Airbus Updates No.2200

Airbus A321	-271NX	8783		D-AIEB	Lufthansa	delivery 20jun19 XFW-SXF	ex D-AVXP
Airbus A321	-231	8879		G-WUKJ	Wizz Air UK	delivery 21jun19 XFW-BUD	ex D-AVZW
Airbus A330	-202	211		CS-TQP	HiFly	posn 19jun19 FCO-CDG, XL Airways decals prior wet-lease	ex N272LF
Airbus A330	-223	943		2-RLAX	Regio Lease	ferried 21jun19 LDE-MAN for paint into?	ex VN-A376
Airbus A330	-323	1021		EI-GOT	I-Fly	delivery 15jun19 BOD-VKO	ex F-GOTO
Airbus A330	-243F	1350		B-308L	Sichuan Airlines	delivery 18jun19 CRK-SHA, D-reg	ex D-ALAA
Airbus A330	-243MRTT	1822		763	Republic of Singapore Air Force	delivery 19jun19 MAD-SIN	ex EC-337
Airbus A330	-941	1890		3B-NBV	Air Mauritius	delivery 19-21jun19 TLS-LBG-MRU	ex F-WWCX
Airbus A330	-202	1932		EC-NEN	Level	for delivery 21jun19 TLS-MAD	ex F-WWKP
Airbus A340	-313	185		9H-FOX	HiFly Malta	posn 18jun19 DWC-LIS after wet-lease to Royal Australian Air Force / to Azores Airlines	ex EI-GAC
Airbus A340	-313	202		CS-TQZ	HiFly	posn 08jun19 FCO-DWC-BNE on new wet-lease to Royal Australian Air Force	ex A6-ERR
Airbus A340	-642	1030		9H-PGS	Maleth-Aero	ferried 20jun19 BZV-LETL	ex 2-FIXP
Airbus A350	-941	301		HL8361	Asiana	delivery 18jun19 TLS-ICN	ex F-WZHE
Airbus A380	-842	256		A6-EVG	Emirates	delivery 18jun19 XFW-DXB	ex F-WWAD
Airbus A400M	-180	93		17-0095	Türk Hava Kuvvetleri	delivery 20jun19 SVQ-LTAU	exA4M093
Airbus Canada A220	-171	50035**		N116DU	Delta Air Lines	delivery 20jun19 YMX-ATL	ex C-FOWQ

Airbus Updates No.2199

Airbus A300	B4-605R(F)	733		VQ-BNW	Elite Aero Ireland	ferried 18jun19 TAS-TEQ after storage	ex N733MY
Airbus A319	-132	2203		N876UA	United Airlines	delivery 20-21jun19 CAN-NRT-XMN	ex B-6040
Airbus A319	-112	2644		B-6199	Capital Airlines	ferried 12-13jun19 HAK-GUM-HNL-GYR on return to lessor	ex D-AVWP
Airbus A319	-112	2762		EI-GOF	STLC Euope Leasing	ferried 19jun19 FJR-SHJ (+ 2774 EI-GOG 20jun19 ex D-ASTN)	ex D-ASTO
Airbus A319	-112	4663		LY-KIT	GetJet Airlines	posn 21jun19 MLA-MRS on wet-lease to Aigle Azur	ex D-ASTA
Airbus A319	-112	4691		LY-KEA	GetJet Airlines	delivery 20jun19 PRG-KEF on wet-lease to Icelandair	ex D-ASTB
Airbus A320	-214	2902		OE-LVR	Anisec Luftfahrt	Level cs, posn 16jun19 VIE-AMS on wet-lease to TUI Airlines Netherlands	ex EC-MYB
Airbus A320	-216	3145		OE-LVS	Anisec Luftfahrt	re-regd 19jun19 after transfer at DUS, Level cs	ex EC-KDT
Airbus A320	-214	3286		C-GFCI	Air Canada Rouge	delivery 14/18jun19 LCQ-MLB-YYZ	ex XA-MXM
Airbus A320	-232	3543		ER-00005	Fly One	delivery 19-20jun19 SAL-YQX-KIV	ex XA-VOW
Airbus A320	-214	3949		LY-NVT	Avion Express	posn 11jun19 STR-AYT on wet-lease to Sun Express	ex HK-5222
Airbus A320	-214	4329		D-AEUH	germanwings	posn 18jun19 KUN-DUS, basic AB cs	ex OE-LOF
Airbus A320	-214	6320		F-WHUH	Airbus	ferried 21jun19 NRT-KUL	ex JA06VA
Airbus A320	-251N	8976		N352FR	Frontier Airlines	delivery 20jun19 BFM-TPA	ex F-WZMW
Airbus A320	-251N	9017		A4O-OVF	Salam Air	delivery 20jun19 TLS-MCT	ex F-WWIB
Airbus A320	-251N	9030		A9C-TC	Gulf Air	delivery 21jun19 TLS-BAH	ex F-WWBX
Airbus A320	-271N	9031		VT-IJH	IndiGo Airlines	delivery 18-19jun19 TLS-DWC-DEL	ex F-WWIN
Airbus A320	-251N	9036		G-UZLD	easyJet	delivery 20jun19 TLS-LTN	ex F-WWDK
Airbus A321	-211	5271		YL-LDC	smartLynx Airlines	regd & posn 18jun19 KUN-TLL	ex VP-BDC
Airbus A321	-211	7433		C-GJTH	Air Canada Rouge	delivery 19jun19 LCQ-YRQ after paint	ex TF-JOY

