FARNBOROUGH 2018

Viva Aerobus firms up order for 25 A321neo, 16 A321neo upconversions

Viva Aerobus, the ultra-low-cost carrier based in Mexico, has firmed up an amendment for 25 incremental A321neo and 16 upconversions of A320neos to A321neos to their existing purchase agreement. This latest order brings the all-Airbus operator’s total orderbook to 80 A320 Family aircraft (including 15 A320ceo, 24 A320neo, and 41 A321neo) and the airline’s total backlog from 36 to 61 aircraft. Viva Aerobus has not yet decided on the engine selection and will announce at a later date.

Gian Carlo Nucci, CEO of Grupo Viva Aerobus, said: “Our decision to introduce the A321neo to our fleet reflects our long-term commitment to cost reduction, to innovation, operational and environmental efficiency, and enhancing our passenger experience. These additional aircraft will allow us to capture opportunities in Mexico, and we can think of no aircraft better suited than the A321neo with 240 seats with which to endeavour our growth objectives. Of course, these new aircraft will help us offer even lower fares, more destinations and allow us to continue improving our customer service."

Eric Schulz, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We are proud about this repeat order by Viva Aerobus; it serves as a testament to the A321neo being the aircraft of choice in the mid-market segment. Viva Aerobus will benefit from the A321neo’s additional capacity, superior performance, and the very lowest operating cost as they strive to meet the growing demand for cost-efficient air travel in Mexico.”

Viva Aerobus has based its fleet renewal strategy on the A320neo Family. In 2013 Viva Aerobus placed an order for 52 A320 Family aircraft, the largest Airbus aircraft order placed by a single airline in Mexico at the time. Since then, Viva Aerobus has ordered three additional A320ceo aircraft, which were integrated into the airline’s fleet between 2017 and 2018. To date, Viva Aerobus operates 26 A320 Family aircraft, including four A320neo.

The A321 is the largest member of the A320 Family, seating up to 240 passengers, depending on cabin configuration. Incorporating the latest engines, aerodynamic advances and cabin innovations, the A321neo offers a reduction in fuel consumption of at least 15 per cent per seat from day one and 20 per cent by 2020.

2018 list price: A321neo US$129.5m

Vietjet to order 50 more A321neo 

Vietnamese carrier Vietjet has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus for the purchase of an additional 50 A321neo single aisle aircraft. The agreement was announced at the Farnborough Air Show today by Vietjet Vice President Dinh Viet Phuong and Eric Schulz, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer.

The latest agreement will see the carrier’s backlog of orders for the A320 Family rise to 129 aircraft, including 123 A321neo and 6 A321ceo. Vietjet will use the additional aircraft to meet growing demand for its services on both its domestic and international networks.

Vietjet first took to the skies in 2011 and now operates an all-Airbus fleet currently comprising 59 A320 Family aircraft. The carrier’s route network already spans the whole of Vietnam and some 30 destinations across Asia.

The A321neo is the latest and largest member of the best-selling Airbus single aisle family and is firmly established as the most popular aircraft in its size category, seating up to 240 passengers in a single class layout. It also offers the longest range in its category, flying up to 4,000 nautical miles non-stop or around nine hours flying time.

Incorporating the latest engines, aerodynamic advances and cabin innovations, the A321neo offers a reduction in fuel consumption of at least 15 per cent per seat from day one and 20 per cent by 2020.

To date, the A320 Family has won more than 14,200 orders and over 7,800 aircraft are currently in service with 330 operators worldwide.

A321neo 2018 list price: US$129.5m.
@vietjetvietnam @airbus #A321neo #FIA18


Undisclosed customer orders 10 A320neo aircraft




The first A320neo equipped with CFM International LEAP-1A engines performed its 4-hour, 25-minute maiden flight on 19 May 2015



A customer has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 10 A320neo aircraft at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow.
Featuring the widest single aisle cabin in the sky, the efficient A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver more than 15 percent fuel and CO2 savings from day one and 20 percent by 2020 as well as 50 percent noise reduction. With more than 6,100 orders received from over 100 customers, the A320neo Family has captured some 60 percent of the market.
#A320neo # #FIA18

Hokkaido Air System Co., Ltd signs for ATR 42-600s 

Farnborough, 18 July, 2018 – Hokkaido Air System Co., Ltd (HAC), a JAL Group Company and ATR have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the purchase of two firm ATR 42-600s with an option for a third. HAC will begin operating these aircraft from 2020. These aircraft will replace HAC’s fleet of Saab 340s taking advantage of the superior economics of the cutting-edge ATR -600 series.
Yoichiro Kuwano, President of HAC, declared: “The ATR 42-600 benefits from a wide cabin, comparable to that of medium-sized aircraft and will significantly improve cabin comfort for our passengers. Also the aircraft has extensive experience with operations in cold winter, which will increase the reliability of the operation in cold Hokkaido. With this new aircraft and the safe operation system we’ve established, we will continue to provide reliable and comfortable travel to local businesses and communities.”



