Aircraft & Propulsion

Philippines LCC Cebu Pacific plans to have a fleet of 83 aircraft by 2022, fronted by 27 Airbus A321neos.

Qatar Airways is converting part of its order for 50 Airbus A321neos to the long-range version of the aircraft.

Boeing is embedding more employees at factory sites of engine-maker CFM International and its suppliers as the aircraft OEM tries to help its supply chain overcome narrowbody production rate ramp issues that linger from 2018, even as industry looks to boost manufacturing again this year.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has concluded there was no engine failure following a Jan. 17 incident in which both engines on a Boeing 787-8 shut down after it landed at Japan’s Osaka International Airport.

In response to a lawsuit by Bombardier claiming Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. (MITAC) stole its trade secrets, the Japanese company’s US subsidiary has filed a counterclaim alleging anticompetitive conduct by the Canadian company.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) Holdings has revealed some major investment moves, as it confirmed the purchase of a 9.5% strategic stake in Philippine Airlines (PAL) and placed an order for 38 narrowbody aircraft from Airbus and Boeing.

Delta Air Lines has postponed entry into service of its new Airbus A220-100s because FAA approvals were held up by the 35-day shutdown of US government agencies.

Airbus is offering the A330-900 widebody with a 285-min. extended range operations (ETOPS) capability following certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Austrian Airlines CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said the Lufthansa subsidiary’s future long-haul fleet must be based on one aircraft type.

Amid preparations for the rollout and first flight of the 777-9, Boeing has unveiled the first details of the all-new interior design for the 777X, which is scheduled to enter service in 2020.

Alaska Airlines reported full-year net income was $437 million, down 54% year-over-year (YOY) from $960 million in 2017.

Embraer hopes the commercial aircraft joint venture with Boeing will kickstart a development that it alone has not yet achieved.

OEMs and airlines tap into software systems that enhance operations.

Airbus CEO Tom Enders has said the future of the company’s UK plants is at risk if the country opts of a no-deal exit from the European Union.

The chief of the Airbus Engineering Center in Mobile talks about big changes coming to aircraft cabin interiors.

Airbus launches construction for the Airbus A220 final-assembly line in Mobile.

Aircraft & Engines-Jan. 23, 2019

New restrictions on a subset of Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines that power Boeing 787-8s are not expected to be as disruptive as similar limitations on Package C engines, but could produce more headaches for affected operators ahead of permanent fixes the OEM is introducing.

Boeing flew the initial high-density seating minor-model derivative of the 737 MAX 8 aircraft for the first time Jan. 13.

Kenya Airways is looking to double its fleet to 70 aircraft by 2025, CEO Sebastian Mikosz said.

Lufthansa Cargo (LHC) will take delivery of four Boeing 777Fs in 2019 to speed up the phaseout of its 12-aircraft strong MD-11F fleet.

Embraer’s sales and marketing focus in 2019 will be on finalizing orders for the E190-E2 and E195-E2 with “marquee customers,” Embraer Commercial Aircraft CEO John Slattery said.

Initial European studies of distributed hybrid-electric propulsion underscores the challenges to making the technology feasible for large passenger aircraft.

Deals by Airbus and Boeing to take over the former CSeries and Embraer’s commercial aircraft business are giving the A220 and E2 new credibility, but the models are still not hitting the core of the narrowbody market, AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly said.

The proposed Airbus A321XLR “will go well beyond the capabilities Airbus imagined for the A320”, according to Air Lease Corp. (ALC) chairman Steve Udvar-Hazy.