Flyingphotos Magazine News: março 2025

segunda-feira, 31 de março de 2025

FLEET - Aeroitalia receives its first Embraer E190

The aircraft joins the Embraer 170 both leased to Greek carrier Marathon Airways on an ACMI deal. Registered as SX-PTM, the most recent leased aircraft is nearly 17 years old.
The aircraft accommodates 100 passengers in a 2×2 single-class layout.

The current fleet consists of nine Boeing 737-800s and 2 ATR72-600s, as well as four leased aircraft: 1 A319 from Fly Air 41 Airways, 1 B737-400 from 4 Airways, and two Embraers from Marathon Airlines.
Aeroitalia operates flights on 21 routes to 17 destinations in four countries.

Aeroitalia (Marathon Airlines)

SX-PTM

Embraer ERJ-190-100SR

Photo: Alessio Zausio

FLEET - First C909 aircraft delivered to Lao Airlines

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) delivered the first C909 aircraft to Lao Airlines on March 30th, 2025. This is the first time for a China-made passenger jet to enter the Laomarket, marking a new step in the international development of China's commercial aircraft.

This C909 aircraft has a registration number of RDPL-34229, and has a 90-seat all-economy class layout. The interior and exterior identifications and placards are in Laotian, the exterior painting is custom-designed, and the tail is printed with Champa flower, the national flower of Laos. It is delivered to Lao Airlines on a lease basis, and will enter into route operation after a series of preparatory work is completed in Laos.

C909 aircraft is a turbofan regional jet independently developed by China. It has a range of 2,225 to 3,700 kilometers, and is capable of operating on most domestic routes in Laos and surrounding international routes. In addition, C909 aircraft has good high-temperature performance and can take off and land on short and narrow runways, showing strong adaptability to the operating environment in Southeast Asia. Up to now, a total of 162 C909 aircraft have been delivered, which have accumulatively served in 645 routes in 158 cities, and safely carried more than 20 million passengers.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Laos issued an Aircraft Type Acceptance Certificate (ATC) for the C909 aircraft to COMAC on March 18th, 2025, indicating that the aircraft has met the basic conditions for commercial operation in Laos. COMAC has set up a special team to assist Lao Airlines with preparatory tasks, including manual preparation, personnel training, aviation material support, and maintenance capacity building. COMAC has also dispatched a support team of professionals from the flight, cabin crew, operation control, maintenance, and other areas to fully ensure the safe and efficient operation of the C909 aircraft in Laos.

Lao Airlines, as a flag carrier, plays an important role in the civil aviation transport industry of Laos and is an important force in promoting connectivity between Laos and surrounding regions. At present, Lao Airlines is expanding its capacity and renewing its fleet. Leasing the C909 aircraft will help the airline supplement its capacity and upgrade its fleet to meet the growing development needs of the air travel market in Laos.

COMAC

ORDER - China Airlines finalises order for ten A350-1000

Toulouse, France, 31 March 2025 – China Airlines of Taiwan has signed a firm order with Airbus for ten A350-1000s, finalising a commitment announced by the airline in December 2024.

The new A350-1000s will fly long-haul routes to North America and Europe, and will provide full operational commonality with the airline’s existing A350-900 fleet, ensuring seamless integration and efficiency.

Kao Shing-Hwang, Chairman of China Airlines, said: “Our investment in the A350-1000 supports our international growth strategy and reflects our commitment to improving the travel experience for our passengers. We are confident that the A350-1000, with its superior range, fuel efficiency and comfort, will play a key role in transforming our long-haul operations.”

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business, said: “We welcome China Airlines to our fast-growing family of A350-1000 operators. As an early adopter of the A350-900, China Airlines has played a pioneering role in embracing cutting-edge aviation technology. By choosing the A350-1000 Long Range Leader, the world's most advanced long haul aircraft, China Airlines continues to elevate its fleet, bringing superior efficiency and comfort to the forefront of long-haul travel.”

The A350 is the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft and has set new standards for intercontinental travel. It offers the longest range capability of any commercial airliner in production today. Powered by versions of the latest generation Rolls-Royce engines, the aircraft is capable of flying 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.

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A350 is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100% SAF capable by 2030.

The A350 Family has received more than 1,360 orders from 60 customers worldwide, with more than 640 aircraft currently in the fleets of 38 operators, flying primarily on long-haul routes.

