Boeing Business Jets Grows Order Book With New Sales

Four new orders in 2018 continue sales momentum for industry-leading business jet family

                               

Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) have won four new orders in 2018 as elite customers continue to favor Boeing’s portfolio of ultra-large-cabin, long-range airplanes, the company announced today at the European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (EBACE).


GENEVA, May 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) [NYSE:BA] have won four new orders in 2018 as elite customers continue to favor Boeing's portfolio of ultra-large-cabin, long-range airplanes, the company announced today at the European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (EBACE).

The new orders this year follow an impressive 2017 in which customers purchased 16 Boeing Business Jets.

"We continue to see a lot of customer interest in Boeing's family of business jets and that is translating into new orders and a growing backlog," said Greg Laxton, leader of Boeing Business Jets. "Customers seek more space and greater range, which is driving significant growth in the large cabin segment."

Two of the new orders this year are for the BBJ MAX airplane, adding to a backlog of 19 airplanes and making the BBJ MAX one of the selling business jetliners in history.

Based on the new 737 MAX airplane, the BBJ MAX delivers 14 percent better fuel efficiency thanks to advanced engines and improved aerodynamics. The model also features 787-style flight deck displays and multiple advanced new systems.

The BBJ MAX family offers customers more range, comfort, and space than any business jet in its class. The jet is capable of flying 7,000 nautical miles (12,964 km) and features a lower cabin altitude, and bespoke interiors to match any preference.

"The performance advantage of the BBJ MAX is a big sales driver," said Laxton. "The airplane is perfectly suited for discerning customers who want to fly further without stopping."

Boeing celebrated the first BBJ MAX 8 flyaway in April 2018. Additional deliveries of BBJ MAX airplanes are expected in the coming months.

About Boeing Business Jets

Boeing Business Jets offers a portfolio of ultra-large-cabin, long-range airplanes that are perfectly suited for private, charter, corporate and head-of-state operations. The product line includes the BBJ MAX family and high performance versions of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, 777, and 747-8. Since its launch in 1996, Boeing Business Jets has delivered 233 jets on 259 orders.



The BBJ Demonstrator, Boeing's Next-Generation 737-700 based business jet, is a winner of the industry leading 2018 International Yacht and Aviation Award in a prestigious Interior Design and Completion category.

Airbus pioneer Günter Scherer passed away

From left to right: Pierre CANEILL; Max FISCHL; Romeo ZINZONI; ZIEGLER; Gunter SCHERER

Dipl.-Ing. Günter Scherer, renown for having been the German flight test engineer on board the A300’s first flight on 28th October 1972, passed away on 26th May 2018 in Toulouse. Günter Scherer was 85 years old.

A native from Duisburg, Germany, Günter Scherer had devoted his whole life to aviation and flight test. After graduating from RWTH Aachen with a degree in engineering he started his career in 1961 at what was VFW in Bremen at the time. In 1962, Günter Scherer was called onto the joint Franco-German military transport aircraft Transall. As such, he was one of the very first German flight test members to be graduated from the French flight test school EPNER (Ecole du Personnel Navigant d’Essais et de Réception) in 1961.

A convinced European, who believed in European cooperation as key for a successful aerospace industry in Europe, Günter Scherer joined the SNIAS French Aerospace Company, where he participated to the preliminary work for the Airbus aircraft flight tests. He was flight test engineer in the first ever Airbus flight on Oct 28, 1972 when the A300 took off.

In 1977, this allowed to establish the first integrated multinational flight test team, continuing the European integration which he strongly believed in. He was instrumental in the development and flight test of the A300, A310 and subsequently the first Fly by Wire controlled A320. He ended his career in February 1997.

During all his years at Airbus, Günter had been much appreciated by all his colleagues, who valued his human gentleness, directness and respect for others. Günter Scherer will be remembered by the Airbus community as a man of great integrity and a source of inspiration.



“Günter was a pioneer of Airbus, a strong advocate of Franco-German and European cooperation in our industry. He was thus a solid rock in the foundation of Airbus and will be long remembered,” said Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus.

El Al Israel Airlines W18 service changes as of 30MAY18

El Al Israel Airlines this week filed additional changes to its planned winter 2018/19 season operation, effective from 28OCT18. As of 30MAY18, planned changes include the following.

