Boeing Announces Next Segment of 787 Dream Tour

EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) will conduct the fourth segment of the 787 Dream Tour beginning March 1. Stops will include visits to cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

In addition, the Dream Tour airplane, ZA003, will be featured at the FIDAE Air Show in Santiago, Chile, in late March to kick off the fifth segment of the tour.

"During the first three segments of the tour, we've had almost 25,000 visitors come through the airplane," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager, 787 program.

"Our customers, partners, employees and the finance and leasing communities have all expressed their delight with the airplane."

The March schedule includes the following stops:

• March 1-4: Toronto, Canada, to visit Air Canada and local suppliers.
• March 4-5: Boston, Mass., in support of Japan Airlines, which has announced that it will offer 787 service on the Tokyo-Boston route.
• March 5-7: Newark, N.J., to visit United Airlines and its local stakeholders.
• March 7-9: Mexico City, Mexico, to visit Aero Mexico.
• March 9-12: Phoenix, Ariz., to visit Honeywell, other suppliers and Boeing employees.
• March 12-13: San Diego, Calif., to visit Goodrich and other suppliers.
• March 13-15: Long Beach, Calif., to visit leasing companies, Boeing employees and suppliers.
• March 15-16: Salt Lake City, Utah, to visit Boeing employees and suppliers.

The Dream Tour airplane is outfitted with the 787's special cabin features, including a welcoming entryway, dramatically larger dimmable windows, bigger bins and dynamic LED lighting. The airplane is configured with a luxurious business-class cabin, an overhead crew rest compartment and an economy class section.

Dates and locations for additional tour stops will be announced approximately one month in advance. At many of the stops, local media will have the opportunity to participate in tours of the airplane and discussions with Boeing executives and pilots.

For updates on the 787 Dream Tour, including videos, photos and reports from the tour stops, visit www.newairplane.com/787/dreamtour.

Boeing Announces Next Segment of 787 Dream Tour

 

 more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/02/22/3894746/boeing-announces-next-segment.html#storylink=cpy

EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 22, 2012 — /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) will conduct the fourth segment of the 787 Dream Tour beginning March 1. Stops will include visits to cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

In addition, the Dream Tour airplane, ZA003, will be featured at the FIDAE Air Show in Santiago, Chile, in late March to kick off the fifth segment of the tour.

"During the first three segments of the tour, we've had almost 25,000 visitors come through the airplane," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager, 787 program. "Our customers, partners, employees and the finance and leasing communities have all expressed their delight with the airplane."

The March schedule includes the following stops:

• March 1-4: Toronto, Canada, to visit Air Canada and local suppliers.
• March 4: Boston, Mass., in support of Japan Airlines, which has announced that it will offer 787 service on the Tokyo-Boston route.
• March 5-7: Newark, N.J., to visit United Airlines and its local stakeholders.
• March 8-9: Mexico City, Mexico, to visit Aero Mexico.
• March 10-12: Phoenix, Ariz., to visit Honeywell, other suppliers and Boeing employees.
• March 13: San Diego, Calif., to visit Goodrich and other suppliers.
• March 14-15: Long Beach, Calif., to visit leasing companies, Boeing employees and suppliers.
• March 15-17: Salt Lake City, Utah, to visit Boeing employees and suppliers.

The Dream Tour airplane is outfitted with the 787's special cabin features, including a welcoming entryway, dramatically larger dimmable windows, bigger bins and dynamic LED lighting. The airplane is configured with a luxurious business-class cabin, an overhead crew rest compartment and an economy class section.

Dates and locations for additional tour stops will be announced approximately one month in advance. At many of the stops, local media will have the opportunity to participate in tours of the airplane and discussions with Boeing executives and pilots.

For updates on the 787 Dream Tour, including videos, photos and reports from the tour stops, visit www.newairplane.com/787/dreamtour.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/02/22/3894746/boeing-announces-next-segment.html#storylink=cpy

Singapore Airlines to Lease 15 More New A330-300s from Airbus

Singapore Airlines has reached agreement with Airbus to lease another 15 A330-300s, providing the carrier with additional growth opportunities.

Under the terms of the agreement the aircraft will be delivered new from Airbus’ production line between 2013 and 2015. They will be operated by Singapore Airlines on routes within Asia, as well as to points in Australia and the Middle East.

The Airbus A330-300s will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines.

Singapore Airlines will lease the A330-300s for a minimum of six years, with an option to extend the lease term. The 15 additional A330-300s will join 19 Trent 700-powered A330-300s already in service with SIA, taken by the airline on a similar leasing deal. Singapore Airlines also has 20 A350-900s on order.

Singapore Airlines operates 19 late-model Airbus A330-300s on lease and has agreed to lease 15 more new A330-300s from Airbus, the lease beginning in the 2013-2015 period

“The A330s will enable us to add more capacity on regional and medium-range routes and further strengthen Singapore Airlines’ network offering. These new planes will also provide enhanced levels of comfort to our customers and boost operational efficiency,” says Goh Choon Phong, CEO of SIA.

“Together with the additional A380s that we are taking delivery of this year, as well as Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s on order for the years ahead, the lease of the A330s is consistent with our long-standing policy of operating a young and modern fleet.”

SIA’s additional A330-300s will be configured in a two-class layout featuring the airline’s latest cabin product and service offerings. SIA’s Business Class cabin features a new seat specially designed for regional and medium-range routes, in a 2-2-2 configuration. The seat converts into an incline lie-flat bed.

Singapore Airlines’ medium-haul  Economy Class cabin is laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration, featuring a new-generation seat which is also available on the carrier’s Airbus A380s and Boeing 777-300ERs. Ergonomically designed to be comfortable for customers, the seat provides more personal space and increased legroom.

All seats feature the new KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system.

source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/singapore-airlines-to-lease-15-more-new-a330-300s-from-airbus/

TUI Travel Orders Two A330-300s for French Subsidiary Corsairfly

Europe’s TUI Travel PLC has become a new direct customer for Airbus, with an order for two A330-300s.

The European travel group has ordered the aircraft for its French airline subsidiary Corsairfly. The two A330-300s will each have a maximum take-off weight of 235 tonnes (518,086lb), 2 tonnes more than any A330-300s delivered to date.

The airline will operate its new A330-300s on its long-haul routes from Paris Orly Airport to the French Caribbean islands and North America, and also to Indian Ocean destinations.

Corsairfly’s A330-300s will be configured in two classes with a total of 362 seats, 26 in business class and 336 in economy class. The aircraft will be delivered in 2012, according to Wikipedia.

The airline already operates two leased A330-200s, which are being reconfigured to seat 26 in business class and 280 in economy class.

 Corsairfly is known for operating Boeing 747-400s configured to carry more passengers than do any other in-service aircraft, its 747-400s having been outfitted to seat 587 or 582 passengers.

However, Corsair is reconfiguring its remaining 747-400s to carry a mere 532 passengers, 36 in business class and 496 in economy.

Corsairfly Airbus A330-200 F-HCAT is seen on final approach to runway 24R at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport. The airport has the IATA code YUL and ICAO code CYUL. Corsairfly, whose parent TUI Travel PLC has ordered two A330-300s for the carrier, has operated its leased A330-200s in a configuration featuring 18 business-class and 307 economy-class seats, but is increasing each A330-200's business-class cabin to 26 seats and reducing its economy-class cabin to 280 seats

“We are delighted with this decision by TUI Travel to buy Airbus A330 aircraft,” says Pascal de Izaguirre, managing director of Corsairfly.

“We already experience excellent performance from the A330-200s we currently operate and these new aircraft with a track record of spectacular efficiency, reliability and low operating costs will allow us to perfectly match our new strategy.

Moreover, aircraft commonality, unique to Airbus, will allow us to meet our restructuring-program target.”

The Airbus A330-300 is able to accommodate seat and class configurations to suit diverse customer requirements. It has a range of up to 5,600 nautical miles (10,400km) with a typical 300-passenger load. Orders for the aircraft stand at more than 480.

The A330 family spans 200 to 400 seats for passenger variants and also includes freighter, VIP, and military transport/tanker variants. The A330 family has now attracted orders for more than 1,100 aircraft.

