Airbus Updates No.2763

Airbus A320	-271N	9546		B-30FG	Qingdao Airlines	delivery 30jul20 TSN-TAO	ex B-007J
Airbus A320	-251N	9549		N368FR	Frontier Airlines	delivery 28jul20 BFM-TPA	ex F-WZMU
Airbus A321	-231	1227		HL7761	Air Busan	ferried 29-30jul20 ICN-PKC-ANC-MZJ on return to lessor	ex N127AG
Airbus A321	-211	1881		6V-	Air Sénégal	air-test at MPL 28jul20 by Azur Aviation prior delivery, F-reg	ex F-WTAJ
Airbus A321	-211	6629		OE-LCP	Vueling Austria	ferried 28jul20 VIE-MAD for onward storage	ex HB-JOV
Airbus A321	-211	6968		VN-A541	VietJet Air	ferried 29jul20 CRK-SGN after paint	ex OE-IKO
Airbus A321	-211	7081		PT-XPQ	Latam Brasil	ferried 24-25jul20 GRU-LIM-MIA-VCV on return to lessor	ex D-AZAC
Airbus A321	-271N	9458		T7-ME2	MEA Middle East Airlines	delivery 30jul20 XFW-BEY	ex D-AYAH
Airbus A321	-253NX	9584		N420AN	American Airlines	delivery 29jul20 BFM-TUL	ex F-WZMG
Airbus A330	-323	425		OK-YBA	CSA Czech Airlines	ferried 24jul20 MLA-PRG prior return to lessor	ex HL7701
Airbus A330	-343	548		B-HLV	Cathay Pacific	ferried 28jul20 HKG-ASP for onward storage	ex F-WWYI
Airbus A330	-203	661		SU-TCH	Almasria Universal Airlines	ferried 28jul20 CAI-LDE on return to lessor	ex VP-BIO
Airbus A330	-302	789		EI-EIK	Aer Lingus	ferried 26jul20 DUB-CQM for onward storage	ex A7-AEH
Airbus A330	-243	824		A6-EYM	Etihad Airways	ferried 29jul20 LETL-AUH	ex F-WWKD
Airbus A330	-243	832		A6-EYN	Etihad Airways	ferried 27jul20 AUH-LETL	ex F-WWKN
Airbus A330	-302	1361		VP-BUM	Nordwind Airlines	feeried 29jul20 LDE-DUB, M-reg prior delivery	ex M-ABLV
Airbus A340	-313	199		YV643T	ConViasa	delivery 25jul20 BLA-CCS, Avior cs	ex YV3292
Airbus A380	-842	22		VH-OQC	Qantas	ferried 27-28jul20 SYD-LAX-VCV for onward storage	ex F-WWSR
Airbus A380	-842	26		VH-OQD	Qantas	ferried 25-26jul20 AUH-LAX-VCV for onward storage	ex F-WWSX
Airbus A400M	-180	100		54+33	Luftwaffe	delivery 30jul20 SVQ-ETNW	ex A4M103

