More stories

  • in

    Volaris discloses 25 A321neos

    Mexican ultra-low-cost airline and all-Airbus operator Volaris has disclosed 25 A321neo from a purchase agreement signed in October 2022.
    These aircraft bring Volaris total backlog to 143 A320neo Family aircraft, which will support the airline’s continuous fleet renewal and expansion, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines.
    “These A321neos will support our long-term business viability and sustainability strategy, while moving us closer to operating an all-NEO fleet by 2028. Our 143 aircraft backlog demonstrates Volaris financial strength and will guarantee our growth in the Mexican market as well as in routes to the United States and Central America,” said Enrique Beltranena, Volaris President and Chief Executive Officer.
    “The A321neo’s superior performance and efficiency will continue to drive Volaris’ network growth. As the fleet grows the airline will be well positioned to meet future demand, especially in the Mexican leisure market. We look forward to working closely with Volaris as it continues to spread its wings,” said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International.
    The A321neo is the largest-fuselage member of Airbus’ best-selling single-aisle A320 Family. The A321neo allows operators to cover the entire market, while offering the lowest seat-mile cost of any single-aisle available.ADVERTISEMENTVolaris became an Airbus customer in 2006, and since then the airline has ordered 206 A320 Family aircraft, including more than 170 A320neo Family aircraft. Volaris is the largest A320neo Family operator in Latin America.
    Airbus has sold over 1,150 aircraft in Latin America and the Caribbean. More than 750 are in operation throughout the region, with another 500 in the order backlog, representing a market share of nearly 60% of in-service passenger aircraft. Since 1994, Airbus has secured 75% of net orders in the region.
    @Viajavolaris #A321neo

    Older
    China Airlines Signs Firm Orders for Eight Boeing 787 Passenger Aircraft at Paris Air Show

    Newer
    Airbus to trial in-flight auxiliary power entirely generated by hydrogen More

  • in

    China Airlines Signs Firm Orders for Eight Boeing 787 Passenger Aircraft at Paris Air Show

    China Airlines Chairman Su-Chien Hsieh accepted an invitation to attend the 2023 Paris Air Show where he signed a contract with Boeing converting the option on eight 787 passenger aircraft into firm orders, a change previously approved by the China Airlines Board on May 10.
    The 787 fleet will grow to 24 aircraft once all aircraft are delivered by 2028. The 787 will be assigned to regional, Oceania, and long-haul routes.
    China Airlines, the Taiwan-based carrier, had previously decided on the purchase of sixteen 787 passenger aircraft fitted with the General Electric GEnx engine back in August 2022 with deliveries to commence in 2025. The firm order for eight more aircraft will bring the total size of the 787 fleet to 24 aircraft, with deliveries to commence in 2026. China Airlines also decided to convert six to the larger-capacity 787-10 variant based on travel demand.
    The China Airlines 787-9 passenger aircraft will be configured for 3 cabin classes, namely Premium Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. The advanced cabin product of the 787 provides a more comfortable level of pressure and humidity and will provide travelers with a whole new level of cabin experience. The 787 passenger aircraft is approximately 20% more fuel efficient and produces 20% less carbon emissions compared to the previous generation of aircraft. Improved fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions not only greatly enhance the cost structure but will also contribute to China Airlines’ goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050.
    China Airlines currently operates 87 passenger and cargo aircraft including the A321neo, A350-900, 777-300ER, A330-300, 737-800. These include 66 passenger aircraft as well as twenty-one 747-400F/777F cargo aircraft. The new 787 passenger aircraft will replace the A330-300 as part of the aircraft revitalization program. China Airlines will continue to manage its fleet size and strive to realize corporate sustainability by providing travelers with superior passenger services and products.ADVERTISEMENT

    Older
    Experience St. Lucia Carnival this Year

    Newer
    Volaris discloses 25 A321neos More

  • in

    The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and AviaDev Establish Strategic Partnership

