Aircraft & Propulsion

Aircraft News-June 22, 2015

Australia’s air navigation services provider (ANSP) Airservices has implemented satellite-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) trials in its oceanic airspace, making the country one of the first to comply with international requirements for tracking suitably equipped flights.

Low-cost carrier (LCC) easyJet is to become the latest airline to use advances in cabin technology to slot more seats into its aircraft.

Qantas low-cost subsidiary Jetstar is launching its first turboprop operation, as it plans to begin flying regional routes in New Zealand.

Embraer is willing to consider a return to commercial aircraft assembly in China, which it describes as a “strategic jurisdiction” for its business.

The first Airbus A350 XWB aircraft for Thai Airways International (THAI) is on schedule for final assembly (FAL) in October, the Toulouse-based manufacturer said.

Airbus claimed victory over rival Boeing at the Paris Air Show with orders and commitments totaling 421 aircraft announced through the week, but Boeing’s 331 commercial airplane sales included a far larger number of higher value widebodies.

The GE Aviation/Pratt & Whitney joint venture Engine Alliance said it remains in contention to power the potential re-engined Airbus A380neo with a comprehensive upgrade to the GP7200, but it noted the timing of such a move is dependent on Airbus.

ATR has sold 46 aircraft and 35 options in the year to date, valued at $2 billion including options, marking a slowdown on its previous performance due to low fuel prices and adverse dollar exchange rates.

Airbus is preparing its E-Fan electric aircraft demonstrator for a groundbreaking flight across the English Channel next months.

Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to buy 110 Airbus A321neos, marking the biggest single order for the type, it was announced at the Paris Air Show. The low-cost carrier also agreed to option rights on a further 90 A321neos.

Airlines considering ordering the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) are waiting until after the aircraft’s planned first flight later this year before making a purchase decision, according to Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. president Hiromichi Morimoto.

The Swiss International Air Lines Bombardier CSeries that was on display at the Paris Air Show has flown to Zurich, where it will be demonstrated in advance of Swiss becoming the launch operator for the CS100 in mid-2016.

Airbus and Boeing need to increase output of narrowbody jets to burn off massive backlogs, but the high production rates they are talking about probably cannot be sustained over the long run, the head of a key supplier said this week.

An unidentified Asia-based airline has signed a MOU with Airbus for 60 A320neo family aircraft at the Paris Air Show, Airbus confirmed.

The Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) has won more C919 and ARJ21 orders at the Paris Air Show.

Boeing has made it a “top priority” to help Garuda Indonesia gain FAA Category 1 status, the company’s head of commercial airplanes said this week.

Vietnamese low-cost carrier (LCC) VietJet Air has placed a firm order with Airbus for six additional A321s. The order was signed at the Paris Air Show.

[REPOST] Japanese low-cost carrier Peach Aviation has signed a firm contract with Airbus for the purchase of three A320s at the Paris Air Show.

A China Airlines Boeing 777-300ER parked in the Paris Air Show static display this week is generating a buzz for its cabin, which was designed by a top Taiwanese architect.

Bahamasair, the national flag carrier of Bahamas, has placed a firm order for two 70- seat ATR 72-600s and three 50-seat ATR 42-600s.

Ethiopian Airlines has been revealed as the customer for six Boeing 787-8s previously attributed to an unidentified customer by the manufacturer.

Russia’s Volga-Dnepr Group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Boeing to order 20 747-8 freighters valued at $7.4 billion at list prices.

Hazy said a stretch of around six meters would allow Airbus to accommodate up to six additional rows on both the lower and upper deck.

Taiwan’s EVA Air has signed an MOU with Airbus for four additional A330-300s.