Bernstein Research believes that Airbus may have cooled on the re-engine of its A320 aircraft, becoming “increasingly hesitant based on challenges associated with resource availability,” a situation flagged by the group in October (ATW Daily News, Oct. 6).
Amsterdam-based AerCap Holdings announced Thursday it signed a Letter of Intent with Boeing for the purchase of “up to 15 737-800 aircraft, consisting of 10 firm aircraft and five purchase rights.”
GE Aviation and China's HNA Group, parent of Hainan Airlines, signed an MOU at the Zhuhai Air Show to form an MRO joint venture for GE's CF34-10A and CF-34-10E engines for the ARJ-21 and Embraer E-190/195 regional jets, respectively. The facility will be located in Tianjin province and operated by HNA Group "with technical support and materials from GE," the company said.
Finnish Flight Attendants' Assn., which represents 2,000 Finnair's and Blue1's cabin crew, has warned it may strike Nov. 30 if it fails to reach a deal over shifts and other employment issues. Finnair said the strike would bring most of its flights to a halt. The SLSY's previous collective agreement ended in April and negotiations on a new agreement have been under way since February.
The US Dept. of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that US airlines carried 66.2 million scheduled system domestic and international passengers in August, up 1.8% from 65 million in August 2009. Traffic rose 2.9% to 75.7 billion RPMs on a 2.4% rise in capacity to 88.7 billion ASMs, producing a load factor of 85.3%, up 0.4% from 84.9% in August 2009. Load factors for domestic and international flights were 85.1% and 85.6%, respectively, for August.
Aircelle and Xi'an Aircraft International Corp. formally signed a contract to produce and assemble nacelle components in Xi'an for the C919 and potentially other aircraft. XAIC is a subsidiary of AVIC. The nacelle for the C919 is being developed by Nexcelle, which is jointly owned by Aircelle, a Safran Company and GE Aviation's Middle River Aircraft Systems. Signing the contract at the Zhuhai were Aircelle Chairman and CEO Vincent Mascre, and XAIC Chairman of the Board Wang Xiangyang.
Pratt & Whitney has been granted approval to enter its Global Material Solution parts into revenue service in China, with the receipt of a Validation of Supplemental Type Certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Approval covers its GMS life-limited parts for the CFM56-3 engine. "The Pratt & Whitney GMS program offers competitive choices for airlines to reduce maintenance costs with technology from a respected OEM," CAAC Deputy DG-Airworthiness Dept. Xu Chaoqun said.
Boeing said it has begun certification testing for a package of 737NG performance improvements intended to reduce fuel consumption by 2%. Testing is being conducted on a 737-800 painted in the new United Airlines 737-800 that completed its first test flight last week. One percent of the savings comes from a package of aerodynamic improvements the airframe and 1% through the CFM56-7BE engine enhancement program offering LPT and HPT modifications. Other changes will cause the engine to run cooler leading to up to a 4% reduction in maintenance costs, Boeing said.
Boeing continues to evaluate the possible timeline for launching a successor to the 737, VP and GM-737 program Beverly Wyse told ATW at the Zhuhai Air Show Nov. 17. “We haven’t made a firm decision yet but we are considering it,” said Wyse. “Right now, we are in the phase of communicating with our customers and gathering information from them on this issue.” Boeing is seeking a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency over existing types a new aircraft would replace in the 100-200 seat size range.
GOL reported third-quarter net income of BRL110 million ($63.7 million), up 41.2% from a BRL77.9 million profit in the year-ago period, owing to “the upturn in demand in the domestic and international markets and the company’s continuous focus on reducing its operating costs,” GOL said.
International Aero Engines announced Wednesday it has won an order valued at more than $300 million with TAM Airlines for V2500 engines to power seven Airbus A321 and three A319 aircraft.
Copa Airlines announced Wednesday it has signed lease agreements for 10 Boeing 737-800s, five for delivery in 2011 and five in 2012. Aircraft will be leased from GECAS (5), BOC Aviation (3) and Aviation Capital Group (2). Including these leases, Copa said it now has “firm orders and delivery commitments for 33 aircraft, all of which are 737-800s.”
The JAL Group announced Wednesday a change in the financially troubled airline’s organizational structure under renewed management. In order to “realize an effective and speedy revitalization,” JAL said it aims to create a “leaner financial constitution” while “maintaining the highest levels of safety” in its operation.
Air France KLM Group reported a consolidated net profit of €1.03 billion ($1.39 billion) for its fiscal first half ended Sept. 30, reversing a loss of €573 million in the year-ago period.
Bombardier Aerospace delivered the 1,000th Dash 8/Q-Series aircraft, a Q400 NextGen, delivered to Pinnacle Airlines. The Dash 8-100 aircraft was launched in 1980 and entered revenue service in 1984. Skytech-AIC secured an agreement from TUI Aviation GmbH to market three 1993 Corsair-operated 747-400s for sale/leaseback.
Air Astanais launching thrice-weekly service from Almaty to Dushanbe Nov. 21 and Tashkent Dec. 2 as part of its strategy to further develop ALA into a regional hub ( ATW Daily News May 17). It will commence a twice-weekly TSE-Yekaterinburg service from Dec. 8 and weekly SCO-Istanbul flights from Nov. 28. Alaska Airlines will operate four-times-weekly 737-800 Portland, Ore-Kona service through April 9.
CFM International had a busy day at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai Tuesday. In addition to launching the LEAP-X1C on the C919, the company said that Air China finalized its order for CFM56-5Bs to power 20 firm Airbus A320 aircraft which will be delivered in 2011. The engine order, originally announced at the Farnborough International Air Show in July, is valued at approximately $300 million at list prices ( ATW Daily News, July 21).
The European Commission on Monday approved a €52 million ($71 million) loan from the Maltese government to Air Malta to keep the struggling airline afloat while it works on its restructuring plan ( ATW Daily News, Nov. 11).
Taiwan-based TransAsia Airways placed a firm order with Airbus for two A330-300s and six A321s. The aircraft will be used primarily on direct services between Taiwan and mainland China, as well as on new regional routes. The A330s will become the first widebody aircraft to join the airline's fleet. Engine selections for both the A330s and the A321s will be made in the near future, the carrier said.
