Airbus Updates No.1801

Lithuania's GetJet Airlines secures one A320 from AerCap

GetJet Airlines Airbus A320-200© GetJet Airlines

27MAR2018

GetJet Airlines (GJT, Vilnius) has secured an A320-200 from AerCap following the signing of a contract in August last year.

The Lithuanian ACMI/charter specialist said in a statement LY-FOX (msn 1087) was delivered on March 20 and features 180 seats in an all-economy class configuration. It will be used to ACMI/wet lease and air charter contracts across Europe. 

"GetJet has been growing steadily for the last couple of years and so adding the new Airbus A320 to our fleet is simply part of our long-term modernization and expansion strategy,” Darius Viltrakis, CEO of GetJet Airlines, said.

GetJet Airlines also operates one more A320-200 as well as four B737-400s and one B737-300.

Airbus Updates No.1800

France's Joon begins A321-200 and A340-300 ops

Logo of Joon© Air France

26MAR2018

Joon (JN, Paris CDG) has begun A321 operations following the deployment into scheduled service of F-GTAS (msn 3419) and F-GTAK (msn 1658) on Thursday, March 20. By now, F-GTAJ (msn 1476) and F-GTAM (msn 1859) have also entered service.

As previously reported, the jets are to be used to run flights from Paris CDG to each of Barcelona El Prat, Lisbon, Berlin Tegel, Rome Fiumicino, and Oslo Gardermoen.

Joon also operates six A320-200s with its first A340-300 F-GLZP (msn 260), having undergone pre-delivery maintenance at Abu Dhabi Int'l ahead of its entry into service, now operating on a daily basis between Charles de Gaulle airport and Cairo Int'l.

Airbus Updates No.1799

Spain's Iberia outlines early A350 ops from early 3Q18

Iberia Airbus A350-900© Airbus

26MAR2018

Iberia (IB, Madrid Barajas) has outlined its tentative A350-900 operational plans ahead of the arrival of its first of the type in June.

According to AirlineRoute, early schedule details indicate the IAG International Airlines Group unit will start operations on July 20 on the Madrid-London Heathrow route followed by flights from the Spanish capital to New York JFK on August 8. Further revisions are expected as delivery time draws nearer.

As of December 31, 2017, Iberia was expecting two A350-900s from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) in 2018, three in 2019, six in 2020, and five in 2021. The twinjets will eventually replace the airline's fleet of seventeen A340-600s.

Airbus Updates No.1798

Finnair to damp-lease a Lithuanian A320 from late 2Q18

GetJet Airlines Airbus A320-200© GetJet Airlines

16MAR2018

Finnair (AY, Helsinki Vantaa) has announced it will damp-lease an A320-200 from Lithuanian ACMI/specialist GetJet Airlines (GJT, Vilnius) to cover demand over the period running from June 8, 2017, through January 7, 2019.

The Finnish carrier said in a statement the A320 would be deployed on select rotations from Helsinki Vantaa to each of Budapest, Berlin Tegel, Vienna, Prague, Kraków, and Paphos.

"We have a record number of flights next summer to both Asia and Europe. The leased aircraft will for its part ensure that we are able to operate all the flights in our traffic plan,” Juha Järvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Finnair, has added.

According to the ch-aviation fleets module, Finnair's own in-house A320 Family fleet currently numbers ten A320-200s, eight A319-100s, and eighteen A321-200s.

Airbus Updates No.1797

Aegean signs for 30 A320neo-family jets

• 28 March, 2018
• SOURCE: Flight Dashboard
• BY: Oliver Clark
• London

Aegean ‎Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding for the purchase of 20 Airbus A320neos and 10 A321neos.

The Greek carrier will also acquire a "significant number" of new A320neo-family aircraft from leasing companies, Airbus says, in detailing the commitment.

Aegean in its own statement discloses that it will take options on 12 more of the aircraft.

The Athens-based airline, an existing Airbus narrowbody customer, disclosed in September 2017 that it was in the process of deciding whether to order Boeing 737 Max or Airbus A320neos as part of a refleeting programme.

Eftichios Vassilakis, the carrier's vice-chairman, states that the decision to pick Airbus over the Boeing 737 Max followed an "intense and exhaustive evaluation to determine the best aircraft for Aegean's growth and long-term success".

Aegean expects to complete the deal in June and says it will make an engine selection in July.