TUI Travel’s order brings the number of Airbus customers to 324.



source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/tui-travel-orders-two-a330-300s-for-french-subsidiary-corsairfly/

Pakistan International Airlines Orders Five Boeing 777-300ERs

Pakistan International Airlines has placed a firm order for five Boeing 777-300ERs.

Boeing values the deal at nearly $1.5 billion at list prices and says the order also includes purchase rights for Pakistan International Airlines to order five additional 777-300ERs.

Based in Karachi, Pakistan International Airlines has been renewing its long-haul fleet to accommodate increased demand for air travel as well as to introduce new routes.

Pakistan International Airlines announced a firm order for five Boeing 777-300ERs on February 20, 2012, in a deal which Boeing valued at nearly $1.5 billion at list prices. The order also included purchase rights for five additional 777-300ERs

“With passenger traffic in our region accelerating, the new 777-300ER airplanes will continue to deliver the highest standards of technology and passenger comfort to our customers,” saidys Captain Nadeem Yousufzai, managing director of Pakistan International Airlines.

“The spacious 777-300ER has been an integral part of our long-range fleet renewal program and its excellent operating economics, long range capability and reliability will allow us to expand into new long-haul markets.”

In 2002, Pakistan’s flag carrier became the world’s first airline to purchase all three passenger models of the Boeing 777 family and in that year was also the launch customer for the Boeing 777-200LR (longer range) jet.

Last year was the best-selling year ever for the 777 program, with Boeing’s net orderbook of 200 777s in 2012 surpassing the previous annual record of 154, set in 2005.

The Boeing 777-300ER is powered by General Electric GE90-115BLs, the world’s largest and most powerful commercial jet engines. The aircraft also features the Boeing Signature Interior, which according to Boeing offers wider seats, wider aisles, more headroom and more seating flexibility.


source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/pakistan-international-airlines-orders-five-boeing-777-300ers/

TAAG is Revealed as Boeing Customer for Two 777-300ERs

TAAG Linhas Aereas de Angola (also known as Angola Airlines) has revealed it placed an order in 2009 for two 777-300ERs, in a deal that also includes purchase rights for two additional 777-300ER jetliners.

Angola Minister of Transports Dr. Augusto da Silva Tomas and TAAG Chairman Dr. Pimentel Araujo joined several senior U.S. government and Boeing officials to announce TAAG’s order at the Corporate Council on Africa U.S.-Africa Infrastructure Conference in Washington, D.C.

Boeing values the two 777-300ERs at approximately $544 million at list prices. The order originally was posted as unidentified on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries Web site in 2009.

TAAG, the flag carrier for Angola, will use the airplanes for route expansion to additional European destinations.  TAAG currently flies Boeing 777-200ERs 10 times weekly from Luanda, Angola, to Lisbon; twice weekly to Beijing via Dubai; and four times weekly to Rio de Janeiro.

“The Boeing 777-300ER is recognized by airlines and passengers alike as the No. 1 choice for long-distance travel. These two 777s will add to our current fleet of 777s so that we can expand our premium service offerings to Europe,” says Dr. Araujo.

TAAG Angola Airlines has ordered two Boeing 777-300ERs and has secured purchase rights for two more

U.S. government officials present at the order-announcement ceremony included John D. Porcari, deputy secretary, Department of Transportation and Fred Hochberg, chairman and president of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

Boeing says the Boeing 777-300ER is 19 per cent lighter than its closest competitor, the Airbus A340-600, and that it produces 22 per cent less carbon dioxide per seat and costs 20 per cent less to operate per seat than the competitor aircraft.

The 777-300ER can seat up to 365 passengers in a three-class configuration and has a maximum range of 7,930 nautical miles (14,685km). Boeing says the 777 family is the world’s most successful twin-engine, twin-aisle aircraft, with 60 customers around the world having ordered more than 1,100 Boeing 777s.

source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/taag-is-revealed-as-boeing-customer-for-two-777-300ers/

GECAS Orders 12 More Airbus A330-300s

GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of General Electric, has signed a firm order for 12 additional long-range Airbus A330-300s.

The company’s new order brings the total number of Airbus A330s ordered by GECAS to 32.

“This order adds to our existing portfolio of A330 aircraft,” says Norman Liu, GECAS president and CEO. “A key part of our strategy is to expand our wide-body product offerings to satisfy customer demand.”

The A330-300 was the first version of the A330 family to be developed and initially sold slowly, with the shorter-fuselage, longer-range A330-200 being the hot-selling member of the family for a number of years. However, sales of the A330-300 have picked up substantially and total sales of this longer-fuselage, higher-capacity A330 family member reached more than 480 aircraft by early 2011

“This repeat order from GECAS underscores the ongoing popularity of the A330, and highlights the strong market demand for the A330-300 in particular,” says John Leahy, Airbus’ chief operating officer, customers. “The unbeatable economic efficiency and proven passenger appeal of this aircraft make it the perfect choice in today’s market for medium capacity routes.”

Airbus says its aircraft share a unique cockpit and operational commonality, allowing airlines to use the same pool of pilots, cabin crews and maintenance engineers, bringing operational flexibility and resulting in significant cost savings.

Offering a true wide-body fuselage, the A330-300 is able to accommodate seat and class configurations to suit diverse customer requirements. It has a range of up to 5,600 nautical miles) (10,400km) with a typical 300-passenger load.

The A330-300 is optimized for the medium-to-long-range market and orders for the aircraft stand at more than 480.

The A330 family, which spans 200 to 400 seats for the passenger variants and also includes freighter, VIP, and military transport/tanker variants, has now attracted  orders for more than 1,100 aircraft.


source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/aircraft/gecas-orders-12-more-airbus-a330-300s/

Iberia Signs MOU for Eight Airbus A330-300s to Add to A340 Fleet

Spanish airline Iberia has become a new customer for the Airbus A330 family, signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the acquisition of eight A330-300s.

Iberia’s MOU also includes planned options on eight more A330-300s, according to Wikipedia, which notes that Iberia plans to configure its aircraft with 36 business-class seats and 241 economy-class seats.

The A330-300 will be the only twin-engine, widebody type in Iberia’s fleet. Because of Airbus cockpit commonality it will fit seamlessly into the airline’s existing all-Airbus fleet, which includes 18 A340-300s and 18 A340-600s as well as 84 A320-family aircraft.

Iberia will make its engine selection for its A330-300s at a later date, according to Airbus.

Spanish carrier Iberia received its first A340-600 in June 2003 and now has 18 in service

Iberia and British Airways merged in January 2011 and formed International Airlines Group (IAG), an Anglo-Spanish airline holding company. IAG is one of the largest airline companies in the world in terms of revenues.

“The A330 is an excellent aircraft, both in terms of comfort and operational performance, and it will be a welcome addition to Iberia’s fleet,” says Willie Walsh, IAG’s chief executive. “It also provides us with considerable cost benefits due to its lower fuel consumption and commonality with Iberia’s existing long haul aircraft.”

“We are very proud that IAG has selected the A330 family in its very first purchase,” says John Leahy, Airbus’ COO, customers.

‪The Airbus A330-300 has a range of up to 5,600 nautical miles (10,400 kilometers) with a typical 300-passenger load and is optimized for the medium–to long range market.

‪Spanning 200 to 400 seats for the passenger variants, the A330 family also includes Freighter, VIP, and Military Transport/Tanker variants and has now attracted orders for more than 1,100 aircraft.


source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/iberia-signs-mou-for-eight-airbus-a330-300s-to-add-to-a340-fleet/

Garuda Indonesia Orders Four More A330-300s

Garuda Indonesia, the national carrier of Indonesia, has signed a new firm order for four Airbus A330-300s.

The airline has chosen the latest 235-tonne maximum take-off weight variant of the Airbus A330-300, in order to be able to operate long-haul services to all destinations to the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific region from its hubs in Jakarta and Denpasar.

Garuda Indonesia has also converted a previous order for three A330-200s into A330-300s.

Garuda Indonesia has ordered four Airbus A330-300s and converted previous orders for three A330-200s to A330-300s. All the additional A330-300s are to be of the 235-tonne, high gross weight version. This Airbus computer graphic image shows an A330-200 in Garuda Indonesia colors

The agreement was signed in the presence of French Prime Minister François Fillon and His Excellency Hatta Rajasa, Coordinating Minister for Economy of Indonesia.

