everett, Wash., for its first test flight just after 11am local time Tuesday Sept. 17. Courtesy, Boeing
Boeing 787-9 gets to 20,400 feet during maiden flight
Boeing’s first 787-9 reached an altitude of 20,400 feet (6,218 meters) during its inaugural test flight, which the manufacturer characterized as productive and successful.
The 787-9, which the test pilots said handled similarly to the 787-8 baseline variant now in commercial service, was flown at a top airspeed of 250 knots (288 miles/463 kilometers per hour) during the Tuesday flight over Washington state. The aircraft took off from Paine Field in Everett, Wash., and landed at Boeing Field in Seattle; flight time was 5 hours, 16 minutes. Courtesy, Boeing
Interjet puts two Superjet 100s into domestic Mexican service
Mexican low-cost carrier Interjet operated two Sukhoi Superjet 100s on revenue flights Wednesday, marking the first SSJ100 commercial flights by a Western airline. The first SSJ100 flew a 1-hour, 17-minute flight from Mexico City to Torreon on its first mission while the second SSJ100 was used to operate a 62-minute flight from Mexico City to Aguascalientes for its first scheduled flight. Courtesy, Interjet
Lufthansa Group to buy 34 Boeing 777-9Xs and 25 Airbus A350-900s
Lufthansa Group’s Supervisory Board has approved the purchase 34 Boeing 777-9Xs and 25 Airbus A350-900s with a total value of $14 billion at list prices. Courtesy, Airbus
VietJetAir agrees to up to 92 A320s
Vietnam low-cost carrier VietJetAir has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Airbus to purchase up to 92 A320 family aircraft. The MOU covers 42 A320neos, 14 A320ceos and six A321ceos, plus purchase rights for a further 30 aircraft. In addition, the carrier will lease eight more A320s from third-party lessors. Courtesy, Airbus
BOC Aviation orders 25 A320 family aircraft, including 12 A320neos
Bank of China subsidiary BOC Aviation has announced an additional firm order for 25 Airbus A320 family aircraft, comprising 13 A320ceos and 12 A320neos, at the 15th Aviation Expo China 2013 in Beijing. The order comprises A320 and A321 variants. The Singapore-based lessor will make its engine selection at a later date. Courtesy, Airbus
Qingdao Airlines orders 23 A320 family aircraft
Qingdao Airlines board director He Li and Airbus CEO and president Fabrice Brégier ink an agreement for 23 A320 family aircraft--comprising five A320ceos and 18 A320neos--at the 15th Aviation Expo China 2013 in Beijing. The deal is subject to approval from China’s central government.
The first delivery is expected to begin in 2016. The airline will start operation in 2014 with leased A320 aircraft. Courtesy, Airbus
WestJet firms agreement for 65 Boeing MAX aircraft
WestJet has signed a definitive purchase agreement with Boeing for 40 737 MAX 8 and 25 737 MAX 7 aircraft, the airline announced. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in September 2017. “The documents are signed, it’s official! We’re delighted to confirm our order 65 #Boeing737Max aircraft,” WestJet announced on Twitter. Courtesy, Boeing
Final assembly of first Asiana Airlines A380 underway
Airbus said the assembly of the first A380 for South Korea’s Asiana Airlines is now underway at its Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse. The main sections of the aircraft arrived in recent weeks from the various manufacturing sites around Europe and are now being attached at the airframe assembly station. Courtesy, Airbus
Sichuan Airlines takes delivery of first sharklet-equipped Airbus A321
Sichuan Airlines has taken delivery of its first sharklet-equipped A321 aircraft, the first of the type to be operated in China. The A321, powered by IAE V2500 engines, has a two-class cabin configuration, which seats 194 passengers with eight in business class and 186 in economy. Courtesy, Airbus
Belavia signs for two E-195s
Belavia Belarusian Airlines has ordered two E-195 regional jets. The first E-195 will be delivered in the first semester of 2014. Courtesy, Embraer
South African start-up FlySafair plans Oct. 17 launch
South African low-cost carrier FlySafair plans to launch Boeing 737-400 operations between Johannesburg and Cape Town Oct. 17. FlySafair is the newly created low-cost arm of South African ad hoc charter and services company Safair, which was formed in 1969. Courtesy, FlySafair
Air New Zealand A320 sporting new livery takes to the skies
Air New Zealand’s first aircraft to sport the airline’s new livery took to the skies last week. Operating on services to Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown, the Airbus A320 features the new white livery with a black tail and the distinctive New Zealand Fern Mark in contrasting white. While most of the fleet will eventually sport this white version of the livery, the airline will also have a small number of signature aircraft in an all black version. Courtesy, Air New Zealand.
