Etihad ties up with Air Berlin on 787 introduction

Middle Eastern carrier Etihad Airways is to combine its Boeing 787 introduction programme with that of new partner Air Berlin in a bid to reduce the costs of bringing a new type into the fleet.

The Abu Dhabi-based carrier, which has 41 787s on order, will expand its programme to cover the 15 787s of Air Berlin.

Etihad's 787s will be powered by General Electric GEnx engines but Air Berlin's powerplants are still listed by Boeing as unselected - it is unclear whether the pact will influence the engine choice.
But Etihad says the two carriers will "streamline" purchasing of engines, avionics, rotables and in-flight entertainment systems.

Between them the airlines will carry out maintenance pooling, joint training and combine their infrastructure resources. They will also achieve common cabin specifications, giving passengers a "consistent product experience", says Etihad.

Etihad, which opted to acquire a large shareholding in Air Berlin at the end of last year, claims the tie-up will save "millions of dollars".

It had already indicated that the equity investment in Air Berlin would generate synergies for the operators, and that Etihad would perform 787 maintenance for the German airline.

"It is an ideal solution for reducing the costs associated with the introduction of a new aircraft type, and an excellent example of the value of our partnership," says Etihad chief James Hogan.

"It makes both operational and commercial sense to work together on common fleet issues and we expect the synergies we achieve through this integration to result in significant efficiency benefits for both airlines."

Etihad is the largest shareholder in Air Berlin, with a stake of just over 29%. It is expecting to start taking 787s from late 2014 while Air Berlin will begin accepting the twinjets in 2015.

Air Berlin chief Hartmut Mehdorn says that the two sides "saw an opportunity to work as a team" during the introduction of the 787s.

source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/etihad-ties-up-with-air-berlin-on-787-introduction-369424/

Lion Air takes delivery of its 60th Boeing 737-900ER in a special color scheme

Lion Air (Jakarta) on March 7 accepted its 60th new Boeing 737-900 ER (Extended Range) airliner. 737-9GP ER PK-LJO (msn 38315) is painted in this special color scheme to celebrate the significant milestone. Lion Air is the largest operator of the type. With the first delivery on April 27, 2007, the fast-growing carrier has another 118 copies on order.
Lion Air was the launch customer for the largest variant of the Boeing 737, the 737-900 ER when it placed an order in 2005.

Lion Air set a record when it placed an order for 230 aircraft from Boeing, making this the largest order in terms of aircraft ordered as well the cost of the order. In November 2011, Lion Air and Boeing announced that the airline planned to buy 29 737-900 ER and 201 737 MAX aircraft, with options for 150 more, valued at $21.7 billion at the time. 

 A firm order was signed on February 14, 2012, with the 737 MAX aircraft identified as 737 MAX 9s, making Lion Air the launch customer for that variant. By the time of the signing, the order’s value had risen to $22.4 billion at list prices, the largest aircraft order in history. Deliveries of the new -900 ERs are due to start in 2016, with the MAXs to follow in 2017.

Boeing to Showcase 787 Dreamliner at 2012 FIDAE Air Show

- 787 to be centerpiece for Boeing presence at Latin America's largest air show

- Super Hornet simulator to highlight Boeing exhibit

CHICAGO, March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boeing (NYSE: BA) 787 Dreamliner, the world's most advanced passenger airplane, will make its Chilean debut as the centerpiece at the FIDAE 2012 International Air and Space Fair in Santiago, Chile, March 27-30. Boeing also plans to display the advanced capabilities of its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter with a cockpit demonstrator at the show.
"We are pleased to bring the 787 Dreamliner to FIDAE for its Chilean debut and showcase the many features that make this airplane truly a game-changer for the industry," said Van Rex Gallard, Sales vice president for Latin America, Africa, & Caribbean, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We have a great customer in LAN, one of the leading airlines in Latin America and the first Latin American customer to take delivery of the 787."
The 787 will land in Santiago for the first time on Monday, March 26 and be on static display March 27-30. LAN is Boeing's largest 787 customer in Latin America, with 26 Dreamliners on order directly from Boeing.
The Boeing exhibit will feature an array of defense products in addition to the Super Hornet cockpit demonstrator, including the CH-47 heavy-lift and AH-6i attack helicopters, the ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle, cybersecurity, and the KC-135 tanker now in service with the Chilean Air Force. Also on display at the booth will be a model of the new 737 MAX, the new-engine variant of the world's best-selling airplane, and information on the Boeing Edge – Boeing's industry-leading services offerings.
"FIDAE is the region's foremost air show and our participation is critical, given Chile and other neighboring countries' strategic importance to The Boeing Company. Our focus at this show is on establishing relationships with potential local partners, building awareness and ensuring customer satisfaction with Boeing products and services," said Joe McAndrew, International Business Development vice president for Europe, Israel and the Americas, Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
Boeing will hold a series of media briefings during the show, as listed below. Reporters should contact one of the contacts below for more information and to confirm their attendance.

Note: All times listed below are local to Santiago.

Monday, March 26
1000	787 Dreamliner Lands in Santiago
Tuesday, March 27
1200 – 1330:	Joint LAN / Boeing Commercial Airplanes / Rolls-Royce Briefing
Venue:	LAN exhibit
Speakers:	Pedro Margozini, chief Marketing officer, LAN Airlines
	Justin Siegel, 787 program lead, LAN Airlines
	Van Rex Gallard, vice president of Sales for Latin America, Africa, & Caribbean, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
	Peter Turner, vice president of Customers, Americas, Rolls-Royce
1400 – 1600:	787 Dreamliner Tours
Venue:	787 Dreamliner
1600 – 1700:	Boeing market overview / 787 Dreamliner product overview
Venue:	Conference Room 4
Speakers:	Randy Tinseth, vice president, Marketing, Commercial Airplanes
	Mike Sinnett, vice president & chief project engineer, 787 Program
Note: The 787 Dreamliner also will be open to media at the following times:
Wednesday, March 28, 1000 to 1100; Thursday, March 29, 1000 to 1100
Wednesday, March 28
1200	Boeing Defense, Space & Security Briefing on Chilean Air
	Force KC-135 Program and Sustaining the Tanker Fleet Worldwide
Venue:	Conference Room 2
Speaker:	Earl Godby, director, Business Development, Maintenance, Modifications
	and Upgrades International Programs

JAL Announces Delivery Date of its First 787 Dreamliner, Reveals Cabin Interior

TOKYO March 21, 2012: Japan Airlines (JAL) announced today that it will take delivery of its first Boeing 787-8 on March 25, 2012, and the aircraft will be flown from Seattle, Everett to Tokyo, Narita by JAL pilots the following day.