Garuda Indonesia’s new aircraft will join a fleet of seven leased A330-200s and six A330-300s already in service with the airline. The new July 1 purchase agreement follows an order for six A330-200s signed in July 2010 and will increase Garuda’s total A330 fleet to 23 aircraft.

The carrier  has recently committed to 25 A320s,  15 of them standard-version A320s and 10 of them A320neos, for its low-cost subsidiary Citilink.

“Over the last 15 years, thanks to our A330-family aircraft, we have benefited from the lowest seat mile cost, true long range capability and proven reliability while our passengers enjoyed very high level of comfort. It is a natural choice for us to continue our successful operations with the A330 family of Airbus,” says Emirsyah Satar, president & CEO of Garuda Indonesia.

To date, Airbus has won more than 1,100 orders for the various versions of the A330 and more than 780 A330s are currently flying with nearly 120 customers and operators worldwide. The fleet has accumulated more than 17 million flight hours in over 4 million flights and shows a dispatch reliability of 99.6 percent.

source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/garuda-indonesia-orders-four-more-a330-300s/ 

IAG Firms Order for Eight A330-300s for Iberia

International Airlines Group (IAG) has confirmed a firm order for eight Airbus A330-300s for Iberia’s fleet following the preliminary memorandum of understanding the company signed earlier this year regarding the aircraft.

The A330 will be Iberia’s only twin-engine widebody and should fit easily into its existing all-Airbus fleet, given the flight-deck commonality between Airbus’ short-haul and long-haul families of aircraft. Iberia has selected General Electric CF6-80E1 engines to power its A330-300s.

“The A330s will be more cost effective and fuel efficient than the aircraft that they replace with improved environmental performance,” says Willie Walsh, IAG’s chief executive. “Another advantage is they can be easily assimilated into Iberia’s existing long-haul fleet, reducing the need for additional crew training and maintenance costs.”

International Airlines Group, of which Iberia is a founding member, has confirmed a firm order for eight Airbus A330-300s for the Spanish airline. Iberia has chosen General Electric CF6-80E1 engines to power its A330-300s. International Airlines Group was created by Iberia's merger with British Airways in January 2011

“This order for Iberia further consolidates the position of the A330 family as the preferred choice for widebody aircraft among airlines and grows to 118 the number of customers and operators worldwide”, says John Leahy, Airbus’ COO customers.

“The A330-300 offers an extraordinarily comfortable cabin and provides operators with great flexibility and the lowest operating cost in its class.”

The Airbus A330-300 has a range of up to 5,600 nautical miles (10,400 kilometers) with a typical 300-passenger load. The A330-300 is optimised for the medium-to-long-range market and firm orders for the version stand at more than 480.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

The A330 family, which includes the A330-200 and A330-300 passenger models seating 200 to 400 passengers, also includes Freighter, VIP, and Military Transport/Tanker variants and has now attracted orders for 1,140 aircraft, according to Airbus.

IAG was created following the merger of Iberia and British Airways in January 2011. It is one of the world’s largest airline groups by revenue. ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬


source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/iag-firms-order-for-eight-a330-300s-for-iberia/

Finnair Agrees ILFC Lease Deal to Add Two More A340-300s to its Fleet

Finnair is acquiring two 270-seat Airbus A340-300 widebodies on lease to meet its growing long-haul traffic needs.

The aircraft will be acquired on operating leases of approximately four years from International Lease Finance Coportation (ILFC). The aircraft will join the Finnair fleet in late 2010 and early 2011.

“We have recently announced an increase in Asian traffic and we need additional capacity. This decision will enable us to satisfy growth needs until we take delivery of the new-generation Airbus A350 aircraft,” says Mika Vehviläinen, Finnair’s president and CEO.

Oneworld Alliance member Finnair is adding two leased Airbus A340-300s to its long-haul fleet, increasing its fleet of the type to seven by early 2011. The airline also operates a fleet of twin-engine A330-300s on long-haul routes and in late 2010 receives its eighth of eight A330-300s ordered directly from Airbus

Finnair currently has seven Airbus A330-300 and five A340-300 long-haul aircraft, which fly to nine destinations in Asia as well as to New York. At the end of this year, the airline will take delivery of its eighth new A330-300, completing its firm A330 orders with Airbus.

With the additional two A340-300s, Finnair’s long-haul fleet will grow to 15 Airbus aircraft by the beginning of next year.

“All of our Airbus long-haul aircraft have an excellent business class with lie-flat or full-flat seats,” says Vehviläinen. “Moreover, we can use the long-haul aircraft flexibly on long scheduled traffic and leisure flights, depending on the season. This ensures the most efficient possible use of the aircraft at different times of the year.”

In May 2011, Finnair will launch daily nonstop service between Helsinki and Singapore.

The Finnair flight will be the only direct connection between Northern Europe and Singapore, according to the carrier. For Asian passengers, the Singapore route will offer onward connections via Finnair’s route network to 50 European destinations.

“Finnair’s Asian strategy has worked extremely well. Demand has continually strengthened and now is the right time to increase capacity and boost our market share in Asia’s growing market,” says Vehviläinen.

The carrier is also increaseing the frequency of its nonstop flights between Helsinki and Hong Kong. Instead of the current seven flights, Finnair will operate 12 flights a week on the route from June 2011 For spring 2011, Finnair also plans to add more frequencies to its other existing Asian destinations.

“Our Asian routes are also important in terms of cargo. The A340 aircraft, moreover, will bring additional capacity to meet the needs of Asia’s rapidly strengthening cargo demand,” says Vehviläinen.

Finnair’s owns 34 and leases 27 of the 61 aircraft now in its fleet, leasing 10 jets from ILFC.
“ILFC is pleased to be able to support Finnair’s growth as it implements its Asia strategy and other strategic initiatives and we look forward to delivering these A340 aircraft in the months ahead and continuing the expansion of our relationship with Finnair,” says Philip Scruggs, ILFC’s chief marketing officer.

source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/finnair-agrees-ilfc-lease-deal-to-add-two-more-a340-300s-to-its-fleet/

Cathay Pacific Orders 15 More Airbus A330-300s

Cathay Pacific Airways has placed a firm order with Airbus for 15 more A330-300s, in a deal announced on March 9 at the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress 2011 in Hong Kong.

Scheduled for delivery from 2013, the aircraft will join the airline’s large existing fleet of A330-300s flying on services across the Asia-Pacific region. Cathay Pacific Airways already has 32 A330-300s in service and another 21 on order.

As with the airline’s existing fleet of Airbus A330-300s, the newly ordered aircraft will be powered by Trent 700 engines from Rolls-Royce.

On March 9, 2011 Cathay Pacific Airways announced an order for 15 more Airbus A330-300s, adding to 32 in service and another 21 on order

“The A330 has proved itself to be an extremely efficient and versatile aircraft for Cathay Pacific, flying on Asian regional services and longer operations to the Middle East and Australia,” says Tony Tyler, chief executive of Cathay Pacific Airways.

“Our latest order reflects our confidence that the A330 will continue to meet our needs well into the future, both economically and operationally, as a key part of our fleet.”

“The latest order from Cathay Pacific underscores the position of the A330 as the most popular mid-size widebody flying today,” says John Leahy, chief operating officer – customers for Airbus.

The twin-engine A330 is one of the most widely used widebody aircraft in service today. To date, Airbus has won more than 1,100 orders for the various versions of the aircraft.

Some 750 A330s have already been delivered and the aircraft is currently flying with 90 operators worldwide in 50 countries.



source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/cathay-pacific-orders-15-more-airbus-a330-300s/

Fourth Part of 787 Dream Tour to Feature Stops in Canada, Mexico and U.S.

Boeing will begin the fourth segment of its six-month 787 Dream Tour on March 1, with visits to cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

In addition, the Dream Tour aircraft, the flight-test Boeing 787 designated ZA003 by Boeing, will be featured at the FIDAE Air Show in Chile’s capital Santiago  in late March to begin the fifth segment of the tour.

“During the first three segments of the tour, we’ve had almost 25,000 visitors come through the airplane,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program.

“Our customers, partners, employees and the finance and leasing communities have all expressed their delight with the airplane.”