Tel Aviv – Bangkok Planned 747-400 service remains unchanged, scheduled until 30MAR19 from TLV, 31MAR19 from BKK

Tel Aviv – Barcelona Previously filed 777-200ER service once a week has been removed

Tel Aviv – Bucharest eff 02NOV18 777-200ER to operate once a week on regular basis as LY573/574 on Day 5, replacing 767 in W17

Tel Aviv – London Heathrow Planned one-time 747-400 service in winter season on 30DEC18 is cancelled. Planned all 787-9 service on 13 weekly flights will move forward to 08NOV18, instead of 06JAN19

Tel Aviv – Los Angeles eff 28OCT18 787-9 Dreamliner replaces 777-200ER, 3 weekly (Reflected in last week’s schedule update)

Tel Aviv – Mumbai eff 28OCT18 Subject to Government Approval, 777-200ER replaces 767, 4 weekly

Tel Aviv – Newark eff 28OCT18 Service revised from 10 to 6 weekly, 787-9 Dreamliner operating

Tel Aviv – New York JFK LY001/002 continues to see 747-400 operating, replacing a mix of 787-9 and 777-200ER. The 747-400 is scheduled to operate until 31MAR19 (from JFK until 30MAR19), instead of 25OCT18

LY001 TLV0030 – 0525JFK 744 x6

LY007 TLV0930 – 1450JFK 789 x56

LY002 JFK1800 – 1120+1TLV 789 x56

LY008 JFK2050 – 1400+1TLV 744 4

LY008 JFK2350 – 1700+1TLV 744 x45

Tel Aviv – Paris CDG
eff 28OCT18 Planned 767 service removed
25NOV18 – 24FEB19 LY323/324 operated by 747-400 on Sundays

Tel Aviv – Rome Boeing 767 service scheduled until 08NOV18 (LY385/386 Day 47 operated by 777 from 11NOV18). 787-9 also scheduled once a week

Tel Aviv – Sofia eff 09JAN19 777-200ER to operate once a week on regular basis as LY551/552 on Day 5, replacing 767 in W17

Previously reported changes:

Tel Aviv – Johannesburg eff 29OCT18 Increase from 3 to 4 weekly, 767 operating (Planned 5th weekly closed for reservation)

Tel Aviv – Miami eff 29OCT18 787-9 replaces 777-200ER, 3 weekly

Tel Aviv – San Francisco eff 19NOV18 Planned 3 weekly 787-9 service postponed
By Jim Liu - Routesonline

LEVEL preps for Paris debut with first French A330

LEVEL (Barcelona El Prat) has added its first A330-200 to its French Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) ahead of the opening of its Paris Orly hub later on this July.

Configured with 21 seats in Premium and 293 in Economy Class, F-HLVL (msn 1864) was placed on French carrier OpenSkies' books last week. It is recalled that IAG International Airlines Group has chosen to retire the OpenSkies brand while retaining its AOC for use by its LEVEL low-cost carrier brand.

As previously reported, LEVEL will equip its Orly base with two A330s for use in opening up flights to each of Montréal Trudeau (3x weekly, starts July 2), Pointe à Pitre, Guadeloupe (4x weekly, starts July 3), Fort de France, Martinique (3x weekly, starts September 3), and Newark (4x weekly, starts September 4).
The OpenSkies brand should be fully withdrawn by the end of the current 2018 Summer Season with the last service between Orly and Newark planned for September 2. It currently operates the daily service with a mix of a single B757-200 and a B767-300.
Alain Charpentier - TLS

F-HLVL msn 1864

CAPITAL AIRLINES - A 320 NEO - 9K-CAQ - msn 7936

Alain Charpentier - TLS

Norwegian adds a leased A340-500 through mid-3Q18

Norwegian (DY, Oslo Gardermoen) will wet-lease an A340-500 from Hi Fly (5K, Lisbon) to cover its Barcelona El Prat base's summer operational requirements.
ch-aviation analysis of schedule data indicates CS-TFX (msn 912) will be deployed on the Scandinavian carrier's services to Newark and Oakland over the period running from June 1 to July 22.
Other Hi Fly aircraft in service for Norwegian this summer include one A340-300 used to cover flights from Paris CDG to New York JFK and Los Angeles Int'l, and an A330-200 used to ply Norwegian UK (DI, London Gatwick) flights out of its London Gatwick hub.

ch aviation

Photo:FPP - LPPT

Air France secures leased A340 capacity for late 2Q18

Air France (AF, Paris CDG) will wet-lease an A340-300 from Air Belgium (KF, Brussels Charleroi) later this quarter, ch-aviation analysis of schedule data has revealed.
Research indicates the quadjet will ply the French carrier's daily Paris CDG-Libreville, Gabon route over the period June 1 to 30.