 

 

JAL’s first commercial 787 flight will also be the first ever nonstop flight to connect Boston with Asia when JAL uses it to launch the new service between Tokyo (Narita) and Boston on April 22, 2012. JAL will later this year, also use this super-efficient aircraft to start yet another first nonstop service between a US city and Asia with the launch of direct flights between Tokyo (Narita) and San Diego. The 787 is scheduled to be deployed on routes between Tokyo and Beijing, Moscow, New Delhi and Singapore as soon as subsequent aircraft are delivered and all necessary preparations are completed.

 

First Delivery Flight Schedule

Departure: Seattle, Paine Field		Arrival: Tokyo, Narita
March 26, 2012	16:00	March 27, 2012	18:30

All timings shown are local.

 

Seat Configurations

JAL’s 787 Dreamliner is configured in two classes with 42 seats in business and 144 seats in economy. The airline will fit its newest Executive Class JAL SHELL FLAT NEO seats that are 5 cm (2 inches) wider (than the seats now fitted on JAL’s Boeing 777s), in a 2-2-2 configuration so that customers are either seated by the window or along the aisle. Lavatories in Executive Class also feature a special warm-water Toto Washlet^*1 jointly developed by companies Toto, JAMCO and Boeing. The 144 Economy Class seats have 2 cm (0.8 inches) wider space than current seats and arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration.

 

Cabin Interior Highlights

In the design process of the 787 Dreamliner, JAL participated actively in the Boeing-led Working Together Team program that involved various airline customers brainstorming for enhanced passenger comfort and usability. JAL aimed to demonstrate hospitality from the heart in all customer-contact points in the cabin as well as the work space for cabin attendants such as the kitchen equipment in the galley. Some highlights of the revolutionary aircraft are:

 

Executive Class: JAL SHELL FLAT NEO　　　　　Economy Class

   

          

・30% larger windows than a Boeing 767 allow for more light into the cabin and a greater view of the outside even for passengers seated in the middle sections.

 

・Electronically dimmable windows allow customers to adjust the amount of light entering the cabin, and it replaces conventional shades that either completely shut out or let in external light.

 

・Taking advantage of the kaleidoscope of colors afforded by the new LED lights, JAL’s original onboard lighting design creates a soothing in-flight atmosphere that would evoke a sense of the four seasons in Japan, such as pink hues of cherry blossoms in spring. The lighting is also used to create a more conducive environment at the right timing for a sound slumber and a refreshed wakening, as well as to make in-flight meals more appetizing.

・Higher ceilings and lower cabin pressure are subtle enhancements that make a noticeable difference to customer comfort, especially on long-haul flights. The ceiling of the 787 Dreamliner is approximately 14 cm (5.5 inches) higher than a Boeing 767 aircraft (comparing the height of the economy class section) while the maximum cabin altitude is also lower at 1,800 meters which reduces passenger fatigue.

 

・A brand new type of in-flight entertainment will be introduced onboard JAL’s 787 Dreamliner, called SKY MANGA which reflects a distinctive part of the Japanese culture. There will be more than 30 titles of Japanese comics available in electronic versions on JAL’s in-flight entertainment system initially, with expansion to English versions planned for the near future.

    For more information on JAL’s 787 Dreamliner, visit: http://www.jal.co.jp/en/787/.

 

Executive Class

 

Seat type:	JAL SHELL FLAT NEO
Seat configuration:	2-2-2
Seat pitch:	Approximately 153 cm (60.2 inches)
Seat width in upright position:	Approximately 54 cm (21.3 inches) between the armrests
TV screen size:	15.4 inches (touch panel)
Degree of recline:	Approximately 171 degrees
Other functions:	Universal PC power outlet, USB port, RCA sockets

 

 

Economy Class

 

Seat configuration:	2-4-2
Seat pitch:	Approximately 79 cm (31.1 inches)
Seat width:	Approximately 47 cm (18.5 inches) between the armrests
TV screen size:	10.6 inches (touch panel)
Other functions:	Universal PC power outlet, USB port, RCA sockets

 

 

 

 

 

*1 TOTO Washlet - An electronic toilet seat featuring a water-jet function for washing, developed by Japanese manufacturer of plumbing fixtures - TOTO.

 

END

Boeing Receives Certification for 787 Dreamliner With GE Engines - Mar 20, 2012

EVERETT, Wash., March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) received an amended type certificate today from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the 787-8 Dreamliner equipped with General Electric GEnx engines.

"This is a great day for our customers and for our team who worked tirelessly to ensure the Dreamliner offers breakthrough fuel efficiency, unprecedented performance and new levels of comfort," said Larry Loftis, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. "We are pleased to accept the FAA's confirmation of the safety and reliability of this airplane."

The amended type certificate from the FAA formally recognizes that the 787 with GE engines has demonstrated compliance with rigorous federal regulations. The achievement caps off the most robust flight and ground test program ever conducted in the company's history.

"This milestone completes the certification of the 787-8 airplane, and allows airlines to now operate the GE engine-powered 787 with both the baseline Block 4 engine and the PIP1 engine upgrade," said Mike Sinnett, vice president and chief project engineer for the 787 program. "It also represents the success of a remarkable partnership with the regulatory agencies around the world."