The Boeing 787-8 used to perform a six-month world tour to show the type to customers and suppliers touches down at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport on February 9, 2012 after a 7,679-mile non-stop flight from Seattle

The March schedule for the Boeing 787 Dream Tour includes the following stops:

● March 1-4: Toronto, Canada, to visit Air Canada and local suppliers;

● March 4: Boston, in support of Japan Airlines, which has announced that it will offer 787 service on the Tokyo-Boston route;

● March 5-7: Newark, New Jersey, to visit United Airlines and its local stakeholders;

● March 8-9: Mexico City, Mexico, to visit AeroMexico;

● March 10-12: Phoenix, Arizona, to visit Honeywell, other suppliers and Boeing employees;

● March 13: San Diego, to visit Goodrich and other suppliers;

● March 14-15: Long Beach, California, to visit leasing companies, Boeing employees and suppliers; and

● March 15-17: Salt Lake City, Utah, to visit Boeing employees and suppliers.

The Dream Tour aircraft is outfitted with production-787 cabin features, including a welcoming entryway, dramatically larger and dimmable windows, bigger bins and dynamic LED lighting.

The airplane is configured with a business-class cabin, an overhead crew rest compartment and an economy class section.

Dates and locations for additional tour stops will be announced approximately one month in advance.

For updates on the 787 Dream Tour, including videos, photos and reports from the tour stops, visit www.newairplane.com/787/dreamtour.

source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/aircraft/fourth-part-of-787-dream-tour-to-feature-stops-in-canada-mexico-and-u-s/ 

Saudi Arabian Airlines to Join SkyTeam Alliance in 2012

Saudi Arabian Airlines, the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has agreed to join the SkyTeam alliance in 2012.

The airline will be SkyTeam’s first member from the Middle East and Saudi Arabian Airlines will add 35 new destinations to the alliance’s global network.

Saudi Arabian Airlines will offer SkyTeam customers access to destinations across the Middle East not currently served by other SkyTeam-alliance member carriers. Through Saudi Arabia’s major hubs Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, SkyTeam travelers will be able to connect to new destinations on the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian subcontinent and Northern Africa. Examples are Alexandria, Aden, Colombo and Islamabad.

On July 14, 2008 Saudi Arabian Airlines signed a firm contract for the purchase of eight A330-300s as part of its fleet-modernization plan, which (as of January 2011) will involve the airline adding a total of 88 new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing

SkyTeam says its other member airlines will have access to new potential customers from the region as a result of Saudi Arabian Airlines’ direct flights to Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States. Saud Arabian’s customers will be able to transfer to SkyTeam partner flights via hubs such as Paris, Rome, Nairobi and New York JFK. SkyTeam partner China Southern also offers regular connections to Asia from Jeddah.
Saudi Arabian Airlines is focused on a four-year turnaround program, to be completed by 2013. Key elements of this plan include modernization of its infrastructure, restructuring of its domestic and international network and implementing a fleet modernization plan by acquiring new aircraft.
“The SkyTeam network provides our customers with excellent connections to most parts of the world,” says Eng. Khalid Al-Molhem, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines. “Through the exchange of services and knowledge between all member airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines can achieve qualitative improvements, made available to our customers. These include airport services, ground services and First Class and Business Class passenger lounges.”
“Saudi Arabian Airlines is a significant player in the Middle East and covers a considerable part of the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent. Its membership in SkyTeam will enable us to compete more efficiently within the region,” says Leo van Wijk, chairman of SkyTeam.
“Announcing our first new member in 2011 clearly illustrates the continuing global expansion that we accelerated last year,” remarks Marie-Joseph Male, SkyTeam’s managing director. “In 2010, China Eastern and its daughter company Shanghai Airlines, China Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Aerolineas Argentinas all confirmed their future membership in SkyTeam. Adding Saudi Arabian Airlines will definitely complement our network offer to our customers.”
It has 13 current members: Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, TAROM and Vietnam Airlines.

SkyTeam offers its 385 million annual passengers a worldwide system of more than 12,500 daily flights to 898 destinations in 169 countries and its member airlines offer customers more than 420 lounges worldwide.
Since its establishment in 1945, Saudi Arabian Airlines has grown to operate a network linking 26 domestic and 55 international destinations.

At present, it carries about 19 million passengers annually. During the last five years, Saudi Arabian Airlines has been undergoing a series of development activities on the basis of a strategic development plan which includes modernization of the airline’s technical infrastructure in its administrative, technical and financial functions.

Saudi Arabian Airlines is modernizing its fleet by taking delivery of 88 new aircraft. These include 35 Airbus A320s, 15 A321s, eight A330-300s, 12 Boeing 777-300ERs and eight Boeing 787s.

Saudi Arabian Moves to Complete 777-200ER Interior Upgrade

Boeing and Saudi Arabian Airlines are working to finish modifying the interiors of 22 of Saudi Arabian Airlines’ 23 Boeing 777-200ERs.

Saudi Arabian Airlines is due to become a member of the SkyTeam Alliance in 2012.

The airline’s 777-200ER passenger-cabin modification program began in early 2009 after certification of Saudi Arabian’s new Business Market seating configuration. Modifications on this scale are generally scheduled to coincide with required heavy maintenance checks, according to Boeing.

However, under this modification program, the majority of the fleet already has been modified and returned to service. The modifications are scheduled to be completed in 2011.

“This interior modification affects an important segment of our long-haul fleet and our passengers expect the best from us,” says Ali Milaat, CEO of Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries. “With its experience as the airplane manufacturer, Boeing has done a great job in working with us to develop and support this process and we look forward to sharing the great results with our customers.”

Saudi Arabian Airlines took delivery of its 23rd Boeing 777 in early August 2001, completing a fleet renewal that had begun with agreements made in 1995. By the time it took its last 777-200ER, Saudi Arabian Airlines had received a fleet of 61 new Boeing aircraft – five 747-400s, four MD-11Fs, 29 MD-90s, and 23 777-200ERs – in just over three and a half years. Saudi Arabian has subsequently ordered 12 Boeing 777-300ERs and eight Boeing 787-9s, as well as a large number of Airbus aircraft (including 10 A380s) and 15 Embraer 170s

Working with the airline, Boeing Commercial Aviation Services developed a cabin layout that provides increased comfort and amenities for passengers while providing the airline with an attractive, new in-flight identity. Boeing also provided the engineering services and program integration.

“Saudi Arabian Airlines plays an important role in Middle East and global aviation and this interior refresh is a great opportunity for Boeing to bring value to an important customer,” says Dennis Floyd, vice president, fleet services for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“Boeing is uniquely positioned with experience and expertise to engineer, certify and manage modification programs for our customers.”

Eight of the 777-200ERs feature Saudi Arabian Airlines’ new Business Market configuration with 24 first class, 38 business class and 170 economy class seats. The remaining 14 aircraft under modification are in a new ‘High Density’ configuration which accommodates 14 business-class and 327 economy-class seats.

The aircraft are configured with new Avio Interiors first, business and economy-class seats. Each seat has a wide-screen display, which is connected to a Thales TopSeries i5000 In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system. This system features on-demand movies, music and games and provides for a laptop power connector, USB port and RCA jack.

The first-class seats feature 15.4-inch (39.1-centimeter) in-seat video monitors with PC power and powered seat adjustment, at a 79-inch pitch. Business class seats have 12.1-inch (30.7-centimeter) in-seat video monitors, also with PC power and powered adjustment capability, at a 58-inch (147.3-centimeter) pitch. Economy seats are on a 32-inch (81.3-centimeter) pitch and have 8.9-inch (22.6-centimeter) video monitors in-seat.

Boeing produced the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration-certified service bulletin and kit of parts to accommodate the seat installation and the new in-flight entertainment system. Boeing also relocated and updated floor coverings, ceilings, sidewalls, class divider partition walls, stowage bins, closets and plumbing to enable  modernization of the aircraft.

As a full-service cabin-refurbishment integrator, Boeing can perform as much of an airline interior upgrade as required, including management of all aspects of the project to and including certification.

source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/saudi-arabian-moves-to-complete-777-200er-interior-upgrade/ 

Lebanon’s MEA to Join SkyTeam Alliance in 2012

Middle East Airlines – Air Liban (MEA), the national carrier of Lebanon, will sign an agreement on February 28 to officially start the process of joining the SkyTeam alliance in 2012.

MEA is the second carrier from the Middle East this month to have announced its forthcoming membership in the SkyTeam alliance.