Airbus Updates No.2762

Airbus A300	B4-203(F)	227		HP-1755CTW	Cargo Three	air-test at MEX 23jul20, XA-reg prior delivery	ex XA-FPP
Airbus A319	-132	2560		N507NK	Spirit Airlines	ferried 29jul20 LAX-MZJ on return to lessor	ex D-AVYV
Airbus A320	-271N	10016		VQ-BSD	S7 Airlines	delivery 27jul20 TLS-DME	ex F-WWBE
Airbus A320	-271N	10035		B-30FQ	Juneyao Airlines	onward delivery 27jul20 TSN-PVG, was regd B-005E for acc flts at TSN	ex F-WWBM
Airbus A320	-271N	10031		N369FR	Frontier Airlines	delivery 29jul20 BFM-TPA	ex F-WZMY
Airbus A320	-271N	10064		SU-GFP	EgyptAir	delivery 24jul20 TLS-CAI	ex F-WWDN
Airbus A320	-251N	10072		SU-GFQ	EgyptAir	delivery 29jul20 TLS-CAI	ex F-WWIS
Airbus A320	-251N	10089		N371FR	Frontier Airlines	delivery 30jul20 BFM-TPA	ex F-WZMC
Airbus A320	-271N	10092		HA-LJB	Wizz Air	delivery 30jul20 TLS-BUD	ex F-WWBG
Airbus A320	-214	1125		EI-GTD	GECAS	seen regd at NOC 21jul20, IB Express cs (+ 1198 EI-EZR ex EC-MBU)	ex EC-MCB
Airbus A320	-214	2178		CS-TNP	TAP Air Portugal	ferried 28jul20 LIS-LPAR prior return to lessor	ex 9H-AER
Airbus A320	-214	2633		OE-LMR	LaudaMotion	regd 27jul20 prior delivery ex KUL	ex 9M-AFB
Airbus A320	-214	2988		EC-JZI	Vueling	ferried 29jul20 BCN-MLA for paint into?	ex F-WWII
Airbus A320	-214	4463		D-	Condor	delivery 27jul20 PMI-DUS, EC-reg after paint	ex EC-MBM
Airbus A320	-232	4493		ER-	HiSky Moldova	ferried 30jul20 LJU-OSR, OE-reg for paint	ex OE-IEV
Airbus A320	-214	4625		VQ-BIR	Aeroflot	ferried 26jul20 SVO-OSR	ex F-WWBZ
Airbus A320	-214	5017		A6-AUA	Air Arabia Abu Dhabi	posn 23jul20 SHJ-AUH after transfer	ex A6-ANI
Airbus A320	-271N	9416		B-LCQ	Hong Kong Express Airways	delivery 29-30jul20 XFW-DWC-HKG	ex D-AUAK
Airbus A320	-251N	9522		HZ-NS29	Flynas	delivery 27jul20 XFW-JED	ex D-AXAP
Airbus A320	-251N	9543		B-30DY	Colorful Guizhau Airlines	onward delivery 29jul20 TSN-KWE, was regd B-005H for acceptance flight	ex F-WWBX

Airbus Updates No.2761

Frontier Airlines Takes Delivery Of Its 100th Airbus A320

Frontier has celebrated a new milestone that few airlines reach, accepting delivery of its 100th aircraft. Yesterday the airline received its new Airbus A320neo, painted with a very distinct ‘Chinook the Gray Wolf’ livery.

The livery of the 100th Frontier aircraft. Photo: Frontier Airlines

Reaching 100 aircraft

Few airlines grow to reach a hundred airframes, let alone one hundred of the same family aircraft (which in Frontier’s case is the Airbus A320 family).

“Taking delivery of the 100th Airbus aircraft in our fleet marks a tremendous milestone for our company,” said Barry Biffle, CEO of Frontier Airlines in a press statement. “We have significantly expanded our fleet in recent years as Frontier has continued to grow both domestically and internationally,” 

Frontiers’ order book with Airbus is staggering, with another 88 Airbus A320s, 30 A321neos, and 18 A321XLRs set to be delivered over the next half a decade.

Stay informed: Sign up for our daily aviation news digest.

“Airbus is pleased to reach this significant 100th aircraft milestone with Frontier Airlines, and to be a part of the airline’s continuing growth and success,” said C. Jeffrey Knittel, Chairman, and CEO, Airbus Americas, Inc. “With 160 more aircraft on order, we look forward to many more of these milestones.” 

Looking at these numbers, while getting to a hundred aircraft was a long journey in the making, the next hundred will pass by very soon. It is more likely the carrier will run out of animals to paint on its tails than aircraft.

This 100th aircraft has a livery of a famous wolf called Chinook. Chinook was a wolf-dog hybrid set to be put down in 1993 for fear of her wolf genes, but she was saved at the last minute. Rescuing this animal had far-reaching consequences, such as dismantling the dangerous label of wolf-dogs and creating the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center, hence why she deserves her spot on the tail.

The new aircraft takes off for its first revenue route. Photo: Frontier Airlines

Why has Frontier been so successful?

Many ask why Frontier has been able to reach 100 aircraft in a market with peers like United, Delta, American, and Southwest (all of whom have over 100 short-haul planes). This is because of its unique business model – ultra-low-cost flights.