Flightradar24 ADS-B data indicates Air France has also been wet-leasing an A340-300 from Spain's Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas (PU, Madrid Barajas) on a contract running from May 24 through to May 29. EC-MQM (msn 399) has been deployed on flights from Paris CDG to each of Nouakchott, Conakry, and Freetown.

ch aviation

Photo:Ton Jochems - AMS

Saratov Airlines cease operations on May 31

Russian aviation authorities have taken the decision to cancel the airline’s AOC

After a period of uncertainty over the fate of Saratov Airlines, the Russian aviation authorities have taken the final decision to cancel the airline’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) thereby killing any hope that the regional carrier may resume operations.

“Based on the findings of random inspections conducted by Rosaviatsiya in the aftermath of Saratov Airlines’ An-148 crash on February 11, 2018, after a period designated for eliminating its [safety] flaws [Rosaviatsiya] cancels the airline’s AOC. The airline demonstrated a perfunctory approach to correcting the non compliances and absence of due control on the part of its management,” reads an official notice of Russia’s Transport ministry.

The AOC is cancelled starting May 31, Rosaviatsiya commented, saying the decision is a “compelled measure”, dictated by the airline’s failure to correct its flaws in due time. “A random inspection of flight assignments, crew working time sheets and other documents for April and May […] revealed that the violations continue and tend to be systematic,” the regulator says in a statement.

On May 30 the Rosaviatsiya held a meeting of a crisis group, assigned with the task to ensure that all passengers who hold Saratov Airlines’ tickets are delivered to their destinations timely (airline’s route network includes 18 scheduled destinations). The meeting was attended by Transport ministry and Rosaviatsiya officials, as well as representatives of Saratov Airlines and those carriers, which may be involved in taking care of the distress airline’s passengers. Transport ministry has already reported that return flights for all passengers from Antalya, Turkey to Samara have been arranged.

The regulator is working with Aeroflot, S7 Airlines, Ural Airlines, UTair, UVT-Aero, RusLine, NordStar, Yakutiya Airlines, Yamal Airlines, Red Wings and Nordavia on elaborating solutions for the rest of the passengers by introducing additional flights. The most loaded flights are from Moscow and Saint Petersburg to Saratov. The transportation of Saratov Airlines’ passengers will be in effect until June 13, beyond that date the passengers will have an opportunity to return their unused tickets, the ministry said.

Another pending issue is operation of Saratov Airport, which together with the airline made up the local aviation enterprise (the practice used universally during the Soviet Union, but discontinued in the majority of larger airports throughout the country). Saratov Airlines, the operator of the airport, said that starting on June 1, 2018 Saratov’s Centralny Airport will be operated on schedule – from 0800 to 1300 local time, and from 1500 to 2200, but claims, that all filed flights will be handled properly. Previously company threatened to close down all operations at the airport should its AOC be revoked.

by ES in Air Transport

Photo:FPP - Frankfurt

JAL Tokyo Haneda – London June 2018 service changes

Japan Airlines during the month of June 2018 is adjusting operational aircraft on Tokyo Haneda – London Heathrow route. From 09JUN18 to 23JUN18, JL41/42 service will be operated by Boeing 787-9 aircraft, instead of -8. JL43/44 will continue to see 777-300ER operating.


JL041 HND0155 – 0625LHR 789 D
JL043 HND1120 – 1550LHR 77W D
JL042 LHR0930 – 0515+1HND 789 D
JL044 LHR1915 – 1500+1HND 77W D

By Jim Liu - Routesonline
Photo:FPP - Frankfurt

Cathay Pacific outlines updated A350-1000XWB network from July 2018

Cathay Pacific today (21MAY18) filed additional update on planned A350-1000XWB operation, which now sees inaugural service moving forward to 01JUL18, instead of 01AUG18.