According to SkyTeam, the alliance’s customers will benefit from MEA’s membership by seeing increased access to and from the Middle East and Western Africa.

From its home base at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Middle East Airlines flies to 30 international destinations in Europe, Middle East and West Africa. Since 2003 the airline has been involved in an ambitious fleet renewal program, adding four Airbus A330-200s and acquiring six A321s and six A320s to reconstitute its fleet.

Middle East Airlines Airbus A321-200 F-ORMF lands at London Heathrow Airport

SkyTeam says welcoming MEA to the process of becoming a full member is a significant step for the alliance towards enhancing its global network. The alliance says it is actively working to strengthen its presence in the Middle East, which it regards one of the world’s most important economic regions.

MEA has continued to improve its products and services to customers ever since it completed a thorough restructuring plan destined to modernize and restructure the airline, according to SkyTeam.

Key elements of MEA’s restructuring plan included fleet renewal and rationalization; increasing the density of the airline’s European, Middle East and West African network; and improving service quality and consistency.

In the past year SkyTeam has made significant progress in attracting new members.

In 2010 China Eastern and its daughter company Shanghai Airlines, China Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Aerolineas Argentinas all confirmed their future membership in SkyTeam.

Then, in January this year, Saudi Arabian Airlines became the first member from the Middle East to announce its membership. Adding MEA as the second member from this region complements the network offer to SkyTeam customers and illustrates the continuing global expansion that SkyTeam accelerated last year.


source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/lebanons-mea-to-join-skyteam-alliance-in-2012/

Shenzhen Airlines to Join Star Alliance by End-2012

The Chief Executive Board (CEB) of Star Alliance has unanimously approved the application of Shenzhen Airlines to join the alliance.

Shenzhen Airlines is expected to complete all the integration work needed to join the alliance formally by the end of 2012.

The Chinese carrier will add five new destinations to the Star Alliance network in China: Juzhou in Zhejiang Province, Linyi, Qinhuangdao, Shijiazhuang, and Zhoushan.

In total, the Star Alliance network will then encompass a total of 32 carriers (the current 27 and five future members), offering a choice of more than 23,000 daily flights to 1,315 destinations in 190 countries.

Shenzhen Airlines' fleet of narrowbody jets includes five Airbus A319s as well as large nubmers of A320s and various Boeing 737 versions

“With the approval of our Chief Executive Board (CEB) we today formally start the integration process of Shenzhen Airlines, which upon completion will allow Star Alliance to once again enlarge its offer across Mainland China and neighbouring countries,” says Jaan Albrecht, CEO of Star Alliance.

“Shenzhen Airlines is the fifth-largest airline in China, operating from the fifth-busiest airport in the country. In conjunction with Air China, we will be growing our customer offer especially in the southern part of China.”

Star Alliance says that bringing Shenzhen Airlines in is part of a long-term strategy to expand the alliance’s network into future growth markets, thus providing the international traveller with optimal flight options.

In the case of China, the foundation for this strategy was set many years ago, by Star Alliance member carriers which have been serving the market for several decades. As a result, Air China became a member of the Star Alliance in December 2007.

Chinese carrier Shenzhen Airlines operates more Airbus A320s than any other narrowbody type. The carrier has 41 in service

Through its future membership in Star Alliance, Shenzhen Airlines will be able to offer its customers access to a global network, along with seamless travel and status recognition within the various member carrier frequent flyer programmes.

“Joining Star Alliance will help Shenzhen Airlines in its mission to build on its strength of a well-known national carrier, while implementing its strategy of establishing itself as a strong brand across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond,” says Feng Gang, the president of Shenzhen Airline.

Integration teams at Shenzhen Airlines and Star Alliance have already begun the work that needs to be completed before a new airline can join the Star Alliance network. Air China will be assisting in this process.

“As the mentor of Shenzhen Airlines, Air China will provide its full support and assistance in facilitating the success of Shenzhen Airlines’ integration into the Star Alliance Network by the end of 2012,” says Kong Dong, Air China’s chairman.

“Besides, Air China and Shenzhen Airlines will actively participate in alliance activities and initiatives, and work closely together with all member airlines to achieve win-win cooperation.”


source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/shenzhen-airlines-to-join-star-alliance-by-end-2012/

Taiwan’s China Airlines to Join the Skyteam Alliance

Taiwan’s flag carrier China Airlines has started the joining process for full entry into the SkyTeam airline alliance.

SkyTeam expects China Airlines’ joining process to be completed by mid-2011. The announcement of the Taiwanese carrier’s entry into the alliance comes just a few months after Chinese carrier China Eastern signed an agreement to join SkyTeam.

The alliance says the addition of China Airlines to the alliance complements the well-anchored position of China Southern in Guangzhou, solidifying SkyTeam’s leading presence in the Greater China area. With China Airlines as a partner in the alliance, SkyTeam customers will have improved access to SkyTeam’s already-extensive Asia Pacific network.

Headquartered in Taipei, China Airlines is the largest airline of Taiwan, one of the world’s most technology-driven economies.

Boeing delivered this specially painted new Boeing 747-400 passenger aircraft to Taiwan's China Airlines on December 7, 2004. The paint design is a special blending of China Airlines' plum blossom on the tail with the Boeing "blue" livery introduced during mid-2004. The airplane was also the first 747-400 to feature the Boeing Signature Interior

During an official ceremony in Taipei, China Airlines’ President Huang-Hsiang Sun joined the CEOs and representatives of SkyTeam member airlines in signing an adherence agreement, thus formally starting the process of China Airlines joining SkyTeam.

The signing ceremony took place at National Concert Hall in Taipei, witnessed by Chairman of the SkyTeam Governing Board Leo van Wijk, Managing Director of SkyTeam Marie-Joseph Male and Chairman Liu Shaoyong of future member China Eastern.

“The inclusion of China Airlines in our network will solidify SkyTeam’s unrivalled presence in the Greater China market, a region that continues to experience significant economic growth,” says van Wijk.

 “In addition to the services provided by our existing members, China Airlines offers an extensive cross-strait operation, linking Taiwan to multiple major destinations in China. Also, Taipei will serve as an alternative Asian hub with services to and from key business destinations in the region.”

“Joining SkyTeam is a long-term development strategy for China Airlines, and for many years we have been actively promoting various types of cooperation with SkyTeam member airlines with this objective in mind.

As the first Taiwanese airline to join the world-class alliance, our strategic target is to continuously strengthen profitability and boost international market competitiveness,” says Philip Wei, China Airlines’ chairman .

“We are honored and delighted to welcome China Airlines in our midst. We now enter a phase where China Airlines will work closely together with the current members to establish bilateral agreements and fulfill the more than 100 membership requirements,” says Male.

“We rely in particular on our Asian members to use their advanced experience in the alliance to guide China Airlines in the joining process and expect our newest member to effectively join SkyTeam around mid-2011.”

The China Airlines network will complement those of Guangzhou-based China Southern and Shanghai-based China Eastern. Cooperation among these three SkyTeam family members will further consolidate SkyTeam’s strong position in Greater China.

As the largest passenger and cargo airline providing services between both sides of the Taiwan Strait, the addition of China Airlines to SkyTeam will aid Taiwan’s efforts to become one of Asia’s leading air transport and business hubs.

Out of its 93 international routes, China Airlines will bring four new destinations to the SkyTeam network: Okinawa, Miyazaki, Surabaya and Palau.

From a global standpoint, says SkyTeam, adding a fifth Asian carrier will help the alliance in connecting Greater China, Asia’s up-and-coming economic powerhouse, to the rest of the world.

China Airlines’ route network covers Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, and will help customers connect to flights of SkyTeam partners worldwide.

Founded in 1959, China Airlines has consistently been Taiwan’s largest airline.

China Airlines presently serves 93 destinations in 28 countries and regions worldwide. As of the end of August 2010, China Airlines operates 66 aircraft, including 46 passenger jets and 20 freighters. The average age of China Airlines’ fleet is just 7.9 years.

SkyTeam member airlines offer customers more than 420 premium lounges worldwide.

 The thirteen members are Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, TAROM Romanian Air Transport and Vietnam Airlines.

