AIRPORT - Los Angeles International Airport - 11/2023

 K.C.Wong

FLEET - Spirit Airlines Sells 25 Aircraft

Spirit Airlines sells 25 planes to pay off debt, generating $419 million
The sale and leaseback agreement will help the carrier pay down approximately $465 million in debt related to the aircraft.
Spirit Airlines has a fleet of more than 200 A320 family aircraft and plans to retire its A319s by the end of 2025.
Spirit Airlines sold 25 aircraft as part of a sale and lease agreement

The budget airline's fleet currently has more than 200 aircraft, all belonging to the A320 family.

It has also abandoned its plans to fly the A319neo, instead converting its orders to the larger A321neo, and plans to retire all of its A319s by the end of 2025.
The airline currently has 148 A320s:64 A320-200s and 84 A320neos, and expects to introduce another 15 A320neos in 2024.

Photos: Duncan Stewart
 

FLEET - Envoy (US) will add an additional 19 Embraer aircraft to its fleet, eight E175 and 11 E170, with deliveries starting later in 2024

The order brings the carrier’s total fleet commitment to 169 aircraft.

Photo: Duncan Stewart

 

NEW AIRLINE - Fly4 Airlines (Ireland) plans to lean on anchor customers to help it grow to a 20-plus aircraft-sized operation beyond the first three years

The carrier will initially launch with four B737-800s once it begins operations in 2Q 2024.

Paranair (Paraguay) has launched seasonal international routes in late December 2023 from Asuncion to Punta del Este, Florianopolis and Rio de Janeiro until 11 February 2024.

 

NEW AIRLINE - Air Haifa (Israel) now aims to launch operations later in 2024 to various destinations in the Middle East, with ATR72-600.

 

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FLEET - Delta Air Lines orders 20 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft

Herndon, Virginia, 12 January 2024 – Delta Air Lines has chosen Airbus to meet its needs for modern efficient widebodies having placed a first order for 20 A350-1000 aircraft. The A350-1000 will be a new aircraft type in Delta’s fleet. 

“We are thankful for Delta’s continued confidence in Airbus’ solutions to meet its fleet needs,” said Christian Scherer, Chief Executive Officer of the Commercial Aircraft business, Airbus. “Delta was the first U.S. airline to operate the A350-900, and is doing so with great success. Delta now welcomes the A350-1000, which will open even more opportunities for the airline and its customers. We are proud that our aircraft serve the entirety of Delta’s impressive global network as this stellar airline takes fleet efficiency to the next level.”

“The A350-1000 will be the largest, most capable aircraft in Delta’s fleet and is an important step forward for our international expansion,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive officer. “The aircraft complements our fleet and offers an elevated customer experience, with more premium seats and best-in-class amenities, as well as expanded cargo capabilities.”

Delta Air Lines currently operates more than 450 Airbus aircraft from all of the Airbus product families from the A220 to the A350-900, with more than 200 additional on order.

Once added to the fleet, Delta will benefit from the A350-1000’s operational efficiency, which results in reduced fuel burn and emissions and lower operating and maintenance costs, while passengers will enjoy the comfort of the Airbus Airspace cabin with its spacious and quiet cabin, wide seats, high ceilings and customizable ambient lighting designed to reduce fatigue and jet-lag on long flights. 

The A350 is the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft and the long range leader in the 300-410 seater category, flying efficiently on any sector from short-haul to ultra-long-haul routes up to 9,700nm. Its clean sheet design includes state-of-the-art technologies, aerodynamics, lightweight materials and latest generation engines that together deliver 25% advantage in fuel burn, operating costs and CO₂ emissions, as well as 50% noise footprint reduction compared to previous generation competitor aircraft.

The A350 has more than 1,206 orders from 58 customers from around the world. For more information about the A350-1000, go here.

DELTA

 

AIRPORT - Los Angeles International Airport - 11/2023

K.C.Wong
 

AIRPORT - EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg,

Paul Bannwarth
 

NEW AIRLINE - Lufthansa City welcomes 1st aircraft

The newest subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, City Airlines, took delivery of its first aircraft. Former Eurowings Airbus A319 D-ABGH (3245) arrived at Munich on this date. The aircraft is sporting the Lufthansa City-livery.

Operations are due to begin at the beginning of the 2024 summer season, which starts at the end of March. The airline will act as a feeder airline for Lufthansa and will fly out of Frankfurt and Munich. Initially, Lufthansa City launches with a fleet of transferred A319s but will later switch to the newly ordered A220-300s.