Initial inaugural service on regional routes:

Hong Kong – Bangkok 02JUL18 CX669/662
Hong Kong – Manila 09JUL18 CX907/906
Hong Kong – Singapore 09JUL18 CX635/636
Hong Kong – Taipei Taoyuan 01JUL18 CX484/485


From 01JUL18 onwards, A350-1000XWB is mainly scheduled to serve routes listed above, however operational flight and date varies.

Updated A350-1000XWB long-haul service includes:

Hong Kong – Madrid eff 28OCT18 A350-1000XWB replaces 777-300ER, 4 weekly in winter 2018/19 season
Hong Kong – Manchester 01DEC18 – 28FEB19 A350-1000XWB replaces A350-900XWB, 1 daily
Hong Kong – Tel Aviv eff 03OCT18 Planned A350-1000XWB service entry unchanged, replacing -900XWB (Except Tuesdays until 23OCT18). From 28OCT18, A350-1000XWB continues operating this route until 30NOV18
Hong Kong – Washington Dulles eff 15SEP18 4 weekly (Previously reported)

Planned A350-1000XWB operational routes and service entry date remains subject to change.
By Jim Liu - Routesonline

Rajbiraj airport reopens after a decade

Shree Airlines (SHA, Kathmandu) operated a maiden charter flight out of the newly reopened Rajbiraj airport in south-eastern Nepal on May 24, using a CRJ-200 aircraft, following a lengthy reconstruction project of the facility, The Kathmandu Post has reported.

The airport initially opened in 1959, closed shortly afterwards, and later resumed activities for a brief time in 2007. It was now formally reopened on May 23. However, although the airport infrastructure, including a paved 1,500-metre runway, is now completed, the terminal and the air traffic control tower will only be ready for service in early June.
Although no airline has announced the launch of services to Rajbiraj, the airport authorities hope that after all the works are completed the airport will start receiving regular passenger flights.

The local authorities plan to further expand the airport, however, this initiative is currently suspended as the Nepalese Ministry of Finance refused to release funds required to purchase additional plots of land.

ch aviation

Lanmei Airlines began two new connections between Cambodia and China on 15 May, launching flights between Phnom Penh (PNH) and Guangzhou (CAN) and from Siem Reap (REP) to Changsha

The 1,590-kilometre Phnom Penh-Guangzhou sector will be flown daily by A319s. According to OAG schedules for the week commencing 22 May, there is incumbent competition on this route in the form of China Southern Airlines (21 weekly flights), Shenzhen Airlines (seven), Cambodia Angkor Air (seven) and Spring Airlines (three). The 1,909-kilometre Siem Reap-Changsha route will be operated three times weekly. There is currently no competition on this airport pair, although Cambodia Angkor Air is scheduled to provide several flights per week from the start of July. The Guangzhou link becomes Lanmei Airlines’ first Chinese connection from Phnom Penh. Changsha is the second destination the airline has introduced from Siem Reap, with it already serving Shijiazhuang.

Anna

First ANA A380 airframe assembly completed

All Nippon Airways’ first of three Airbus A380s has completed airframe assembly and been moved to an outdoor station where structural completion, engine installation and cockpit furnishing will be conducted.

System testing for electric power, hydraulic power, and air conditioning, will be also conducted, Airbus said May 25, releasing a picture of the aircraft.

ANA Holdings placed a firm order for three A380s in 2016, becoming the first A380 customer in Japan. First delivery is scheduled early in 2019, and the aircraft initially will be operated on the Tokyo-Honolulu route.

ANA’s A380s will be configured with eight first class, 56 business class, 73 premium economy, and 383 economy class seats. Sixty of the economy seats will be “couch” capable.

Karen Walker/ATW karen.walker@informa.com

NEW:CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS - A350-1000 - F-WZGV - msn 118 (B-LXA)

Alain Charpentier - TLS

ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS - A320 NEO - F-WWIA - msn 8196

Alain Charpentier - TLS

MONTENEGRO AIRLINES - B737-500 - 9H-OME

Ton Jochems - ZHR

BULGARIAN EAGLE - A319-100 - LZ-AOC

Ton Jochems -ZHR

WAMOS Air - B747-419 - EC-MDS

hsckcwong - LAX

AUSTRIAN AIRLINES: "60 Years" Livery 777-2Q8(ER) (OE-LPF)

hsckcwong - LAX

Sunwing takes maiden B737 MAX 8

Sunwing Airlines has taken delivery of C-FMXA (msn 43297), its first of four such aircraft to be leased from Air Lease Corporation.