Airbus Updates No.1796

27 March 2018

HiFly Places Order for ten Airbus A330-900neo Aircraft

Hi Fly, the European Charter and Wet Lease specialist, just placed an order to Airbus and will be welcoming the new Airbus A330-900neo to its fleet. An investment that reflects the company’s intent to fly modern, efficient and environmentally-friendly aircraft.

According to president Paulo Mirpuri, “the new Airbus A330-900neo model truly represents Hi Fly’s commitment of growth, innovation and sustainability. It meets our utmost priority to offer the best product and service to our clients at the same time that it translates our confidence in a more environmentally responsible future of aviation.”

The new Airbus A330-900neo incorporates the latest-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, along with aerodynamic improvements, up to 400 nautical miles of additional range and reductions in fuel burn and maintenance costs. A true representation of luxury in a more efficient, comfortable and ecologic aircraft.

In its interior, passengers can expect a spacious 2-aile cabin, empowered with state-of-the-art developments that encompass the four key pillars – comfort, ambience, services and design. Each seat will be equipped with the latest In-seat IFE system providing the passengers with great in-flight entertainment options and an optimized user experience.

The first unit is expected to integrate Hi Fly’s fleet in June 2019 and will have a maximum capacity of 415 passengers in a full-economy cabin configuration, and a 377 capacity in a two-class layout, with 18 seats in Business Class and 359 in Economy.

Hi Fly is a European airline specialized in Wet Lease. The EU – OPS, FAA approved, EASA and IOSA certified carrier operates a large fleet of Airbus A330’s and A340’s, exclusively available for Wet Lease worldwide. Wet Lease - the supply of aircraft and crew, maintenance and insurance - is Hi Fly’s core business has been developed with unmatched operational expertise for over a

Airbus Updates No.1795

World Airways eyes A320s prior to B787s

Illustration of World Airways Boeing 787-8© World Airways

16MAR2018

World Airways (Miami Int'l) plans to operate a fleet of around twenty Boeing B787 Family aircraft within five years, but will probably launch operations with cheaper narrowbody units, most likely Airbus A320 Family jets, director of business development Adam Weiss has told CAPA TV. 

The American start-up considers widebody unit costs too prohibitive in the company early days, Weiss has explained. 

"We haven't identified anything specifically yet. But, to us, the [A320] is the entry point into the market," he has said. 

Eventually, the carrier plans to operate a mix of B787-8s and B787-9s. The start-up plans to serve long-haul routes from the United States to Asia, South America, and Europe. Its network may include secondary or even tertiary airports, particularly in Europe. In Asia and South America it may also fly to primary gateways, Weiss has explained. 

The long-haul low-cost carrier had earlier indicated that it will base its aircraft out of Miami Int'l and Los Angeles Int'l.

World Airways is a new iteration of the defunct World Airways which collapsed in 2014. In late 2017, investment firm 777 Partners acquired the iconic brand's property rights and announced its intention to relaunch it as a long-haul LCC.

Airbus Updates No.1794

Indian regulator grounds 11 A320neo over P&W engine issues

GoAir Airbus A320-200© Airbus Industrie

13MAR2018

India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has grounded eleven Pratt & Whitney-powered A320neo in service for GoAir (G8, Mumbai Int'l) and IndiGo Airlines (6E, Delhi Int'l) as the fallout from the latest round of operational issues relating to the PW1100 Geared Turbo Fan continues.

In a statement seen by Reuters, the regulator said the grounding affected eight IndiGo A320neo and three with GoAir. It has asked both carriers not to refit the affected engines until further notice.

Last month, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) that warned of In-Flight engine Shut-Downs (IFSD) and Rejected Take-Off (RTO) events for select Pratt & Whitney PW1100 GTF-powered A320neo/A321neo aircraft.

EASA's operational restrictions entailed the grounding of aircraft with two affected engines pending repair/change out, the de-pairing of affected engines, and the discontinuation of Extended Range Twin-engine Operations (ETOPS) for aircraft fitted with affected engines.

Airbus Updates No.1793

Finnair accelerates A350 deliveries on strong Asian demand

Finnair Airbus A350-900© Airbus

22MAR2018

Finnair (AY, Helsinki Vantaa) has revised its A350-900 order book and is now expected to take delivery of its eight remaining aircraft of the type on order from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) by year-end 2022 instead of the originally anticipated 2023.

"The Asian strategy that our predecessors created in their time has been the right choice," CEO Pekka Vauramo said during the carrier's 2018 Annual General Meeting (AGM). "The strategy of the past few years, built on accelerated growth, improving customer and people experience and on renewal, has taken Finnair forward. Our growth continues: We have now made decisions to receive two A350s ahead of the original delivery schedule."