Royal Brunei introduces Boeing 787 to fleet
Royal Brunei Airlines has taken delivery of the first of five Boeing 787 scheduled for the carrier’s long-haul fleet expansion plan. It plans to use the 787 for services to Melbourne, Australia, in the 2014 second quarter. Courtesy, Boeing
Aurigny inks firm order for one Embraer E-195
Guernsey-based regional carrier Aurigny has signed a firm contract for one Embraer E-195. Delivery is scheduled in the first quarter of 2014. Courtesy, Embraer
Boeing completes first 787-9
Boeing rolled out its first 787-9 from its Everett, Wash., factory over the weekend. The second variant of the Dreamliner is being prepared for flight “later this summer,” Boeing said, indicating the aircraft will fly within the next month.
Sukhoi Superjet SSJ100 deliverd to Interjet
Interjet SSJ100 at unveiling ceremony in Toluca. Mexico.
Courtesy Fraport
British Airways is temporarily flying its first of twelve Airbus A380s on its London-Frankfurt route. It is the fifth airline to fly the A380 into Frankfurt after Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air and Thai Airways.
American Airlines takes delivery of first A319
American Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A319, the first of 260 planned Airbus narrowbody deliveries as part of its fleet renewal program.
The A319s will begin service in September from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to select cities, followed by additional routes throughout the end of the year, according to a carrier statement. Initial routes planned for the A319 include service between DFW and Charlotte, N.C.; Cleveland; Memphis, Tenn.; and Wichita, Kan.
New airline Bulgaria Air began 4X-weekly Sofia-Budapest Embraer 190 service at the end of June.
Courtesy, Budapest Airport
Garuda Indonesia to take up to 35 ATR 72-600s
Garuda Indonesia and regional aircraft lessor Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) have been revealed as the previously undisclosed customers for 25 ATR 72-600s, plus 10 options. The 25 aircraft were included in the 83 firm orders that ATR announced at this year’s Paris Air Show, although they were attributed to an undisclosed customer. Garuda will take five ATR 72-600s, plus 10 options, directly. NAC will supply the remaining 20 aircraft to Garuda on lease. ATR values the whole deal at more than $840 million at current list prices. Courtesy, ATR
American Airlines new livery
Credit: American Airlines
CRJ Hop courtsey of Air France
Malaysia Oneworld
Trent XWB on A380
Sukhoi Superjet 100 of Lao Central
Airbus A350 XWB (MSN001) rolls out of the paint shop in Toulouse, France.
Air Berlin Airbus A330-200
Photo by Kurt Hofmann
Adria Airways MD-82 at London Heathrow
By Rob Finlayson
Austrian Airlines Boeing 777
By Kurt Hofmann
Turkish Airlines Boeing 737NG
Courtesy, Boeing
Oman Air artist rendering of Airbus A330-300
Courtesy, Airbus
Airbus A320 in unified Avianca livery
Courtesy, Avianca
Etihad Airways began 3X-weekly South America service to Sao Paulo June 1 using Airbus A340-500s.
Courtesy, Etihad Airways
Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB engines ran for the first time on the Airbus A350 XWB June 2, 2013 (MSN1) as part of preparations for the aircraft’s maiden flight.
Courtesy, Airbus
China Southern Airlines June 1, 2013, became the first Chinese carrier to take delivery of its first Boeing 787.
Courtesy, China Southern Airlines
Aer Lingus Regional began 3X-daily Dublin-Birmingham on June 1, 2013 with ATR 72-700s.
Courtesy, Aer Lingus
Boeing has begun the final assembly on the 787-9 in Everett, Wash
Courtesy, Boeing
Qatar Airways adds three daily Doha-Paris flights for a total weekly schedule of 21. Flights are made with Airbus A340-600s.
Avianca new livery on an Airbus A320 with sharklets.
Courtesy, Airbus
Volga-Dnepr will base its new Ilyushin IL-76TD-90VD freighter at Paris-Vatry Airport for charter cargo operations.
Courtesy, Volga-Dnepr
WestJet takes delivery of its first of 20 Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft.
Courtesy, Bombardier
Airbus executives showed journalists the first A350 flight test aircraft, MSN1, at the company’s Toulouse facility June 6, 2013.
Photo by Kurt Hofmann
JetBlue introduces ‘Mint’ transcontinental service
JetBlue Airways has unveiled its new premium US transcontinental product, which will feature lie-flat seats and personal “suites” on New York Kennedy (JFK)-Los Angeles (LAX) Airbus A321 flights starting in June 2014. Courtesy, JetBlue
Airbus executives showed journalists the first A350 flight test aircraft, MSN1, at the company’s Toulouse facility June 6, 2013.