The second of the quartet, C-GMXB (msn 60387), will be delivered later this week. The remaining pair will arrive in 2019.

Royal Brunei takes delivery of its first A320neo

Royal Brunei Airlines is adding A320neo jetliners to a fleet of A320 Family aircraft operated by the carrier since 2003

Bringing new levels of efficiency for the carrier’s regional network

Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) has taken delivery of its first A320neo aircraft during an event in Toulouse, France attended by Karam Chand, RBA Chief Executive Officer: Her Excellency Datin Paduka Malai Hajah Halimah binti Malai Haji Yussof, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to France; and Eric Schulz, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer.

The aircraft is the first of seven A320neo ordered by the airline under its single aisle fleet renewal programme. Powered by CFM International LEAP-1A26 engines, the new aircraft features a premium three class layout with 12 business class seats, 18 economy plus and 120 in the main cabin. The airline will operate the aircraft on its extensive regional network.

Royal Brunei has been flying A320 Family aircraft since 2003 and currently operates a fleet of six A320ceo jets.

The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver at least 15 percent fuel savings at delivery and 20 percent by 2020. With more than 6,000 orders received from 100 customers, the A320neo Family has captured nearly 60 percent share of the market.

Lufthansa Group firms up order for six more A320neo and three A320ceo

Lufthansa Group has firmed-up a previous option for six further Airbus A320neo, following a decision by the company’s supervisory board at the beginning of May. The latest agreement brings Lufthansa Group’s total order for the A320neo to 122 (77 A320neo and 45 A321neo).

Takes Group’s order to 122 A320neo family aircraft and 273 A320ceo family

Lufthansa Group has firmed-up a previous option for six further Airbus A320neo, following a decision by the company’s supervisory board at the beginning of May. The latest agreement brings Lufthansa Group’s total order for the A320neo to 122 (77 A320neo and 45 A321neo). In addition, the airline signed an order for three more A320ceo, bringing the Group’s A320ceo orders to 273. With a total of 395 A320 Family aircraft on order, the Lufthansa Group is also Airbus’ biggest A320 operator with nearly 400 A320 Family aircraft in service. Lufthansa was the launch operator of the A320neo.

“We are delighted to see this additional order from our biggest A320 operator Lufthansa Group”, says Eric Schulz, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer. “Benefitting from the Airbus commonality and the A320 Family’s efficiency and environmental credentials such as reduced noise, lower fuel-burn and emissions, we are pleased the airline has decided to come back for more.”
The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver at least 15 percent fuel savings at delivery and 20 percent by 2020. With more than 6,000 orders received from 100 customers since its launch in 2010, the A320neo Family has captured some 60 percent share of the market.

Photo:FPP - Frankfurt

airBaltic Orders up to 60 Bombardier CS300 Aircraft

• All-C Series fleet is the backbone of airBaltic’s new business plan – Destination 2025 
• Order brings the C Series firm order book to over 400 aircraft

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft and Air Baltic Corporation AS (airBaltic) announced today that the parties have executed a firm purchase agreement for the sale and purchase of 30 CS300 aircraft with options and purchase rights for an additional 30 aircraft of the same type.

Based on the list price of the CS300 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately US$ 2.9 billion. This amount would increase to nearly US$5.9 billion should all 15 options and 15 purchase rights be exercised.

“As the C Series aircraft program continues to gain market acceptance, this significant reorder from our CS300 launch operator is a strong testimony to the aircraft’s exceptional in-service performance,”said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Furthermore, we are proud that the CS300 has helped airBaltic maintain its position as one of the world’s most punctual airlines. The C Series aircraft is at the forefront of the small single-aisle market, and airBaltic played a key role in demonstrating its value. In the last 18 months, we have witnessed airBaltic’s growing leadership in the market, and we wish the airline further success with its expanded CS300 fleet.”