Photo by Lufthansa Group.

 

NEW LIVERY - LATAM to introduce 5 special liveries

On 10 January 2024, LATAM Airlines announced it plans to introduce five special liveries to commemorate and inforce the connection the group has with the five countries it operates from. The special tails will be applied to five Airbus A320-family aircraft.

The first one to be unveiled is the yellow/green tail, representing Brazil. It is applied on A320neo PR-XBG (11725) and is to be unveiled on 11 January 2024.

The other tails, representing Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru will be painted on aircraft in the coming weeks and months.

Illustration by LATAM Airlines.

 

FLEET - Air Serbia has reached an agreement to lease an A330-300 in 1Q 2024, with another due later in the year.

AIR SERBIA
 

FLEET - Air India plans to begin commercial A350 service in the domestic sector from 22 January 2024.

AIR INDIA
 

FLEET - Advantage Air (Kenya) will take delivery of a new aircraft, a DHC8-400, serial 4059, on lease from BCC Equipment Leasing (US), ahead of the carrier’s entry into passenger flights.

Country Kenya
Headquarters Nairobi Wilson (WIL / HKNW)
Fleet Size 3 Aircraft

FLEET / AIRBUS - Transavia France takes delivery of its first A320neo

Toulouse, 10 January 2024 - French low-cost carrier Transavia France, part of the Air France-KLM Group, has taken delivery of its first A320neo, on lease from Avolon, from Airbus manufacturing site in Toulouse. The airline has opted for the Airbus option to have the delivery flight to Paris-Orly powered by a sustainable aviation fuel blend on board.

The new aircraft features 186 seats in a single class layout. Selected for its outstanding operational efficiency, reduced emissions and comfort, the A320neo will be deployed by Transavia France on its services on its domestic network as well as across its European and Mediterranean markets.

The introduction of its first A320neo aircraft marks the beginning of Transavia France' transition to become an all Airbus operator, powered by efficient A320neo Family aircraft. With its reduced fuel burn and emissions, the A320neo will play a key role in advancing the airline Group's sustainable development goals.

By incorporating new generation CFM International LEAP-1A engines and Sharklets, the A320neo brings a 50% noise footprint reduction and 20% fuel savings and CO2 reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while improving passenger comfort in a wider single-aisle cabin.

The cabin features Airbus’ Airspace XL bins. The larger bins provide 40% more stowage space compared to conventional bins, for a more relaxed boarding. In addition, USB-C ports are available for passengers at each seat, and the latest lighting system enhances the overall passenger experience.

The A320neo Family is the world’s most popular single aisle having won nearly 9,800 orders from nearly 140 customers in all markets.
AIRBUS

FLEET / AIRBUS - EVA Air places landmark order with Airbus

Toulouse, 9 January 2024 – Taiwan’s EVA Air has finalised a firm order with Airbus for the purchase of 18 long-range A350-1000s and 15 single-aisle A321neo. This sees the airline become the latest global carrier to select the A350-1000 for its future long haul requirements. In addition, the A321neo aircraft will bring new levels of efficiency for the carrier’s regional network.

Clay Sun, President of EVA Air said: “We have selected the Airbus aircraft following a thorough evaluation of the various models in each market segment. In both size categories we have selected the most modern and fuel efficient types, that offer the highest levels of passenger comfort. The aircraft also bring significant reductions in carbon emissions, which is in line with our company’s sustainability goals. For long-range operations the A350-1000 sets new standards in its class and will allow us to offer our passengers the best possible in-flight experience.”

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales, Commercial Aircraft, said: “This order marks a new phase in our relationship with EVA Air and we thank the airline for its confidence in Airbus. In the long range market, it’s another major endorsement for the A350-1000 as the natural replacement for previous generation aircraft in the larger widebody size category. The A350 is setting new standards across the board in terms of range, payload, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, while making an immediate contribution to reduced carbon emissions.”

“We also thank EVA for reaffirming its commitment to the latest generation Airbus single aisle family with its first direct purchase of the A321neo and we look forward to working closely with the airline as it prepares for its new Airbus fleet.”

As the industry’s long-range leader, the A350 is available in two sizes, with the A350-900 typically seating up to 350 passengers in a standard three-class configuration and the larger A350-1000 seating up to 410 passengers.