Photo by Kurt Hofmann
Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand sign a $20 million-agreement to promote tourism in New Zealand.
Courtesy, Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand unveils new black and white liveries for MOU with Tourism New Zealand.
Courtesy, Air New Zealand
The Airbus A350 XWB will make its maiden flight Friday, June 14, the company has announced.
Courtesy, Airbus
Cebu Pacific takes delivery of first Airbus A330-300.
Courtesy, Airbus
Qantas Airbus A380 damage to the No. 2 Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) concluded that a fatigue crack in an incorrectly manufactured oil feed pipe caused a Qantas Airbus A380 engine failure. Shortly after take-off from Singapore on Nov. 4, 2010, VH-OQA suffered an uncontained failure in its No. 2 Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine. The incident sent debris into the aircraft’s left wing and fuselage, causing significant damage to its electrical, hydraulic and other systems. This caused multiple system failures, but the crew ultimately managed to return the aircraft safely to Singapore.
“The ATSB found that the engine failure was the result of a fatigue crack in an oil feed pipe. The crack allowed the release of oil that resulted in an internal oil fire. The oil fire led to one of the engine’s turbine discs separating from the drive shaft. The disc then over-accelerated and broke apart, bursting through the engine casing and releasing other high energy debris,” the ATSB said in its final report released June 27. Courtesy, Australian Transport Safety Bureau
British Airways Boeing 787
British Airways has taken delivery of its first of 42 Boeing 787s. The original order, placed in 2007, was for 24 firm 787s, with 18 options, which were converted in April. British Airways will operate the 787 on its Heathrow-Toronto service from Sept. 1 and Heathrow-Newark service from Oct. 1. Courtesy, British Airways
Libyan Airlines Airbus A330-200
Libyan Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330-200, becoming a new operator for the type. The carrier operates seven A320 aircraft, with three A330-200 and four A350-800 aircraft on order. The aircraft, which is configured in a two-class configuration, is powered by GE CF6-80 engines. Courtesy, Airbus
Norwegian Air Shuttle Boeing 787
Norwegian Air Shuttle has taken delivery of its first leased Boeing 787 from International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC). The aircraft was delivered to ILFC and Norwegian simultaneously June 27. Courtesy, Boeing
Air Canada rouge launches operations
Air Canada rouge, the Montreal-based carrier’s new low-cost international subsidiary airline, launched operations Monday with an Airbus A319 flight from Toronto to Kingston, Jamaica. Courtesy, Air Canada rouge
Jakarta-based Garuda Indonesia has taken delivery of its first Boeing 777-300ER.
Courtesy, Boeing
El Al 777-200ER
Courtesy of Boeing
Oman Air A330
Aer Lingus A330-200 at JFK
British Airways Airbus A380
Syphax A320neo
FedEx 767 300F livery
Courtesy of Boeing
Kenya Airways 737-800
Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crash site at San Francisco International Airport
Just before 11:30 a.m. San Francisco time July 6, an Asiana Airlines Boeing 777-200ER came down short of SFO runway 28L; the rear of the aircraft apparently hit a sea wall. Most of the 307 passengers and crew aboard were able to safely evacuate after the 777 came to a stop completely off the runway with its tail section detached. But there were two fatalities, identified as teen-aged female Chinese citizens, and an unspecified number of passengers sustained injuries, some reportedly very serious. After it was on the ground, the 777 was engulfed in flames, significantly damaging the fuselage and the passenger cabin, but there does not appear to have been passengers and crew still on board during the worst of the fire. Courtesy, NTSB
Thomson Airways Boeing 787 launches long-haul operations
Thomson Airways has begun Boeing 787 long-haul commercial operations, with two initial departures from Manchester and Glasgow. Courtesy, Boeing
ATR begins Firely deliveries
Malaysian short-haul specialist Firefly has received the first aircraft of a major order for ATR 72-600 turboprops. Courtesy, ATR
NTSB investigator documents Asiana Flight 214 wreckage
NTSB: Asiana 777 commanding pilot assumed auto-throttles were maintaining speed. Courtesy, NTSB
Charred cabin interior of Asiana Flight 214
Charred cabin interior of Asiana Flight 214. Courtesy, NTSB
South African Airways takes delivery of its first two of 20 Airbus A320s
South African Airways (SAA) has taken delivery of its first two of 20 Airbus A320s, which were ordered in 2010. The aircraft will allow SAA to expand its Sub-Sahara regional route network and boost revenue in the rapidly growing market. The 138-seat A320s, powered by IAE-V2500 engines, feature a two-class cabin configuration.