With this order, airBaltic becomes the largest European C Series customer and the second largest customer worldwide with 50 aircraft on firm order. The airline’s new business plan relies on significant expansion of routes from all three Baltic countries – Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.

“As an early adopter of the C Series, we took a forward-looking decision on advanced technology to support our turnaround plan leading to sustainable profitability, and today we are benefiting from the most fuel-efficient small single-aisle aircraft. With demonstrated fuel savings of more than 22 percent, the CS300 aircraft plays a vital role in maintaining our operating cost at a low level. In 2017, we experienced outstanding growth and showed the world the unique capabilities and comfort of this innovative aircraft. We successfully executed our fleet modernization strategy, and are excited to further grow our fleet up to 80 CS300 aircraft while phasing out our other aircraft types in the next three years,” said Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer, airBaltic.

“We are now commencing the implementation of our next business strategy – Destination 2025, which foresees airBaltic expanding the map of its operations. A critical part of this new strategy is the introduction of a larger and exclusive fleet of all-CS300 aircraft, which are the most suitable aircraft for the markets in which we operate,” he added.

“2017 was the most successful year in the history of airBaltic during which the company achieved exceptional operational and financial results. This serves as solid proof of the success of the airline’s business strategy and operating model,” said Uldis Augulis, Minister of Transport, Republic of Latvia. “The new order is the largest investment in Latvia’s history and plays an important role in the development of the air infrastructure of the Baltic region with wide-ranging effects on exports, economy and jobs.”

Deliveries pertaining to this new order are scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2019. Prior to this order, airBaltic had ordered 20 CS300 aircraft. The airline is currently operating revenue service with eight CS300 aircraft.

Allegiant SVP to head Canada's Jetlines, invest in equity

Jetlines (Vancouver Int'l) has appointed Lukas Johnson, who has recently resigned as Allegiant Air (G4, Las Vegas McCarran) Senior Vice-President (Commercial), as the Canadian ultra-low-cost carrier's new CEO. Johnson will also acquire a 5% stake in the carrier's subsidiary, Canada Jetlines Operations Ltd., for CAD700,000 (USD544,000), the airline has announced.
Johnson's tenure as Jetlines CEO will officially commence on June 18, 2018, until when the current CEO Stan Gadek will continue to lead the carrier.

Johnson will bring eight-year senior management experience from Allegiant Air where he held a number of executive positions prior to his resignation in mid-May 2018.
His shares in Canada Jetlines Operations Ltd. will have limited rights and will be subject to certain restrictions, including a two-year restriction on transfer. Subsequently, the shares will be redeemable by either the airline or Johnson.

Jetlines, founded in 2013, had earlier announced it would launch in June 2018 with hubs at Halifax and Abbotsford. However, this timeline has been delayed as the airline struggled to secure leases for B737-800 aircraft in a considerably tightened market. It now plans to firm up a lease commitment for two A320-200s by the end of this quarter. A new timeline for launch will be announced once the airline has secured the aircraft.
The Canadian ULCC also has a firm order for five B737 MAX 7s directly with Boeing but deliveries of the type are not expected to commence before 2019.

Germania prepares for A320neo service entry

Berlin-based Germania Group has established an entry-into-service process for the Airbus A320neos, which will join the fleet in January 2020.

Germania CEO Karsten Balke said the investment and fleet standardization represents the most extensive modernization program in the airline’s history.


In July 2016, Germania ordered 25 180-seat Airbus A320neos, with 15 options, in a deal valued at $2.7 billion. The carrier selected Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan (GTF) engines to power the A320neos.

With A320neo fleet, Germania is counting on a 15% reduction in fuel consumption per seat and is estimating a reduction in maintenance costs by more than 5%.

Germania transports more than 3 million passengers per year from 20 European airports to more than 55 destinations within the continent, North Africa and the Middle East.

Together with its Swiss affiliated company Germania Flug AG and Bulgarian Eagle, the airline operates 36 aircraft.
Kurt Hofmann,

NordWind expands its narrow-body fleet

NordWind, which is part of Turkish-backed Pegas Touristik Group, has added an eighth Airbus А321 narrow-body to its fleet (Sergey Sergeev)
Supporting its effort to diversify from being predominantly a charter specialist into a balance of leisure and scheduled operations, Russia’s NordWind Airlines is adjusting its capacity according to the new strategy and in response to growing demand.