China Airlines operates various Airbus aircraft types on its full service network. The airline already operates a fleet of 15 A350-900s on long haul routes to Europe and the US, as well as on selected services to destinations in Asia and the Pacific. In addition, it operates 15 A321neo and 16 A330s on services in the region.

ORDER - BOC Aviation orders 70 A320neo Family aircraft

Toulouse, France, 31 March 2025 – BOC Aviation, one of the world’s leading aircraft lessors, has placed a firm order with Airbus for an additional 70 A320neo Family aircraft. With this order, BOC Aviation’s backlog of aircraft to be delivered becomes the largest in its history with Airbus.

“This transaction will lift our remaining Airbus orderbook to around 200 aircraft and takes our total Airbus aircraft deliveries to over 700 (including purchase and leasebacks) since our first order in 1996,” said Steven Townend, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, BOC Aviation. “This order solidifies our position as one of the top five global aircraft operating lessors and provides us with a strong delivery pipeline into the next decade. We look forward to providing more airline customers with this popular fuel-efficient and technologically advanced aircraft.”

Benoit de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business said, "This new major order by BOC Aviation, is a testament to its enduring confidence in the A320 family – the world's most successful single-aisle aircraft. This significant investment makes BOC Aviation one of the largest Airbus customers and highlights the strong and continued market demand for our fuel-efficient aircraft and their long-term value. The A320 family delivers exceptional benefits to operators, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with BOC Aviation, providing airlines with cutting-edge fleet solutions."

The A320 Family is the world’s most popular single aisle aircraft having won more than 19,000 orders globally. The Family includes the largest member, the A321neo offering unparalleled range and performance. The Family offers at least 20% fuel savings and CO₂ reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximising passenger comfort with one of the widest single-aisle cabins in the sky.

The A320 Family can operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) today and up to 100% by 2030.

ROUTES - VietJetAir mulls expansion to Europe in 2025

VietJetAir (VJ, Hanoi Noi Bai International) is considering introducing new routes to Europe by the end of 2025, Jay Lingeswara, the carrier's vice president for commercial, said during a recent Routes conference. Europe is VietJetAir's main target for international expansion, he said, adding that the airline is eyeing routes to destinations in Czechia, France, Germany, and the UK.

The company is also considering introducing one-stop routes to the continent. In addition to Europe, it is exploring opportunities to operate flights to the United States, although it has yet to apply for the US Foreign Air Carrier Permit necessary for such flights. ch-aviation asked VietJetAir for a comment on the matter but it was not immediately available.

The airline recently announced it will start a new 4x weekly Ho Chi Minh City-Auckland International service in September 2025, although ticket sales are yet to commence. According to Lingeswara, the flights to New Zealand may initially operate with a stopover in Australia. ch-aviation schedules data reveals that the airline is currently serving four destinations in Australia: Sydney Kingsford Smith, Perth International, Brisbane International, and Melbourne Airport.

VietJetAir currently operates seventeen A320-200s, thirty-six A321-200s, eleven A321-200Ns, twenty-three A321-200NXs, as well as seven A330-300s. The airline signed an order for twenty A330-900Ns during the 2024 Farnborough Airshow to add to a growing tally of future deliveries. These aircraft will be deployed on the carrier's long-haul network and on regional high-demand routes and will also replace its current fleet of A330-300s.

CH Aviation

ORDER - Lufthansa missing 41 widebodies, expects B777X in 2026

Lufthansa (LH, Frankfurt International) is facing delays in the delivery of new aircraft and is currently lacking 41 widebodies, Reuters reported citing chief technology officer Grazia Vittadini. She added that the airline will be a launch customer for the B777-9 and is expecting to add the first of these in 2026, confirming recent announcements from Boeing.

The original plans called for the arrival of the first B777-9 in 2020 but the date has slipped several times due to problems with the production and certification of the airliner. According to the CTO, Lufthansa initially expected to take delivery of all twenty B777-9s on order by the end of 2024.

According to ch-aviation fleets data, Lufthansa's widebody orderbook across both manufacturers stands at 83. In addition to the B777-9s, the carrier is also anticipating delivery of thirty-four B787-9s, fourteen A350-900s, and fifteen A350-1000s.

The company's freight arm, Lufthansa Cargo, will add seven B777-8Fs. The cargo airline anticipates even later delivery of aircraft, with the first cargo jet set to arrive in its fleet in 2028.
CH Aviation