"This is the culmination of extraordinary work by teams from GE and Boeing," said Chuck Nugent, general manager of the GEnx engine program for General Electric. "GE Aviation is honored to power the Boeing 787 Dreamliner with its new GEnx-1B engine, and we look forward to seeing the aircraft-engine combination flying the skies around the world."

Initial type certification of the 787 with Rolls-Royce engines took place in August 2011. Each new combination of an airframe type and engine requires additional certification to validate the integrity of the design.

60 customers around the world have ordered more than 870 Dreamliners.

source: boeing.com

Widebody freighters could be piloted remotely within 15 years

Civil freight aircraft will be flown by either a single pilot on board with a remote co-pilot on the ground, or no on-board crew at all within 10 to 15 years, delegates of the ATC Global conference in Amsterdam were told.
The extraordinary prediction came from Steve Pennington, executive director of the US policy board on federal aviation, who spoke at the event earlier this month.
As a senior military official, Pennington has considerable experience of managing the deployment and operation of unmanned air vehicles across various sizes and mission types.
Pennington says one of air traffic management's major challenges for the near future will be managing UAVs, because they will be used in a significant proportion of civil and military operations.
He predicts this will start in commercial civil aviation via the freight operations of companies such as FedEx and UPS, which will use a single-pilot crew or pilot devices entirely from the ground.

source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/widebody-freighters-could-be-piloted-remotely-within-15-years-369439/

Air Berlin outlines plans for €200m earnings improvement

Germany's Air Berlin is aiming for more than €200 million ($261 million) in earnings improvements during 2012, after posting huge losses for last year.
The carrier has indicated that it plans to source this from €70 million in yield and revenue management - by optimising distribution channels and improving sales platforms - and €55 million in cost initiatives, such as fuel savings.
Network reduction and productivity will generate another €45 million. The airline is to cut back its fleet from 170 to 152 aircraft by summer this year.
Air Berlin also expects €20 million in benefits through its tie-ups with the Oneworld alliance and Middle Eastern carrier Etihad Airways.
It will derive another €20 million from maintenance savings and "process improvements", such as more self-service terminals at airports and pooling of station resources.
Air Berlin intends to achieve 13% of the overall €200 million enhancement in the first quarter of this year, with 22%, 31% and 34% being realised in successive quarters - some two-thirds of the improvement will come in the second half of the year.
Last year the airline posted a €247 million operating loss. Air Berlin says that higher fuel costs and aviation taxes placed a €395 million burden on the company, the equivalent of over 9% of sales, which "could not be passed on to the ticket price".
Excluding these factors, it says, the operating result would - in "purely arithmetical terms" - have been positive at €148 million.

source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/air-berlin-outlines-plans-for-200m-earnings-improvement-369589/

Boeing to send 113 aircraft to Indian carriers within six years

Boeing has 113 aircraft in its order book from Indian carriers, most of which are for narrowbodies.
Jet Airways is the airframer's largest Indian client, with 10 Boeing 787s and 43 Boeing 737s.
State-owned carrier Air India has 27 Boeing 787s and three 777s on order, while SpiceJet has ordered 30 Boeing 737s.
The manufacturer is aiming to deliver these aircraft within the next five to six years, Boeing India president Dinesh Keskar said at a press conference at the India Aviation airshow.
He dismissed concerns that the big losses incurred by the Indian carriers could have an impact on the company's business.
"We have been prudent, only selling to Air India, Jet Airways and SpiceJet. We make sure that they have business plans and that everything makes sense to us," said Keskar.
"SpiceJet and Jet Airways losing money quarter after quarter are not comfortable for us. They have to raise fares if they want their financial situation to improve," he said, adding that Boeing has not had a single cancellation from the Indian market, despite these challenges.
He added that Indian carriers have to stop selling below costs to stop the bleeding and put the right aircraft on the right routes to match capacity with demand to succeed.
Boeing projects that of the 33,500 aircraft needed worldwide in the next 20 years, India will account for 1,320 aircraft worth $150 billion.

source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-to-send-113-aircraft-to-indian-carriers-within-six-years-369540/

Kingfisher curtails ‘bleeding’ overseas widebody operations

India's Kingfisher Airlines has reduced its overseas widebody operations, returning an Airbus A330-200 aircraft to a lessor, and has called on India to approve higher foreign direct investment levels for domestic airlines.
The beleaguered carrier listed the moves in a broad ranging 18-point media release. The release outlined efforts to rectify its challenging commercial position and also attempts to reassure passengers that it will operate as many flights as possible.
It notes that on 13 March, Kingfisher operated 101 flights, and that it aims to operate the same number on 14 March. It provides no projection for subsequent days.
"Our prime mission is to maintain schedule integrity by predicting in advance what we can with the sole objective of minimising, if not eliminating, guest inconvenience," says Kingfisher.

© FlyPHANUK on AirSpace Images

The carrier also confirms that it is "curtailing" overseas widebody flights, which it says are "bleeding heavily". The carrier has an extensive overseas route network, serving destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific.
"To this end we have already returned one Airbus A330-200 to the lessor in the UK," it says. "Positive and immediate action is being taken on all fronts to cut costs."
At the time of publication, Kingfisher was unable to provide details about the aircraft it plans to return. According to Flightglobal Pro, Kingfisher has five leased A330-200 aircraft.
Of these, two are leased from Ireland-based Pembroke Group, a unit of Standard Chartered, and three from Dubai-based DAE Capital. The registration of the two A330s leased from Pembroke are VT-VJL and VT-VJN.
The statement also touched on Kingfisher's financial difficulties, noting the impact of the suspension of its IATA Clearing House (ICH) and Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) accounts, stemming from action by India's tax authorities.
"We request one and all to appreciate the serious handicaps we face not only because of our frozen accounts but because of the operating environment," says Kingfisher. "We are working hard to resolve the issues that confront us given the current environment. We continue to work with the tax authorities to arrive at a solution to de-freeze our accounts as early as possible."
Meanwhile, it is working with its bankers to raise "urgent interim working capital" and said approval of these funds would not be contingent on State Bank of India approval.
The airline also awaits the government's final verdict on investments by foreign airlines, with the current foreign direct investment level capped at 49%.
"We can confirm that there is interest from prospectives on this basis," says Kingfisher.

source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/kingfisher-curtails-bleeding-overseas-widebody-operations-369484/

Boeing nears 787 GEnx and 330min ETOPS certification

Boeing is days away from being granted General Electric GEnx-1B engine-airframe certification for its 787, a milestone expected to be paired with 330min extended operations (ETOPS) approval, says the programme's top engineer.

