Zulfachri Harahap - Jakarta - Soekarno Hatta International
A330-341 - PK-GPF cn 153
sexta-feira, 28 de fevereiro de 2014
One week to go! We’ll be welcoming our 20th SkyTeam member next Wednesday, 5 March
Zulfachri Harahap - Jakarta - Soekarno Hatta International
A330-341 - PK-GPF cn 153
Ethiopian ups London route to daily
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The airline currently operates the route six times a week.
Ethiopian started operations to London on April 1, 1973 and has been providing uninterrupted service to and from the city for more than 40 years.
The move to daily services will also be followed by a move into the new Heathrow T2 Star Alliance terminal from September.
Ethiopian CEO Tewolde Gebremariam, said: “We are very happy to finally be able to offer a daily service to our customers to and from London, one of our most important routes. We have been constrained to six weekly flights daily but from July our leisure and business customers can enjoy a greater flexibility with our state-of-the-art Boeing 787s affording ultimate on-board comfort.”
Ethiopian offers connections throughout Africa, including to Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro,
Lagos and Johannesburg.
1st B777-200F air freighter joins Air China Cargo
The first B777-200F air freighter ordered by Air China Cargo from Boeing made a smooth landing on the Beijing Capital International Airport.
All-new B777-200F's joining is a major move of Air China Cargo to adjust its strategy and optimize its fleet structure, which has boosted the competitiveness of the company's air freight network and will create conditions for the company to further enhance its competitive role in the Chinese freight market and consolidate its market position.
As a new-generation long-distance air freighter with higher fuel efficiency, B777-200F can effectively enhance route operation performance.
According to its fleet plan, Air China Cargo ordered eight B777-200F air freighters from Boeing. Apart from the delivered one, the other seven units will be delivered in succession from 2014 to 2015.
Air China Cargo is making all-out efforts to step up the construction of its hubs in Beijing and Shanghai. B777-200F which has just arrived will be put into operation on long-distance European and American routes with Shanghai as the key operation base. According to sources, the first B777-200F air freighter will fly Frankfurt and Osaka routes every Wednesday. Air China Cargo now operates 32 European, American and Asian-Pacific freight flights weekly, with waypoints in cities like Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Chicago, New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Osaka and Taipei.
B777-200F's joining in Air China Cargo's fleet marks that the company has opened up an era of operating B747, B777 and B757 simultaneously as China's only cargo airline carrying the national flag. The first B757 air freighter went into operation on November 22, 2013. Air China Cargo will own 15 air freighters by 2015, thus bringing into being an integrated airfreight network taking Beijing and Shanghai as hubs and radiating the world. With 284 airfreight routes, 145 waypoints and over 600 truck routes supplementing the air freighter network and the airliner bellyhold network worldwide, Air China Cargo has formed a perfect route network combining air and ground operations thereby delivering cargo to every corner of the world rapidly.
Air China to Commence Beijing - Vienna Barcelona Service
The four-times weekly service CA841/2 will be offered on Monday/Thursday/Friday/Sunday. The outbound flight will leave Beijing at 02:10 and arrive in Vienna at 06:10 local time and in Barcelona at 09:25 local time. The return flight will leave Barcelona at 11:25 local time and arrive in Vienna at 13:25 local time and Beijing at 05:55. The service is to be operated with a widebody A330-300. Onboard, the Business Class is outfitted with full-flat seats. The Premium Economy Class offers 120% of the legroom available in standard Economy Class and great mileage deals. The Economy Class impresses with its ergonomic seats that make journeys less tiring. Personal entertainment systems are available in all classes of service.
Vienna and Barcelona are two European cities known worldwide for their stunning sceneries, rich history, intriguing cultures and splendid art treasures. Vienna is hailed as the "Goddess of the Danube", and Barcelona, "Pearl of the Iberian Peninsula". Vienna oozes classic charms. Stroll along the Danube or walk through Vienna's Golden Hall to realize what music means to the city. Barcelona, which sits on the shores of the tranquil Mediterranean, is the hometown of brave matadors. Admire the city's Gothic, Baroque and modern buildings, and get excited to observe the passionate flamenco dance.
