Airbus Updates No.2309

Taiwan's Starlux Airlines adds first Airbus A321NEO aircraft

Starlux Airlines Airbus A321-200NX © Airbus

30.10.2019 - 20:40 UTC

Starlux Airlines (SJX, Taipei Taoyuan) has taken delivery of its first aircraft, an A321neo, as part of its AOC certification drive.

In a statement, the Taiwanese start-up confirmed B-58201 (msn 9208) had been ferried to Taipei Taoyuan from Hamburg Finkenwerder via Dubai World Central over the course of October 26/27.

A further two aircraft of the type, also on lease from GECAS, are expected to arrive through January next year in time for its planned January 23, 2020, launch with Macau Int'l, Penang, and Da Nang services initially. Starlux expects to secure its AOC and all other requisite licences in mid-December.

As previously reported, Starlux has a total of ten A321neo due from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) through 2021.

Airbus Updates No.2308

India's IndiGo Airlines orders 300 A320neo Family jets

Illustration of IndiGo Airlines Airbus A321-200... © Airbus

30.10.2019 - 18:30 UTC

IndiGo Airlines (6E, Delhi Int'l) has announced it has placed a firm order with Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) for 300 A320neo Family aircraft.

The Indian low-cost carrier said in a stock market filing that the order comprises a mix of A320neo, A321neo, and A321neo(XLR) aircraft. As of September 30, 2019, IndiGo's Airbus order backlog totalled 191 A320neo and 144 A321neo.

“This order is an important milestone, as it reiterates our mission of strengthening air connectivity in India, which will in turn boost economic growth and mobility," Ronojoy Dutta, IndiGo's Chief Executive Officer, said. "India is expected to continue with its strong aviation growth and we are well on our way to build the world’s best air transportation system, to serve more customers and to deliver on our promise of providing low fares and a courteous, hassle-free experience to them."

According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, IndiGo operates twenty-two ATR72-600s, 127 A320ceo, eighty-nine A320neo, and seven A321neo.

Induction of the new generation jets has, however, not been a smooth process.

Last week, India's Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGCA) warned IndiGo not to deploy any A320neo aircraft into service whose Pratt & Whitney powerplants have exceeded 3,000 hours of flying time or risk having the aircraft grounded. The regulator told the LCC that all 16 affected aircraft have to be fitted with at least one modified LPT engine within the next 15 days.

Then, earlier this month, Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, the LCC's President and Chief Operating Officer, told India's LiveMint that plans to more accelerate the roll-out of international routes would be curtailed given an added "three- to six-month" delay in the deliveries of A321neo.

“The delivery of A321neo planes are expected to slow down. They are made in Hamburg Finkenwerder where there are some (industrial) disturbances,” he said.

As an interim measure, IndiGo may look into short-term leasing options while it awaits its A321neo deliveries.

Airbus Updates No.2307

Incident: Frontier A20N at Colorado Springs on Oct 28th 2019, overran runway on landing

By Simon Hradecky, created Tuesday, Oct 29th 2019 00:01Z, last updated Tuesday, Oct 29th 2019 00:01Z A Frontier Airbus A320-200N, registration N304FR performing flight F9-2822 from Phoenix,AZ to Colorado Springs,CO (USA), landed on Colorado Springs' runway 17L but overran the end of the runway and came to a stop with all gear on the paved surface of the runway end safety area about 40 meters past the end of the runway. There were no injuries and no damage. The runway was closed for two hours until the aircraft had been towed to the apron.

Incident: SAS A333 at Copenhagen on Oct 28th 2019, bird strike

By Simon Hradecky, created Tuesday, Oct 29th 2019 18:29Z, last updated Tuesday, Oct 29th 2019 18:29Z A SAS Scandinavian Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration SE-REH performing flight SK-943 from Copenhagen (Denmark) to Chicago O'Hare,IL (USA), departed Copenhagen's runway 22R when the aircraft received a bird strike. In the absence of abnormal indications the crew continued the climb. The aircraft was enroute at FL320 about 230nm northwest of Copenhagen when the crew decided to turn around and return to Copenhagen. The aircraft landed safely back on Copenhagen's runway 22L about one hour after the decisition to turn around. Passengers reported the crew indicated the aircraft had flown through a flock of geese. The airline reported the aircraft received a bird strike on departure, for safety reasons the crew decided to return. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Copenhagen about 25 hours after landing back.