    The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and AviaDev Limited (AviaDev) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote and develop cooperation in the African aviation sector, specifically related to route development activities and advocacy for the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
    The MoU signifies the commitment of both organizations to enhance their effectiveness in serving the interests of the AFCAC Member States and Stakeholders.AFCAC is a specialist agency of the African Union on all Civil Aviation Matters in Africa and the Executing Agency of the YD/SAATM is responsible for facilitating cooperation and coordination among African States towards the development of integrated and sustainable Air transport system, and foster the implementation of ICAO SARPs by Member States. whereas, AviaDev is a platform dedicated to improving air connectivity to, from, and within the African Continent. AFCAC and AviaDev have a shared objective of promoting a safe, secure, affordable, efficient, and environmentally friendly operating environment in Africa.
    Under the terms of the MoU, the Parties will engage in various cooperative activities, including information sharing, events attendance, podcast participation and collaboration at relevant industry events. AFCAC will join the AviaDev Insight Africa podcast regularly to provide updates on the SAATM implementation. AFCAC will also participate in AviaDev Africa’s annual event to engage with aviation stakeholders from across the continent. Similarly, AviaDev will attend relevant AFCAC events to strengthen cooperation in the civil aviation sector.“We are delighted to enter into this MoU with AviaDev Limited. This partnership will enable us to strengthen cooperation and coordination in the civil aviation sector, facilitating the development of an integrated and sustainable Air Transport System in Africa.” Said Adefunke Adeyemi, Secretary General of AFCAC.Jon Howell, CEO of AviaDev Limited, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We are excited to work closely with AFCAC to support the growth of air connectivity in Africa. We believe our platform complements the work of AFCAC and this partnership will catalyse the process of realising open skies in Africa.”

    Older
    Etihad says Olá to Portugal as inaugural flight lands in Lisbon

    Newer
    Air India Firms Up Orders for 470 Airbus & Boeing Aircraft, Signs Agreements at Paris Air show More

  • in

    Air Mauritius confirms order for three A350 aircraft

    Air Mauritius has confirmed an order for three A350 aircraft to expand its network in Europe and South Asia.
    The three latest generation aircraft will bring Air Mauritius’ A350 fleet to a total of seven. The airline already operates four A350 and four A330 Airbus aircraft.
    “Air Mauritius is proud to renew its confidence in Airbus and its products, continuing a three-decade long partnership. The additional A350-900 aircraft will help us strengthen our European network and secure further growth in other markets. We are looking forward to achieving our ambitious objectives together with Airbus,” said Mr Kresimir Kucko, CEO of Air Mauritius.
    “We compliment Air Mauritius on putting the A350 at the heart of its long-haul fleet modernisation programme. With greater range capability, better economics, passenger capacity and comfort, the A350 is the perfect platform to connect the beautiful island of Mauritius to the world,” said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International at Airbus.
    The A350 is the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft and the long range leader in the 300-410 seater category. The A350 offers the longest range capability of any commercial airliner Family in production today with a range of up to 9,700nm non-stop. ADVERTISEMENTThe A350’s clean sheet design includes state-of-the-art technologies and aerodynamics delivering unmatched standards of efficiency and comfort. Its new generation engines and use of lightweight materials make it the most fuel efficient large widebody aircraft. The A350 is the quietest aircraft in its class with 50 percent noise footprint reduction vs the previous generation aircraft.
    #Airbus #AirMauritius #A350 #ParisAirShow

    Older
    Emirates flags significant peak in outbound travel this June and July

    Newer
    Etihad says Olá to Portugal as inaugural flight lands in Lisbon More

  • in

    Qantas finalises incremental order for nine A220s

    Australia’s Qantas Group has finalised an incremental order for nine A220-300s, bringing its total backlog for the single aisle type to 29 aircraft.
    The A220 was originally selected by Qantas as part of a major fleet replacement programme announced in May 2022, which also included orders for the A321XLR and A350-1000. The carrier had announced its intention to order the additional A220s in February this year.
    Qantas will take delivery of its first A220 at the end of this year and will operate the type primarily on its extensive domestic route network. Combining latest generation technologies and a wider, quieter cabin for extra comfort, the A220 can fly further than other aircraft in its size category, while also bringing a step-change reduction in fuel consumption and emissions.
    Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International said: “We are pleased to announce this incremental order from Qantas. Best in class, the A220 will be the perfect platform for a domestic network that includes everything from short hops to flights of five hours and beyond. Combining efficiency, comfort and longer range, the A220 will also contribute from Day 1 to the carrier’s far-reaching Climate Action Plan.”
    The A220 is the most modern airliner in its size category. Specifically designed for the 100 -150 seat segment, it can fly up to 3,450 nautical miles / 6,400 kilometres. The A220 has the largest cabin, seats and windows in its class, offering passengers superior comfort. ADVERTISEMENTThe aircraft is powered by the latest generation Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. As with all Airbus aircraft, the A220 is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus aims for all its aircraft to be capable of operating with 100% SAF by 2030.
    Airbus has received close to 800 orders from 30 customers for the A220, of which 265 have been delivered. The A220 is already in service with 16 airlines worldwide.
    @Airbus @Qantas #A220 #ParisAirshow

    Older
    Boeing, CAE to Collaborate on Pilot Training

    Newer
    Emirates flags significant peak in outbound travel this June and July More