Onboard a Frontier aircraft, everything is for sale, and nothing is provided with your airfare. While its typical for you to pay for luggage or seat selection onboard United or American Airlines, onboard Frontier, you need to pay for cabin bags, and a table tray isn’t always included.

Where Frontier Airlines flies. Source: Frontier Airlines

Thus, while the fares may at first be cheap, when you add in luggage and other fees (like paying with a credit card), the cost can skyrocket. But since customers are already committed to the ‘cheap fare’, they push onwards and book.

This business model has rewarded the airline and today it wizzes across the country and to select international destinations. With new aircraft on the way with extreme range (like the Airbus A321XLR), Frontier might turn its hungry eyes to the lucrative transatlantic trade and offer destinations to Europe. A win for passengers indeed.

Airbus Updates No.2760

Airbus To Cut The A350’s Rate Of Production As Demand Falls

As Airbus announces a €1.226 billion ($1.44 bn) loss today, the planemaker has again cut the production rate of its A350 widebody. Following in the footsteps of Boeing with its own production cut announcements yesterday, Airbus will now only generate five of the flagship planes per month.

The flagship A350 will only be produced at five per month. Photo: Airbus

A further cut for the A350

Amid a worse-than-expected loss, Airbus has confirmed a further rate cut for its flagship widebody, the A350. Having reduced the output rate in April from 9.5 per month to just six, the planemaker is now looking to trim the rate further to just five jets per month. In the report issued today, Airbus said,

“Commercial aircraft are now being produced at rates in accordance with the new production plan announced in April 2020, in response to the COVID-19 situation. The current market situation has led to a slight adjustment in the A350 rate from 6 to 5 aircraft a month for now.”

The widebody market has been the hardest hit by the crisis and is likely to continue to struggle for some years. Yesterday, IATA predicted it would be 2024 before we see traffic returning to similar levels as 2019, which is likely to impact on the planemakers’ orders and deliveries.

The widebody market is likely to take the longest to recover. Photo: Getty Images

A loss worse than expected

Airbus’ results posting for the second quarter of the year included an adjusted loss of €1.226 billion ($1.44 bn). This was larger than analysts had been predicting, having forecast a loss of some €1.027 billion for the period.

Revenue was down more than expected, too, coming in at €8.317 billion ($9.76 bn), a 55% drop from the same period last year. This was, again, worse than predicted, with forecasts suggesting revenues of as much as €8.552 billion ($10.04 bn).

Airbus will produce 40% fewer aircraft than planned this year. Photo: Getty Images

Although the company has, like so many others, suspended formal forecasts going forward as a result of the volatility of the current situation, it did warn that further hits to its profits could be felt. It estimated a further impact of €1.2 to €1.6 billion as a result of the restructuring the company is currently undergoing.

In a statement accompanying the release, Airbus Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury admitted the challenges facing the planemaker but said he believed it was in a good position to survive. He said,

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our financials is now very visible in the second quarter, with H1 commercial aircraft deliveries halving compared to a year ago. We have calibrated the business to face the new market environment on an industrial basis and the supply chain is now working in line with the new plan.

“It is our ambition to not consume cash before M&A and customer financing in H2 2020. We face a difficult situation with uncertainty ahead, but with the decisions we have taken, we believe we are adequately positioned to navigate these challenging times in our industry.”

Although the planemaker has a long way to go, its report of a gross cash position of €17.5 billion is a positive sign. In the current environment, cash is king, and having a healthy bank balance is the best position in which to be.

Airbus Updates No.2759

Airbus Received Just 8 Commercial Aircraft Orders Between April & June

Airbus had a less-than-stellar Q2, with the aircraft manufacturer receiving orders for only eight planes. The European giant lost a massive €1.2 billion ($1.4 billion) this quarter, with revenues dropping by over half. With it now becoming clear that the aviation industry is unlikely to bounce back for a few years, Airbus is preparing to batten down the hatches.