For a long time, no nonstop flights have been offered to link East Asia and Barcelona, and there have been very few flights between Beijing and Vienna. With the increasingly close exchanges between China and Europe in recent years, demand for air travel is growing rapidly. According to IATA's projections, Europe's international passenger demand is expected to grow by 4.7% in 2014. At the same time, a survey shows that the Chinese travelers to Europe have been increasing at a two-digit rate in the past 10 years. Industry experts point out that, in addition to travelers for business, public affairs and academic exchanges, leisure travelers to Europe will become mainstream, and in-depth travel and FIT (free and independent travel) markets will continue to grow. Air China's Beijing-Vienna-Barcelona service will not only make it easier to travel between East Asia and Central and Southern Europe, sparing passengers the trouble of having to make transfers, but also offer an additional option to travelers between such cities as Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Manila and Europe.
As a member carrier of the Star Alliance, the world's largest airline network, Air China has been actively expanding its European schedule. Currently, Air China offers more than 100 flights per week between China and Europe, serving such major European cities as London, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, Moscow and Madrid. The Beijing-Vienna-Barcelona service will bring Air China's European routes up to 23, offering access to 19 European cities and expanding the carrier's European network. It will further improve its global network with its hub in Beijing and make it easier for travelers to transit to other parts of the world via Beijing.
Moreover, Air China also offers travelers gourmet meals and Sky Cellar onboard, as well as chauffeured transfers for VIPs on the ground. With a comfortable cabin environment and attentive services, Air China will be a great choice for travelers between China and Europe.
China Eastern Airlines orders 70 Airbus A320neos
China Eastern Airlines has ordered 70 Airbus A320neo aircraft, making the Shanghai-based carrier the first Chinese airline to order the type. According to a filing released by China Eastern through the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the deal is worth $6.37 billion at current list prices.
The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered from 2018 to 2020 and will be operated on short- and medium-haul routes.
The deal, which still needs Chinese government approval, would enhance the carrier’s competitiveness by increasing its capacity by about 12.7%.
Separately, China Eastern also said it signed a deal with Airbus to sell back seven used A300-600s that would be
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The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered from 2018 to 2020 and will be operated on short- and medium-haul routes.
The deal, which still needs Chinese government approval, would enhance the carrier’s competitiveness by increasing its capacity by about 12.7%.
Separately, China Eastern also said it signed a deal with Airbus to sell back seven used A300-600s that would be
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LyCAA forces Libyan Airlines to suspend European flights
ch-aviation
Qantas extends B747-400(F) lease agreement with Atlas Air
Transaero considering switching B787-8 order to B747-8s or B787-9s
GE Capital Aviation Services Delivers Four New Leased Boeing 737-800s to VRG Linhas Aéreas S. A.
The aircraft were part of a purchase-and-leaseback transaction between the airline and GECAS. The first aircraft delivered in December 2012; two delivered in 2013; and the final delivered late last month.
VRG Linhas Aéreas, the parent company of Gol, is the second largest carrier in Brazil, operating a fleet of 140 aircraft to some 70 destinations.
GE Capital Aviation Services Delivers a New Leased Airbus A320 to Start-up Evelop Airlines
Evelop Airlines is owned by the Spanish leisure travel group Barceló and currently operates three aircraft from destinations in Europe to the Canary and Balearic Islands and serves outbound passengers from Spain to the Caribbean.
Skymark Airlines becomes first Japanese A330 operator
Skymark Airlines, Japan’s third largest airline has taken delivery of the first two A330-300s out of a total of ten on lease. Skymark Airlines becomes the first Japanese carrier to operate Airbus’ market leading, A330 wide-body aircraft.
Skymark Airlines’ A330s, configured in a very high comfort, all ”Green Seat” cabin with 271 seats, will start scheduled flights in April 2014 from Tokyo Haneda to Fukuoka. Skymark Airlines has also announced plans for A330-300 services from Tokyo Haneda to Sapporo and Naha at a later date.
Shinichi Nishikubo, President of Skymark Airlines, said: “We are confident that with these cost-efficient, reliable A330-300s in our fleet, we will grow our business and win market share by attracting passengers who demand only the highest levels of comfort. Together with our A380s to come, we confirm Skymark’s intention to remain at the forefront of our market, having one of Japan’s youngest, most modern fuel-efficient fleets.”
John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, said, “The A330 is the most popular wide-body aircraft in Asia and we welcome Skymark Airlines to our expanding family of A330 operators in this fast growing, dynamic market. We also look forward to seeing Skymark Airlines succeed with their A330’s thanks to the aircraft’s unbeatable economics, versatility and best-in-class passenger comfort.”
