Etihad orders 10 more 787s

Etihad Airways has ordered an additional 10 Boeing 787-9s, making it the largest customer for the twinjet's variant.

Abu Dhabi's national carrier also signed up for two Boeing 777 Freighters, bringing the list price of the combined purchase to $2.8 billion.

The airline, which cancelled an order for four 787-9s this year, now has a total of 41 on order. Its new freighter order also brings its current 777 backlog to 12.

© Boeing

 

"Our decision to expand our Dreamliner fleet is testimony to Etihad's commitment to operating one of the youngest and most fuel efficient fleet in the skies," said Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan in a statement.

"Both the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the 777 Freighter offer highly attractive operating economics and will facilitate our global expansion plans by allowing us to transport passengers and cargo into new global markets from our hub in Abu Dhabi," he added.

The airline has in the past 12 months added six aircraft. Seven passenger aircraft - three Airbus A320s and four 777-300ERs, will join its fleet next year. It currently operates 63 aircraft, including five freighters.

The airline's first A380s and 787-9s are due to arrive in 2014, the latter having slipped from the original 2013 schedule in the wake of delays in the aircraft's development.

Etihad Airways Orders 10 Boeing 787-9s and Two 777 Freighters

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways has announced an order for 10 additional Boeing 787-9s and two Boeing 777 Freighters.

Boeing values the order at $2.8 billion at current list prices and says it will make Etihad Airways the world’s largest airline customer of the Boeing 787-9.

Etihad Airways, which bills itself as the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has a total of 41 787s on order and has optioned another 25.

The order also increases Etihad’s current Boeing 777 backlog to 12 aircraft, among them 10 previously ordered 777-300ERs. The Abu Dhabi-based airline’s fleet currently includes eight Boeing 777-300ERs and one 777 Freighter.

On December 12, 2011, Etihad Airways announced an order for 10 Boeing 787-9s and two Boeing 777 Freighters. The order will make Etihad the world’s largest airline customer of the 787-9. Etihad has a total of 41 787s on order. Pictured here are the 787-9 and 777 Freighter in Etihad livery

“Our decision to expand our Dreamliner fleet is testimony to Etihad’s commitment to operating one of the youngest and most fuel efficient fleets in the skies,” says James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive officer. “It also reflects our confidence in the 787′s ability to have a significant impact on our operating efficiencies and the passenger experience we can offer onboard this revolutionary aircraft.

Adds Hogan: “Both the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the 777 Freighter offer highly attractive operating economics and will facilitate our global expansion plans by allowing us to transport passengers and cargo into new global markets from our hub in Abu Dhabi.”

Founded in 2003, Etihad Airways is one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world and currently operates scheduled flights to 84 passenger and cargo destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and North America.

“In less than 10 years Etihad Airways has established an enviable track record and has earned global recognition for its focus on providing its customers with a quality product,” says Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“We are extremely proud of our partnership with Etihad Airways and are confident the 787 Dreamliner and the 777 Freighter will make valuable contributions to Etihad’s growth plans and service for its passenger and freight customers.”

The Boeing 787 is the fastest-selling twin-aisle aircraft in aviation history, with orders for more than 800 aircraft from 58 customers around the world.

The Boeing 777 Freighter is the world’s longest-range, twin-engine freighter and according to Boeing features the lowest trip cost of any large freighter, with high-cargo density and 10-foot (3.1-meter) interior height capability which complements the popular 747 freighter family.

Airbus Sharklets take a “bite” out of A320 fuel consumption on their first test flight

 

30 November 2011 

The best-selling A320 Family jetliner – which is a familiar sight at airports around the world – assumed an even sleeker look today as the first aircraft equipped with Airbus’ fuel-saving “Sharklets” performed its maiden flight. 

Using the Airbus in-house A320 development aircraft, this nearly five-hour initial flight marked the start of a multi-month test campaign from the company’s Toulouse, France headquarters that will validate the Sharkets’ performance, confirm their aerodynamic behavior and gather data for certification. 

The Sharklets are designed to reduce fuel consumption by up to 3.5 per cent, corresponding to an annual CO2 reduction of some 700 tonnes per aircraft, while also enhancing the payload/range and takeoff performance.  

Sized at approximately 2.5 metres tall and produced primarily with lightweight carbon fibre composites, Sharklets replace the current A320 wingtip fences that are smaller and of a modified triangular shape.  The Sharklets are standard on A320neo (new engine option) Family jetliners, and offered as optional equipment on new-build baseline versions of the single-aisle aircraft.  

To date, airlines and leasing companies have signed nearly 1,500 firm orders and commitments for Sharklet-equipped A320neo Family jetliners, while a growing number of customers also are selecting them for newly-ordered baseline versions in the A320 product line. 

Sharklets derive their name from the resemblance to a shark’s fin, are part of Airbus’ ongoing continuous improvement programme for the A320 Family – which also includes other aerodynamic refinements, engine improvements, passenger cabin enhancements and extended service intervals for the airframe.  

source: airbus.com

7,000th Airbus aircraft delivered – an A321 to US Airways

Airbus builds 1,000 eco-efficient aircraft in just under two years

12 December 2011 

 

Airbus delivered today its 7,000th aircraft, an A321, to US Airways – the airline that operates the largest fleet of Airbus aircraft in the world – from the Airbus facility in Hamburg, Germany. This milestone comes just two years after the delivery of Airbus’ 6,000th aircraft which underlines the continued vibrancy of the commercial aviation sector and the market’s clear vote for eco-efficient aircraft. 