As it stands, Vaurumo said one A350-900, originally due in 2023, will now deliver in 2019 while another, due in 2022, had now been brought forward to 2020. The change means the carrier's remaining eight A350-900s will deliver as follows: one in the last quarter of 2018, two in 2019, two in 2020, two in 2021, and one in 2022.

Finnair currently operates eleven A350-900s on flights to Thailand, the United Kingdom, Cuba, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, China, and Mexico.

Airbus Updates No.1792

Cebu Pacific takes delivery of first A321ceo

Cebu Pacific Air Airbus A321-200© Airbus

22MAR2018

Cebu Pacific Air (5J, Manila Ninoy Aquino Int'l) has taken delivery of its first A321-200 after RP-C4111 (msn 8190) was positioned to Manila Ninoy Aquino Int'l from Hamburg Finkenwerder via Al Ain and Hanoi earlier this week.

The twinjet is expected to be deployed into service early next month on domestic Filipino flights first (General Santos, Iloilo, and Cebu) followed by regional Asian destinations thereafter.

Cebu Pacific has a total of seven A321ceo due from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac). The aircraft were ordered so as to mitigate delays in deliveries of its A321neo jets, all thirty-two of which are due to deliver between late 2018 and 2022.

Aside from this recent induction, Cebu Pacific's mainline fleet also includes thirty-six A320-200s and eight A330-300s.

Airbus Updates No.1791

Airbus A330	-223	822		9M-MTV	Malaysia Airlines	delivery 23mar18 ZRH-KUL	ex EI-GFT
Airbus A340	-313	128		LV-CSF	Aerolíneas Argentinas	ferried 21mar18 EZE-SBD for part-out & scrap	ex B-HXO
Airbus A340	-313	260		F-GLZP	Air France	ferried 19mar18 AUH-CDG after paint into Joon cs
Airbus A340	-313	354		OO-SCX	Brussels Airlines	posn 20mar18 FCO-DUS, D-reg after paint into Eurowings cs	ex D-AIGX
Airbus A340	-642	537		D-AIHD	Lufthansa	ferried 20mar18 LETL-HAM after storage (+ 848 D-AIHU SZW-MUC)	ex F-WWCZ
Airbus A340	-642	922		2-FIEX	European Aviation	ferried 24mar18 BOH-AUH	ex A6-EHJ
Airbus A350	-941	193		F-HREV	French bee	delivery 23mar18 TLS-BOD	ex F-WZGX

Airbus Updates No.1790

Airbus A320	-232	5877		JA22JJ	Jetstar Japan	delivery 26-27mar18 TLS-AUH-HAN-NRT	ex F-WWDS
Airbus A320	-2332	7497		B-MCH	Air Macau	delivery / in svc 21/24mar18 CTU-MFM-BKK-MFM	ex B-8745
Airbus A320	-251N	8096		N766AV	Avianca	delivery 21-22mar18 TLS-YYR-MDE	ex F-WWTX
Airbus A320	-251N	8110		G-UZHE	easyJet	delivery 23mar18 XFW-LTN	ex D-AUBW
Airbus A320	-214	8132		B-1061	Air Guilin	delivery 22-23mar18 TLS-TSE-TSN-KWL	ex F-WWBO
Airbus A320	-232	8192		EC-MXG	Vueling	delivery 26mar18 TLS-BCN	ex F-WWIC
Airbus A320	-232	8210		G-WUKF	Wizz Air UK	delivery 26mar18 XFW-BUD	ex D-AUBI
Airbus A321	-231	1060		SX-ABQ	Olympus Airways	ferried / posn 22mar18 CRA-ATH-FCO	ex EI-FBF
Airbus A321	-231	1763		OE-IFZ	CIT Aerospace	ferried 21mar18 SN-MPL	ex G-OZBF
Airbus A321	-211	3504		OE-LES	Laudamotion	ferried 16mar18 VIE-SOF (not OE-LCS**)	ex D-AVZI
Airbus A321	-211	4334		D-ATCA	Condor	posn 21mar18 DUS-HAJ, Air Berlin cs, ops by AB Aviation	ex OE-LCC
Airbus A321	-211	6979		D-ATCE	Condor	ferried 23mar18 MAN-NWI, OE-reg for paint, to be ops by AB Aviation	ex OE-LNZ
Airbus A321	-231	8055		B-1002	Juneyao Airlines	delivery 22mar18 XFW-TSE	ex D-AVYE
Airbus A321	-231	8141		N686NK	Spirit Airlines	delivery 22mar18 BFM-DTW	ex F-WZMJ
Airbus A321	-231	8143		N993JE	jetBlue	delivery 23mar18 BFM-CLT	ex F-WZMK
Airbus A321	-231	8163		B-LEJ	Hong Kong Express	delivery 22-23mar18 XFW-RKT-HKG, special “Reward U” cs	ex D-AZAO
Airbus A321	-211	8205		VP-BKZ	Aeroflot	delivery 23mar18 XFW-SVO	ex D-AVXH
Airbus A330	-243	392		SU-ALC	Air Leisure	ferried 22mar18 KAN-CAI, was not used by Azman Air since 02oct17	ex EI-FSI
Airbus A330	-202	441		EI-GEY	Aer Lingus	ferried 23mar18 DOH-DUB, A7-reg, for paint prior 5 years lease	ex A7-ACH
Airbus A330	-223	444		F-HTTC	Aigle Azur	ferried 24mar18 LDE-MLA, EI-reg, for paint prior delivery	ex EI-GFD