  • in

    Boeing, CAE to Collaborate on Pilot Training

    Boeing and CAE have signed an agreement through which CAE will become a Boeing Authorized Training Provider and the first to offer Boeing’s Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) curriculum. With this arrangement, Boeing and CAE will expand accessibility to high-quality, innovative flight training to commercial aviation customers worldwide.
    “This partnership expands our competency-based flight-training capacity to better meet the needs of our customers worldwide,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO, Boeing Global Services. “By sharing data, leveraging digital capabilities, and providing greater accessibility and affordability, Boeing and CAE are enhancing global aviation safety.”
    The shift to CBTA methodology in pilot training focuses on developing and evaluating skills, knowledge and behaviors essential for pilots to operate safely and efficiently in a commercial air transport environment. Boeing’s implementation of CBTA leverages digitally-advanced tools and fleet operations data to customize training to each individual, and helps pilots efficiently respond to in-flight challenges. The first CAE locations to adopt Boeing’s curriculum will be in India, with expansion anticipated into additional global markets. Boeing is implementing the CBTA curriculum through its global training campuses in Seattle, Miami, London-Gatwick, Shanghai, and Singapore, as well as at customer locations worldwide.
    “As a Boeing authorized training provider, CAE will leverage its expertise and global network to expand access to high-quality training on Boeing commercial aircraft and give pilots the skills and knowledge they need for peak performance in the flight deck,” said Marc Parent, CAE’s President and CEO. “Boeing and CAE are working together to enhance aviation safety, and this agreement ensures more pilots worldwide are ready for the moments that matter.”
    Boeing and CAE have a long-standing relationship spanning commercial and defense programs. CAE is an integral supplier of Boeing commercial aircraft training devices and provides training and operational support solutions on defense platforms.ADVERTISEMENT

    Older
    ASIA AND PACIFIC COUNTRIES ADVANCE SHARED VISION OF TOURISM FOR DEVELOPMENT

    Newer
    Qantas finalises incremental order for nine A220s More

  • in

    ASIA AND PACIFIC COUNTRIES ADVANCE SHARED VISION OF TOURISM FOR DEVELOPMENT

    UNWTO’s Members from Asia and the Pacific met as recovery from the impacts of the pandemic on tourism in the region steadily accelerates. According to UNWTO data:
    Worldwide, twice as many people travelled internationally in the first three months of 2023 than in the same period of 2022, taking global tourism back to 80% of pre-pandemic levels.For Asia and the Pacific, however, international arrivals got back to 54% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of the quarter.Recovery across the region is expected to accelerate following the re-opening of China to tourism. China was the world’s biggest tourism source market in 2019. Reflecting the significance of the moment, a high-level delegation from UNWTO visited China in February to mark the official re-opening.
    “It is no exaggeration to say that, over the past year, all eyes in global tourism were on Asia and the Pacific,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “Asia and the Pacific plays a key role in the state of our sector. It is a top source market, a hub of tourism innovation and home to many of the world’s leading businesses and most exciting destinations.”
    Demonstrating Cambodia’s strong political support for UNWTO’s mission, Prime Minister Hun Sen met with the Secretary-General to discuss the steady acceleration of tourism in the region after the pandemic, while emphasizing the sector’s vital importance for sustainable development of tourism in the country and across the wider region.
    UNWTO welcomed a participation to the joint Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and South Asia Joint Commission, including 15 Ministers, Deputy Ministers of Tourism and Ambassadors, and with 25 countries represented. The Meeting was held in conjunction with the 55th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific (CAP), the 59th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for South Asia (CSA), the UNWTO Conference on International Code for the Protection of Tourists and the UNWTO Affiliate Members Roundtable.ADVERTISEMENTAsia and Pacific Members Support UNWTO PrioritiesMember States were provided with an overview of UNWTO’s achievements guiding tourism forward, based on its Programme of Work and current priorities including:
    Education: Of the 300 education programmes certified by UNWTO’s Ted.Qual initiative, 160 are offered in Asia and the Pacific, to help tourism professionals grow in their careers. To support youth empowerment, UNWTO is also launching national versions of its Students League, with China currently developing its own edition.Investments in Tourism: Fostering the implementation of sustainable investment frameworks for the promotion of tourism investments and job creation in a post-pandemic world was one of the main objectives of UNWTO’s Executive Training Programme in the Republic of Korea last November. And in Phnom Penh, UNWTO invited Members to join the 2023 World Tourism Day celebrations (27 September), to be held around the theme of “Green Investments”.Sustainability: UNWTO announced that the Batanes Tourism Observatory in the Philippines has become the newest member of the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO), with an institution in Japan set to follow soon.Advancing the International Code for Protection of TouristsAhead of the Commission meeting, UNWTO held a special conference on its International Code for the Protection of Tourists (ICPT). Here:
    Cambodia, the Maldives and Indonesia became the newest signatories to UNWTO’s International Code for the Protection of Tourists.UNWTO’s Member States across the Asia and the Pacific region adopted the Phnom Penh Declaration on the ICPT, promoting its implementation to ensure clear, transparent and efficient frameworks to protect tourists as consumers to foster confidence in travel.Affiliate Members RoundtableUnder the theme “Public-private cooperation at the core of tourism sustainable development”, discussions focused on the importance of finding mechanisms to reinforce the dialogue between all tourism stakeholders and showcased tangible examples of initiatives and projects implemented by Affiliate Members to foster sustainable practices in the tourism sector.
    Looking AheadIn line with UNWTO’s statutory obligations, Members from East Asia and the Pacific nominated China, Indonesia, Japan and Republic of Korea to represent the region on the UNWTO Executive Council.
    The two Commissions for East Asia and the Pacific and South Asia also agreed that:
    The 36th Joint Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and the UNWTO Commission for South Asia will be held in Cebu, Philippines in 2024.World Tourism Day 2025, to be held around the theme of “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation” will be hosted by Malaysia.

