STARLUX Airlines orders 17 A350 XWB aircraft for long-haul services

STARLUX Airlines of Taiwan has signed a firm order with Airbus for 17 widebody aircraft, comprising 12 A350-1000s and five A350-900s.

The new airline plans to deploy these aircraft on its premier long-haul services from Taipei to Europe and North America, as well as selected destinations within the Asia-Pacific region.

“We are very glad to sign the official purchase agreement today for Airbus widebodies. The A350’s combination of extra-long-range capability, significantly lower operating costs and high passenger comfort were key factors in our decision,” K.W. Chang, Founder and Chairman of STARLUX Airlines said. “STARLUX is committed to becoming one of the best airlines in the world. We are positive that with the A350 XWB, we will be able to spread our wings to further destinations, bringing our best-in-class services to more people over the world in the near future.”

"What K. W. and STARLUX are proving is that when you start from a clean sheet, you make no compromises. Every STARLUX A350-1000 takes off 45 tonnes lighter than its alternative. Imagine the savings! And will fly up to 1,000 more miles than the alternative, enabling STARLUX to serve U.S. East Coast destinations nonstop! Imagine the extra market and revenue!” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer. “Both the A350-1000 and A350-900 offer true long-range capability, greater passenger comfort, yet all the economic benefits of fleet commonality. We salute STARLUX's strategic choice with gratitude and we will be there to support their legitimate ambition."

The A350 XWB is the world’s most modern and eco-efficient aircraft family shaping the future of air travel. It is the long-range leader in the large widebody market (300 to 400+ seats). The A350 XWB offers by design unrivalled operational flexibility and efficiency for all market segments up to ultra-long haul (9,700 nm). It features the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. Together, these latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25% reduction in fuel burn and emissions. The A350 XWB’s Airspace by Airbus cabin is the quietest of any twin-aisle and offers passengers and crews the most modern in-flight products for the most comfortable flying experience.



At the end of February 2019, the A350 XWB Family had received 852 firm orders from 48 customers worldwide, making it one of the most successful widebody aircraft ever.

Atran introduces Russia’s first Boeing 737-800BCF

Volga-Dnepr Group’s express carrier’s fleet has grown to five narrow-body freighters (Atran)

Atran Airlines, the Russian air express cargo carrier within the Volga-Dnepr Group, has enlarged its fleet with the delivery of its first Boeing 737-800BCF, increasing its total number of narrow-body freighters to five.

The CFM56-7B24-powered aircraft, with tail number VQ-BFS (MSN 32616), is one of two Boeing Converted Freighters (BCFs) which are on lease from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS).

Having successfully completed certification of the Boeing 737-800BCF in Russia, the airline is the first to operate this type of freighter, thereby enabling Atran to benefit from its enhanced operational capabilities on short- and medium-haul routes.

The additional aircraft will boost the carrier’s capacity whilst giving a broader choice of logistics solutions linking routes between Russia, the CIS and Europe. The freighter has already operated its first flights from Moscow (Vnukovo) to Norilsk and Yakutsk, carrying consumer goods for the population of the Siberian and Far Eastern parts of Russia, including perishables, general cargo and e-commerce shipments.

“As the upgraded version of the Boeing 737, this airplane has more technical and operational capabilities. It allows us to offer more main-deck cargo capacity thanks to the aircraft’s extended, broader fuselage, which is six metres longer, and increases the solutions we can offer for the transportation of various types of shipments, including oversized freight which can be loaded through the wider main-deck cargo door,” explains Dmitry Obsharov, Atran’s general director.

“We are confident that with this new aircraft type we will be able to guarantee high service quality for our customers, leveraging trade flows in the markets we serve, with a special focus on China-Russia routes and the emerging volumes of cross-border e-commerce and mail shipments. It will also help to increase aircraft utilisation within our existing network,” Obsharov adds.

In addition to offering 11 standard aviation pallet positions and containers in the cargo compartment, the Boeing 737-800BCF incorporates a reconfigurable cargo handling system that can easily be adjusted for various types of unit load devices (ULDs).

Atran describes the -800BCF as “an ideal aircraft for European short and medium-haul cargo operations”, citing its advanced technical characteristics, together with its ICAO Stage 4 noise certification.

Atran Airlines is one of the oldest established, Russia-based specialist airfreight carriers. Acquired by the Volga-Dnepr Group in 2011, its fleet presently includes four B737-400SFs as well as the newly added B737-800BCF, all operating from its base at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport.

The B737-800BCF is a newcomer to the Volga-Dnepr group and complements its existing fleet of Antonov An-124-100s, Ilyushin IL-76TD-90VDs, Boeing 747Fs and Boeing 737-400Fs.
ES in Air Transport

Evelop Airlines takes delivery of its first A350 XWB

Evelop Airlines, the Spanish carrier of Barceló Group’s Ávoris travel division, has taken delivery of its first of two A350 XWBs, the world’s most modern and eco-efficient aircraft family. The second aircraft will be delivered in 2020.

