Russia’s Transaero Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing Next-Generation 737-800. The aircraft, in new livery, arrived at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport Friday. The aircraft are part of a leasing deal for 12 of the type with Sberbank Leasing Co. Deliveries are scheduled between 2015 and 2017.
Transaero’s newest 737 has a recognizable radome “bump” on top of the fuselage just behind the wings. The dome-shaped radome covers a Ku-band satellite antenna system that enables broadband passenger connectivity all over the world—even over oceans. The Ku-band range of microwave frequencies is used primarily for satellite communications.
Transaero’s 737-800 is the first in the 737 family to have the system installed during production. In-line installation can save airlines days of lost revenue previously experienced when retrofitting the radome after delivery.
WestJet unveils Tartan Tail
Credit: Andy Cline, CNW Group/WestJet
WestJet unveils its new #TartanTail, one of two Boeing Next-Generation 737s with a custom-designed tartan decal to mark the airline's new service between Halifax and Scotland launching May 29.
Wizz Air unveils new livery
Credit: Courtesy, Wizz Air YouTube video screenshot
Newly listed Wizz Air has just celebrated its 11th anniversary, which it used to unveil its new aircraft livery and branding. Its new Airbus A320 and A321 deliveries throughout 2015 will be in the new livery. Other initiatives in 201 include new uniforms with refreshed brand colors and new A321 interiors from November.
Mexico’s Volaris takes delivery of first two A321s
Credit: Courtesy, Airbus
Mexican low-cost carrier (LCC) Volaris has received its first two Airbus A321 aircraft, which will be its first A321s to operate in Mexico. They will be used on the carrier’s domestic routes to and from Cancun. Photo: Volaris A321
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
From left, outgoing Austrian Airlines CEO Jaan Albrecht with incoming CEO Kay Kratky, who has been nominated to take over the helm Aug. 1.
Azul finalizes order for 30 Embraer E-195 E2 aircraft
Credit: Courtesy, Embraer
Azul Brazilian Airlines has finalized an order with Embraer for 30 firm orders for the E-195 E2 jet, previously announced at the 2014 Farnborough Airshow where Azul was announced as the launch customer for the type. Photo: Rendering of E-195 E2 in Azul livery
Singapore Airlines’ first A350 XWB in final assembly
CFM International LEAP-1A-powered A320neo enters flight testing
Credit: Courtesy, CFM International
The CFM International (CFMI) LEAP-1A-powered Airbus A320neo achieved first flight in France.
Tianjin Airlines adds more Embraer E-195s, E-190 E2s
Credit: Courtesy, Embraer
China’s HNA Group subsidiary China’s Tianjin Airlines has signed a final agreement with Embraer for 22 aircraft, comprising 20 E-195s and two E-190 E2s.
VivaAerobus takes delivery of first A320
Credit: Courtesy, Airbus
Mexican low-cost carrier VivaAerobus has taken delivery of the first of 52 Airbus A320 family aircraft. The order, which was placed in 2013, included 12 A320ceos and 40 A320neos and was the largest single deal by a Mexican customer.
First A350 XWB for TAM Airlines in FAL
The first Airbus A350-900 for Brazil’s TAM Airlines is in the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France, with joining of the wings, the horizontal and vertical tail plane, the main landing gear and the tail cone to the fuselage.
TAM has 27 of the type on order; first delivery is scheduled for the end of the year. TAM, part of the LATAM Airlines Group, will be the first airline in the Americas to fly the A350 XWB and the fourth operator in the world overall.
Airbus said that by the end of April, it has won 780 orders for 40 customers for the A350 XWB.
Photo: Courtesy, Airbus
SWISS confirmed as first CSeries operator
Bombardier has confirmed that Swiss International Air Lines will be the first operator of the CSeries, with service entry slated for the first half of 2016. Photo: Rendering of CS100 in Swiss International Air Lines’ livery. Courtesy, Boeing
Major fire at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport leads to closure, delays
A major fire at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport overnight May 6-7 led to closure of the airport and thousands of passengers being delayed.
Avianca firms order for 100 A320neo family aircraft
Avianca Holdings has firmed an order for 100Airbus A320neo family aircraft, the largest single order ever made in Latin America. Photo: Rendering of A320neo and A321neo in Avianca livery. Courtesy, Airbus
SWISS finalizes order for three additional 777-300ERs
Lufthansa Group’s Swiss International Air Lines has finalized an order for three additional Boeing 777-300ERs, valued at $990 million at current list prices.
Air Tahiti Nui finalizes Boeing 787-9 order
French Polynesian carrier Air Tahiti Nui has finalized an order for two Boeing 787-9s and will lease two more from Los Angeles-based Air Lease Corp. Photo credit: Rendering of 787-9 in Air Tahiti Nui livery. Courtesy, Boeing
Linda Blachly is Senior Associate Editor for Air Transport World and Aviation Week. She joined the company in July 2010 and is responsible for producing features for Air Transport World’s monthly magazine and engaging content for the aviationweek.com. She is based in the Washington DC office.