The A330-300 received Validation Type Certificate (VTC) from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in January 2014. Skymark Airlines signed a Flight Hour Services (FHS) components contract with Airbus covering support for all of 10 leased A330 aircraft. Airbus Customer Services will provide spare parts availability guaranteed through an extensive scope of more than 700 line replaceable units. Skymark Airlines’ A330s will be equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines.
Airbus’ comprehensive, modern wide-body Family is the market leader in Asia, having outsold the competition by two to one over the last five years. Over half of the wide-body aircraft to be delivered in the future to Asian carriers are Airbus aircraft.
The A330 Family, which spans 250 to 300 seats, and includes Freighter, VIP, and Military Transport/Tanker variants, has now attracted more than 1,300 orders, with over 1,000 aircraft flying with more than 100 operators worldwide. The A330 is one of the world’s most efficient aircraft with best in class operating economics. With numerous ongoing product improvements, it still remains the most cost-efficient and capable aircraft, averaging dispatch reliability well above 99 percent.
Zambian start-up Mahogany Air to use EMB-120s on local flights
Bombardier Delivers Dual-Class Q400 NextGen Airliner to RwandAir
Bombardier Aerospace and RwandAir of Kigali, Rwanda today celebrated the delivery of a dual-class Q400 NextGen turboprop airliner to the African airline. RwandAir’s order for the aircraft was announced on April 22, 2013.
Jean Paul Nyirubutama, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, RwandAir, accepted the aircraft during a delivery ceremony at Bombardier’s Toronto site where the Q400 NextGen aircraft is manufactured. The ceremony was attended by Bombardier Commercial Aircraft executives and many of the employees involved in the production of the aircraft.
“We have been eagerly awaiting the delivery of this superb dual-class, 67-seat aircraft,” said Mr. Nyirubutama. “By offering similar cabin amenities on the Q400 NextGen aircraft and on our recently acquired dual-class Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen regional jets, the two complementary aircraft types will provide seamless passenger service, permitting us to align our total fleet strategy towards a unified passenger experience.
“The Q400 NextGen aircraft will position us well to offer increased capacity on popular routes that have been opened and serviced with our 37-seat Bombardier Dash 8-200 aircraft and is the right aircraft to develop our growing domestic and regional markets. The Q400 NextGen aircraft’s modern cabin and superior performance will also help us build new markets where regional air service today is served by older-generation jets. The aircraft will firmly support RwandAir on our path towards growth and increased profitability,” added Mr. Nyirubutama.
“The Q400 NextGen turboprop has proven its capability, flexibility and ruggedness in many regions of the world and is operating with distinction in diverse environments. We are confident that it will serve RwandAir and its customers very well,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “As one of our newest and fast-growing customers, RwandAir is serving Africa’s expanding domestic and international markets and we are delighted that another Bombardier aircraft will be used to further develop the airline’s network of short- and medium-haul destinations.”
RwandAir is now one of 15 operators of Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft in Africa, and its Q400 NextGen aircraft joins more than 55 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft that are already in service, or ordered for operation, in 12 countries in Africa. RwandAir is also now the fourth airline operating the dual-class Q400 NextGen aircraft among the five customers that have ordered this configuration to date.
quinta-feira, 27 de fevereiro de 2014
Finnair completes sale and leaseback agreements for two Airbus 330 aircraft
HELSINKI, Finland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Finnair Plc. Stock Exchange Release 27 February 2014 8:40 a.m. EET
The sale and leaseback agreements of two Airbus 330 aircraft owned by Finnair have been finalized. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the transactions was signed on 13 December 2013.
The MoU includes also two ordered Airbus 350 aircraft, and sale and leaseback agreements for these two are expected to be concluded in H2 2015, when the first two A350s ordered by Finnair are delivered. The value of the arrangement covering all four aircraft is approximately EUR 320 million. More information on the arrangement is available in Finnair’s stock exchange release announced on 13 December 2013.
Finnair Plc. Stock Exchange Release 27 February 2014 8:40 a.m. EET
The sale and leaseback agreements of two Airbus 330 aircraft owned by Finnair have been finalized. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the transactions was signed on 13 December 2013.
The MoU includes also two ordered Airbus 350 aircraft, and sale and leaseback agreements for these two are expected to be concluded in H2 2015, when the first two A350s ordered by Finnair are delivered. The value of the arrangement covering all four aircraft is approximately EUR 320 million. More information on the arrangement is available in Finnair’s stock exchange release announced on 13 December 2013.