SkyTeam, 10 years old in 2010, offers its 385 million annual passengers a worldwide system of over 12,500 daily flights to 898 destinations in 169 countries.


source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/taiwans-china-airlines-to-join-the-skyteam-alliance/

Saudi Arabian Airlines Revealed as Customer for 777-300ERs and 787s

Boeing has revealed Saudi Arabian Airlines as a previously unannounced customer for 12 Boeing 777-300ERs, with the airline taking options on 10 more.

The order previously was attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s orders and deliveries website. Boeing values the order at $3.3 billion at average list prices.

Saudi Arabian Airlines has also announced an order for eight Boeing 787 Dreamliners for its long haul fleet. The airline has completed an arrangement with Boeing and Kuwait-based leasing company ALAFCO to take over ALAFCO’s orders for the eight Dreamliners.

The 777-300ER is the world’s largest long-range twin-engine jetliner, and is capable of carrying up to 365 passengers up to 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km). Saudi Arabian currently owns and operates 23 Boeing 777-200ERs.

Saudi Arabian Airlines has ordered 12 Boeing 777-300ERs to add to the 23 777-200ERs it already has in service. The carrier has also taken over an order for eight Boeing 787s from Kuwait-based leasing company ALAFCO

“Our decision to order the 777-300ER is part of a long-term growth strategy to expand and modernize our fleet with newer, more fuel-efficient airplanes, and is based on the airplane’s proven efficiencies,” says H.E. Eng. Khaled Al-Mulhim, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines.

 “We see direct benefit because of the 777-300ER’s improved fuel efficiency, seat-mile costs and the economics of operating a twin-engine airplane over long distances.”

Saudi Arabian Airlines took delivery of its first 777, a 777-200ER in December 1997 and since then has deployed the 777 on a number of short-, medium- and long-haul routes.

“Saudi Arabian Airlines is one of Boeing’s very first customers in the Middle East, with a relationship that goes back several decades,” says Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

 “In fact, in 1961 Boeing was privileged to have witnessed Saudi Arabia’s entry into the jet age with a Boeing 707 when it became the first in the Middle East to operate a jet airplane. Today’s order is yet another milestone in our relationship and is also a powerful endorsement of the 777, which is one of our most successful airplanes to date.”

The 777-300ER first entered service in May 2004 and through October 2010 251 777-300ERs have been delivered.


source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/saudi-arabian-airlines-revealed-as-customer-for-777-300ers-and-787s/

Saudi Arabian Airlines Orders Another Four Airbus A330-300s

Saudi Arabian Airlines, Saudi Arabia’s national airline, has ordered four additional A330-300s to add to eight which the airline ordered in July 2008, taking its total order for the type to 12.

Airbus announced the Saudi Arabian Airlines A330-300 order on June 20, the first day of the 2011 Paris Airshow.

Saudi Arabian Airlines placed its first order with Airbus in over 30 years in 2007 for 22 A320-family aircraft and later placed an order for eight A330s.

Airbus announced at the Paris Airshow on June 20, 2011 that Saudi Arabian Airlines had ordered four more A330-300 widebodies to add to eight it ordered in 2008. Saudi Arabian already operates all eight A330-300s from its earlier order. Including aircraft that it has agreed to take on lease, Saudi Arabian's fleet of single-aisle and twin-aisle Airbus jets is set to grow to 62 aircraft

In 2009, Saudi Arabian Airlines up-sized by converting 15 of its A320 orders into orders for the larger A321. Airbus has so far delivered 17 aircraft (five A320s, four A321s and all eight A330s) from the carrier’s 2007 and 2008 orders for 30 Airbus jets.

“We are reaping the benefits of operational efficiency and productivity with our new fleet of A330s, and our passengers love it too. The A330 is an important pillar upon which we are building our ambitious expansion plans by simultaneously meeting rising passenger demand and expectations,” says His Excellency Engineer Khalid Al Molhem, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines.

Airbus says that, including leased aircraft, and today’s four A330s, Saudi Arabian Airlines’ Airbus fleet will grow to 62 aircraft in the years to come.

The Airbus A330-300 is able to accommodate seat and class configurations to suit diverse customer requirements, according to Airbus. The aircraft has a range of up to 5,650 nautical miles (10,500 kilometers) with a full passenger load.

Orders for the high-selling A330 family (which also includes the A330-200 and the A330-200 Freighter) stand at more than 1,100 aircraft, including more than 500 A330-300s.


source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/saudi-arabian-airlines-orders-another-four-airbus-a330-300s/

Malaysia Airlines Orders two More Airbus A330-200Fs

Malaysia Airlines has ordered two more Airbus A330-200F freighters, converting two existing options.

The latest contract increases the airline’s firm orders for the A330-200F to four, all of which will be operated by the carrier’s subsidiary MASkargo. The aircraft will be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines.

“We are confident that the A330-200F is set to become a game changer in the mid-size freighter market,” says Shahari Sulaiman, MASkargo’s managing director. “The aircraft will enable MASkargo to efficiently match capacity closely to demand on many medium lift sectors across our cargo network, and especially those operating via intra-Asia.”

Malaysia Airlines converted options on two Airbus A330-200Fs on September 20, 2010, adding to a firm order for two A330-200Fs it had previously placed. All four A330-200Fs are to be operated by Malaysia Airlines' cargo subsidiary MASkargo

“This additional order underscores the increasing popularity of the new A330-200F as it enters airline service,” remarks John Leahy, chief operating officer customers for Airbus. “With this aircraft we are bringing new levels of efficiency to the freighter market and we are extremely pleased that MASkargo will be one of the early operators of the type.”

The A330-200F is the latest addition to the A330 family. Airbus claims the new freighter offers the lowest operating costs in its size category and is the only mid-size, long haul, all-cargo aircraft capable of carrying 65 tonnes over 4,000 nautical miles (7,400km) or 70 tonnes over 3,200nm (5,900km).



source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/malaysia-airlines-orders-two-more-airbus-a330-200fs/

Garuda Indonesia Orders Six Airbus A330-200s

Garuda Indonesia, the national carrier of Indonesia, has ordered six long-range Airbus A330-200s.

Scheduled for delivery from the fourth quarter of 2012, the newly ordered aircraft will join a fleet of four recently delivered leased A330-200s and six owned A330-300s already in service at the airline.

Garuda Indonesia’s newly ordered A330-200s will feature a two-class layout for operation on services to destinations across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as to the Middle East and Europe. The aircraft will be powered by Trent 700 engines from Rolls-Royce.

“Since we started operating the A330-200 last year, the aircraft has proven itself to be a winner for us both in terms of operating economics and passenger appeal,” says Emirsyah Satar, president & CEO of Garuda Indonesia.

“The extended range, low operating costs and the high levels of comfort make it the perfect vehicle for us to bring our new premium service to more international destinations in a profitable and efficient way.”

Garuda Indonesia, the national carrier of Indonesia, has ordered six Airbus A330-200s. The newly ordered aircraft will join a fleet of four recently delivered leased A330-200s and six owned A330-300s already in service at the airline. This computer graphic image from Airbus shows how the A330-200 will look in Garuda Indonesia's colors

“We are extremely pleased to reaffirm our long-term partnership with Garuda Indonesia with this new order,” says Tom Enders, Airbus president and CEO. “The order underscores yet again the A330′s status as the most efficient aircraft in-service in the mid-size category today and the right aircraft right now for airlines across the globe.”

The A330 is one of the most widely used widebody aircraft in service today. To date, Airbus has won more than 1,000 firm orders for the various versions of the aircraft. More than 700 A330s have already been delivered and the aircraft is currently flying with over 80 operators worldwide.


source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/garuda-indonesia-orders-six-airbus-a330-200s/ 

Air Pacific Orders Three Airbus A330-200s to Renew and Grow Long-Haul Fleet

Airbus has announced that Fiji’s national carrier, Air Pacific, has ordered three A330-200s to renew and to grow its long-haul fleet.

According to the manufacturer, Air Pacific selected the Airbus A330-200 after a thorough evaluation of several different aircraft types, including the Boeing 787. The carrier has signed a firm contract to buy three new A330-200s to replace its existing long-haul fleet of two Boeing 747-400s and one Boeing 767-300ER.

Airbus says that Air Pacific ordered the three A330-200s both to renew and to grow its long-haul fleet. However, Air Pacific already operates three long-haul aircraft, so it appears possible the Fiji carrier could add to its Airbus widebody order over time, either specifying more A330s or aircraft of the Airbus A350 XWB family.