Boeing shows the first 787-9 Dreamliner in the new Boeing Commercial Airplanes livery
The new livery retains many of the features of the original 787-8 livery, adding a prominent number on the tail to help distinguish among models within the same product family. The 787-9’s fuselage is stretched by 20 feet (6 meters), will carry 40 more passengers and have an additional range of 300 nautical miles (555 kilometers) compared to the -8. Courtesy, Boeing
Airbus A319 in new Air Serbia color scheme
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has purchased a 49% stake in Serbian flag-carrier JAT Airways, which will be rebranded to Air Serbia.
Philippine Airlines takes delivery of first Airbus A321
The aircraft—44 single-aisle A321s and 20 widebody A330s—were ordered in 2012 under a major fleet modernization program. The aircraft are configured in a two-class layout, with 12 seats in business class and 187 in economy. The airline will operate its new A321s primarily on international routes across the Asian region, as well as on selected domestic flights.
Aeromexico takes delivery of first 787-8
Aeromexico has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-8, making it the first Mexican carrier to operate the type. The aircraft is the first of nine 787-8s the carrier will receive, including five on lease from International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC). The 787s will be configured with 32 premier class lie-flat seats and 211 economy class seats.
Mexico's Interjet announces first commercial SSJ100 route
Interjet’s first commercial route using the Sukhoi Superjet 100 will be Mexico City-Torreon. Courtesy, Interjet
Asian Wings Airways ATR 72
Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) is set to invest $25 million in Myanmar’s Asian Wings Airways (AWA), giving it a 49% stake in the carrier. Courtesy, Asian Wings Airways
Air India returns to Australia with 787 service
Air India has resumed service to Australia, becoming the first airline to operate Boeing 787 passenger service to Australia. The airline will use the 787 to operate a daily service from Delhi, on a triangular routing, serving Sydney and Melbourne. The carrier will offer 4X-weekly nonstop services to Sydney and 3X-weekly nonstop services to Melbourne. Photo by Rob Finlayson
Delta orders 40 Airbus aircraft
Delta Air Lines has placed a firm order for 40 Airbus aircraft comprising 10 A330-300 and 30 A321ceos for delivery between 2015 and 2017. The 10 A330-300 aircraft will augment Delta's existing fleet of 32 A330s. The first A330 delivery is scheduled for spring of 2015, with three additional aircraft scheduled for that year, four in 2016, and the final two in 2017. They will be powered by GE Aviation CF6-80E1 engines. Courtesy, Boeing
FedEx Express takes delivery of first Boeing 767-300 freighter
FedEx Express has taken delivery of its first Boeing 767-300 freighter as part of its fleet modernization strategy to replace its MD-10Fs. Courtesy, Boeing
Qatar Airways’ first A380 performs maiden flight
Qatar Airways’ first Airbus A380, scheduled for delivery in March 2014, has departed Toulouse for cabin fitting and painting in Hamburg. Qatar will take delivery of its first Airbus A380 next March, followed by another two in 2014. Its first A350 is also due to arrive in 2014. Courtesy, Airbus
Finnair takes delivery of first sharklet-equipped Airbus A321
Finnair has taken delivery of its first of five sharklet-equipped Airbus A321s, becoming the first airline to operate the type. The aircraft will eventually replace the carrier’s four Boeing 757-200s. By Kurt Hofmann
Bombardier waits for good weather window for CSeries maiden flight
Bombardier Aerospace has been conducting high-speed taxi testing with its new CSeries aircraft in preparation for an anticipated first flight in the next few days. No date has been given for the maiden flight of flight test vehicle 1 (FTV1), but it is expected to occur as soon as weather conditions are good. Courtesy, Bombardier
MRJ Fuselage in assembly for test flight.
Courtesy, Mitsubishi Aircraft
The Trent 1000-TEN engine will enter service in 2016
This later variant will be certified to 78,000 lb thrust and will be applicable to all variants of the Boeing 787, including the recently launched -10. Courtesy, Rolls-Royce
Airbus construction progresses on US A320 manufacturing facility
Airbus announced it has placed the first steel column on the Brookley Aeroplex site for its A320 family assembly line in Mobile, Ala. The steel support, rising 100 feet into the air, is the first of many that will form the frame for the final assembly building. Airbus announced it would establish the facility in July 2012, with the intention to assemble and deliver A319, A320 and A321 aircraft. Groundbreaking of the assembly line began in April.