The A350-900, on lease from Air Lease Corporation, will be based at Madrid Barajas - Adolfo Suárez airport and deployed on long-haul routes to Caribbean destinations. It features a high comfort single class configuration with 432 seats. Passengers will enjoy more personal space, the quietest cabin of any twin-aisle aircraft and the latest generation cabin products, including individual onboard in-flight entertainment.

Evelop Airlines operates an all Airbus fleet of one A320-200, one A330-200 and three A330-300s.



The A350 XWB offers by design unrivalled operational flexibility and efficiency for all market segments up to ultra-long haul (9,700 nm). It features the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. Together, these latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25% reduction in fuel burn and emissions. The A350 XWB’s Airspace by Airbus cabin is the quietest of any twin-aisle and offers passengers and crews the most comfortable flying experience. At the end of February 2019, the A350 XWB Family had received 852 firm orders from 48 customers worldwide, making it one of the most successful widebody aircraft ever.

EgyptAir adds first B787-9

EgyptAir (MS, Cairo Int'l) has taken delivery of its first B787-9 with SU-GER (msn 38798) having been ferried from Everett to Cairo Int'l on Thursday, March 28.

The Boeing widebody jet is one of six the Egyptian national carrier is due to lease from AerCap. The second B787-9 will deliver in the middle of next month (April) with the entire batch to be in place by late 2020.

Egyptair has configured the jets with 309 seats including 30 in business and 279 in economy class.

The B787-9 will enter service in early April plying regional Arab routes such as Kuwait and Abu Dhabi Int'l first before making its long haul debut in June with flights to Toronto Pearson, Washington Dulles, and Frankfurt Int'l.



EgyptAir is in the midst of a fleet renewal and upgrade cycle. As it stands, its widebody operations entail four A330-200s, four A330-300s, two B777-200(ER)s (parked), and six B777-300(ER)s.

ch aviation

Delta adds A350 Atlanta – Amsterdam service in Sep/Oct 2019

Delta Air Lines during the weekend of 24MAR19’s schedule update opened reservation for Airbus A350 service on Atlanta – Amsterdam route. From Atlanta, A350-900XWB will operate on 1 of 3 daily flights, from 01SEP19 to 25OCT19.

DL070 ATL1547 – 0555+1AMS 359 D
DL071 AMS0835 – 1152ATL 359 D
By Jim Liu

Comlux takes delivery of its first ACJ320neo

Comlux has taken delivery of the first of three ACJ320neo1 aircraft, which will now enter VIP cabin-outfitting by Comlux Completion in Indianapolis. It is the largest customer for the ACJ320neo Family, which has already won a total of 11 orders.

“The new ACJ320neo gives us the means to deliver nonstop flights to even more of the world. CFM International has supported Comlux over the years, and we have chosen its new, fuel-efficient and highly reliable LEAP-1A engines to power the aircraft. Comlux Completion will install a unique VIP cabin interior, using the most advanced technologies to offer the best comfort and luxury to our customer,” says Comlux Executive Chairman and CEO Richard Gaona.

The ACJ320neo family uses new engines and wingtip mounted Sharklets to deliver a 15 per cent fuel-saving, which also translates into a leap forward in range for business jet operators.

It comprises an ACJ320neo that can fly 25 passengers 13 hours or 6,000 nm/11,100 km, and an ACJ319neo that can transport eight passengers 15 hours or 6,750 nm/12,500 km.

“Airbus corporate jets already have a reputation for comfort, reliability and value, already enjoy similar operating costs to traditional business jets through their airliner heritage, and are now even more economical in their NEO versions,” says ACJ President Benoit Defforge.

More than 700 A320neo Family aircraft are already in service with airlines and, with over 15,000 firm orders for the whole A320 Family, it is the clear leader in its class.

Airbus’ A320 Family pioneered features that are now standard in most new-generation business jets - such as enhanced-protection fly-by-wire controls, cost-saving centralised maintenance and weight-saving carbonfibre – ensuring that it has a long and successful future ahead of it.

More than 190 Airbus corporate jets are in service worldwide, flying on every continent, including Antarctica.



                                           

China Southern adds Zhengzhou – London Heathrow route from late-June 2019

China Southern from late-June 2019 further expands service to London, as the airline filed operational schedule for Guangzhou – Zhengzhou – London Heathrow service. From 25JUN19, CZ plans to operate this route twice a week, with Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Reservation for this route opened on the airline’s website this week.

CZ653 CAN1205 – 1425CGO1610 – 2010LHR 788 26
CZ654 LHR2210 – 1520+1CGO1710+1 – 1925+1CAN 788 26

By Jim Liu

BASEL TRIP 2019

Paul Bannwarth

LOS ANGELES TRIP 2019

hsckcwong - LAX, USA

BELAVIA - ERJ195 - EW-400PO - (World of Tanks)

Ton Jochems .- AMS

IBERIA REGIONAL - CRJ1000 - EC-JZS

 Ton Jochems - BRU

ZURICH TRIP 2019

Paul Bannwarth