Air Pacific had by 2008 ordered eight Boeing 787s, but canceled its orders in April 2011. So the carrier’s decision to order A330s can be seen to represent another 787 order loss for Boeing because of the three-year-plus production delays the Dreamliner production program has incurred.

The national carrier of Fiji, Air Pacific, signed a firm order on October 25, 2011 for three new Airbus A330-200s. The order was designed to renew and grow Air Pacific's long-haul fleet, according to the manufacturer

Nadi-based Air Pacific will receive its A330-200s in 2013 and the carrier will operate them on transpacific routes from Fiji to Los Angeles and throughout the Asia-Pacific region to Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand.

“The A330 is the most versatile and fuel-efficient aircraft in its category today, and it is clearly the best aircraft for modernising our fleet, optimising our network, and ensuring future growth opportunities as we position Air Pacific to be the preferred airline in the South Pacific,” says Dave Pflieger, managing director and CEO of Air Pacific.

“We are confident that our customers and visitors to Fiji will be excited about the outstanding comfort and capability of these outstanding new aircraft.”

“Outstanding reliability, fuel efficiency and low operational costs have made the aircraft a favourite with operators and customers around the world. We are delighted to welcome Air Pacific as a new Airbus customer, and we look forward to being part of their development and growth,” says John Leahy, Airbus’ chief operating officer, customers.

By September 30, Airbus had booked orders for 1,174 A330-family aircraft and Air Pacific’s three aircraft should increase the A330 orderbook total to 1,177.

More than 800 A330s are currently flying with more than 90 operators worldwide. In addition to passenger aircraft, the A330 family also includes freighter, VIP and military transport/tanker variants.

Air Pacific also operates three Boeing 737-800s and one Boeing 737-700 on regional Pacific routes.

source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/air-pacific-orders-three-airbus-a330-200s-to-renew-and-grow-long-haul-fleet/ 

Hawaiian Airlines Orders Five More Airbus A330-200s

Honolulu-based Hawaiian Airlines has ordered five more Airbus A330-200s.

On November 17, 2011, Hawaiian Airlines placed a repeat order for five additional Airbus A330-200s, taking its total commitment for the type (including leases) to 22

Hawaiian Airlines began operating Airbus aircraft in 2010 (operating only the A330-200 so far) and now has agreed commitments for 22 A330-200s, including four which the airline is leasing from aircraft lessors. Hawaiian currently operates five A330-200s.

“Adding these additional A330-200s to our fleet over the next four years will support the continued expansion of our network and replacement of our current 767-300s,” says Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian Airlines’ president and CEO.

“Our guests have responded enthusiastically to the cabin comfort and amenities of the A330-200, which, together with the superior service of our front line employees, offer the best airline experience for travelers to Hawaii,” adds Dunkerley.

“This has been our best week of the year in terms of sales, outside the Paris Airshow and it is very gratifying that Hawaiian tops it off with an order for five new A330 widebodies to fulfill their ambitious growth plans,” remarks John Leahy, Airbus’ chief operating officer, customers.

“Just a year-and-a-half ago, I said I hoped that Hawaiian‘s passengers and employees would come to love this aircraft, and that hope has proven to be a reality.”

Hawaiian Airlines' livery is one of the most eye-catching and instantly recognizable of any airline's color schemes. This photo shows the tailfin and a winglet on one of Hawaiian's Airbus A330-200s

Hawaiian’s new A330s, like the carrier’s existing Airbus A330-200 fleet, will seat 294 passengers in two-class configuration and will have a range of more than 6,000 nautical miles.

As of the end of October, there were 433 A330-200s in operation worldwide, with a backlog of firm orders of 131.

Hawaiian Airlines has also placed firm orders for six Airbus A350-800 widebody jets for delivery later in the decade.


source: http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com/airlines/hawaiian-airlines-orders-five-more-airbus-a330-200s/

Bombardier goes live with upset training

Bombardier has begun sending crews of newly purchased Challenger, Learjet and Global Express aircraft to a three-day, in-aircraft upset prevention and recovery training program.

The tie-up with Phoenix-based upset training provider, Aviation Performance Solutions (APS), includes an eight-hour, web-based initial training course covering core concepts in upset recovery, followed by three days of ground school and in-flight training with military-trained instructors in APS's Extra 300L single-engine aerobatic aircraft.

The programme is capped by a two-hour session in a Level D full-flight simulator, where differences between the Extra 300L and the actual aircraft the operator purchased are covered with respect to loss-of-control situations. Crews will also receive a "specialized briefing" on high performance swept-wing jet operations, said Bombardier.

 

APS in February 2011 began providing a 3-day upset recovery training programme to student of the KLM flight academy in Arizona, the primary pilot pipeline for Dutch flag carrier KLM. The company in 2008 stuck a deal with training and simulation provider CAE to offer an optional four-day upset recovery curriculum in the Extra 300L and in an Embraer ERJ-145 full-flight simulator.

Bombardier said the one-time only training is included in the purchase of the aircraft and starts when the operator takes delivery.

Flight International test pilot sampled the APS upset programme for a special report in 2010.

source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bombardier-goes-live-with-upset-training-367906/

A330 sharklets study follows good results on A320 tests

Airbus is looking at the potential of adapting its sharklet wing-tips to the A330 following good results from initial flight tests of the modification on the A320.

The manufacturer is also interested in raising the maximum take-off weight of the A330-200 further, to 240t.

Chief operating officer for customers John Leahy, speaking to Flightglobal Pro in Hamburg, said the airframer was "getting better results than we thought" from the sharklets fitted to the A320.

© Tim Bicheno-Brown-Flightglobal Sharklets on the A330-200 could nudge the twinjet's range closer to the capability of the rival Boeing 787-8.

He said initial results indicated improvements which exceeded early estimates of 3.4%.
Leahy said Airbus was "studying" the possibility of putting sharklets on the A330, and added: "Right now we're still several months away from a decision."

The process was complex, he said, because the A330 already has winglets, so the benefit of sharklets would have to be clear, and the airframer needed to analyse wing loading - particularly because it was also trying to raise the A330-200's maximum take-off weight to 240t.

He said the airframer would "ideally" look for a retrofit as well as new-build solution, but pointed out that Airbus could not indicate a production date until it had determined the nature of the sharklet design. "We don't know what 'it' is," said Leahy.

Leahy added that Airbus would also like to raise the take-off weight of its A330-300, to "the same" level of 240t.

source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/a330-sharklets-study-follows-good-results-on-a320-tests-367002/

Mitsubishi Aircraft starts ‘iron bird’ test on MRJ

© Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation

 

The Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) passed an important milestone with the developmental aircraft's "iron bird" rig simulating it becoming airborne for the first time, Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp said in a statement.

The MRJ's iron bird rig comprises a flight deck, hydraulic and flight control equipment, and the software to be used aboard the MRJ, said Mitsubishi Aircraft.

"The iron bird is one of the most significant systems integration test of the development process to test the manoeuvring functions of the MRJ," the statement said
The rig is located at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Oye factility in Nagoya, where testing and development of the MRJ is underway.

"The successful start of these manoeuvring tests shows the steady progress of MRJ development toward flight tests," said Mitsubishi Aircraft.

 

Iron bird tests with the MRJ will continue over the next three years. Mitsubishi Aircraft has said that the 90-seat MRJ90 is due to conduct its first flight test in the second quarter of 2012. Mitsubishi Aircraft also plans a 70-seat version.

Only three customers have announced plans to buy the MRJ. Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) has a firm order for 15 aircraft and 10 options, and US firm Trans States Holdings has a firm order for 50 and an option for 50 more. In June, Hong Kong-based leasing firm ANI Group Holdings signed a memorandum of understanding to buy five.

ANI is a unit of Aero Nusantara Indonesia, a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) firm that also leases aircraft to five Indonesian carriers.

source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/mitsubishi-aircraft-starts-iron-bird-test-on-mrj-366307/

ICAO to consider new safety standards for air transport of lithium batteries

The International Civil Aviation Organisation is to consider new safety standards for air transport of lithium batteries in the wake of increased concern over the potential for in-flight fires.

Following a meeting in Montreal in February, the organisation's dangerous goods panel has put forward recommendations that large shipments of batteries be treated and labelled as dangerous, and that shippers be trained to prepare them correctly.