Airbus Updates No.2198

Saudi Arabia's flynas inks MoU for A321neo LRs, XLRs

Illustration of flynas Airbus A321-200NXLR © Airbus

20.06.2019 - 13:16 UTC

flynas (XY, Riyadh) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for ten A321-200neo(XLR)s during the 2019 Paris Air Show at Paris Le Bourget.

The provisional commitment also includes a conversion of ten existing A320-200neo order slots to A321neo. According to an airline statement, the subtype selected here is the A321neo(LR). Deliveries of the new order aircraft are due to begin in 2023.

Airline president and chief executive Bander Almohanna said during a press conference the longhaul-capable narrowbody jets would allow flynas to fulfil its goal of transporting 5 million passengers per annum in the Umrah market.

The Saudi LCC currently operates two A319-100s, twenty-six A320-200s, and two A320neo. Prior to this announcement, flynas had a total of 120 A320neo Family jets on order from Airbus of which 80 have been secured on sales/leaseback and will deliver through 2026.

Airbus Updates No.2197

jetBlue orders A321neo(XLR)s, bumps A220 order book

Illustration of jetBlue Airways Airbus A220-300 © Airbus

20.06.2019 - 15:55 UTC

jetBlue Airways (B6, New York JFK) has become the latest US carrier to publically acquire the A321neo(XLR) after it converted thirteen A321neo order slots to the ultra-longhaul-capable variant.

jetBlue said in a statement issued during the 2019 Paris Air Show at Paris Le Bourget that its XLR deliveries from Airbus are slated to start in 2023 and will be used on transatlantic routes.

“The incredible extended range of the A321XLR allows us to evaluate even more overseas destinations as we think about JetBlue’s expansion into European markets plagued by high premium fares and subpar service,” Robin Hayes, chief executive officer, jetBlue, said. "The XLR opens up possibilities for service between the northeast U.S. and destinations in south, central and northern Europe."

jetBlue intends to debut flights from New York JFK and Boston to London in 2021 using the A321neo(LR).

The airline's A321neo Family order book stands at 85 aircraft of which thirteen are LRs, thirteen are XLRs with the remainder standard variants. It expects to take delivery of a minimum of six standard A321neo in 2019 all of which will supplement its existing fleet of 130 A320ceo and sixty-three A321ceo.

In tandem with this announcement, jetBlue said it had also firmed up options for ten more A220-300s, deliveries of which will start in 2025. Its overall A220-300 backlog now grows to 70 of the type.

“Increasing our firm order for A220 aircraft gives us a valuable tool to support our network strategy in the Americas and continue to build our focus cities with an airplane that offers incredible economics and range,” Hayes added. “Both the XLR and the A220 ensure we remain committed to meeting financial targets with disciplined growth.”

jetBlue will use the incoming A220s to replace it current fleet of E190s which currently number 60 in total.

Airbus Updates No.2196

Accipiter Holdings purchases 20 A320neo aircraft

Dublin-based leasing company Accipiter Holdings has signed a Purchase Agreement to acquire 20 A320neo aircraft. The order, which was disclosed during the Paris Air Show by Paul Sheridan, Accipiter CEO and Isabelle Floret, Head of Leasing Markets, had been completed in March 2019, and was listed in the order books as undisclosed.