Airbus Updates No.1789

Airbus A319	-112	1612		SX-BHN	Olympus Airways	ferried / posn 22/23mar18 CRA-ATH-MUC	ex N612MX
Airbus A319	-111	2240		EC-MUT	Volotea Airlines	re-delivery 24mar8 RZE-TLS	ex EI-FML
Airbus A319	-111	2481		N316NV	Allegiant Air	delivery 24mar18 STN-BGR-GSO	ex G-EZIK
Airbus A319	-111	2492		G-EZIL	easyJet	ferried 19mar18 MLA-EMA for paint, for Allegiant Air	ex D-AVWM
Airbus A319	-111	2829		OE-LKI	easyJet Europe	ferried 21/23mar18 MXP-LJU-MXP on transfer, re-regd 23mar18	ex G-EZAZ
Airbus A319	-111	3854		OE-LQR	easyJet Europe	ferried 19/21mar18 MXP-LJU-MXP on transfer, re-regd 21mar18	ex G-EZFH
Airbus A319	-111	4451		OE-LQE	easyJet Europe	ferried 23/26mar18 MXP-LJU-MXP on transfer, re-regd 26mar18	ex G-EZGD
Airbus A319	-115	8029		B-1008	Tibet Airlines	delivery 23mar18 TSn-LXA	ex B-000E
Airbus A320	-212	1381		EC-MVF	Thomas Cook Airlines Baleares	ferried 16man18 CWL-MAN, OO-reg prior transfer	ex OO-TCX
Airbus A320	-214	1637		SX-EMJ	Ellinair	G-reg canx 21mar18, delivery 22mar18 BHX-SKG	ex G-OZBX
Airbus A320	-214	1838		OO-SND	Brussels Airlines	ferried 24mar18 OSR-BRU after paint into Smurfs logodet cs	ex D-ALTJ
Airbus A320	-214	1954		EC-MTJ	Thomas Cook Airlines Baleares	G-reg canx & posn 20mar18 MAN-HAJ	ex G-TCAE
Airbus A320	-214	1961		OO-SNL	Brussels Airlines	delivery 26mar18 OSR-BRU, OE-reg	ex OE-IFU
Airbus A320	-232	2029		D-ASPE	Small Planet Airlines Germany	delivery 19mar18 ISE-PAD after paint	ex OE-IFS
Airbus A320	-232	2443		VT-	IndiGo Airlines	at MTY 23mar18 in full cs, XA-reg prior delivery	ex XA-VAF
Airbus A320	-214	2627		HB-JJM	Edelweiss Air	ferried 19mar18 NWII-ZRH after paint	ex D-ABNW
Airbus A320	-214	3410		VP-BKX	Ural Airlines	delivery 25mar18 OSR-SVX	ex F-WWIJ
Airbus A320	-214	3995		OE-IZT	easyJet Europe	delivery 19mar18 SEN-SXF after paint	ex D-ABDX
Airbus A320	-214	4115		N261NV	Allegiant Air	delivery 21mar18 SAW-SNN, HZ-re, ful cs	ex HZ-AS14
Airbus A320	-214	4122		N262NV	Allegiant Air	delivery 23mar18 SAW-SNN, HZ-reg, full cs	ex HZ-AS15