Incident: Jetblue A320 at Long Beach on Oct 29th 2019, hydraulic problem

By Simon Hradecky, created Tuesday, Oct 29th 2019 22:53Z, last updated Tuesday, Oct 29th 2019 23:36Z A Jetblue Airbus A320-200, registration N509JB performing flight B6-280 from Long Beach,CA to Las Vegas,NV (USA) with 93 people on board, was in the initial climb out of Long Beach's runway 30 when the crew reported a hydraulic pressure problem and decided to divert to Los Angeles,CA (USA). The aircraft landed safely on Los Angeles' runway 25L about 35 minutes after departure. A ground observer at Long Beach reported seeing what appeared to be smoke from the left main wheel well, definitely not the #1 engine (V2527), just after takeoff. When the left main gear door closed the smoke disappeared.

Airbus Updates No.2306

Incident: Indigo A20N near Mumbai on Oct 25th 2019, engine shut down in flight

By Simon Hradecky, created Saturday, Oct 26th 2019 19:27Z, last updated Saturday, Oct 26th 2019 19:27Z An Indigo Airbus A320-200, registration VT-ITA performing flight 6E-375 from Mumbai to Coimbatore (India), was climbing through FL330 about 100nm south of Mumbai when the crew needed to shut one of the engines (PW1127G) down. The aircraft returned to Mumbai for a safe landing about 45 minutes after departure. India's DGCA reported the engine experienced high vibrations attributed to the low pressure turbine.

Incident: Easyjet Europe A320 at Milan on Oct 23rd 2019, smoke in cabin

By Simon Hradecky, created Wednesday, Oct 23rd 2019 19:52Z, last updated Wednesday, Oct 23rd 2019 19:52Z An Easyjet Europe Airbus A320-200, registration OE-IVU performing flight U2-2733 from Milan Malpensa (Italy) to Malaga,SP (Spain) with 150 people on board, was climbing out of Malpensa's runway 35L when the crew stopped the climb at FL080 reporting smoke in the cabin. The aircraft returned to Malpensa for a safe landing on runway 35R about 20 minutes after departure and taxied to the apron. A replacement A320-200 registration OE-IJD reached Malaga with a delay of about 6 hours. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Milan about 14.5 hours after landing back.

Airbus Updates No.2305

VietJetAir to lease six A320 Family jets from Avion Express

Avion Express Airbus A320-200 © Avion Express

25.10.2019 - 02:32 UTC

VietJetAir (VJ, Hanoi) will wet-lease three A320-200s and three A321-200s from Avion Express (X9, Vilnius) during the Winter 2019/20 season, the Lithuanian ACMI/charter specialist said in a press release.

"Avion Express is constantly working on expanding its client base and has recently signed an ACMI contract with VietJetAir, an international low-cost airline from Vietnam. According to the wet-lease agreement, six aircraft - three Airbus A320 and three Airbus A321 - will be flying for the Vietnamese carrier until the end of February 2020. Four of the aircraft will already start operations in Vietnam in November," it said.

According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, Avion Express currently operates fourteen A320-200s and seven A321-200s. Ten A320s are wet-leased to SunExpress (XQ, Antalya), one to United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (Brindisi), two have been inactive since ACMI customer Thomas Cook Airlines UK (MT, Manchester Int'l) collapsed, and one was ferried to Amman Queen Alia on October 23. Two A321s are wet-leased to Onur Air (8Q, Istanbul New) and of the remaining five, which used to be wet-leased to Thomas Cook UK, four are inactive and one is scheduled to start operating for Condor (DE, Frankfurt Int'l) shortly.

Subsidiary Avion Express Malta (MLH, Malta Int'l) operates an A320 for Norwegian (DY, Oslo Gardermoen).

For its part, VietJetAir operates an in-house fleet of twenty-two A320-200s, thirty-three A321-200s, and twelve A321-200neo. It also wet-leases three A320s from FlyOne (5F, Chisinau).

