Aircraft & Propulsion

Aircraft & Manufacturer News-Jan. 26, 2016

Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) will replace its Boeing 737 Classic fleet with newer types through the end of 2018.

Boeing has scheduled the first flight of the 737 MAX for Jan. 29, though it cautions the date is subject to change.

TAM Airlines’ first Airbus A350 XWB took off Jan. 25 on its first scheduled flight from São Paulo/Guarulhos to Manaus, Brazil.

Alaska Airlines has unveiled its first major brand change in 25 years on a newly painted Boeing 737-800.

Volga-Dnepr Technics Moscow (VDTM), sister company of Russia’s Volga-Dnepr Group, has been awarded a (European Aviation Safety Agency) EASA Part 147 certificate.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission has approved Juneyao Airlines to receive CNY3.57 billion ($543 million) for fleet expansion.

Rolls-Royce plans to invest more than £30 million ($42.8 million) to build a new 8,000 sq m plant in northeast England to manufacturer discs for in-service engines.

Saudi Arabian hybrid carrier flynas has detailed its expansion plans for the next few years, which include acquiring 60 single-aisle aircraft, with up to 40 options.

Bombardier said it plans to have a CS100 on static display at the upcoming Singapore Airshow in February.

Lufthansa Group will take delivery of 52 new aircraft in 2016, marking the highest number of new aircraft in one year in the company’s history, Lufthansa chairman and CEO Carsten Spohr told ATW on the sidelines of the European Aviation Summit in Amsterdam.

Boeing will reduce the production rate of the 747-8 to 0.5 aircraft per month—or just six per year—starting in September 2016, citing softness in the global air cargo market.

Gulf Air’s plans to order the Bombardier CSeries regional jet may be in doubt, after the airline’s CEO announced plans to meet the Canadian manufacturer in the next few weeks.

For French-Italian turboprop manufacturer ATR (Avions de Transport Régional), consolidated 2015 firm orders, options and estimated order values, organized by customer name.

United Airlines said it has reached an agreement to acquire 40 new Boeing 737-700s, which will be used to replace a portion of the carrier’s domestic capacity now being operated under contract by regional airlines.

Bahraini flag-carrier Gulf Air has announced major new and adjusted orders, as expected, at the Bahrain International Air Show.

The Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-powered Airbus A320neo’s handover to Lufthansa Group marked the public debut of new Pratt president Robert Leduc, who is replacing Paul Adams as Pratt’s top executive just as the geared turbofan (GTF) engine enters service.

Turboprop specialist ATR secured orders for 76 aircraft and 81 options in 2015, and delivered 88 aircraft, generating a record $2 billion turnover.

Lufthansa Group has taken delivery of the first Airbus A320neo following a delay from the re-engined narrowbody’s planned end-of-2015 delivery schedule.

GE Aviation plans to build a new turboprop development, test and engine production headquarters in the Czech Republic, creating more than 500 new jobs.

Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson said the Atlanta-based carrier is “taking a very serious look” at purchasing the Bombardier CSeries aircraft.

Bombardier has begun the ramp-up to full CSeries production, after completing the structural build of Swiss International Air Lines’ first CS100, which is scheduled for delivery in 2Q 2016.

Bahrain national carrier Gulf Air is planning “some major aircraft announcements” on Jan. 21, the opening day of the three-day Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS).

Gulf Air said it plans to make “some major aircraft announcements” when the Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS) opens later this week.

Iran's official news agency IRNA has reported that Iran is set to order 114 commercial aircraft from Airbus. The announcement came following the official lifting of international trade sanctions on Iran.