"It's here, it's finished," says Mike Sinnett, 787 chief project engineer of the 330min ETOPS requirements, "The certification work is done. So now it's just rolling it through the process with the GE [certification] coming in the next couple of days, [Japan Airlines] will be able to seek operational approval and we'll be done."
Japan Airlines is expected to take delivery of its first 787s later this month and will serve as the launch customer for the GEnx-1B engine inaugurating US service with the type in April connecting Tokyo-Narita and Boston's Logan International airports.
The route will not require a 330min ETOPS certification, though the aircraft will be certified to fly routes that require a diversion airport between 3h and 5h 30min flying time.
GE says its GEnx-1B engine pairing certification with 787 will include both its baseline Block 4 and Performance Improvement Package (PIP1) configurations, the latter of which is expected to deliver a 1.4% improvement in specific fuel consumption, due to an increase in the number of low pressure turbine (LPT) blades.
The first delivery to JAL will be fitted with PIP1 configuration engines, says GE.
Airplane 35, a 787 for Air India, completed flying for GEnx-1B certification testing on 23 February.
United Airlines, which takes delivery of six 787s in 2012, is expected to be the first carrier to require the 330min requirement for creating the most optimal routing between its Houston, Texas hub and Auckland, New Zealand.
While the 180min approval for Trent 1000-powered 787s was granted ahead of its October 2011 service entry, final approvals for the 330min certification was split into a second block of requirements with a "software adjustment" necessary to meet US Federal Aviation Administration regulatory criteria.
The now-complete airframe tests cleared the way for airframe approvals beyond the initial 180min airframe certification which hinged on completion of a software upgrade to change the low fuel quantity indication on the 787's flight deck.
Engine approvals were granted to Rolls-Royce for 330min ETOPS certification for its Trent 1000 in May 2011 and General Electric followed on the baseline Block 4 GEnx-1B in December, and again on 8 March for its PIP1 configuration.

source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-nears-787-genx-and-330min-etops-certification-369474/ 

Emirates to seek compensation for A380 wing-part cracks

Emirates is to seek compensation from Airbus for the disruption to its operation caused by the discovery of cracks in wing-rib feet on A380 aircraft.
The carrier is the largest operator of the type with 21 in its fleet. It estimates the grounding of the aircraft - six at a time - to effect temporary repairs will cost it $90 million in lost revenue by the end of March.
As a result, it will look for compensation from the airframer.
Emirates says the cracks have been discovered in 10 of its A380s, but believes it is likely that all 21 will require remedial work.
It is also concerned over the likelihood of future groundings in order to apply a long-term solution for the problem.
On 8 March EADS, Airbus's parent, said it had made a €105 million ($138 million) provision to cover the cost of repairs to the initial 67 in-service A380s.
No mention was made of any provision for compensation and the airframer could not immediately indicate whether there would be additional costs arising from manufacturing changes.
On 8 February the European Aviation Safety Agency ordered inspections of wing-rib feet on all A380s. Emirates has a further 69 A380s on order.
Airbus was not immediately available to comment on the potential Emirates claim.

source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/emirates-to-seek-compensation-for-a380-wing-part-cracks-369434/ 

GEnx approval key to 787 JAL deliveries

Japan Airlines (JAL) will shortly become the second 787 customer to receive its aircraft, as Boeing nears imminent certification of its General Electric GEnx-1B-engined variant and a restart of deliveries that stalled in early February for repairs required because of improper shim installation on aft fuselages.
The airline has completed both route-proving and maintenance training following the visit of GEnx-1B-powered 787 test aircraft ZA005 to Japan for service-ready operational validation trials that lasted from 20 February to 9 March.
Jim Albaugh, chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, says JAL will take delivery of its first aircraft in "the weeks to come". Airplanes 23 and 33, both with 186 seats and registered JA822J and JA825J respectively, are expected to be handed over to the carrier in late March, say programme sources, ahead of the 22 April start of its Boston-Tokyo Narita service.

© Boeing Japan Airlines had expected to receive the aircraft in February

JAL had expected its first 787, and fellow Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways its sixth, in February but both required repairs to shims in the aft fuselage. Services from Narita to New Delhi and Moscow, as well as Tokyo Haneda and Beijing are planned to start following the 787's inaugural US service. Boeing is nearing imminent FAA certification for the GEnx-1B engine-airframe for its 787, a milestone expected to be paired with 330min extended operations (ETOPS) approval, says the programme's top engineer.
"The work's all done, it's just a matter of churning through all the paperwork at this point," says Mike Sinnett, 787 chief project engineer of the 330min ETOPS requirements. "So now it's just rolling it through the process with the GE [certification] coming in the next couple of days. [JAL] will be able to seek operational approval and we'll be done."
JAL's Boston link will not require a 330min ETOPS certification, although the aircraft will meet requirements to fly routes that require a diversion airport between 3h and 5h 30min flying time away.
GE says certification for the GEnx-1B-powered 787 will cover both its baseline Block 4 and Performance Improvement Package (PIP1) configurations, with the latter expected to deliver a 1.4% improvement in specific fuel consumption because of an increase in the number of low pressure turbine blades.
JAL's first 787 is fitted with PIP1 engines, says GE. Boeing completed flying for engine-airframe certification on Airplane 35, a production model for Air India, on 23 February. United Airlines, which will take delivery of six 787s in 2012, is expected to be the first to require the 330min requirement for its routing between Houston and Auckland.


source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/genx-approval-key-to-jal-deliveries-369691/ 