ATR Chief Executive Officer, Christian Scherer, said: “We are delighted to see that ATR is the right aircraft for Japan. With economics that are unmatched by any other aircraft the ATR makes perfect sense financially but beyond this, JAL Group’s endorsement is testimony to the relevance of our product in a most advanced society that is concerned with comfort, environmentally-friendliness and the benefits of regional connectivity.”

Uganda Airlines orders two A330neo




Uganda Airlines, the national carrier of Uganda, has signed a memorandum of understanding for two A330-800neo, the new version of the best-selling A330 widebody airliner, featuring new wings new Rolls-Royce’s latest-generation Trent 7000 engines, new systems and a new Airspace cabin interior.

The agreement was announced at Farnborough airshow by Ephraim Bagenda, CEO of Uganda Airlines and Eric Schulz, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer.

Uganda Airlines plans to use the A330-800neos to build its international long-haul network with the aircraft offering cutting-edge technologies along with most efficient operations. The aircraft will feature a three-class cabin layout comprising 20 Business, 28 Premium Economy and 213 Economy seats.

“This agreement demonstrates our ambition for economic growth supported by a robust aviation industry. The A330-800neo combines low operating costs, long range flying capability and high levels of comfort. We are looking forward to launch operations and offer our customers best-in-class service”, said Ephraim Bagenda, CEO of Uganda Airlines.

“We are delighted to welcome Uganda Airlines among our A330neo customers, the A330neo will bring a range of benefits offering unrivalled efficiencies combined with the most modern cabin. We look forward to see the A330-800neo flying in the colours of Uganda”, said Eric Schulz, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer.

@Airbus #A330neo #UgandaAirlines

First BelugaXL becomes airborne for its maiden flight 

BelugaXL First Flight Take Off
The first of five BelugaXL transport aircraft will fly in mid-2018 and enter into service in 2019


The first BelugaXL took off this morning from Blagnac in Toulouse, France at 10:30 hrs local time, for its maiden flight over south-western France. The aircraft is the first of five BelugaXL to enter into service later in 2019 and to gradually replace the BelugaST transporters.

The crew in the cockpit on board this flight comprised: Captain Christophe Cail, Co-Pilot Bernardo Saez-Benito Hernandez and Test-Flight Engineer Jean Michel Pin. Meanwhile, monitoring the aircraft systems and performance in real-time at the flight-test-engineer’s (FTE) station were Laurent Lapierre and Philippe Foucault.

The BelugaXL was launched in November 2014 to address the transport and ramp-up capacity requirements for Airbus beyond 2019. The new oversize air transporters are based on the A330-200 Freighter, with a large re-use of existing components and equipment.

#BelugaXL

EasyJet takes delivery of its first A321neo






EasyJet has taken delivery of its first of 30 A321neo aircraft at a delivery event at the Farnborough international Airshow, attended by easyJet CEO Johan Lundgren, President of CFM International Gaël Méheust and Airbus CEO Tom Enders.

The aircraft is powered by CFM Leap-1A engines. The A321neo is the largest member of the Airbus single aisle family with 235 seats in easyJet’s configuration, making it the largest aircraft in its fleet of 308 Airbus aircraft. easyJet currently operates 10 A320neo Family aircraft from an order for 130.

Featuring the widest single aisle cabin in the sky, the efficient A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver more than 15 percent fuel and CO2 savings from day one and 20 percent by 2020 as well as 50 percent noise reduction. With more than 6,100 orders received from over 100 customers, the A320neo Family has captured some 60 percent of the market.

