Vietnam Airlines gets its first A350 XWB

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AerCap, Airbus, Airbus A350 XWB, Aircraft, Aviation, Boeing, Business, Dreamliner, News, Paris Air Show, Tourism, Transport, Travel, Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam Airlines has been in the news a lot in the past few weeks – all for good reasons.

The airline’s brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner was one of the main attractions at this month’s Paris Air Show.

Today, the Vietnamese flag carrier has received its first Airbus A350 XWB (above) through a lease agreement with AerCap.

It will become the second airline in the world to operate the aircraft after Qatar Airways.

The A350-900 will be first used on a domestic route and then for regular non-stop service between Hanoi and Paris.

The aircraft is configured with a three-class layout, with 29 seats in Business Class, 45 in Premium Economy and 231 in Economy, Airbus said.

The airline already operates 59 Airbus aircraft — 49 A321s and 10 A330s. The new aircraft is one of the 14 A350s it has ordered.

“The arrival of the A350 XWB marks the start of a major upgrade of our long-haul fleet,” said Trinh Ngoc Thanh, executive vice-president of Vietnam Airlines.

“Combining the latest technologies, a wider cabin and the highest levels of comfort, the A350 XWB will enable us to fly our passengers in style whichever class of travel they choose.”

In all, Vietnam Airlines has 90 aircraft and flies to more than 50 cities, including 21 international destinations.

Airbus has received 781 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 40 customers worldwide.

Images are courtesy of Airbus.

Boeing expands ecoDemonstrator tests

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Aircraft, Aviation, Biodiesel, Biofuel, Boeing, Business, ecoDemonstrator 757, Environment, Masdar Institute, NASA, News, Transport, Travel, TUI Group

Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator 757 has made its first flight with U.S.-made “green diesel,” expanding the testing and use of technologies to improve aviation’s environmental performance, the company said Friday.

The U.S. aircraft manufacturer said the 757 flew on June 17 from Seattle to NASA‘s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.

The aircraft used a blend of 95 per cent petroleum jet fuel and five per cent sustainable green diesel, a biofuel used in ground transportation, it said. Green diesel is a different fuel product than “biodiesel.”

Two new environment-related technologies were also used in the flight:

• Solar and thermal energy harvesting to power electronic windows, as a way to reduce wiring, weight, fuel use and carbon emissions.

• On the 757’s flight deck, Boeing has installed a 3D-printed aisle stand made from excess carbon fibre from 787 production to reduce airplane weight and factory waste.

“With the ecoDemonstrator, Boeing looks to reduce environmental impact through the airplane’s lifecycle, from improving fuel efficiency and cutting carbon emissions to recycling production materials,” said Mike Sinnett, vice-president, product development at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“In addition to our new technologies, flying the ecoDemonstrator 757 with U.S.-made green diesel is another positive step toward reducing our industry’s use of fossil fuel.”

Boeing said NASA and the TUI Group of Germany, the world’s largest integrated tourism company, were collaborating on the tests.

The ecoDemonstrator 787 made the first-ever flights with green diesel last December.

Since it was launched in 2011, the ecoDemonstrator Program has tested more than 50 technologies, with 737, 787 and 757 aircraft, Boeing said.

Boeing’s global initiatives to advance development of a sustainable aviation biofuel include a project in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where it has partnered with the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.

Images are courtesy of Boeing and TUI Group.

Airbus big winner at Paris Air Show

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AerCap, Airbus, Aircraft, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, CS300, CSeries, Le Bourget, News, Paris Air Show, Transport, Travel, Wizz Air

Airbus has won firm orders for 124 aircraft worth more than $16 billion at the Paris Air Show, the European manufacturer announced in Le Bourget, France, on Thursday.

In addition, the company has also received commitments for 297 airplanes worth another $41 billion.

The final tally included a commitment by the Hungarian budget carrier Wizz Air to buy 110 Airbus A321neo (new engine option) aircraft.

“Our latest forecast for 32,600 planes in the next 20 years is being proved correct,” said Airbus CEO John Leahy.

“The orders and commitments at this year’s Paris Air Show demonstrate three things; Asia is powering the growth, we are leading in single-aisle and widebody and our A321neo is the aircraft of choice in the middle of the market.”

The Budapest-based Wizz Air is the largest low-cost carrier serving Eastern and Central Europe and operates an all-Airbus fleet.

“Thanks to our rapidly growing A320 fleet, we’ve become one of Europe’s leading carriers,” said Jozsef Varadi, CEO of Wizz Air.

Boeing, meanwhile, won orders and commitments for 331 aircraft worth just over $50 billion. That included a firm order from AerCap for 100 737 MAX 8s, valued at $10.7 billion, announced on the second day of the week-long show.

“Boeing is focused on execution and remains on track to deliver between 750 and 755 airplanes in 2015, a new industry record,” the American manufacturer said Thursday.

“Upcoming commercial development program milestones scheduled before the end of this year include factory rollout of the 737 MAX and firm configuration of the 777X.”

Canadian aircraft maker Bombardier, which debuted its brand new CS300 at the show, did not win any new orders for the single-aisle aircraft.