ISTAT 2012: Lufthansa, ALC vie to be 787-10X launch customer

Lufthansa and Air Lease Corp (ALC) are vying for launch customer status on Boeing's proposed stretched 787-10X.
Nico Buchholz, Lufthansa senior vice-president of corporate fleet, sees the aircraft as an ideal fit for the carrier as the airframe is not over-optimised to fly further than necessary for its route network.
The carrier has conducted extended evaluations of both the 280-seat 787-9 and 323-seat 787-10X to fill the approximately 200-to-300-seat fleet segment that is currently occupied by the Airbus A330-300, A340-300 and A340-600.
Boeing's newly-appointed senior vice-president of marketing, Mike Bair, says the 787-10X potentially provides a "absolutely astounding" improvement in performance, with 50% lower operating costs than the A340-600.
If Boeing moves ahead to "launch the airplane, we could be a definitive launch customer for the -10, in tandem with [ordering] some -9s. So that's in the oven," says Steven Udvar-Hazy, chief executive of ALC.
But Udvar-Hazy says any order depends on "Boeing's ability to translate talk into a firm commitment to build the -10".
ALC is also pressuring Boeing for an additional 1.4-1.8t (3,000-4,000lb) maximum takeoff weight above the baseline 251t, which would add 400nm (740km) to the aircraft's range. This will "make a big difference" for some customers, says Hazy.
The "simple stretch" of the 787-9, adding 5.5m (18ft) of fuselage, would create an aircraft capable of flying between 6,705nm to 6,745nm depending on the engine selection, say those familiar with the concept.
"It still serves probably 85% of the long-range routes and will have really good economics on seat mile costs and more cargo with the stretch both in front of and in the back of the wing," says Udvar-Hazy.
The launch of the -10X could be paired with a 353-to-407-seat 777X concept at the end of the year, says Udvar-Hazy, who believes that service entry of the third 787 model would occur before the revamped 777.
"The issue that we are looking at is exactly when in the production cycle should we put this into the line." says Bair.
"We're looking at maturity in rate ramp-up on the current [787-8] and how we're going to balance that against the introduction of the -9. When we're comfortable we've got an industrialisation plan that works, the [787-10X] itself is pretty obvious."

source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/istat-2012-lufthansa-alc-vie-to-be-787-10x-launch-customer-369681/ 

India needs 1,043 aircraft over next 20 years: Airbus

Airbus forecasts that India will need 1,043 new aircraft over the next 20 years.
Despite the current climate in India's aviation industry, the airframer was optimistic about the outlook.

These 1,020 passenger and 23 freighter aircraft are valued at $145 billion, said Airbus head of marketing for India Joost Van Der Heijden at a press conference at the India Aviation air show.

Of the 1020 passenger aircraft, 160 will replace retiring aircraft, while the remaining will cater to the strong demand growth expected in India. Airbus expects 646 aircraft to be single aisle, 308 to be twin aisle and the remaining 66 to be very-large aircraft such as the Airbus A380.

"Globally, we target 50% of the market. In India, we hope to have a very strong position as well," said Van Der Heijden when asked how many of the 1,043 new aircraft Airbus expects to supply.

"Despite [the] near-term challenges, the Indian economy is forecast to continue expanding, helping India's growth in domestic air travel to reach even higher growth rates of nearly 10% annually," said Airbus.

When asked whether the manufacturer is concerned about the financial situation of some of its customers such as Kingfisher, Van Der Heijden would only say he expects strong demand in the region to continue and thus the continual need for more aircraft.
He also declined to comment on whether the manufacturer foresees any upcoming order cancellations from India.

Airbus' forecast also places India as the world's fourth-largest market in terms of aircraft numbers and value.

India's annual passenger traffic growth rates stands at 7.2%, above Asia-Pacific's growth of 5.9% and almost double the world average.

source: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/india-needs-1043-aircraft-over-next-20-years-airbus-369582/ 

GMF Berhasil Lakukan D03-Check Pesawat A330

PT GMF (Garuda Maintenance Facility) AeroAsia berhasil melaksanakan perawatan D03-Check pesawat A330 yang pertama di kawasan regional. Selain menjalani perawatan D03-check, pesawat A330 Garuda Indonesia dengan registrasi PK-GPA ini juga menjalani modifikasi frame 53. Garuda Indonesia merupakan salah satu operator pesawat A330 pertama di dunia.

“Keberhasilan melakukan D03-Check pesawat A330 ini merupakan lompatan besar bagi GMF,” kata Direktur Utama GMF AeroAsia, Richard Budihadianto.

Menurut Richard Budihadianto, untuk memiliki kemampuan D03-Check pesawat A330, GMF melakukan pengembangan yang terkait infrastruktur dan kompetensi sumber daya manusia sejak satu tahun lalu. Persiapan ini untuk mengantisipasi pekerjaan overhaul pesawat A330 Garuda yang berjumlah 14 pesawat. Selama ini, untuk pekerjaan overhaul (D01 dan D02-Check) pesawat A330, Garuda harus mengirimkan ke luar negeri seperti Swiss, Malaysia, dan Singapura.

Tapi, seiring dengan kemampuan GMF melakukan pekerjaan serupa yang lebih besar yakni D03-Check, seluruh pekerjaan overhaul pesawat A330 bisa dilakukan di dalam negeri sehingga dapat menghemat devisa.

Untuk menjalankan perawatan D03-Check pesawat A330 Garuda Indonesia ini, GMF menjalin kerjasama dengan Swiss Air Technic untuk pekerjaan airframe. Adapun untuk pekerjaan landing gear, GMF bekerjasama dengan Revima. Untuk seluruh pekerjaan D03-Check ini, total manhours sebesar 35.000. “Jumlah manhours yang kita gunakan sangat kompetitif untuk pekerjaan sebesar ini,” katanya. Karenaitu, GMF telah siap bersaing dengan perusahaan MRO lain di Asia Pasifik untuk overhaul pesawat A330.