Greece's Sky Express acquires leased Lithuanian ATR42
Established in 2005, the Greek carrier offers an extensive local network of twenty destinations served using the ATR42 and three Jetstream 41s.
France's Aigle Azur to replace last A321 with new sharkletted A320
Aigle Azur will phase-out its last remaining A321-200s by April 3, 2014. Jethro's aircraft database shows the A321, F-HBAG (cn 1006), will be replaced with a factory-fresh A320-200 (sl), F-HBIX (cn 6012). Thomas Cook Airlines UK will acquire and re-register the A321 as G-TCDZ.
Aigle Azur currently deploys the A321 on flights from Paris Orly to Algeria (Algier, Bejaja, Oran, and Tlemcen) and Portugal (Funchal and Porto).
Photo:Paul Bannwarth - BSL - F-HBIS
Aigle Azur currently deploys the A321 on flights from Paris Orly to Algeria (Algier, Bejaja, Oran, and Tlemcen) and Portugal (Funchal and Porto).
TAP invites England fans to FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil
With TAP Portugal offering flights from the UK, via Lisbon, to 12 destinations in Brazil, the airline not only offers a convenient gateway to the sporting spectacular for both ticket-holders or fans looking to merely soak up the atmosphere, but also the perfect opportunity to explore the greater areas of South America pre or post match.
England will first pull on their boots on June 14th 2014 against Italy in the group stage of the tournament, with Manaus taking centre stage as the backdrop. Manaus is one of the newest destinations to be added to TAP Portugal’s Brazilian network.
The city will play host to four World Cup games to be played in Arena Da Amazonia, a specially built stadium. Manaus is the capital city of the state of Amazonas and the gateway to experience the Amazon.
It is one of the fastest growing regions in Brazil with a population of 2.3 million people.
Alongside Belém, Manaus will be added to TAP’s schedule in June 2014.
These new services signal TAP’s first destinations in northern Brazil, widening its existing network in the South American country.
TAP now flies to 12 destinations in Brazil via Lisbon providing convenient links from UK to nine other World Cup stadium destinations including Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Brasilia, Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Recife, and importantly Belo Horizonte and São Paulo where England play Costa Rica and Uruguay in their remaining group stage matches respectively.
The Belém, and Manaus service adds to TAP’s current flight offering of ten gateways in Brazil, taking the total number of weekly flights in operation to 82, and destinations include Fortaleza; Natal; Recife; Salvador; Brasília; Belo Horizonte; Rio de Janeiro; São Paulo; Campinas and Porto Alegre.
The new route will also further expand TAP’s existing global connections, via Lisbon, to 79 destinations in 34 countries worldwide including Africa and North and South America.
Airline News Breaking Travel News
Turkish Airlines to wet-lease four A380s
Sources say the four aircraft are set to enter to the Turkish fleet by the summer.
Istanbul-based Turkish is planning services to Chinese destinations where slot availability is limited. Currently, the airline’s biggest aircraft is the Boeing 777-300ER, with a 337-seat capacity.
In January, Turkish started negotiations with Polish flag carrier LOT to wet-lease 787s, with a view to using the aircraft to open a San Francisco route.
In adding the 777 to its fleet, the Turkish flag carrier initially wet-leased examples from India’s Jet Airways and, having gained first-hand experience of the operating costs, later placed an order with the airframer.
By: Tolga Ozbek
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Happy Throwback Thursday! Do you remember these uniforms our stewardesses sported back in 1974? One year later, The McDonnell Douglas DC-9 50 aircraft would become the primary aircraft of the Hawaiian Airlines fleet, with each plane named for an island flower like the Ilima and Lokelani. Each plane's livery also sported our very own "Flower in the Sky," Pualani.
Aircastle Announces $900 Million Agreement for Purchase and Leaseback of Boeing 777-300ERs with LATAM Airlines Group
The first group of four aircraft, which were manufactured in 2012, is expected to close early in the second quarter of 2014 with an average lease term of 60 months. The second group of aircraft, which were manufactured in 2008, is expected to be purchased by Aircastle once the existing financings are repaid and will be leased back to LATAM with lease terms expiring in 2017 and 2018.