A321neo 2018 list price: US$129.5m

EasyFly signs for five ATR -600s
Colombian carrier to expand and renew its fleet with three ATR 72-600s

and two ATR 42-600s



Farnborough, 18 July, 2018 – Colombian airline EasyFly and market-leading turboprop manufacturer ATR today signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the purchase of five ATR -600 series aircraft, of which three are ATR 72-600s and two are ATR 42-600s. EasyFly became an ATR operator in 2014 when it began the progressive replacement of its fleet of Jetstream 41s. The new ATR 72-600s will mainly serve growing point-to-point operations from the hub of northern city of Bucaramanga, a city with one of the fastest developing economies in Colombia. The ATR 42-600s will be used to further expand current operations, thus boosting regional point-to-point connectivity with the aim to support and increase ongoing development of local economies.

EasyFly President, Alfonso Avila, said: “EasyFly has experienced double-digit traffic and revenue growth every year since the incorporation of ATR aircraft into our fleet and we intend to continue our development by acquiring both the ATR 42-600 and 72-600. We understand that the modern -600 series is the best aircraft to support our continuing growth as its economics allow us to offer our passengers attractive pricing whilst also delivering them the standards of comfort that they would enjoy on single-aisle aircraft.”

ATR Chief Executive Officer, Christian Scherer, commented: “EasyFly will become both an ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 operator, taking advantage of the superior economics of this aircraft family, allowing them to expand their operations and renew their fleet, with the lowest possible risk. Colombia’s domestic market still offers room for the development of point-to-point operations and EasyFly will continue to satisfy this demand, meeting the needs of its passengers and increasing connectivity. Regional connectivity and thus regional aviation has a key role to play in the growth of developing markets. This is certainly what is happening in Latin America and EasyFly’s intention to expand their ATR fleet clearly validates the importance of our aircraft in supporting this development.”
Regional aviation is proven to have a positive impact on a country’s economy. A 10% increase in flights leads to a 5% increase in tourists, a 6% increase in regional GDP and an 8% increase in Foreign Direct Investment. This in turn generates more employment and improves social development. ATR predicts a need for over 3000 new turboprops over the next 20 years that will operate the more than 2700 new routes that will be created during the same period. ATR aircraft are proven route openers, with a 40% fuel burn advantage over their turboprop rival, their unbeatable economics created over 150 routes in 2017.

AirAsia X orders 34 more A330neo



Asia’s largest low-cost airline, AirAsia X, has placed a firm order for 55 Airbus A330neo (new engine option) jetliners – with deliveries of the newly-ordered aircraft scheduled to begin in 2018

AirAsia X has placed an order with Airbus for an additional 34 A330neo widebody aircraft. The order was announced at the Farnborough Air Show in the UK by Kamarudin Meranun, AirAsia Co-Founder and AirAsia X Group Chief Executive Officer, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Chairman of AirAsia X and Eric Schulz, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer.

The latest agreement reaffirms AirAsia X’s position as the largest airline customer for the A330neo, with the total number of aircraft ordered by the airline increasing to 100. All the A330neo aircraft ordered by AirAsia X are the larger A330-900 model.

Offering range capability enabling non-stop services to Europe, including from Kuala Lumpur to London, the A330neo will allow AirAsia X to expand its value-based long haul model with even lower operating costs, while enabling its passengers to fly further more often with highly competitive fares.

AirAsia X will be the first airline in Asia to operate the A330neo, with deliveries of aircraft on order with Airbus scheduled to start in Q4 2019. The A330neo will be operated by AirAsia X out of its bases in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

AirAsia Co-Founder and AirAsia X Group Chief Executive Officer Kamarudin Meranun said: "Long haul low-cost is something we strongly believe in, and this order shows our confidence in the AirAsia X model. We lobbied hard for the A330neo after seeing the success of the A320neo, and working closely with Airbus, we have arrived at an aircraft that we are confident will allow us to expand our low fares offering beyond Asia Pacific to the rest of the world.”

AirAsia Co-Founder and AirAsia X Co-Group Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes added: “Our decision not only to reconfirm our existing order for 66 A330neo, but to add 34 more, follows what is probably one of the most thorough aircraft evaluations the industry has ever seen. We have looked at every aspect of the A330neo from technical performance and reliability to passenger comfort and it is clearly the right aircraft for us to expand efficiently our fast-growing long haul network.”

Eric Schulz, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer commented: “We are extremely pleased to announce this important agreement with AirAsia X. This is the strongest possible endorsement for the unbeatable operating economics, performance and cost-effectiveness that the A330neo brings to the market in its size category. We look forward to working with AirAsia X on the entry into service of this great aircraft with the carrier as it expands its route network to more destinations around the world.”