The airline which, along with sister carrier Pegas Fly is part of Turkish-backed Pegas Touristik Group, has added an eighth Airbus А321 narrow-body to its fleet and is expecting the delivery of a ninth of the type shortly.

The newly arrived aircraft is a 10-year-old A321, with tail number VQ-BRL, and is powered by IAE V2500 engines and fitted with 214 passenger seats in a single economy-class configuration. It has been delivered under an operational lease agreement with Aircastle.

NordWind’s A321 fleet is expected to reach nine airframes before the end of this year. The eighth, as well as the ninth, were previously operated by defunct British holiday airline Monarch Airlines.

NordWind’s Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) lists 22 aircraft registered with the airline as of May of this year: two Airbus А330-200s, six Вoeing 777s, eight Airbus А321s and six Вoeing 737-800s. However, according to a public tracking service, only 19 of these are currently in service, showing instead that three wide-bodies (a Boeing 777 with tail number VP-BJH and two Airbus A330s, VP-BYV and VP-BYU) are currently idling in Istanbul. Reportedly, the A330s were leased from Turkish Airlines under short-term contracts, and have now been repatriated to Turkey and will shortly be replaced with long-term leased aircraft of the same type, it is claimed.

At the same time, the airline is expanding its long-haul fleet, which is expected to reach 10 aircraft before the end of this year. A sixth Boeing 777 has recently entered service.

NordWind and Pegas Fly plan to expand their joint fleet to 50 aircraft this year. Pegas Fly currently operates four Вoeing 737s, six Вoeing 767s and an Embraer 190. The airline is expecting to take delivery of six more E190s.
by ES in Air Transport,

Uzbekistan Airways’ latest Boeing 787 starts service with Moscow flight

Uzbekistan Airways’ new Dreamliner has more passenger seats than the other two B787s in its fleet, and features a crew rest area (Uzbekistan Airways)

Uzbekistan’s flagship air carrier Uzbekistan Airways has taken delivery of its third Boeing 787-8. Sporting tail number UK78703, the aircraft operated its first commercial flight from Tashkent to Moscow on May 20 with 244 passengers on board, the airline reports.

The latest addition provides 270 seats – 24 in business and 246 in economy class – compared with the 246-seat first two Dreamliners in Uzbekistan Airways’s fleet, and also features a crew rest compartment. All three aircraft are powered by GE Aviation Genx-1В engines.

Uzbekistan Airways initiated commercial operations of the type in September 2016 and now, with the aircraft operating flights to Dubai, Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Seoul, Frankfurt, Moscow, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and New York, the airline is claiming 100 per cent dispatch reliability of its Dreamliners. The plan is to have at least six B787s in its fleet by 2020.

After abandoning the operation of its fleet of Ilyushin IL-114-100, Russian/Soviet-made turboprops on May 1 this year, Uzbekistan Airways is now a western-built-only jet operator. It currently flies 22 passenger airliners, including three Boeing 787-8s, six Boeing 767-300ERs, four Boeing 757-200s and nine Airbus A320s. Four more aircraft – a Boeing 757 and three Avro RJ85s, which are also registered with the airline – are, apparently, grounded. The national carrier also operates two Boeing 767-300F freighters and two VIP-configured aircraft, a B767-300ER and an A320, for the transportation of the country’s high-ranking officials.

Last year the airline carried 2.7 million passengers, exceeding its 2016 results by 9.4 per cent.

by ES in Air Transport

HONG KONG TRIP 2018

Marcelo Fouquet de Biasi

Boeing, Xiamen Airlines Celebrate Delivery of Carrier’s First 737 MAX Jet

Fast-growing Chinese carrier has doubled its fleet in less than five years; plans to double it again

SEATTLE, May 23, 2018 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the first 737 MAX airplane and the 200th Boeing jet to Xiamen Airlines, a fast-growing Chinese carrier that has doubled its fleet in less than five years and has plans to double it again to serve more domestic and international passengers.

“The addition of the new Boeing 737 MAX is a major milestone for Xiamen Airlines as we execute our development roadmap,” said Che Shanglun, chairman of Xiamen Airlines. “We plan to expand our fleet to 568 airplanes by 2035, and evolve into a competitive world-class airline serving the globe, doing our part in helping China build a human community with shared destiny.”