Ron Wainshal, Aircastle's CEO, commented: "LATAM is one of the world's premier airline groups and we are very happy to have concluded this important transaction. In doing so, we are assisting LATAM by providing a complete solution for its Boeing 777-300ER fleet transition program while acquiring very attractive, well priced assets that we will be able to remarket before newer generation aircraft are available. This transaction plays to Aircastle's balance sheet strengths and its experience as a skilled aircraft manager."
The closing of these transactions is subject to conditions precedent customary for transactions of this type.
Lineas Aéreas Paraguayas 2.0 eyes June launch date for Madrid flights
Initial services will operate three times weekly, he added.
quarta-feira, 26 de fevereiro de 2014
British Airways takes Dreamliner into Chennai
The new aircraft will begin flying to the Indian city from October 2014 and Chennai will also increase from six flights a week to a daily service from Heathrow.
Chennai will be the eighth British Airways route served by the Dreamliner.
The 787 already flies to Newark and Toronto and on March 3rd, it will start flying to Austin in Texas.
Other routes announced for the summer include Hyderabad, Chengdu, Philadelphia and Calgary.
British Airways is introducing 20 new aircraft into its fleet this year including four 787s and five A380 superjumbos.
In total the airline has ordered 24 787s and 12 A380s.
The new aircraft form the centrepiece of the airline’s £5 billion investment programme to make life more comfortable in the air and on the ground.
Travel News
Boeing, China Southern Airlines Celebrate First 777-300ER Delivery
"The 777-300ER's long-haul capability is a perfect fit for our network expansion plans as it wilenable us serve our existing long-range markets more efficiently and open new routes in the future," said Zhang Zifang, Chief Operating Officer, China Southern Airlines. "The 777-300ER will support the development of Guangzhou as our main international hub and will be a vital part of our 'Canton Route' services."
China Southern plans to operate its first 777-300ER on its new North America route, where it will be able to directly connect passengers in the southern region of China to the eastern coast of the United States.
"We are honored to play a part in China Southern's growing success and proud to celebrate this milestone together," said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Sales and Marketing for Northeast Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The 777-300ER is a great choice for China Southern. Its combination of efficiency, industry-leading reliability and award-winning cabin design will continue to help China Southern generate more revenue and provide a superior passenger experience."
China Southern has configured its new 777-300ER to feature four distinct cabins. On board passengers will find four first class seats, 34 business class seats, 44 premium economy seats and 227 economy seats, for a total of 309 passengers.
The Boeing 777 is the world's most successful twin-engine, long-haul airplane. The 777-300ER extends the 777 family's span of capabilities, bringing twin-engine efficiency and reliability to the long-range market. The airplane can fly up to 7,825 nautical miles (14,490 kilometers) and is equipped with GE90-115B engines, the world's most powerful commercial jet engine.
China Southern Airlines, based in Guangzhou, has been a valued Boeing customer for 25 years. In 2013, China Southern was the first Chinese carrier to operate 787 Dreamliner. The airline was the first carrier in Asia to operate the 777 in 1995 and the first to operate 777s on nonstop routes across the Pacific Ocean, connecting Guangzhou and Los Angeles.
China Southern was the first Chinese carrier to take direct delivery of the 757-200, 777-200, 777-200ER (Extended Range), 777 Freighter and 747-400 Freighter from Boeing.
Middle Eastern Operator Falcon Aviation Services Signs a Letter of Intent for up to Two Bombardier CSeries Aircraft
Becomes first customer for the CSeries aircraft in the United Arab Emirates
Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Abu Dhabi-based Falcon Aviation Services has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to acquire one CS300 aircraft and an option for another. With this LOI, Falcon Aviation Services becomes the first customer for CSeries aircraft in the United Arab Emirates.
Based on the list price, a firm order for two CS300 aircraft would be valued at approximately $156.5 million US.
Falcon Aviation Services is based at Al Bateen Executive Airport and operates a fleet of corporate jets conducting VIP charter flights, as well as a fleet of helicopters serving the offshore oil and gas industry. The company also conducts search and rescue; aircraft management, maintenance, repair and overhaul; as well as consulting operations.
“The superb versatility of the CSeries aircraft will allow us to offer a unique aircraft configuration on our CS300 aircraft, specifically catering to business, corporate and elite travelers in the Middle East and connecting to North Africa, Europe and the Far East,” said Captain Mahmoud Ismael, Chief Operating Officer, Falcon Aviation Services. “We selected the CSeries aircraft because of its excellent range, exceptional economics and its outstanding cabin. All these factors, along with the strength of the Bombardier brand, position the CS300 aircraft exceedingly well for our business development plans versus its competition.”