    Older
    flynas orders 30 A320neo aircraft

    Newer
    Boeing, CAE to Collaborate on Pilot Training More

  • in

    Paris air show takes off with historic plane order

    Airbus announced a record 500-plane deal with Indian airline IndiGo on day one of the Paris Airshow on Monday, as strong demand for jets and air defences vied for attention with the industry’s supply chain problems.The multibillion-dollar deal for single-aisle planes – the largest ever by number of aircraft – confirmed a Reuters report earlier this month, and eclipsed Air India’s provisional purchase of 470 Airbus and Boeing jets earlier this year.
    The world’s largest air show, which alternates with Farnborough in Britain, is at Le Bourget for the first time in four years after the 2021 edition fell victim to the pandemic.
    French President Emmanuel Macron flew in to the packed aerospace bazaar by helicopter and watched a flying demonstration including Airbus’s latest jet development, the A321XLR, and air power including the French Rafale fighter.On the civilian side, planemakers arrived with growing demand expectations as airlines rush for capacity to meet demand and help reach industry goals of net zero emissions by 2050.
    But they also face a challenge to meet that demand as suppliers struggle with rising costs, parts shortages and a scarcity of skilled labour in the wake of the pandemic.
    Industry executives say as many as 2,000 jet orders are up for grabs worldwide in a resurgent commercial jet market, on top of those provisionally announced already, as airlines try to fill a void left by sharp falls in activity in the COVID crisis.ADVERTISEMENTBut only a portion of these potential fresh deals will be ready in time for this week’s air show, which could see a mixture of new and repeat announcements, they said.
    “It is only when these appear in the year-end backlog that we have any idea of the strength of the market and the quality of the orders,” said Agency Partners analyst Sash Tusa.
    IndiGo’s deal highlights the growing importance of India, the world’s fastest-growing aviation market, serving the largest population, to planemakers.
    “This is just the beginning, there’s more going forward. With the growth of India (and) the growth of the Indian aviation market … this is the right time for us to place this order,” IndiGo Chief Executive Pieter Elbers told a news conference.
    In another key market, Airbus said Saudi budget airline flynas had firmed up an order for 30 of its A320neo-family narrowbody aircraft, confirming a Bloomberg report.
    The air show is taking place under the shadow of the conflict in Ukraine, with no Russian presence in the chalets and exhibition halls in contrast to the last event four years ago.
    A Ukrainian minister told Reuters that Kyiv is in talks with Western arms manufacturers to boost production of weapons, including drones, and could sign contracts in coming months.
    Belgium said it would apply to join as an observer the potential successor to the Rafale and multinational Eurofighter, the Franco-German-Spanish FCAS fighter project, despite differences between industrial partners over whether to expand.
    France’s Thales (TCFP.PA) also announced a contract from Indonesia for 13 long-range air surveillance radars.
    Looking ahead to the rest of the show, Air India may finalise its recent huge order, split between Airbus and Boeing, as Irish lessor Avolon finalises a deal with Boeing which is having a relatively quiet show after a string of recent orders.
    Airbus is seen close to a potentially large deal with Mexico’s Viva Aerobus, but by Monday some sources were predicting the volume could be closer to 60 jets than the triple digits first reported, with no guarantee of a result this week.
    And with increased bargaining power at their disposal from tight supplies, airline executives say planemakers are being tougher on price and more circumspect than in previous upcycles.
    Engine makers are meanwhile sketching bets on fuel-saving technology that will influence how jets evolve next decade.
    Source: Reuters

    Older
    Outdoor Participation Grows for Eighth Consecutive Year

    Newer
    Another record-breaking summer for flydubai More