Sejumlah perusahaan MRO seperti Swiss Air Technic, ST Engineering, HAECO merupakan MRO yang telah memiliki kapabilitas overhaul pesawat A330. Tapi, perusahaan MRO itu baru melakukan pekerjaan besar untuk pesawat A330 hingga D02-Check. GMF menjadi yang pertama di kawasan regional yang melakukan D03-Check. “Pencapaian ini merupakan bukti bahwa kemampuan GMF setara dengan MRO global yang lain,” katanya.

Menurut Richard Budihadianto, Garuda Indonesia merupakan satu-satunya operator di Indonesia yang mengoperasikan pesawat A330 untuk rute domestik dan internasional. Pertumbuhan tipe pesawat ini cukup menjanjikan karena mencapai 4,8 persen untuk kawasan Asia Pasifik. Pasar inilah yang akan ditangkap GMF sebagai peluang baru karena tipe pesawat ini mulai memasuki masa-masa perawatan besar.

Kapabilitas D03-Check ini bisa menjadi salah satu keunggulan yang ditawarkan GMF kepada pasar perawatan pesawat. Keberhasilan melakukan D03-Check ini membuat GMF semakin diperhitungkan di Asia Pasifik. “GMF tumbuh sebagai kekuatan baru di Asia Pasifik dengan kapabilitas ini,” katanya. Peluang GMF meningkatkan serapan pasar dari kawasan Asia Pasifik semakin besar seiring penambahan kapabilitas yang baru.

source: http://id.berita.yahoo.com/gmf-berhasil-lakukan-d03-check-pesawat-a330-065927802.html 

JAL preps to be Boeing's second 787 customer as delivery nears

Japan Airlines is preparing to become the second 787 customer, as Boeing nears imminent certification of GEnx-1B engines and a restart of deliveries that were stalled in early February by required repairs following improper shim installation in its aft fuselages. 

The airline has completed both route proving and maintenance training following a quiet visit of GEnx-1B-powered 787 test aircraft ZA005 to Japan for service ready operational validation (SROV) trials that lasted from February 20 to March 9.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO, Jim Albaugh, says JAL will take delivery of its first aircraft in "the weeks to come".

Airplanes 23 and 33, both with 186 seats and registered JA822J and JA825J, respectively, are expected to be handed over to the carrier in late March, say program sources, ahead of the April 22 start to Boston-Tokyo-Narita services. 

Service from Narita to New Delhi and Moscow, as well as Tokyo-Haneda to Beijing are slated to start following the 787's inaugural US service.

Boeing is nearing an imminent certification for GEnx-1B engine-airframe approval for its 787, a milestone expected to be paired with 330min extended operations (ETOPS) approval, says the program's top engineer.

"The work's all done, it's just a matter of churning through all the paper work at this point," says Mike Sinnett, 787 chief project engineer of the 330min ETOPS requirements, "So now it's just rolling it through the process with the GE [certification] coming in the next couple of days, [JAL] will be able to seek operational approval and we'll be done."

JAL's Boston link will not require a 330min ETOPS certification, though the aircraft will meet requirements to fly routes that require a diversion airport between 3h and 5h 30min flying time.

GE says its pairing certification of GEnx-1B 787 will include both its baseline Block 4 and Performance Improvement Package (PIP1) configurations, the latter of which is expected to deliver a 1.4% improvement in specific fuel consumption, due to an increase in the number of low pressure turbine (LPT) blades.

JAL's first 787 is fitted with PIP1 engines, says GE. Boeing completed flying for engine-airframe certification with Boeing on Airplane 35, a production model for Air India, on 23 February.

United Airlines, which takes delivery of six 787s this year, is expected to be the first to require the 330min requirement for its routing between Houston, Texas and Auckland, New Zealand.

180min approvals for Rolls-Royce Trent 1000-powered 787s were granted ahead of its October 2011 service entry, 330min certification was split into a second block of requirements with a "software adjustment" to the low fuel quantity indication necessary to meet US Federal Aviation Administration regulatory criteria.

Engine approvals were granted to Rolls for 330min ETOPS certification for its Trent 1000 in May 2011 and to GE on the baseline Block 4 GEnx-1B in December 2011, and again on March 8 for its PIP1 configuration.

To date, Boeing has delivered five 787s, all to All Nippon Airways, which is flying its aircraft on a majority of domestic routes, as well as a sole long-haul connection between Tokyo-Haneda and Frankfurt, Germany.

ANA expected its sixth 787 in February, Airplane 40, and JAL its first, but both required repairs to shims in the aft fuselage, slowing near-term deliveries. As of March 5, Boeing had conducted repair work on five 787s, a number expected to climb further as inspection continue.

JAL is expected to be followed by Air India in May, Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines in June, China Southern in July, LOT Polish Airlines in November, United Airlines in the second half of the year and LAN Airlines as new 787 customers and part of the 35 to 42 deliveries the company has planned in 2012.

On March 1, Boeing began receiving structural shipments at the Everett factory's Position 0 at a rate of 3.5 aircraft per month for pre-integration and Postion 1 followed to the higher rate as well with the recent loading of Airplane 61, LOT's first 787, for final body join.

Albaugh expects Airplane 66 to be its first 787 that will not require change incorporation work following final assembly, an assessment that has extended beyond previous internal assessments that Airplane 63 would be the company's first "right to pre-flight" 787.

Mapping out its climb to 10 787s per month by the end of 2013 spread across three final assembly lines, Boeing is nearing a June activation of its surge line at its Everett, Washington factory and first delivery from its Charleston line.

Rather than double the pace of its primary Everett line, operational since May 2007, Boeing will initially build up to mirror the current 3.5 aircraft per month rate on its surge line, advancing the factory's 787 output to five per month by years end with the surge's 1.5 per month contribution.

"That second line will basically replicate what we're doing on the first line. So in terms of getting up to five per month, we already know how to do that so this is a matter of replication," says Pat Shanahan, Boeing senior vice president of airplane programs. 

"We'll fold it back into having just one line in Everett," he adds of the surge line, "but in the interim as we wait to bring on the 787-9 it's risk protection. So we've got kind of this belt and suspenders approach in Everett, so we're doubled down on getting to five, and then when we introduce the -9, we're rate protected if we want to run -8's down one line and -9's down another."