“The CSeries aircraft program continues to make great strides and I’m delighted to welcome Falcon Aviation Services as the fourth customer in the Middle East and the 18th member in our worldwide family of customers and operators,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “As its growing diversity of customers and operators demonstrates, the CSeries family of aircraft is designed to provide the very best operational flexibility in its market segment.
“Included in our CSeries aircraft family are major network carriers, national carriers, premium airlines serving city centre airports, a low-cost airline, leasing companies, a full service provider to airline partners, and with the order from Falcon Aviation Services announced today, a corporate service provider,” added Mr. Arcamone.
Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Abu Dhabi-based Falcon Aviation Services has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to acquire one CS300 aircraft and an option for another. With this LOI, Falcon Aviation Services becomes the first customer for CSeries aircraft in the United Arab Emirates.
Based on the list price, a firm order for two CS300 aircraft would be valued at approximately $156.5 million US.
Falcon Aviation Services is based at Al Bateen Executive Airport and operates a fleet of corporate jets conducting VIP charter flights, as well as a fleet of helicopters serving the offshore oil and gas industry. The company also conducts search and rescue; aircraft management, maintenance, repair and overhaul; as well as consulting operations.
“The superb versatility of the CSeries aircraft will allow us to offer a unique aircraft configuration on our CS300 aircraft, specifically catering to business, corporate and elite travelers in the Middle East and connecting to North Africa, Europe and the Far East,” said Captain Mahmoud Ismael, Chief Operating Officer, Falcon Aviation Services. “We selected the CSeries aircraft because of its excellent range, exceptional economics and its outstanding cabin. All these factors, along with the strength of the Bombardier brand, position the CS300 aircraft exceedingly well for our business development plans versus its competition.”
“The CSeries aircraft program continues to make great strides and I’m delighted to welcome Falcon Aviation Services as the fourth customer in the Middle East and the 18th member in our worldwide family of customers and operators,” said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “As its growing diversity of customers and operators demonstrates, the CSeries family of aircraft is designed to provide the very best operational flexibility in its market segment.
Airbus to raise A320 Family production to 46 a month by Q2 2016
Airbus has decided to increase production of its best-selling single-aisle aircraft family to 46 a month in Q2 2016, up from the current rate 42. The new higher production rate will be achieved gradually, with an intermediate step at 44 aircraft per month in Q1 2016.
“Based on the healthy market outlook for our best-selling A320 Family and following a comprehensive assessment of our supply chain’s readiness to ramp-up, we are ready to go to rate 46 by Q2 2016,” said Tom Williams, Executive Vice President Programmes. “With a record backlog of over 4,200 A320 Family aircraft and the growing success of the NEO, we have a solid case to increase our monthly output to satisfy our customers’ requirement for more of our fuel efficient aircraft.”
Over the past five years, Airbus has steadily increased A320 Family production, going from rate 36 at the end of 2010 to rate 38 in August 2011, then up to rate 40 in Q1 2012 to reach 42 per month in Q4 of the same year.
With over 10,200 Airbus single aisle aircraft sold and more than 5,900 delivered to nearly 400 customers and operators, the A320 Family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is the world’s best-selling and most modern single aisle aircraft family.
With a total of 2,610 orders the A320neo Family has captured some 60 percent of the market, clearly demonstrating its leadership. Incorporating new more efficient engines and Airbus’ “Sharklet” large wing tip devices, these new aircraft are set to deliver fuel savings of up to 15 percent.
Libya arrests Qataris at Benghazi airport
By Staff writer | Al Arabiya News
Saturday, 22 February 2014
Libyan police arrested six Qataris at Benghazi airport on Saturday as they tried to board a plane to Turkey using forged Libyan passports and carrying almost $146,000, Reuters reported airport security sources as saying.
Western diplomats in Libya worry that Benina airport in the eastern city of Benghazi is being used by Islamists to travel to Turkey in order to join anti-government rebels in Syria.
Libyans do not need a visa for Turkey, which is linked to Benghazi by daily flights. Security is often lax at the small airport.
The six men were held as they were about to board a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul from where they had an onward booking to the Qatari capital Doha, one airport source said.