Airbus’ bad quarter was long-known, though many expected lower losses. Photo: Airbus

Eight new orders

Airbus saw only eight new confirmed orders in the second quarter, where the effects of the coronavirus took hold globally. Starting the end of March, countries around the world began implementing lockdowns, and travel became essential-only. At this point, airlines began deferring deliveries, impacting Airbus’ schedules.

The eight new orders came from Irish-leasing firm Avolon, who ordered 8 A320neos and 1 A321neo aircraft. Avolon also canceled an order for an A330neo, bringing down the tally to eight for the quarter. Airbus deliveries picked up in June, with 36 planes delivered during the month, with a total of 74 planes during the quarter.

Airbus saw only eight planes ordered this quarter, a steep fall from the 290 aircraft last quarter. Photo: Airbus

While this might be a terribly small number for Airbus, it can take solace in Boeing’s struggles with order cancelations. Airbus has been able to largely avoid widescale order cancelations, barring from airlines who have now shut down.

Cancelations coming soon?

As mentioned, Airbus has been able to stave off mass cancellations for any of its planes, unlike Boeing, which has seen hundreds of 737 MAX planes canceled. However, with a backlog of over 7,000 aircraft, Airbus runs the risk of seeing some airlines canceling their orders in the future, as they evaluate their fleets.

In response to the slowing market, Airbus has cut production of its A350 to 5 aircraft a month. Widebodies have taken a hit during the pandemic, with long-haul flying restricted due to border closures and domestic markets recovering faster. Airbus’ focus remains on producing the more popular A320 and A220 for now.

Future looks unclear

Airbus and Boeing’s quarters were both expectedly disappointing, but more worryingly, it’s unclear where the industry is headed. With losses of this size never seen in a notoriously volatile industry, some, including IATA, are predicting a years-long recovery. If this is true, airlines and manufacturers can expect turbulent times with fewer aircraft and lesser revenues.

Airbus Updates No.2758

Aegean Airlines seeks flexibility on A320neo order

Aegean Airlines Airbus A320-200N© Aegean Airlines

28.07.2020 - 05:18 UTC

Aegean Airlines (A3, Athens Int'l) Chief Executive Dimitris Gerogiannis said during the carrier's virtual annual general meeting that it is seeking "flexibility" on its future deliveries of A320neo Family aircraft, although it has not cancelled any orders.

"Aegean has already received five new A320-200N aircraft, while another two are expected in the coming months, including the first A321-200N. The company's investment program for the order of total 46 aircraft remains unchanged, though the airline is working on possible solutions towards achieving necessary adjustments and flexibility," the Greek airline said in a press release summing up the AGM.

According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, Aegean Airlines had firm orders for 30 aircraft due directly from Airbus, including twenty A320neo and ten A321neo, as of June 30, 2020. The remainder of its narrowbody backlog consists of orders with lessors.

The first five A320neo delivered to Aegean Airlines since late December 2019 are all dry-leased - two each from Aviation Capital Group and ICBC Financial Leasing and one from SMBC Aviation Capital, the ch-aviation fleets ownership module shows.

Aegean Airlines said that its estimated loss during the second quarter of 2020 amounted to EUR26-28 million euros (USD30.5-33 million).

"Average load factor is gradually evolving at a positive pace throughout June, July and August, based on current estimates, but it is still expected to remain significantly below usual levels. However, their contribution will be positive in order to partly mitigate the losses compared to the previous months," the airline said.

Airbus Updates No.2757

American Airlines To Scrap Airbus A321 Involved In Take-Off Wing Strike

An American Airlines A321 that was involved in a take-off wing strike in April 2019 will not return to service. The decision comes 15 months after the incident. During that time, the plane has sat idle at New York’s Kennedy Airport. It is another chapter in an underreported incident that came dangerously close to a disaster.

American Airlines N114NN will get scrapped following an incident in April 2019. Photo: Anna Zvereva via Wikimedia Commons

The incident occurred on April 10, 2019. The leased Airbus A321 is registered as N114NN and has been with American Airlines for six-plus years. On the evening of April 10, N114NN was to operate AA300 from New York’s Kennedy Airport across to Los Angeles.