The 1,000th Airbus delivery was an A340-300 that went to Air France in 1993, nineteen years after the first Airbus aircraft was delivered – an A300B2 also to Air France, in 1974. The 2,000th delivery was six years later in 1999. It took half that time, just three years, to get to the 3,000th delivery in 2002 and three more years to reach 4,000 deliveries. The tempo went up another notch taking Airbus only two years to hand over its 5,000th aircraft, an A330-200 to Qantas in December 2007. The 6,000th Airbus was an A380 which was delivered to Emirates in January 2010. 

“It’s particularly fitting that our 7,000th aircraft is an A321 going to US Airways. The airline not only operates the largest fleet of Airbus aircraft in the world; with over 220 A320 Family aircraft flying in US Airways colours today, they also operate the largest fleet of our best-selling, eco-efficient A320 Family,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO. “This milestone is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of Airbus teams around the world. We have improved efficiencies company-wide and this has enabled us to deliver record numbers of latest generation aircraft at continually increasing rates, with an environmental footprint ever decreasing.” 

“Airbus has been a long-term strategic partner to US Airways. Today we celebrate a significant milestone in Airbus’ history,” said US Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Douglas Parker. “It is an honor to be the recipient of their 7,000th delivery. On behalf of the 32,000 employees at US Airways, we applaud this tremendous accomplishment and look forward to a continued successful partnership.”

By the end of the year, US Airways will operate a fleet of 93 A319s, 72 A320s, 63 A321s and 16 A330s. The airline also has firm orders for an additional 58 A320 Family aircraft, eight A330 aircraft and 22 A350 XWBs on backlog. 

Over 8,200 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,900 delivered to more than 340 customers and operators worldwide reaffirming its position as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. The A320neo has over 95 percent airframe commonality with the current A320, making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tonnes more payload at a given range.

source: airbus.com

EASA approves Trent 1000 Package B engine for 787

European Aviation Safety Agency regulators have approved the enhanced Package B version of the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 powerplant, used on the Boeing 787.

Japan's All Nippon Airways, the first carrier to start 787 services, is to take initial delivery of the Package B engines, which are certified to 70,000lb thrust.

Rolls-Royce describes the EASA approval as a "significant milestone".

"As with all our programmes, we remain committed to continually improving engine performance as our technology advances," said Trent 1000 director Simon Carlisle.

Trent 1000 engines have been selected by 23 customers for the 787 twinjet.

China Aircraft Leasing signs deal for 20 C919, total order backlog hits 215

China Aircraft Leasing Company (CALC) has inked a purchase agreement for 20 Comac C919s, bringing the Chinese manufacturer's total order backlog for the narrowbodies to 215.

This is the fourth major commitment for the aircraft since October and the aircraft lessor has become Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China's (Comac) 10th customer for the C919.

Neither CALC nor Comac revealed the financial details of the order which was signed in Hong Kong on 8 December.

© Comac

 

At the signing ceremony, the manufacturer said that the preliminary design stage and the main technical work of the aircraft have been completed. This includes design for various sections of the aircraft such as the fuselage, tail and wings.

It has now entered into a crucial point in the detailed design phase, it added.

Prior to this order, China's Bank of Communications Financial Leasing had signed an order for 30 of the aircraft, Sichuan Airlines for 20 and ICBC Leasing for 45.

The C919 is scheduled for its first flight in 2014.

Boeing to Offer up to 330-Minute ETOPS on 777

- Allows more direct flights, burns less fuel, emits less carbon dioxide into atmosphere

 

EVERETT, Wash., Dec. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) announced today it has received type-design approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for up to 330-minute extended operations (ETOPS) for its 777 fleet.

The authorization allows 777 customers who purchase or already operate 777-300ER (extended range), 777-200LR (longer range), 777 Freighter and 777-200ER models equipped with General Electric engines to fly up to 330 minutes from an alternate airport. FAA approval for the 777-200ER equipped with Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney engines is expected to follow over the next few months.

"Boeing twin-engine jets have flown more than 7 million ETOPS flights since 1985, and more than 120 Boeing operators fly more than 50,000 ETOPS flights each month," said Larry Loftis, vice president and general manager 777 program. "This is the logical continuation of the Boeing philosophy of point-to-point service. Passengers want to minimize their overall travel time. This is one more step in that direction."   

The first airline to purchase the new longer ETOPS option is Air New Zealand. Air New Zealand completed the first 240 ETOPS flight earlier this month from Los Angeles to Auckland, N.Z.

"What this means is that the airplane is able to fly a straighter route between the city pairs and that's good for the environment," said Capt. David Morgan, chief pilot for Air New Zealand. "Less fuel is burned and less carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere. It's also good for customers because flights are potentially shorter and passengers could arrive sooner at their destinations."

The new FAA approval allows airlines that operate routes in the south Pacific, over the North Pole, and from Australia to South America and southern Africa to fly the most direct routes.

An increasing number of operators already are providing ETOPS service to their passengers. For example, 93 percent of 777, 50 percent of 767 and 33 percent of 757 operators fly ETOPS routes. Two-engine ETOPS routes are more than 60 minutes from an alternate airport.


The 777 fleet has flown more than 2 million ETOPS flights since its debut in June 1995. Fifty-three 777 operators fly more than 22,000 ETOPS flights per month. 

Source: Boeing.com