Established in 1984, Xiamen Airlines, headquartered in Xiamen in southeastern China, began operations with two leased 737s serving three cities. Today, the airline operates 400 routes across China, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania.

In addition to its rapid growth, Xiamen Airlines has achieved 31 consecutive years of profitability while operating an all-Boeing fleet of 737s, 757s, and 787 Dreamliners. The carrier took delivery of its 100th Boeing airplane in November, 2013.

Xiamen will introduce the new 737 MAX 8 into its fleet and is one of the launch customers for the new 737 MAX 10.

“Xiamen Airlines has achieved incredible success and Boeing is extremely proud to have been their partner from day one,” said Kevin McAllister, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer. “The delivery of the first 737 MAX to Xiamen builds on a partnership that has spanned three decades and signals the beginning of an even brighter future together. We are confident the MAX will help Xiamen fly farther, improve fuel efficiency and provide greater comfort for their passengers.”

The 737 MAX is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating more than 4,500 orders from nearly 100 customers worldwide.

The family of airplanes is powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines, and includes design updates such as Boeing’s Advanced Technology winglet that will result in less drag and optimize performance, especially on longer-range missions. Together, these improvements reduce fuel use and CO2 emissions by at least 14 percent compared to today’s Next-Generation 737s – and by 20 percent more than the single-aisle airplanes they replace.

ACJ320neo Family enters production

Manufacture of the first ACJ320neo has begun, with elements taking shape across Europe and final assembly due to begin in ...



Family highlighted at EBACE show

Manufacture of the first ACJ320neo[1] has begun, with elements taking shape across Europe and final assembly due to begin in June, followed by the first delivery of the ‘green’ aircraft to Acropolis Aviation of the UK in the last quarter of this year. A second ACJ320neo will follow by year-end.

Deliveries of the first ACJ319neo, for K5 Aviation, will begin in the second quarter of 2019, marking a further step in the creation of the new corporate jet family. Orders for the ACJ320 Family now total nine aircraft, comprising three ACJ319neo and six ACJ320neo aircraft.

Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) is highlighting the ACJ320neo Family, which also includes the ACJ319neo, at the EBACE show[2], where it will be present with a stand shared with Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH). Two of today’s ACJ319s are also on display at EBACE.

“New engines and Sharklets enable the ACJ320neo Family to link even more of the world nonstop, in a large and comfortable cabin that is the envy of other business jet manufacturers,” said ACJ President Benoit Defforge.

The ACJ319neo can fly eight passengers 6,750 nm/12,500 km or 15 hours, while the ACJ320neo can transport 25 passengers 6,000 nm/11,100 km or 13 hours.

With wider and taller interiors than any other business jet, the ACJ320neo Family capitalises on the trend toward bigger cabins, delivering unmatched comfort, space and freedom in an aircraft of similar size and operating costs, with the modernity and value sought by customers today.

All Airbus corporate jets are derived from the world’s most modern aircraft family, delivering the benefits of an airliner heritage that is unmatched by traditional business jets.

These include a robust reliability that comes from aircraft that are designed to fly many times a day in airline service, simplicity and efficiency in maintenance, and a worldwide support network that is sized to serve more than 500 customers and operators flying over 10,000 aircraft.

ACJ customers also benefit from services tailored to their specific needs, such as the Airbus Corporate Jet customer-care centre (C4you) and ACJ Service Centre Network.

For customers wanting even more passenger capacity plus nonstop-to-the-world range, Airbus offers a complete family of VIP widebodies, which includes the new ACJ330neo and ACJ350 XWB families.

More than 190 Airbus corporate jets are in service worldwide. They are flying on every continent, including Antarctica, highlighting their versatility around the clock, around the world.

Together, ACJ and ACH are uniquely well placed to provide modern and efficient combined solutions to the air travel needs of customers worldwide, being the only manufacturer offering both business jets and helicopters.

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About Airbus Corporate Jets

Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) creates the world’s most rewarding flying experiences for customers by providing them with unique expertise, the finest service, best technology and highest standards of care in corporate aviation. All Airbus corporate jets come from the most modern aircraft family on the market, derived from Airbus’ successful market-leading jetliners.