Though as the output across the supply chain and final assembly accelerates, Charleston's mid and aft-fuselage facilities remains the biggest "pinch point" to watch for Albaugh, despite delivering to final assembly to 100% completion of assembly. 

Charleston facilities are likely to break to the higher five aircraft per month rate mid-year, say those familiar with the plan, but with more than fifteen center fuselage undergoing integration at a time on three lines, Boeing must advance production in South Carolina well ahead of its final assembly operations to meet its planned rate increases.

"The work cells can only handle so many jobs," says Albaugh. "We want to make sure we don't overload the work cells. We've had an issue to date with change traffic with a lot of late parts. We have been able to resolve the change traffic. We have been able to resolve the parts issues. 

"And for the first time, our mechanics are starting to see planned work, time, after time, after time, and we will get the learning and we will sneak up on the rate changes rather than force them," says Albaugh.

source: fliglobal.com

FLEET WATCH: Year 2011 - flightglobal.com

nother strong year for commercial aviation
 
2011 was another strong year for commercial aviation as a total of 2,796 net orders were made and aircraft deliveries and order backlogs reached an all-time high.

Net orders in 2011

Net orders for 2011 represented an increase of 78% on the previous year. Apart from the regional jet market, each segment benefited from a considerable increase in orders.

Airbus emerged as the leader in the 2011 commercial order battle with 1,425 net orders for the year, while Boeing totalled 788. In the regional market, ATR, Embraer and Sukhoi booked 157, 160 and 73 orders, respectively. Comac took in 95 orders for the C919 narrowbody and 10 orders for the ARJ21. Bombardier totalled 43 orders for the CSeries and nine Q400s.

Narrowbody net orders increased by 107% on the previous year, totalling 2,026 for 2011. Airbus led with an impressive and record high intake of 1,351 orders, of which 1,165 were for the new A320neo. Boeing received 537 narrowbody net orders including 150 for its re-engined 737 Max. Widebody net orders came in at 325, an increase of 59% on the previous year. Boeing received 251 orders and Airbus 74. In the regional market, the ATR intake of 157 orders represents a record for the manufacturer.

From a regional perspective by operator, Asia-Pacific placed the most orders with 1,111 units, representing 40% of the market. North America followed with 1,005 net orders while Europe totalled 364.

Southwest Airlines was responsible for the largest number of orders during the year as the US operator ordered a total of 260 737s (including 150 737 Max, 73 737-800 and 37 737-700 aircraft). Malaysian-based AirAsia ordered 200 A320neo aircraft while India’s Indigo ordered 180 of the A320 Family, including 150 A320neo aircraft.

Lessors GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) and International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC) ordered 123 aircraft each, while Qantas ordered 110 A320 Family aircraft (including 78 orders for the A320neo). Other large orders came in during the year from American Airlines for 100 737s and six 777s, while Delta ordered 100 737-900s.

In the major cancellations of the year, DAE Capital axed a total of 142 aircraft from its order book (67 737s, 53 A320s and 23 A350s). AirTran Airways cancelled 51 737s, while CASGC scrapped 50 A320s. Jazeera Airways cancelled orders for 25 A320s.

Airliner market 10 years view - net orders

Commercial aircraft deliveries in 2011

A total of 1,255 commercial aircraft deliveries took place in 2011, including 771 narrowbody and 212 widebody aircraft, an all-time high for both market groups. Regional jet and turboprop deliveries totalled 154 and 118, respectively.

It was yet another record year for Airbus, which delivered 519 commercial aircraft in 2011, 27 more than in the year before. The manufacturer delivered 412 A320 Family aircraft as well as 81 A330s and 26 A380s.

Boeing, which delivered 446 commercial aircraft in 2010, also surpassed itself with 464 deliveries in 2011. The company delivered 359 737s, 73 777s, 20 767s and nine 747s. Boeing also introduced the new 787 to the market with three deliveries to All Nippon Airways.

In the regional market, Bombardier and Embraer delivered 103 and 102 commercial aircraft, respectively. It was a record year for ATR, which delivered 53 commercial turboprops.
From a regional perspective, 462 of the 1,255 commercial aircraft delivered in 2011 were for operators based in Asia-Pacific followed by Europe with 384.

Airliner market 10 years view - deliveries

Order backlog at 31 December 2011

Airliner backlog ended 2011 at 9,556 units, up 1,545 from the previous year. This is a new record for year-end commercial aircraft backlog. The last high point occurred at the end of 2008 when it stood at 8,332.

At the end of 2011, Southwest Airlines topped the backlog by operator and customer listing with 349 aircraft, consisting of 150 for the 737 Max, 126 737-700s and 73 737-800s. AirAsia followed with 279 aircraft on order with 79 A320-216s and 200 for the A320neo. Emirates and Indigo both showed a backlog of 227 aircraft. An additional 20 aircraft are also on backlog with DAE Capital and are destined to go to Emirates.

In the leasing market, GECAS, ILFC, Air Lease Corporation and Aviation Capital Group showed backlog figures of 251, 233, 161 and 158, respectively.

Airliner market 10 years view - backlog

Regional overview for commercial aircraft in 2011

India Aviation expo to start in Hyderabad from March 14

If it was Airbus's jumbo A-380 in 2008, Boeing's 'Dreamliner' 787-8 aircraft would be the cynosure of all eyes when it touches down in India for the first time for India Aviation-2012 expo, beginning here on March 14, in the centenary year of civil aviation in India.

"The primary objective of the event is to attract investments in the aerospace sectors in the country in general and AP in particular," FICCI Regional Director (trade fairs) Vivek Kodikal said.

While India is the host, UK will be the partner country, France the focus country and the US "guest country", he said.

Andhra Pradesh would be the host state, Maharashtra the partner state and Karnataka the focus state at the event.

The Dreamliner, which would be inducted into Air India fleet soon, would be on display for three days at the biennial aero show at the Begumpet Airport here.