The new single-aisle aircraft will further expand the portfolio of Accipiter Holdings, which aims to be a leading player in the global leasing market and is wholly owned by Hong Kong’s CK Asset Holdings Ltd. Together with Vermillion, its joint venture with Mitsubishi Corporation subsidiary MC Aviation Partners (MCAP), Accipiter manages a total portfolio of just under 150 owned and committed aircraft.

Engine selection will be made at a later date.

Featuring the widest single aisle cabin in the sky, the efficient A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver 20 percent fuel savings as well as a 50 percent noise reduction. With more than 6,500 orders received from over 100 customers, the A320neo Family has captured some 60 percent of the market.

Airbus Updates No.2195

China Airlines selects the A321neo for its future single aisle fleet

Taiwan’s China Airlines (CAL) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for 11 A321neo aircraft and will acquire another 14 aircraft of the type on lease. CAL has selected the A321neo to meet future requirements in the single aisle category.

These 25 aircraft will join the Airbus fleet at the airline currently comprising 23 A330s and 14 A350 XWBs.

With the A321neo, China Airlines will be able to operate their single aisle flights with unmatched levels of efficiency and comfort, benefitting from the highest commonality of the Airbus product range.

The A321neo is a member of the best-selling A320 Family incorporating the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver at least 20 percent fuel savings by 2020. At the end of May 2019, the A320neo Family had received more than 6,500 firm orders from over 100 customers worldwide. 

Airbus Updates No.2194

Indigo Partners to add 50 A321XLRs to its airline fleets

Indigo Partners and three of its airlines will acquire 50 of the new Airbus A321XLR long-range, single-aisle jetliners. The Memorandum of Understanding includes new orders for 32 A321XLRs and the conversion of 18 existing A320neo family orders.

Indigo Partners LLC, based in Phoenix, Arizona, is a private equity fund focused on worldwide investments in air transportation. Indigo has major ownership stakes in four low-cost airlines, including Frontier Airlines (U.S.), JetSMART (Chile), Volaris (Mexico) and Wizz Air (Hungary). The four carriers now operate a combined 295 Airbus planes and, with the new commitments, have 636 on order.

Twenty of the A321XLRs will be allocated to Wizz Air, 18 to Frontier, and 12 to JetSMART.

Airbus announced the launch of the A321XLR at the Paris Air Show. Derived from the A321neo, the A321XLR is the longest-range single-aisle commercial jetliner ever, capable of flying routes up to 4,700nm with unbeatable fuel efficiency. With a range previously found only in twin-aisle aircraft, A321XLR will enable airlines to exploit new route opportunities with low operating costs, reduced environmental impact, and provide passengers with a comfortable travel experience. 

Airbus Updates No.2193

Qantas orders 36 Airbus A321XLR Aircraft

Le Bourget - Australia’s Qantas Airways Limited is backing Airbus’ new extended range A321XLR with an agreement covering 36 aircraft. This includes the conversion of 26 existing A320neo Family orders plus a new firm order for 10 A321XLRs.

The aircraft will allow the Qantas Group, which includes low-cost carrier Jetstar, to improve its network and fleet flexibility to better serve point-to-point markets in Australia, Asia and the South Pacific.

The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step from the A321LR which responds to market needs for even more range and payload, creating more value for the airlines. From 2023, it will deliver an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700nm – 15% more than the A321LR and with 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous generation competitor aircraft. This will enable operators to open new world-wide routes such as Australia to China and Japan, as well as further extending the Family’s non-stop reach on direct transatlantic flights between continental Europe and the Americas. For passengers, the A321XLR’s new Airspace cabin will provide the best travel experience, while offering seats in all classes with the same high-comfort as on a long-haul wide-body, with the low costs of a single-aisle aircraft.

Airbus Updates No.2192

Atlantic Airways orders two A320neo aircraft

Atlantic Airways, the Faroe Islands flag carrier, has signed a Purchase Agreement with Airbus for two A320neo aircraft, becoming the latest A320neo customer. The engine selection will be made at a later date.

With this new order, Atlantic Airways intends to further develop its European network. The airline, an Airbus customer since 2008, already operates a fleet of three A320 Family aircraft.

Featuring the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky, the efficient A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver more than 20 percent fuel and CO₂ savings as well as a 50 percent noise reduction. With more than 6,500 orders received from over 100 customers, the A320neo Family has captured some 60 percent of the market.