Aircraft experiences an uncontrolled roll, clips sign and pole

As Simple Flying reported, the aircraft experienced an uncontrolled 45° roll when taking off. The plane’s wing clipped a sign and a pole on the ground. The aircraft took off and climbed without further incident. N114NN ascended to 20,000 feet before turning and making a safe landing back at Kennedy.

“There’s a good crosswind, but we had an uncommanded roll to the left as we rotated,” the pilot told ATC.

“We were banking, uncontrolled bank 45 degrees to the left.”

Back on the ground, the extent of the damage became clear, and N114NN has not flown since.

A clipped sign, but could have got a lot worse

The incident and eventual fate of N114NN may prove to be one of history’s more expensive sideswipes of a sign.

Despite the aircraft remaining in the air for 30 minutes and landing safely, there are some reports that the April 10 incident could have ended very badly.

There were 110 people on board the flight. One unnamed source who was “briefed on the incident,” told CBS News;

“That was as close as anybody would ever want to come to crashing.” 

The uncommanded roll occurred just as the Airbus was starting to take-off. As CBS News notes, the force of the impact bent the wing.

There is a suggestion the pilots didn’t anticipate the severity of the winds and did not deflect or apply enough rudder to keep the aircraft centered.

The National Safety and Transportation Bureau (NTSB) is formally investigating the incident. American Airlines is co-operating fully in addition to conducting its own investigation. Neither AA nor the NTSB have published their findings on the incident. When they do, it should make for some interesting reading.

Airbus Updates No.2756

Qantas Finishes Ferrying Airbus A380s To The United States From Australia

That’s a wrap, folks. The final Airbus A380 for Qantas has arrived in Los Angeles (LAX) ahead of its intended storage amid a global downturn in demand. VH-OQC landed in the morning hours at LAX on July 27th.

Qantas has sent its final A380 from Australia to the US for storage. Photo: Getty Images

The final Qantas A380 arrives in LAX from Australia

VH-OQC was the 10th Qantas A380 to arrive in Los Angeles ahead of its entrance into long-term storage. Another two A380s are in Dresden, Germany, where they are undergoing interior retrofits. The first A380 for Qantas arrived in California earlier this month. Since then, multiple A380s have made their way off to the Mojave Desert.

The Airbus A380s are entering long-term storage in the California desert. Qantas is not anticipating flying its A380s for about three years– if not longer– and that requires a lot of careful planning and coordination. Victorville, one of the most well-known aircraft storage locations in the world, is ideally suited to take care of the planes until Qantas needs them back.

While the United States is a bit far for storing these aircraft, there are good reasons for the airline to store the planes in California.  Given the increased demand for aircraft storage at locations closer to home, like Alice Springs and the amount of space 12 Airbus A380s would occupy, California likely worked out to be the best option. Storing an aircraft, as we’ve seen, takes a lot of hard work.

With seating for over 480 passengers, these planes are far too large given current reduced demand Photo: Getty Images

VH-OQC

According to data from Flightradar24, this aircraft has been pretty quiet. The 11-year-old jet last flew from Melbourne to Sydney on a ferry flight in early April. Before that, its last flight was a roundtrip between Melbourne and Singapore on March 21st.

Qantas used to fly the Airbus A380s on some of its most prestigious routes. This includes flights from London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and Dallas to Sydney and, in some cases, Melbourne as well.

When will the Airbus A380s come back?

As of now, Qantas is expecting incredibly depressed international demand. The airline, as part of its recovery strategy, will park these aircraft for the next three years.

The A380s are undergoing a retrofit to include a brand new interior that will be a delight for passengers. Not all have undergone these changes. This is an expensive process and, if Qantas sees it fit, could retire some A380s rather than invest in the remainder– as Air France did.

Much of the type’s return to service with Qantas will depend on how tourism shapes up. Australia has shut its borders to foreign tourists and business travelers– one of Qantas’ biggest sources of revenue– leaving the airline with way more jets than it needs. That was what led the carrier to wave farewell to its iconic Boeing 747s.

This leaves Qantas with the Boeing 787, and maybe Airbus A350s, as the mainstay international long-haul fleet to the US if the A380s are retired. Although, in the meantime, the 787s might just have the perfect amount of capacity given suppressed demand.