Images are courtesy of Airbus and Boeing.

IATA pauses rollout of Cabin OK program

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Aircraft, Airlines, Aviation, Baggage, Business, Cabin OK, Carry-on, IATA, Luggage, News, Transport, Travel

The group that represents airlines says it is pausing the rollout of its “Cabin OK” initiative for carry-on baggage in light of concerns expressed, primarily in North America.

The Geneva-based International Air Transport Association launched the initiative last week.

The plan offered passengers with a voluntary option to use a “Cabin OK” labelled bag (of 55 x 35 x 20 centimetres or 21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 inches) that would be immediately recognizable as complying with the vast majority of airline maximum-size requirements for cabin baggage.

Under the initiative, such bags would also be given a priority to remain in the cabin on full flights when cabin storage capacity is exceeded.

But the plan quickly backfired with several North American airlines openly opposing the idea.

“We need to get it right,”  acknowledged Tom Windmuller, senior vice-president, airport, passenger, cargo and security for IATA.

“Today we are pausing the rollout and launching a comprehensive reassessment of the Cabin OK program with plans to further engage program participants, the rest of our members, and other key stakeholders,” he said in a release on Wednesday.

The group reiterated that “Cabin OK” is just a guideline for an optimally sized cabin bag, not an industry standard.

It also noted that “Cabin OK” does not seek to define a maximum size for carry-on bags, which is something each airline does individually.

“And no consumer will be forced into buying a new bag as a result of this voluntary initiative.”

IATA represents more than 260 airlines.

Image is courtesy of IATA.

Airbus unveils new flight-tracking platform

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Airbus, AirFlight, Airlines, Aviation, Business, Flight Tracking, Flightradar24, Flights, Le Bourget, News, Paris, Paris Air Show, Transport

Airbus is launching a new flight-tracking platform called AirFlight, relying on data mainly from Flightradar24, a leading provider of real-time flight tracking.

The platform will be handled by Airbus ProSky, the air traffic management subsidiary of the European aircraft manufacturer.

The project was announced on Wednesday, the third day of the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, France.

“Knowing precisely where aircraft are – and where and when they will be anywhere – brings major benefits to the entire aviation community,” said Sebastien Borel, Airbus ProSky general manager.

He said AirFlight would tackle three major items: provide flight tracking as required by the authorities, optimize airlines operations with statistical data on fuel, holding, and airport taxi situations, and provide a base for reliable information on airport demand and arrival time.

Following the disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, the International Civil Aviation Organization has recommended the adoption of a new aircraft tracking standard from 2016.

Tracking image is courtesy of Airbus.

Airbus begins work on new heavy-lift helicopter

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Airbus, Airbus Helicopters, Aircraft, Aviation, Business, Concept Aircraft, Le Bourget, News, Paris, Paris Air Show, Transport, Travel, X6

Airbus has announced plans for a new heavy-lift helicopter at the Paris Air Show.

With a concept phase of two years, the X6 (above) will be tailored for the civilian market, the European manufacturer said.

It will initially target oil and gas missions and will also be perfectly suited for search and rescue, VIP and other applications, it said.

“Major marketing, architecture and design choices for the twin-engine aircraft will be assessed to meet customer operational requirements during the concept phase,” Airbus said.

“It will set new standards in the industry not only for design, but for its production strategy as well, as we will rely on the industrial capacities of our core countries, including the upcoming pillar in Poland,” said Guillaume Faury, president and CEO of Airbus Helicopters.

“Our objective is to bring to the market the most efficient helicopter solutions adapted for how our customers’ needs and the industry itself will evolve in the future.”

One of the major innovations to be integrated on the X6 is the fly-by-wire flight control system, the company said.

“Once adequate program maturity has been achieved in the concept phase, a subsequent development phase will follow, leading to an X6 entry into service anticipated in the 2020s,” the company said.

Image is courtesy of Airbus.

Boeing MAX big winner on Day Two of Paris Air Show

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737 MAX, AerCap, Airbus, Aircraft, ATR, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Buisness, CSeries, Embraer, Le Bourget, News, Paris, Paris Air Show, Transport, Travel

In its Current Market Outlook released last week, Boeing forecast that the world will need almost 27,000 single-aisle airplanes over the coming two decades.

On Tuesday, at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourge, the American manufacturer announced the biggest order of the show so far – for 100 737 MAX 8s from aircraft leaser AerCap.

“This order complements our existing order book in the single-aisle category and is in line with our customer needs and our fleet strategy of leasing the most-in-demand and technologically advanced equipment,” said AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly.

“We see significant market appetite for this aircraft type from our diverse customer base spanning approximately 90 countries around the world,”

The 737 MAX is the fourth generation of the Boeing 737 family. It is under development. Boeing said Tuesday assembly of the first 737 MAX had begun as scheduled in May.

“The 737 MAX 8 will give AerCap’s customers a unique advantage in the heart of the single-aisle market,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner.

A global leader in aircraft leasing, AerCap has 1,800 aircraft that are owned, managed, or under contract to purchase.

In other news:

Minsheng Financial Leasing signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Boeing for the purchase of 30 737s, a mix of Next-Generation 737 and 737 MAX airplanes.