Powered by versions of the latest generation Rolls-Royce engines, the aircraft can fly up to 9,700 nautical miles / 18,000 kilometres non-stop, using 25% less fuel than previous generation types and with a similar reduction in carbon emissions. For passengers, the A350 offers the highest levels of in-flight comfort with the quietest cabin, new lighting systems and the latest in-flight connectivity. The reduced cabin pressure also ensures that passengers arrive in better shape.

The A350 Family has won more than 1,000 firm orders from 60 customers worldwide, with more than 570 aircraft currently in the fleets of 39 operators, flying primarily on long-haul routes.

The A321neo is part of the A320neo Family, incorporating the latest technologies including new generation engines, Sharklets and cabin efficiency enablers, which together deliver 20% fuel savings. With over 5,600 orders by more than 100 customers since its launch in 2016, the A321neo has captured some 65 percent share of the market.

AIRBUS

NEW AIRLINE - SKY VISION / A320-200 / SU-SKC - This airline operates mainly ACMI flights, and it´s hard to see in Europe, maybe this is the first time operating for Nesma

Sky Vision Airlines is an Egyptian charter carrier. The airline received an AOC from Egypt's Civil Aviation Authority on 18-Dec-2022 and operated its inaugural commercial service on 02-Jan-2023, operating from Sharm El-Sheikh to Cairo.

José Ramon Valero  - MAD

FLEET - FlyCAA / HIFLY / A330-300 / 9H-HFI

Rui Silva
 

FLEET - INDIGO / ATR72-600 / F-WWEH 1685

Alain Charpentier
 

FLEET - Xiamen Airlines takes first B737-800(BCF)

 

Xiamen 

NEW AIRLINE 2024 - AnadoluJet rebrands as AJet; obtains own AOC

AJet obtained its Air Operator's Certificate on January 2, 2024, paving the way for the launch of operations as a standalone carrier before the Summer 2024 season.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu confirmed at a press conference that the entire certification process took just over four months with the application having been lodged in late August 2023.

The new low-cost carrier, which had operated under the AnadoluJet brand as a division of Turkish Airlines (TK, Istanbul Airport), will continue to focus on short- and medium-haul routes heavy on VFR and leisure demand. Turkish Airlines recently transferred ownership of five B737-800s to AJet to boost its capitalisation.

The ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows that AJet's fleet - which still operates exclusively under the Turkish Airlines' 'TK' code - comprises nine A320-200Ns, fourteen A321-200NX, seven B737-8s, and forty-five B737-800s. The airline also wet-leases in additional A320-200s, A321-200s, and B737-8s from SmartLynx Airlines and SmartLynx Airlines Malta. Turkish Airlines sees AJet as an important platform for growth and is aiming to expand its fleet to 200 aircraft. Chairman Ahmed Bolat said the LCC subsidiary will also benefit from Turkish's recent order for 150 A321neo (with a further 100 options), as the group aims to transition to new-generation narrowbodies as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines also disclosed that will proceed with the launch of long-awaited direct flights to Australia - specifically to Melbourne Tullamarine - although it has yet to announce any dates.

CH Aviation

AIRCRAFT - AG600M Kunlong test progress / AG600 amphibious aircraft expected to enter market in 2025

An AG600M firefighting aircraft drops water during a gathering and dropping water test in Jingmen, central China's Hubei Province, Sept. 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

Crew members of an AG600M firefighting aircraft disembark from the plane after a gathering and dropping water test in Jingmen, central China's Hubei Province, Sept. 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

The arrival of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) AG600M Kunlong amphibious aircraft prototype at the National Civil Aircraft Test Flight Base in Pucheng in Shaanxi province in 2023 marks the next step of the flight test programme of this amphibious aircraft project.

Few people will realise that already nine aircraft were built by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA) at Zhuhai airport. The first batch however is already somewhere around the scrap heap as the design had to be refined after the first flight of AG600 B-002A on 24 December 2017.

Currently four AG600Ms, registrations B-0DCC, B-0HEH , B-0AWT, and B-0FAS, are in the flight test programme. To find more details on these aircraft look at the Scramble Soviet database and search for type AG600.

A major part of the tests has taken place at Zhanghe airport, from where many watertests were performed at the Zhanghe reservoir. The aircraft is designed for aerial firefighting duties and is able to drop 12.000 litres of water, equivalent to the Beriev Be-200.

Because it is an amphibious aircraft, other roles are conceivable, but these have not yet been officially provided.

The Civil Aircraft Flight Test Base opened its facilities last year on the new Pucheng airfield that is about 35 km away from the famous military aircraft test base CFTE at Xi’an Yanliang.

Credit photo: National Civil Aircraft Test Flight