Airbus Updates No.2304

Airbus A320	-251N	9277		VT-TNQ	Vistara	delivery 23oct19 TLS-DEL	ex F-WWDK
Airbus A320	-271N	9287		EC-NFK	Vueling	delivery 26oct19 TLS-BCN	ex F-WWBZ
Airbus A320	-251N	9300		B-30AS	Colorful Guizhau Airlines	delivery 24oct19 TLS-TSE	ex F-WWIR
Airbus A321	-211	5044		VN-A585	Bamboo Airways	delivery 21-23oct19 KUN-ASB-MDL-CGK, c/n tbc	ex VQ-BOH
Airbus A321	-211	5126		D-AEUI	Eurowings	delivery 25oct19 BUD-DUS	ex OE-LCJ
Airbus A321	-211	6056		G-TCDE	BCII A321 6056 Llc	ferried 26oct19 SNN-BGR-LCQ, TCX cs	ex D-AVZS
Airbus A321	-251NX	8984		G-NEOW	British Airways	delivery 25oct19 XFW-LHR	ex D-AVYW
Airbus A321	-252NX	9208		B-58201	StarLux Airlines	delivery 26-27oct19 XFW-DWC-TPE	ex D-AZAX
Airbus A330	-343	389		B-HLN	Cathay Dragon	ferried 25oct19 XMN-HKG after transfer	ex F-WWYV
Airbus A330	-202	473		9H-RTU	Luke Air	at DUB 26oct19 in full cs, dual reg prior delivery	e A7-ACA
Airbus A330	-223	802		EC-MTY	Evelop Airlines	ferried 27oct19 FCO-NAP after wet-lease to Norwegian	ex D-ABXG
Airbus A330	-343	1012		C-GEGI	Air Canada	onward delivery 25-26oct19 QPG-HND-YMX, Star Alliance cs	ex CS-TOW
Airbus A330	-243	1016		G-TCXD	Thomas Cook Airlines	ferried 25-26oct19 SNN-BGR-LCQ on return to lessor	ex N969AV
Airbus A330	-343	1071		A6-AFA	Etihad Airways	back in svc since 13oct19 AUH-GVA vv after storage	ex F-WWYP
Airbus A330	-343	1072		VQ-BCV	Aeroflot	ferried 23oct19 SVO-HKG prior return to lessor	ex F-WWYK
Airbus A340	-642	617		EC-JCY	Iberia	ferried 26oct19 MAD-LETL for storage	ex F-WWCL
Airbus A350	-1041	319		G-VPRD	Virgin Alantic	onward delivery 24oct19 BOD-LGW-GLA, for crew training	ex F-WZNY
Airbus A350	-941	352		JA04XJ	Japan Airlines	delivery 26oct19 TLS-HND	ex F-WZNP
Airbus Canada A220	-371	55061		SU-GFA	EgyptAir Express	delivery 26-27oct19 YMX-OST-CAI	ex C-FOVP

Airbus Updates No.2303

Airbus A319	-133CJ	1468		YV2984	ConViasa	in svc 23-24oct19 CCS-DSS-ISL-GYD, VIP flight	ex FAV0001
Airbus A319	-112	1886		LZ-AWT	DAE Capital	ferried 24-25oct19 LDE-SNN-BGR-VCV	ex D-ASTK
Airbus A319	-112	3630		OK-NEP	CSA Czech Airlines	posn 26oct19 BRU-MUC after wet-lease to Brussels Airlines / to Lufthansa	ex D-AVYT
Airbus A320	-211	70		D-AIPB	Lufthansa	ferried 25oct19 MUC-OST, for part-out & scrap	ex F-WWIJ
Airbus A320	-214	1005		9H-AMA	Avion Express Malta	ferried 27oct19 OSL-CHR after wet-lease to Norwegian	ex LY-VEW
Airbus A320	-214	3149		XA-UHE	Interjet	ferried 26oct19 TLC-TUS-GYR, for Air Canada as C-GFDU	ex F-WWBS
Airbus A320	-232	3308		OE-IHZ	Celestial Aviation	regd 23oct19, parked at KUL	ex VT-IHG
Airbus A320	-233	3378		N497TA	Avianca Costa Rica	ferried 26oct19 SAL-IAH-GYR on return to lessor	ex F-WWDK
Airbus A320	-214	4758		OE-IEF	Avolon Aerospace	regd 25oct19, parked at WOE (+ 4767 OE-IEE ex F-HAQD)	ex F-HAAF
Airbus A320	-214	8263		HB-JXQ	easyJet Switzerland	posn 21oct19 LGW-GVA on transfer, regd 22oct19	ex G-EZRV
Airbus A320	-271N	9039		B-30AE	Shenzhen Airlines	delivery 26oct19 TSN-SZX	ex B-000L
Airbus A320	-271N	9084		B-30AP	Shenzhen Airlines	delivery 23oct19 TSN-SZX	ex B-007C
Airbus A320	-251N	9111		G-UZLI	easyJet	for delivery 28oct19 XFW-LTN	ex D-AXAU
Airbus A320	-271N	9118		VT-IJO	IndiGo Airlines	delivery 25oct19 XFW-DEL	ex D-AUBZ
Airbus A320	-251N	9146		CC-AZM	Sky Airline	delivery 25-27oct19 XFW-KEF-CHS-IQQ-SCL	ex D-AXAM
Airbus A320	-271N	9181		B-30AT	Qingdao Airlines	delivery 26oct19 TSN-TAO	ex B-000D
Airbus A320	-251N	9203		VT-TNP	Vistara	delivery 24oct19 TLS-DEL	ex F-WWBG
Airbus A320	-251N	9221		N361FR	Frontier Airlines	delivery 24oct19 BFM-TPA	ex F-WZMQ
Airbus A320	-251N	9222		N362FR	Frontier Airlines	delivery 26oct19 BFM-TPA	ex F-WZMR
Airbus A320	-251N	9250		XA-DQR	Interjet	delivery 23-24oct19 TLS-KEF-BGR-TLC	ex F-WWBI

