Armavia took delivery Tuesday of the first production Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SN95007), at Zvartnots International in Yerevan, nearly three years after the jet’s maiden flight. The aircraft was christened “Yuri Gagarin” in memory of the first cosmonaut. The Armenian carrier holds two firm orders plus two options.
The June 20-26 Paris Air Show will likely turn into an "Airbus festival," Bernstein Research predicted. But the New York-based firm warned that while the European manufacturer will rack up aircraft orders, it may not get the price premium it wants.
Armavia took delivery Tuesday of the first production Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SN95007), at Zvartnots International in Yerevan, nearly three years after the jet’s maiden flight.
GE Aviation announced the launch of the CF6 TRUEngine program, awarding TRUEngine designation to Nippon Cargo's fleet of 43 CF6-80C2s powering its Boeing 747s. The TRUEngine status, which was launched for CFM56s in 2008 ( ATW Daily News, July 14, 2008), requires engine configuration, overhaul practices, spare parts and repairs to be consistent with GE or CFM requirements.
Sabena Technics confirmed that Barfield Bogota, the Colombian subsidiary of Barfield Miami, is expected to open mid-year 2011. The new subsidiary follows the signing of a 10-year Airbus A320 component services contract with AviancaTaca for subsidiary carriers Avianca, TACA, Aerogal and Ocean Air. The “fast shop” will initially focus on avionics testing and repair with plans to expand its capabilities to service a larger array of components. The shop will also provide services to other operators in South America.
Embraer delivered 20 commercial aircraft while taking firm orders for 44 E-Jets during the first quarter. Deliveries were slightly behind the 21 commercial aircraft delivered during last year's March quarter. The Brazilian manufacturer's firm backlog stood at 270 aircraft valued at $16 billion on March 31, up 2.6% compared to $15.6 billion as of Dec. 31, 2010.
Boeing's decision on whether to launch an all-new aircraft to replace the 737NG will be driven by technology and risk assessment, according to a Buckingham Research client note.
Air China is pressing ahead with requiring its majority-owned subsidiary Shenzhen Airlines to join Star Alliance, an industry insider told ATW. The source noted that Star is still evaluating the carrier and there is no specific timetable for a formal agreement.
EgyptAir took delivery of its sixth new Boeing 777-300ER as part of an order for six of the type ( ATW Daily News, Dec. 3, 2007). MS received four last year and the remaining two this year. All six are leased from GECAS. The new delivery lifts EgyptAir Group’s fleet to 75 aircraft.
Japan's Star Flyer on Friday signed an order with Airbus for two CFM56-5B-powered A320s. The carrier operates five leased A320s and is slated to receive four more of the type on lease. Friday's order was its first direct purchase of aircraft.
Buckingham Research predicted that Boeing will push back the announcement of an all-new aircraft to replace the 737NG to late 2012 with launch approval likely in 2014.
Boeing announced it is in “advanced discussions with multiple customers” regarding its GoldCare lifecycle support offering for 737NGs. Boeing recently revealed to ATW that it is offering GoldCare for the 737NG in addition to the 787 operators and is considering extending it to older models ( ATW, Apr. 1).
Kenya Airways on Thursday said it reached a settlement with Boeing on a new delivery schedule for nine Boeing 787-8s, and finalized a purchase agreement signed in 2006 after previously threatening to cancel the order over the delays to the program.
Turkish airlines will need to add 480 aircraft valued at $50.5 billion over the next 18 years to accommodate projected increases in traffic demand, Airbus said. According to reports by Hürriyet Daily News and Agence France Press, Airbus VP-Europe, Asia and the Pacific Chris Buckley presented the manufacturer's forecast in Istanbul, where he noted that "Turkey's air traffic has grown fast and this will continue." He pointed out that Turkish domestic traffic has quadrupled in the last seven years.
AFI KLM E&M was selected by Air Europa to modify the full-economy class of one recently acquired Airbus A330 to a dual-class cabin. Driessen-Zodiac Aerospace signed an agreement with Airbus to “progressively” introduce galleys as “Seller Furnished Equipment” on A320 family aircraft. The SFE approach will begin with deliveries from mid 2012 on, it said.
SAS Group said Monday it will lease five new 737-800NGs from GECAS and signed an MOU to lease a further 12 737-700s from the same company as it phases out its remaining nine MD-80s and 11 737 Classics at its Stockholm and Oslo hubs, where it also operates 67 737NGs.
SAS Group announced Monday it will lease five new 737-800NGs from GECAS and signed an MOU to lease a further 12 737-700s from the same company as it phases out its remaining nine MD-80s and 11 737 Classics at its Stockholm and Oslo hubs, where it also operates 67 737NGs.
Michelin Group was selected by COMAC to develop and supply tires for the C919. The tire manufacturer said the contract will require it to increase production capacity in Asia. Michelin said the C919 will use its Air X radial tire. KfW IPEX-Bank said it will provide loans to Hawaiian Airlines to finance two new Airbus A330-200s to be delivered this month and in March 2012.
Bombardier said it has started work at its aircraft production facility in Mirabel to accommodate final assembly of the first flight test CSeries. “This is another step in the five-phased development of the Mirabel plant, which will ultimately double in size to some 860,000 sq. ft.,” Bombardier stated.
Boeing said Thursday it delivered 104 commercial aircraft in the first quarter, slightly behind the 108 delivered in the 2010 March quarter. Leading the way were 87 737NG deliveries, one more than was delivered in the year-ago quarter.
