American Airlines' blockbuster split order last week for up to 460 aircraft, including 130 A320neos and 100 re-engined 737NGs, appeared to be the carrier's answer to critics who say that its current fleet and business strategy are not sufficient for it to emerge from a long string of unprofitability.
American Airlines' blockbuster split order last week for up to 460 aircraft, including 130 A320neos and 100 re-engined 737NGs, appeared to be the carrier's answer to critics who say that its current fleet and business strategy are not sufficient for it to emerge from a long string of unprofitability.
Lufthansa ordered 30 A320neo family aircraft, confirming a commitment announced by the airline’s supervisory board in March ( ATW Daily News, March 17). The order comprises 25 A320neos and five A321neos, which will be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G geared turbofan engines. Airbus noted that LH is its biggest operator of its aircraft worldwide with 365 in service, comprising 254 A320 family aircraft, 38 A330s, 65 A340s and eight A380s.
Boeing denied widespread published reports, based in part on comments by the CFO of a key airline customer, that the 787-9's late 2013 EIS has slipped. A Boeing spokesperson told ATW Tuesday that the manufacturer has “reaffirmed its guidance that 787-9 first delivery is scheduled for late 2013.”
Iberia and British Airways parent International Airlines Group firmed up an order for eight Airbus A330-300s plus eight options. GE CF6-80E1 engines were selected to power the aircraft, which will begin delivering in 2013.
Boeing denied widespread published reports, based in part on comments by the CFO of a key airline customer, that the 787-9's late 2013 EIS has slipped.
Falko Regional Aircraft purchased BAE Systems Regional Aircraft—along with its portfolio of 143 aircraft. The asset manager is supported by affiliates of funds managed by Fortress Investment Group.
Assn. of African Airlines Secretary General Elijah Chingosho last week lashed out at the “invasion” of the continent by European and Gulf carriers, questioning their “preferential treatment” over their African counterparts in obtaining traffic rights. He also accused Middle East aviation companies of “poaching qualified staff in a big way.”
Singapore Airlines selected the Boeing 777-200 as the aircraft type to comprise the fleet of its new long-haul, low-cost subsidiary airline scheduled to launch next year.
Singapore Airlines selected the Boeing 777-200 as the aircraft type to comprise the fleet of its new long-haul, low-cost subsidiary airline scheduled to launch next year
Boeing has conceded that its experience with new technology and supply chain problems on the 787 put a damper on its ability to assure customers of a timely delivery for the all-new 737 replacement it had been pushing ( ATW Daily News, May 25).
Kenya Airways signed a letter of intent with GECAS for the lease of two new Boeing 777-300ERs as part of its long-term expansion plan, Group MD Titus Naikuni revealed to ATW on the sidelines of the Connectivity in Africa conference organized by Embraer in Nairobi.
American Airlines made one of the largest aircraft order announcements in commercial aviation history Wednesday, signing up for 130 Airbus A320 family aircraft, 130 re-engined A320neos, 100 CFM56-7B-powered Boeing 737NGs and also committing to order 100 of a new variant 737 with CFM Leap-X engines. Boeing and Airbus will help finance the aircraft, AA said.
Boeing's decision to move forward with an apparent 737NG re-engining—after many months of reluctance by its top executives—is not hard to understand, say analysts who cite, among other drivers, the increasing "pressure" felt by the manufacturer from rival Airbus's success with the re-engined A320neo.
American Airlines announced one of the largest aircraft orders in commercial aviation history Wednesday, signing up for 130 Airbus A320 family aircraft, 130 re-engined A320neos, 100 CFM56-7B-powered 737NGs and also committing to order 100 of a new variant 737 with CFM Leap-X engines. Boeing and Airbus will help finance the aircraft, AA said.
AirBaltic announced it will retire its Fokker 50 fleet this winter season to speed up its fleet modernization process. The Fokker 50s originally were scheduled to operate until 2013. Last year, the carrier introduced Bombardier Q400s to its fleet.
Qantas will fast-track modifications of Rolls-Royce RB211 engines powering its Boeing 747-400 fleet to stem failures caused by cracked high-pressure compressor blades, of which the airline has suffered three this year and two late last year.
AerCap Holdings entered into a purchase-leaseback transaction with American Airlines to finance up to 35 Boeing 737-800s, including 29 firm deliveries—26 of which were previously ordered—plus three new orders. The deal also covers six optional 737-800s, which, if exercised by the carrier, would be delivered in 2013-2014.
Cebu Pacific Air, now the largest airline in the Philippines, said Friday it signed six-year operating lease agreements with Dublin-based RBS Aviation Capital for two new Airbus A320 aircraft, which will be delivered in March 2012.
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise's DAE Capital aircraft leasing unit continues its dramatic climb down from its ambitious 2007 launch. It followed its recent Airbus order cancellations by axing orders for 35 Boeing 737NGs valued at $2.8 billion at list prices. Boeing confirmed the cancellation Friday.
AerCap Holdings had a busy second quarter in which it signed new lease agreements for 16 aircraft, delivered seven, purchased one Airbus A330 and one A320, and sold one A321 and one Boeing 737-400. It also inked contracts for the sale of another four aircraft from its owned portfolio (two A320s, one 737-300, one 757-200), and four aircraft from its managed portfolio (one 737-400, three 737-500s).
Air Lease Corp. announced that UK-based Thomas Cook Airlines signed long-term lease agreements for six new Airbus A321-200s powered by CFM56 engines. Two of the aircraft will be delivered in 2013 and four in spring 2014. The aircraft are part of ALC’s existing order book with Airbus, it said.
Boeing said Tuesday that 787 validation flights conducted in concert with Dreamliner launch customer All Nippon Airways have been successfully completed in Japan.