Ruili Airlines announced that the airline has committed to purchase 30 737 MAXs.

Korean Air announced the airline’s intention to purchase 30 737 MAXs and two 777-300ER jetliners, with options for an additional 20 737 MAXs.

SMBC Aviation Capital ordered 10 737 MAX 8s.  

Korean Air signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus to acquire up to 50 A321neo aircraft.

Cebu Pacific Air ordered 16 ATR72 -600 from ATR, an Airbus subsidiary.

Peach Aviation ordered three Airbus A320s. 

Images are courtesy of Boeing and Airbus.

Saudia to become launch customer of Airbus A330-300 Regional

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Airbus, Airbus A330-300 Regional, Aircraft, Business, Le Bourget, News, Paris Air Show, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Saudia, Transport, Travel

Saudi Arabia’s national airline is set to become the launch customer of the new Airbus A330-300 Regional.

At the opening of the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget on Monday, the Saudi Arabian Airlines announced that it would buy 20 of the new aircraft.

In addition, the airline, also known as Saudia, has ordered 30 A320neo (new engine option) aircraft, but the focus on Monday was certainly on the new airplane.

“The A330-300 Regional’s unique flexibility, high capacity and operational capabilities will enable us to expand our domestic and regional network and better absorb growing passenger traffic,” said Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines.

“Introducing the A330-300 Regional in our current fleet is an ideal choice and follows our previous commitment to a family of aircraft which already successfully helped us achieve our ambitions.”

The single-aisle widebody aircraft will join the airline’s fleet of 12 A330-300s and 50 A320s.

Airbus says the new A330-300 Regional is its solution for markets with large populations and fast growing, concentrated air traffic flows.

“We salute Saudi Arabian Airlines for becoming the launch operator of the A330-300 Regional,” said Airbus CEO John Leahy.

The Airbus A330 family has won more than 1,500 orders from over 100 customers and has more than 1,100 aircraft in operation.

Images are courtesy of Airbus and Saudia.

Paris Air Show opens with mega deals

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A350XWB, Airbus, Aircraft, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, Dreamliners, Embraer, EVA, Garuda Indonesia, Le Bourget, News, Paris, Paris Air Show, Q400, Saudi Arabian Airlines, SWISS, Transport, Travel

The 51st edition of the Paris Air Show opened Monday with major aircraft manufacturers announcing a series of deals worth billions of dollars.

Here are the highlights of Day One:

Garuda Indonesia signs a Letter of Intent to buy 30 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft  (left).

Garuda also signs an LOI with Boeing to purchase 30 787-9 Dreamliners, as well as up to 30 737 MAX 8 airplanes.

Launch customer SWISS converts 10 of its 30 firm-ordered Bombardier CS100 aircraft to the larger CS300s (left).

WestJet Encore orders five Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

Airbus says Saudi Arabian Airlines will become the first airline in the world to operate the new A330-300 Regional.

ATR announces 46 firm orders and 35 options for its regional aircraft. That includes the sale of the 1500th ATR aircraft.

Qatar Airways orders 10 777-8Xs and four 777 freighters.

Taiwan’s EVA Airways announces it intends to purchase five Boeing 777 freighters.

Images are courtesy of Airbus, Bombardier and ATR.

Bombardier: CSeries ‘better than advertised’

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A350XWB, A380, Airbus, Aircraft, ATR, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, CS100, CS300, CSeires, Dreamliner, Embraer, Le Bourget, News, Paris, Paris Air Show, Tourism, Transport

On the eve of the opening of the Paris Air Show, Bombardier has announced that the performance of its all-new CSeries aircraft is “better than advertised.”

It said, based on flight tests results, its CS300 and CS100 airplanes exceeded their original targets for fuel burn, payload, range and airfield performance.

“In addition, the CSeries aircraft are on track to meet noise performance targets, making them the quietest commercial jets in production,” the Canadian aircraft manufacturer told a special media event in Le Bourge.

It said the CSeries aircraft’s maximum range had been confirmed to be up to 3,300 NM (6,112 km), some 350 NM (648 km) more than originally targeted.

The CSeries is delivering more than a 20 per cent fuel burn advantage compared to in-production aircraft, and a greater than 10 per cent advantage compared to re-engined aircraft, Bombardier added.

“The CSeries performance is better than advertised,” said Fred Cromer (right), president, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

The long-delayed CS300, designed for the 100- to 149-seat, single-aisle market, is making its air show debut in Le Bourge, four months after its maiden flight.

The aircraft is expected to enter service in late 2016.

Bombardier believes the CS300 offers the best seat-mile cost in its category and is ideal for a range of routes from short-haul to longer transcontinental markets.

Test flights for the smaller CS100, which can carry up to 125 people, began in 2013.

Certification for that aircraft is expected in the second half of this year with commercial flights starting shortly after that.

Bombardier has won 243 firm orders for the CSeries aircraft, 180 of them for the CS300.

The 51st edition of the Paris Air Show opens Monday.

The week-long event has attracted more than 2,200 exhibitors from 45 countries including 18 from Canada.