The A330neo is the latest version of the twin aisle A330 Family. It incorporates new generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, a new optimised wing and increased use of lighter composite materials. Together, these advances bring a significant reduction in fuel consumption of 25 per cent compared with older generation aircraft of similar size.

Passengers can expect the highest levels of comfort when flying on the A330neo, with the aircraft featuring the award-winning Airspace by Airbus cabin. Originally designed for the larger A350 XWB, this features newly designed sidewalls and fixtures, larger overhead storage, advanced cabin mood lighting and the latest in-flight entertainment and connectivity.

The A330 Family is one of the most successful widebody product lines ever, having received over 1,700 orders from 120 customers. More than 1,400 A330s are flying with over 120 operators worldwide. Including today’s announcement, the A330neo has already won some 250 firm orders prior to entry-into-service.

The A330neo is currently nearing completion of its flight test programme with certification expected in the coming weeks followed by entry into commercial service in September.

2018 list prices: A330-900 US$296.4 million

@airasia #A330neo #FIA2018

Azul renews Global Maintenance Agreement for next 10 years

Farnborough, 18 July, 2018 – After almost eight years of cooperation, ATR and the Brazilian carrier Azul today announced the renewal of their Global Maintenance Agreement (GMA). This new ten-year contract covers the repair, overhaul and pooling services of Line Replaceable Units, along with propeller availability and maintenance, plus an on-site stock support. Covering Azul’s whole ATR fleet, currently made up of 33 aircraft, this tailor-made support package represents ATR’s biggest maintenance contract.
Flavio Costa, Vice-President Operations of Azul, commented the announcement: “As Brazil’s leading airline brand, serving more than 100 destinations with 739 daily flights, Azul demands industry leading reliability and availability. Since we started our operations in 2008, we have been the fastest growing airline in Brazil and ATR has been, and will continue to be, a reliable partner all along the way, making sure that we benefit from the appropriate support, as, when and where needed, to make the most of our aircraft.”

“With more than 30 ATR 72-600 aircraft in service, Azul is ATR’s largest operator in Latin America, and we are honoured to see this partnership renewed for 10 years. This renewal is the best tribute a customer can offer to the quality and economics of our products and services. When the GMA was launched in 1996, ATR was the only manufacturer offering such a service. Today, ATR is the leader in terms of “power by the hour” programmes for ATR aircraft with over 50% of the market share.” declared Tom Anderson, Senior Vice-President Programs and Customer Services of ATR.

At the end of 2017, ATR reached a key milestone of more than 300 in-service aircraft covered by GMAs, and 40 operators benefitting from this service. The Latin American market is of particular significance for ATR, as nearly 170 ATR aircraft are operated by 30 operators in the region. With a warehouse in Sao Paulo, an ATR-labelled MRO partner – TAP M&E – in Brazil, and APS Brazil performing the maintenance of propellers, ATR is able to provide its operators with 24/7 assistance as close to their operations as possible.


Airbus welcomes Hi Fly A380 at Farnborough International Airshow

Hi Fly, the 14th operator of the iconic double-decker wide-body airliner, is displaying its A380 for the first time at Farnborough International Airshow 2018 (UK). The aircraft will be showcased at the airshow from the 19th to 22nd July on static display.

A big cause requiring a big messenger, Hi Fly has chosen the A380 to exhibit its very special livery supporting the environmental cause: “Save the Coral Reefs”.

Hi Fly, the Portuguese wet lease specialist, provides aircraft to airlines with crew, maintenance and insurance. The company has selected the A380, thereby opening up a new business model. Hi Fly operates an all Airbus fleet of 12 aircraft comprising one A321, four A330s, seven A340s and now one A380.

The A380 is an essential part of the solution to sustain air traffic growth, alleviating congestion at busy airports by transporting more passengers with fewer flights. The aircraft is the best way to capture growing world air traffic, which is doubling every 15 years. The flagship airliner can accommodate 575 passengers in four classes and offers a range of 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 kilometres).

The A380 has the unique capability to generate revenue, stimulate traffic and attract passengers.

The A380 is the world’s most spacious aircraft, offering wider seats, broader aisles and more personal space to passengers. Together with the quietest cabin and the smoothest flight, the A380 promises a unique passenger experience.

Around 250 million passengers have experienced the unique comfort of flying on board the aircraft so far. Every two minutes an A380 either takes off or lands at one of the 60 destinations that the aircraft serves.

@airbus, @hifly_airline, #Airbus, #A380, #HiFly , #HiFlyAirline