Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh said on Thursday that the company has "pulled back inside some elements of engineering [on the 787-9], which in the past had been on the outside—specifically activities surrounding composites."
Skyworld Aviation placed one ex-Shuttle America Embraer 170 with Fuji Dream Airlines of Japan on behalf of Republic Airways Holdings. Lufthansa Technik said it took delivery of two SunExpress CFM56-7B engines at its Hamburg engine overhaul center, the first two powerplants it will overhaul as part of a 10-year Total Engine Support deal signed earlier this year covering the carrier's CFM56-7Bs powering its 737-800s.
AerCap Holdings announced that Gothenburg-based cargo operator West Atlantic will become the launch operator for the Airbus A320 passenger-to-freighter program by taking an initial three aircraft on lease from AerCap with deliveries between 2012 and mid-2013, with the option of a further four aircraft by 2015. The agreement is subject to finalization of terms and conditions, AerCap said. The aircraft are part of a 2008 passenger-to-freighter conversion project between Airbus Freighter Conversions and AerCap covering up to 30 A320s.
Russia's S7 Airlines plans to buy a mix of up to eight 737-800s and A320 family aircraft in 2011 as part of its fleet modernization program, according to CEO Vladimir Obyedkov. "If the shareholders permit it, we will buy seven or eight aircraft," he told RIA Novosti. He said the 737-800s would operate for S7 subsidiary Globus Airlines while the A320s would join S7's mainline fleet. The carrier currently operates 28 A320 family aircraft, five A310-200/300s and two 767-300s. It also owns several Russian-built aircraft including Tu154s and IL-86s.
Spirit Aerosystems announced it inked an agreement with British Airways to supply thrust reverser, fuselage and wing components for its fleet of Boeing aircraft. Separately, it announced the opening of a new sales office in Shannon, Ireland to serve customers in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
SriLankan Airlines said last week it will equip its long-haul fleet with flatbed seats and new IFE systems starting in May 2011. It said the retrofits will occur on two of its five A340s and four of its five A330s. The airline also operates three A320s and plans to take delivery of five more A320s by the end of 2011, according to its website.
Boeing last week forecasted that airlines in Russia and the CIS will take delivery of about 960 new aircraft valued at $90 billion over the next 20 years.
Boeing said Friday it successfully completed the "final body join" of the first 747-8 Intercontinental in Everett, noting that mechanics "loaded the forward and aft fuselage sections to join with the wing and center section."
Boeing said Friday it successfully completed the "final body join" of the first 747-8 Intercontinental in Everett, noting that mechanics "loaded the forward and aft fuselage sections to join with the wing and center section."
Embraer delivered 20 commercial aircraft in the 2010 third quarter, down 31% from 29 in the year-ago quarter. The company delivered 70 commercial aircraft in the first nine months of 2010, a 27% decrease from 90 during the same period last year. Leading the way for commercial deliveries during the third quarter were 11 E190s (down from 20 in the year-ago quarter) and six E195s (down from 12 last year). As of Sept. 30, its firm backlog was valued at $15.3 billion, down 17.7% from $18.6 billion on Sept. 30, 2009.
Air Lease Corp. Chairman and CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy said this week in Munich that "it's hard to see a meaningful benefit" in re-engining A320s or 737s, Bloomberg reported.
Hong Kong Airlines finalized a contract with Airbus for 10 more A330-200s and converted an existing order for 15 A330s to 15 A350 XWBs. Both agreements were announced with an MOU during the Farnborough International Airshow in July (ATW Daily News, July 21).
Hong Kong Airlines finalized a contract with Airbus for 10 more A330-200s and converted an existing order for 15 A330s to 15 A350 XWBs. Both agreements were announced with an MOU during the Farnborough International Airshow in July (ATW Daily News, July 21).
Cathay Pacific Airways announced Tuesday it will replace its economy-class fixed-back seats on long-haul aircraft in early December with new premium-economy class seats after passengers complained about discomfort.
Turkish Airlines Chairman Hamdi Topcu told ATW in Seattle on Tuesday that THY is “evaluating” proposals to order either 747-8s or A380s by year end. He said the carrier is also deciding whether to order additional 737-900s and is in talks with Airbus regarding a possible A320 order.
AerCap Holdings purchased 12 aircraft and eight engines in the third quarter while selling five aircraft and five engines, the Amsterdam-based lessor said in a statement issued Monday. During the three months, it signed agreements to lease two A320s with LAN Airlines and one 737 with Canada's Air North (both aircraft were delivered during the period). It also entered into 12 engine lease agreements for nine CFM56s and three CF6s.
Sahaab Aircraft Leasing, a subsidiary of Jazeera Airways Group, placed four A320s on long-term leases with Virgin America, the companies announced Sunday. The contract is valued at $155 million. This is the first lease to a US-based customer by Sahaab, which was acquired by Jazeera Airways Group in February 2010 ( ATW Daily News, Feb. 17).
Chromalloy launched a Web-based turbine engine parts and repairs catalog, which lists information by manufacturer, engine type and engine section. "The catalog lists thousands of turbine engine parts and allows users to input a part number, part name or ATA number," said VP-Marketing and Corporate Communications Andrew Farrant. "Results show all relevant part numbers as well as information about related parts."
ATRdelivered its 900th aircraft to TRIP Linhas Aereas in Brazil, the second-largest ATR operator in the world. The ATR 72-500 is the 30th ATR in its fleet and it will take delivery of three more before the end of the year. "Our ATR turboprops are enabling us to cover the largest regional network in our country and to meet the demand of a large range of markets," said TRIP CEO Caprioli dos Santos. "With our new aircraft, we will also be able to further expand our network and add frequencies."
Syrian Arab Airlines is considering placing an order for two Russian TU204-100Bs. Because of US-imposed economic sanctions on Syria, the state-run carrier turned to Russia after negotiations stalled on the purchase of up to 50 Airbus aircraft, according to the Austrian daily Wirtschaftsblatt.
Boeing announced Thursday it delivered 124 commercial aircraft in the 2010 third quarter, up 11 from 113 in the year-ago quarter, for a total of 346 deliveries so far this year. Leading the way is the delivery of 100 737NGs, up from 90 in the year-ago quarter, bringing its year-to-date total to 281. Boeing said it delivered three 767s and 21 777s, for year-to-date totals of nine and 56, respectively. Comparatively, in the third quarter of 2009, Boeing delivered four 767s and 19 777s.
Bernstein Research believes that EADS is the “top pick” for investors in commercial aerospace owing to its stock performance being driven primarily by Airbus, whose delivery outlook continues to improve.
Coral Gables, Fla.-based AerSale said Thursday it has acquired 19 747-400s from Japan Airlines, which is in the midst of an aggressive bankruptcy restructuring and made the decision this year to retire its 747-400 fleet.