Airbus Updates No.2191

American Airlines orders 50 Airbus A321XLR

Le Bourget – American Airlines, the world’s largest airline, will acquire 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, the new longer-range version of Airbus’ hugely successful A321neo. The purchase agreement includes the conversion of 30 of American’s existing A321neo slots to A321XLRs and incremental orders for an additional 20 A321XLRs.

The A321XLR will have the longest range of any single-aisle commercial jetliner. The added range of up to 4,700 nm will allow airlines to operate the aircraft from U.S. East Coast airports to medium-size European cities.

As a further enhancement of the A321neo and A321LR, the A321XLR will have a maximum takeoff weight of 101 metric tonnes without sacrificing performance. The A321XLR is powered by the same engines, and has more than 90 percent commonality with the A321neo.

American, based in Fort Worth, Texas, is the largest Airbus operator in the world with 422 Airbus aircraft. Including today’s announcement, American has outstanding orders for 115 A321neos and A321XLRs from Airbus.

The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step from the A321LR which responds to market needs for even more range and payload, creating more value for the airlines. From 2023, it will deliver an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700nm – 15% more than the A321LR and with 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous generation competitor aircraft. For passengers, the A321XLR’s new Airspace cabin will provide the best travel experience offering seats in all classes on a single-aisle aircraft.

Airbus Updates No.2190

Delta Air Lines books order for additional five Airbus A220 aircraft 

Delta Air Lines has ordered five additional A220-100 aircraft, bringing to 95 the total number of orders placed, including both the A220-100s and A220-300s. The airline is the first to select the new increased maximum takeoff weight option for its entire fleet from 2020.

Airbus announced in May that it would increase the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) for the A220 by 2,268 kg (2.3 metric tonnes). The new MTOW will increase the respective maximum range capabilities by 450nm to 3,400 nm for the A220-100 and 3,350nm for the A220-300.

Delta was the U.S. launch customer for the A220, placing an initial order for 75 aircraft in 2016 and booking an additional 15 in December 2018. With this latest order, Delta’s orders total 45 A220-100s and 50 A220-300s.

Delta’s A220-100s are produced in Mirabel, Québec, while the A220-300s will be built at a new U.S. assembly plant now under construction in Mobile, Alabama adjacent to the existing Airbus A320 assembly facility.

In a separate arrangement, Airbus and Delta have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding for Delta TechOps to provide A220 component repair and material services for Airbus’ A220 Flight Hour Services maintenance-by-the-hour program. This strategic partnership will allow Airbus to further enhance its successful Flight Hour Services (FHS) program for A220 customers by building on Delta TechOps’ proven component repair and management capabilities and Airbus’ expertise in maintenance engineering, inventory management, and innovative services solutions.

The A220 is the only aircraft purpose-built for the 100-150 seat market; it delivers unbeatable fuel efficiency and widebody passenger comfort in a single-aisle aircraft. The A220 brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20 percent lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft. The A220 offers the performance of larger single-aisle aircraft.

With an order book of more than 536 aircraft at the end of May, the A220 has all the credentials to win the lion’s share of the 100- to 150-seat aircraft market estimated to represent at least 7,000 aircraft over the next 20 years.

Airbus Updates No.2189

Saudi Arabian Airlines order Airbus A320neo and Airbus A321XLR

Saudi Arabian Airlines, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has decided to expand its existing A320neo Family order from 35 to as many as 100 NEO aircraft including 35 options. The additional firm order takes SAUDIA’s order of A320neo Family aircraft to 65 of which 15 are A321XLRs.

The agreement was announced at the Paris Air Show by His Excellency Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation and Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer. 

Passenger demand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is experiencing strong growth on domestic, regional and international routes. The additional aircraft will be deployed to support the national carrier’s plan to boost capacity. Airbus and SAUDIA have also agreed to further expand their partnership with the development of technical training, maintenance and other services.

SAUDIA is the biggest Airbus operator in the Kingdom and currently operates a portfolio of 100 Airbus aircraft comprising A320ceo Family and A330ceo. This latest purchase is in line with the Group’s Transformation Program, which includes the establishment and growth of a dual-brand strategy of operating airlines catering to the different customer segments in the Kingdom, the region and beyond.

The A320neo and its derivative aircraft Family members are the world’s best-selling single aisle aircraft with over 6,500 orders from more than 100 customers. It incorporates an industry-leading cabin design and latest generation engines, delivering 20% fuel savings alone. The A320neo also offers also a 50% reduction in noise footprint compared to previous generation aircraft.