According to Airbus, the A320 family aircraft assembly is slated to begin in 2015, with first deliveries from the facility in 2016. Airbus anticipates the facility will produce between 40 and 50 aircraft per year by 2018. Courtesy, Airbus
Bombardier CSeries lands after first flight
Bombardier's first CSeries airliner landed around 12:20 p.m. Montreal local time after capping a successful first flight with a slow flyby over Mirabel Airport runway. The aircraft conducted a two hour, 29 minute first flight Monday, Sept.16. During the flight the first flight-test aircraft, FTV1, was expected to cycle the landing gear and flaps and check the maneuverability of the fly-by-wire aircraft. By Graham Warwick
Boeing 787-9 takes to the skies for first test flight
Boeing’s first 787-9 took off from Paine Field in Everett, Wash., for its first test flight just after 11am local time Tuesday Sept. 17. Courtesy, Boeing
Boeing 787-9 gets to 20,400 feet during maiden flight
Boeing’s first 787-9 reached an altitude of 20,400 feet (6,218 meters) during its inaugural test flight, which the manufacturer characterized as productive and successful.
The 787-9, which the test pilots said handled similarly to the 787-8 baseline variant now in commercial service, was flown at a top airspeed of 250 knots (288 miles/463 kilometers per hour) during the Tuesday flight over Washington state. The aircraft took off from Paine Field in Everett, Wash., and landed at Boeing Field in Seattle; flight time was 5 hours, 16 minutes. Courtesy, Boeing
Interjet puts two Superjet 100s into domestic Mexican service
Mexican low-cost carrier Interjet operated two Sukhoi Superjet 100s on revenue flights Wednesday, marking the first SSJ100 commercial flights by a Western airline. The first SSJ100 flew a 1-hour, 17-minute flight from Mexico City to Torreon on its first mission while the second SSJ100 was used to operate a 62-minute flight from Mexico City to Aguascalientes for its first scheduled flight. Courtesy, Interjet
Lufthansa Group to buy 34 Boeing 777-9Xs and 25 Airbus A350-900s
Lufthansa Group’s Supervisory Board has approved the purchase 34 Boeing 777-9Xs and 25 Airbus A350-900s with a total value of $14 billion at list prices. Courtesy, Airbus
VietJetAir agrees to up to 92 A320s
Vietnam low-cost carrier VietJetAir has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Airbus to purchase up to 92 A320 family aircraft. The MOU covers 42 A320neos, 14 A320ceos and six A321ceos, plus purchase rights for a further 30 aircraft. In addition, the carrier will lease eight more A320s from third-party lessors. Courtesy, Airbus
BOC Aviation orders 25 A320 family aircraft, including 12 A320neos
Bank of China subsidiary BOC Aviation has announced an additional firm order for 25 Airbus A320 family aircraft, comprising 13 A320ceos and 12 A320neos, at the 15th Aviation Expo China 2013 in Beijing. The order comprises A320 and A321 variants. The Singapore-based lessor will make its engine selection at a later date. Courtesy, Airbus
Qingdao Airlines orders 23 A320 family aircraft
Qingdao Airlines board director He Li and Airbus CEO and president Fabrice Brégier ink an agreement for 23 A320 family aircraft--comprising five A320ceos and 18 A320neos--at the 15th Aviation Expo China 2013 in Beijing. The deal is subject to approval from China’s central government.
The first delivery is expected to begin in 2016. The airline will start operation in 2014 with leased A320 aircraft. Courtesy, Airbus
WestJet firms agreement for 65 Boeing MAX aircraft
WestJet has signed a definitive purchase agreement with Boeing for 40 737 MAX 8 and 25 737 MAX 7 aircraft, the airline announced. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in September 2017. “The documents are signed, it’s official! We’re delighted to confirm our order 65 #Boeing737Max aircraft,” WestJet announced on Twitter. Courtesy, Boeing
Final assembly of first Asiana Airlines A380 underway
Airbus said the assembly of the first A380 for South Korea’s Asiana Airlines is now underway at its Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse. The main sections of the aircraft arrived in recent weeks from the various manufacturing sites around Europe and are now being attached at the airframe assembly station. Courtesy, Airbus
Sichuan Airlines takes delivery of first sharklet-equipped Airbus A321
Sichuan Airlines has taken delivery of its first sharklet-equipped A321 aircraft, the first of the type to be operated in China. The A321, powered by IAE V2500 engines, has a two-class cabin configuration, which seats 194 passengers with eight in business class and 186 in economy. Courtesy, Airbus
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