The standards also involve airlines performing acceptance checks and pre-loading inspections, while pilots would be notified of the location of any battery shipment on board an aircraft.

Such provisions, if approved by the ICAO Air Navigation Commission, would come into effect from the beginning of 2013.

The transport of lithium batteries has been a discussion point for several years, but the loss of two Boeing 747-400Fs - a UPS jet in Dubai and an Asiana aircraft near Jeju - to in-flight fire in the space of 10 months has intensified the debate, as both had been carrying batteries.

After the Dubai incident, Transport Canada, the US Federal Aviation Administration and the UK Civil Aviation Authority analysed the likelihood of further fire accidents to US-registered aircraft. The assessment - based on five previous accidents - predicted six accidents, at least four battery-related, in the 10 years to 2020.

The model also suggested that, in an extreme case, there could be as many as a dozen accidents.

However, during the Montreal meeting the Rechargeable Battery Association rejected the analysis as "flawed" and based on "faulty data and assumptions" - claiming, for instance, that the FAA had based its model on the "mere presence" of batteries on some of the accident flights.

Delegates heard of a disturbing incident at Toronto airport on 29 October, 2011, in which fire ignited on a pallet containing lithium batteries - as well as small-arms cartridges - just before loading on to a Boeing 767 passenger aircraft.

Investigators had no concerns over the equipment design, and found the consignment met "all the requirements" of the technical instructions for shipping, including being correctly classified, labelled, documented and packaged.

However, the initiating event remains "unknown", and in response the shipper amended internal procedures on charging the batteries and opted to transport them using freighters only.

Both the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations have backed the tighter regulations.

"While this recommendation marks critical progress, ALPA pilots will not rest in our work until the safe transport of lithium batteries is ensured on all aircraft," ALPA said.

But it added that it would continue to press for enhanced oversight of battery shippers, better safety standards for batteries contained in electronic equipment and mandatory installation of effective fire suppression in aircraft freight compartments.

source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/icao-to-consider-new-safety-standards-for-air-transport-of-lithium-batteries-368651/ 

UAC chief Pogosyan details Russian military aircraft production

Russia's United Aircraft Corporation expects to sustain the annual production of between 70 and 90 fixed-wing combat aircraft for the next few years, in line with its performance in 2011.

Military sales accounted for 80% of the 102 aircraft produced last year, said company president Mikhail Pogosyan. The Russian air force was the largest recipient, taking delivery of six Sukhoi Su-34 twin-seat interdiction aircraft, 12 Su-27SM3s assembled from parts manufactured under a cancelled Chinese order, and several twin-seat Su-30M2s.

Four Su-35s were also handed over to support test activities, with the type due to enter air force service in 2013.

Russia also signed a deal in August 2011 for the remanufacture of 30 RSK MiG-31BM interceptors, with these to join 20 modified examples already returned to use.

Export business last year totalled $1.69 billion for 36 Su-30-series fighters sold to Algeria, India, Uganda and Vietnam, while MiG-29s worth $800 million were handed over to the Indian navy, Myanmar and Syria.

In December 2011, Irkut made the first export deliveries of 16 Yakovlev Yak-130 advanced jet trainers to Algeria under a contract estimated at $200 million. Irkut president Alexei Fedorov said talks are "at an early stage" to sell 10 more to Bangladesh, while Syria has also been reported as having placed an order.

source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/uac-chief-pogosyan-details-russian-military-aircraft-production-368660/

Boeing locks out 747-8 tail fuel tanks on flutter concerns

In order to meet certification requirements ahead of its first delivery, Boeing will lock out the 12,500l (3,300gal) horizontal stabiliser tail fuel tanks on its 747-8 Intercontinental after a flutter condition was found to occur in a certain structural failure scenario, the airframer confirmed.

"Boeing certified the 747-8 Intercontinental with the tail fuel tanks locked out because during design review of flight test data...it was discovered that, under a certain regulatory-required structural failure scenario, the airplane can experience flutter events when the fuel tanks in the horizontal stabiliser are filled over 15% of their capacity," said Boeing.

To comply with US Federal Aviation Administration regulations, Boeing will deactivate the tail fuel system to satisfy the requirement that no structural flutter be present in the airframe after any single failure condition.

"These conditions do not present themselves when the tanks are empty," Boeing said of the structural failure evaluations, which were only found to occur if the aircraft's wing-to-strut join fitting had failed.
The "requirement for all key structural fittings...need to have a design tolerant of 'any single failure'", said Boeing.

"We're actively working on ways to activate the fuel tanks for the long term."

© Jon Ostrower

Boeing said the lock-out is accomplished through the pulling of a circuit breaker and the FAA has requested a physical separation in the fuel system by removing and capping certain fuel lines between fuel tail tanks.

The change to the fuel system has not affected the pacing of deliveries and only five 747-8s rolled out prior to this decision will require rework as part of the larger post-certification change incorporation operation. The balance of the 747-8s that will be assembled will have their tanks locked out inside the factory.

Reactivating the tanks and incorporating the fix will be be accomplished during normal maintenance operations as part of a service bulletin expected to be issued by the airframer once a solution is identified, said Boeing.

According to its airport planning documents, Boeing lists the 747-8's usable fuel capacity at 238,584l (63,034gal) as established during flight testing and includes the fuel stored in the horizontal stabiliser.

The horizontal tail fuel system is limited to the passenger model of the 747-8, as the recently delivered 747-8F's performance requirement prioritise cargo capacity over range.

Boeing said the absence of tail fuel tanks will reduce the range of the VIP configured 747-8 by about 550-930km (300-400nm), depending on the aircraft's configuration.

For airline operators, the impact on performance will be minimal, said Boeing, as chosen configurations of its customers will prohibit the use of the tail's fuel tanks when non-fuel payload exceeds 60% of the aircraft's maximum structural payload. The balance of the payload would be fuel stored in the aircraft's wing tanks.

"For our mission profile it's not a problem at the moment," said a Lufthansa spokesman, who said the tail fuel restriction would not restrict the aircraft's deployment on its initial routes, which have not yet been announced.

Boeing indicates the passenger capacity of the 747-8 as up to 467 seats in a three-class configuration. Lufthansa will operate the aircraft in a three-class configuration seating 386.

Lufthansa said it is "still quite positive that there will be a modification" that will restore access to the tail fuel tanks, but "of course you want an airplane that can run as long as possible" in unrestricted operation.

Lufthansa is "waiting to hear from Boeing how they will solve this problem," the airline added.
Despite not having a timeframe for a fix, the airline said it is its expectation that the restriction will not exist on deliveries in 2013.

Lufthansa launched the 747-8 in December 2006 with an order for 20 of the General Electric GEnx-2B-powered aircraft. The 747-8 will have the longest range of any aircraft in the airline's fleet, it said, exceeding that of the Airbus A380.

The 747-8's range is advertised by Boeing as being around 14,800km (8,000nm) at maximum takeoff weight of 448t (987,000lb), though the airframer is currently updating the figure for its catalog specifications.

© Jon Ostrower

The 5.6m-shorter (18.3ft) 747-400 also features a 12,500l tail fuel system in the geometrically identical horizontal stabiliser. Despite this similarity, the 747-8 structurally varies from the -400 with an additional 1.5m (4.9ft) stretch behind the wing, along with strengthening for the higher aircraft weight and different materials from its predecessor.

Boeing declined to speculate on why the flutter condition existed on the 747-8 and not in the case of the failure of the wing-to-strut join fitting on the earlier 747-400.

Boeing notes the fitting has never failed in the type's 40 years of service.

The 747-8 programme has faced vibration concerns before, after a 2.3Hz limit cycle oscillation (LCO) in the wings prompted Boeing to develop the Outboard Aileron Modal Suppression (OAMS) system to dampen out vibration with the aircraft's fly-by-wire ailerons.

Certified by the FAA in December, the lock out of fuel tanks allows Boeing to deliver its first 747-8 to a completion centre for VIP configuration in February with airline launch customer Lufthansa to follow in March, said programme sources of the schedule.

Boeing holds firm orders for 36 747-8 aircraft, including five for Korean Air, two for Arik Air and nine for VIP customers.

source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-locks-out-747-8-tail-fuel-tanks-on-flutter-concerns-367148/