Sukhoi's Superjet 100 aircraft, Airbus' A-318 and Embraer's business jets Phenom 300 and 100 would be the other attractions at the third edition of the International Exhibition and Conference on Civil Aviation, jointly organised by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will showcase its Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) that is currently in the development stage. Powered by a single engine, the LUH is to be deployed for Reconnaissance and Surveillance role.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh will inaugurate the five-day event in the presence of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy. Singh will release a postal stamp and a coffee-table book on civil aviation too.

In all, 22 aircraft will be on static display, with 21 airline companies from across the globe will be participating. The beleaguered Kingfisher, which was one of the main sponsors of India Aviation in the previous two editions, would be missing this time.

The show would be open to business visitors for the first three days, and to common people on 17th and 18th


source: http://www.mydigitalfc.com/news/india-aviation-expo-start-hyderabad-march-14-523

Air India demands higher compensation from Boeing for delays

Hyderabad: Air India is negotiating for more compensation from Boeing Co for delayed aircraft delivery, a senior government official said, after the planemaker agreed to pay the cash-strapped airline more than $500 million.

“Two weeks back they (Boeing) agreed to pay a little over $500 million. We are asking for more, we are talking to them,” joint secretary at the ministry of civil aviation, Prashant Sukul, said on Wednesday.

PTI

State-owned Air India was seeking nearly $1 billion from Boeing to compensate for the delays, a source told Reuters last month.

Speaking at a JP Morgan aviation conference later on Wednesday, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Chief Executive Officer Jim Albaugh disputed the claim that Boeing had agreed to the payment.

“We don’t comment on deals that we’ve done. But I can tell you we’re not writing anybody a check for $500 million,” Albaugh said.

Deliveries on the national carrier’s 2005 order for as many as 50 long-range Boeing jets worth about $6 billion have been delayed by more than three years, disturbing Air India’s plans and schedules.

Air India expects to take delivery of seven Boeing Dreamliners in the next fiscal year that starts in April, Chairman Rohit Nandan said on Wednesday.

The state carrier, burdened with a $4 billion debt, is banking on government support to continue operations. It owes about $500 million to oil marketing companies and about $240 million to airports.

Rival Kingfisher Airlines is also struggling.

The loss-making private carrier has failed to stick to its agreed recovery plan, the head of India’s aviation regulator said on Wednesday, adding that the current situation at the carrier cannot be allowed to continue for long.

India’s airlines are likely to lose up to $3 billion in the fiscal year ending March as the industry’s total debt swells to $20 billion. Five of India’s top six airlines are in the red.


source: http://www.firstpost.com/business/air-india-demands-higher-compensation-from-boeing-for-delays-244500.html

We’re not writing anybody a check for $500 million: Boeing

New York: The Indian government and US plane maker Boeing are squabbling over compensation for the late delivery of the company’s 787 Dreamliner to Air India. Boeing was in a feisty mood on Wednesday and burst India’s bubble about receiving $500 million in compensation.

Prashant Sukul, joint secretary at the Ministry of Civil Aviation, told reporters at the Hyderabad air show on Wednesday that “two weeks back Boeing agreed to pay a little over $500 million.” He said that Air India previously asked for $840 million and it has since asked for more because of further delays.

“I think if we settled for $500 million, somebody would have told me,” Jim Albaugh, president of Boeing’s commercial aircraft unit, said on Wednesday at the JPMorgan Chase & Co aviation, transportation and defense conference in New York.

“We don’t comment on deals that we’ve done, but I can tell you that we’re not writing anybody a check for $500 million,” added Albaugh, challenging India’s claim.

India’s demand for compensation is not unreasonable as airlines sign up for delivery slots when they place orders, and Boeing faces penalties for late planes such as the 787 Dreamliner. Boeing’s delivery of the Dreamliner to Air India is almost three years behind schedule.

The roomy, wide-body Dreamliner is a light-weight, carbon-composite airplane that promises significant fuel savings to operators and new comforts for passengers: comfy seats, better cabin climate, less airsickness, reduced jet lag. Development of the Dreamliner has been delayed repeatedly, because of snags in the complex global supply chain.

Technicians check the newly-inducted Boeing 787-8 series Dreamliner aircraft at a static dispaly during the opening day of the India Aviation-2012 show at Begumpet airport in Hyderabad. AFP

Analysts say Dreamliner buyers are likely to be compensated through “store credit.” Compensation would most likely be provided to customers as price reductions on 737 or 777 aircraft, which would protect the profitability of the programme but not of Boeing’s overall business.

“If deliveries slip, compensation to customers should rise,” Doug Harned, with Bernstein Research, noted earlier in the year.

Instead of store credit, financially troubled Air India would naturally prefer a large dollop of cash. According to reports, at one stage Air India had been seeking nearly $1 billion in compensation after placing an order for 27 of the 787 aircraft in 2005, worth $5.2 billion at list prices.

Air India has now decided to sell and leaseback the first seven of the 27 planes it has ordered and is looking for bridge financing worth $230 million. A leaseback arrangement, will allow Air India to sell the planes to a buyer who will lease them back to it. This will free up cash for the Indian carrier.

Air India will get its first 787 Dreamliner in May, Sukul told reporters at the three-day India Aviation-2012 expo in Hyderabad where Boeing’s wide-body jet was on display in the carrier’s colors.

The first Dreamliner was finally delivered to Japan’s All Nippon Airways, the launch customer, in September 2011, ending three years of delays. According to reports, All Nippon Airways received some compensation, although the details are unknown.

The Dreamliner has been a winner for Boeing, the world’s second-largest plane-maker after its European rival Airbus. Since 2004, Boeing has received 870 orders for the Dreamliner and is eager to cut its delivery backlog.

Last month, United Continental Holdings, parent of United Airlines, said in a regulatory filing that it is in talks with Boeing over potential compensation related to delays in 787 deliveries.

source: http://www.firstpost.com/business/were-not-writing-anybody-a-check-for-500-million-boeing-244699.html