Five of the men were definitively of Qatari origin, while the sixth was suspected of being Qatari, the source said.
They had no checked in luggage but carried 180,000 Libyan dinars ($146,000), the officials said.
They were no more details immediately available.
On Thursday, Libyan Thursday to elect a constitutional panel to draft a new constitution across most of the North African country, however violence prevented the process in four regions in the south and one in the east.
Electoral commission chief Nuri al-Abbar told reporters Friday that those deprived of voting due to violence in the eastern region of Derna and the southern areas of Sebha, Oubari, Murzak and Kufra would be able to cast their ballots on Wednesday.
Only a third of Libya’s 3.4 million eligible voters bothered to register compared with more than 2.7 million in 2012 when the first free elections were held in the aftermath of the uprising that toppled and killed dictator Muammar Qaddafi.
(With Reuters and AFP)
Middle Eastern Operator Falcon Aviation Services Signs a Letter of Intent for Up to Two Bombardier CSeries Aircraft
Bombardier Aerospace announced today that Abu Dhabi-based Falcon Aviation Services has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to acquire one CS300 aircraft and an option for another. With this LOI, Falcon Aviation Services becomes the first customer for CSeries aircraft in the United Arab Emirates.
Based on the list price, a firm order for two CS300 aircraft would be valued at approximately $156.5 million US.
Falcon Aviation Services is based at Al Bateen Executive Airport and operates a fleet of corporate jets conducting VIP charter flights, as well as a fleet of helicopters serving the offshore oil and gas industry. The company also conducts search and rescue; aircraft management, maintenance, repair and overhaul; as well as consulting operations.
"The superb versatility of the CSeries aircraft will allow us to offer a unique aircraft configuration on our CS300 aircraft, specifically catering to business, corporate and elite travelers in the Middle East and connecting to North Africa, Europe and the Far East," said Captain Mahmoud Ismael, Chief Operating Officer, Falcon Aviation Services. "We selected the CSeries aircraft because of its excellent range, exceptional economics and its outstanding cabin. All these factors, along with the strength of the Bombardier brand, position the CS300 aircraft exceedingly well for our business development plans versus its competition."
"The CSeries aircraft program continues to make great strides and I'm delighted to welcome Falcon Aviation Services as the fourth customer in the Middle East and the 18th member in our worldwide family of customers and operators," said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "As its growing diversity of customers and operators demonstrates, the CSeries family of aircraft is designed to provide the very best operational flexibility in its market segment.
"Included in our CSeries aircraft family are major network carriers, national carriers, premium airlines serving city centre airports, a low-cost airline, leasing companies, a full service provider to airline partners, and with the order from Falcon Aviation Services announced today, a corporate service provider," added Mr. Arcamone.
CSeries aircraft
Designed for the growing 100- to 149-seat market, the 100 per cent new CSeries aircraft family combines advanced materials, leading-edge technology and proven methods to meet commercial airline requirements. Powered by Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1500G engines, the CSeries aircraft family will offer a 15(i) per cent cash operating cost advantage and a 20(i) per cent fuel burn advantage. With the extra capacity seating option, the CS300 aircraft's productivity further improves, offering airlines an average of four(i) per cent additional cash operating cost advantage per seat.
The CSeries aircraft's clean-sheet design is ensuring that the aircraft will achieve greatly reduced noise and emissions, as well as superior operational flexibility, exceptional airfield performance and a range of 2,950 NM (5,463 km)(i). The CSeries aircraft will be up to 12,000 lbs. (5,443 kg)(i) lighter than other aircraft in the same seat category and will provide passengers with a best-in-class, widebody cabin environment in a single-aisle aircraft.
Including the LOI from Falcon Aviation Services announced today, Bombardier has booked orders and commitments for 447 CSeries aircraft, which include firm orders for 201 CSeries airliners. Some 18 customers and operators have joined the CSeries aircraft program.
Mandarin Airlines is starting a new service between Taipei Songshan (TSA) and Fuzhou (FOC) in eastern China
Operated twice-weekly (Tuesdays and Fridays), but by the airline’s parent China Airlines’ 737-800s, the 254-kilometre sector started on 18 February. The route will be flown in direct competition with Xiamen Airlines (six times weekly) and TransAsia Airways (four). In addition, Mandarin will face indirect competition from Taipei Taoyuan to Fuzhou, operated by Xiamen (daily) and UNI Air (twice-weekly)
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