Airbus Updates No.2302

CSA Czech Airlines to add A220s, A321neo(XLR)s

Illustration of CSA Czech Airlines Airbus A321-... © Airbus

24.10.2019 - 08:22 UTC

CSA Czech Airlines (OK, Prague Ruzyne) has ordered four A220-300s from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) and, at the same time, revised an existing order for three A320neo to three A321neo(XLR)s.

The Czech carrier's parent firm Smartwings (Czechia) (QS, Prague Ruzyne) said in a statement that the first two A220s will arrive at the end of 2020 with the remaining pair due in the first and second quarters of 2021. Collectively, the jets, which will feature 149 seats, will replace CSA's fleet of five ATR72-500s all of which are due to be returned to their lessors, Nordic Aviation Capital (2) and Safair Lease Finance (3).

The A321neo(XLR)s are due to arrive from 2025 onwards.

Smartwings said talks with Airbus over the revision of a long-deferred 2006 order for seven A320neo had lasted for several months before an agreement was finally reached.

"The Airbus A220 and A321neo(XLR) fit into our long-term strategy covering network and destination development. The inclusion of these aircraft in CSA's fleet will give it a competitive advantage while at the same time increase capacity on existing routes. It offers a completely new cabin layout to the highest possible level of comfort in its class, even over the coming years," Petr Kudela, CSA Chairman, said.

According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, aside from the outgoing Avions de Transport Régional turboprops, CSA also operates six A319-100s and one A330-300. It also wet-leases in two B737-700s and four B737-800s from Smartwings. In terms of network, CSA serves multiple destinations across the whole of Europe as well as the Middle East and Seoul Incheon, its only longhaul destination.

Airbus Updates No.2301

Spirit Airlines Announces Upcoming Order of 100 Airbus A320neo Family Aircraft

Spirit signs memorandum of understanding with Airbus to add a mix of Airbus A319neo, A320neo, and A321neo aircraft to continue Spirit’s growth and sustain one of the youngest, most fuel-efficient fleets in the U.S.

Company Release - 10/23/2019 4:10 PM ET

MIRAMAR, Fla., Oct. 23, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spirit Airlines (NYSE: SAVE), America’s fastest-growing airline, today announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Airbus for the purchase of 100 new Airbus A320neo Family aircraft, together with the option to purchase up to 50 additional aircraft. The MOU includes a mix of Airbus A319, A320, and A321 models. These aircraft are planned for delivery through 2027.

“This new order represents another milestone for Spirit,” said Spirit Airlines’ President and CEO Ted Christie. “The additional aircraft will be used to support Spirit’s growth as we add new destinations and expand our network across the U.S, Latin America and the Caribbean. We look forward to working with our valued partners at Airbus to finalize our agreement.”

Spirit’s Fit Fleet® is one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient in the U.S. with an average aircraft age of just 5.6 years. Spirit currently operates 138 Airbus A320-family aircraft and has seven Airbus A320neo aircraft scheduled for delivery from Mobile, Ala., by year-end 2019, bringing its fleet count to 145. In 2020 and 2021, Spirit anticipates taking delivery of 48 A320neo aircraft.

“The Airbus A320 Family has been a strong platform for the remarkable success of Spirit over the past several years,” said Airbus Chief Commercial Officer Christian Scherer. “The continuing confidence in the A320 expressed by the airline certainly lifts our spirits, and we look forward to being a part of the Spirit team’s continued growth for many, many years to come.”

In December 2019, Spirit plans to unveil an aircraft cabin redesign as part of its Invest in the Guest initiative. The cabin redesign will improve the look and feel of the interior while adding new, more comfortable seats that provide additional usable legroom. Spirit’s new seats will feature thicker padding, ergonomically-designed lumbar support, and a full-size tray table. Middle seats will also gain another inch of width, and every seat will gain nearly an inch of pre-recline compared to Spirit’s current seating configuration, with exit rows adding even more.

Visit the Spirit Careers page to learn about the hundreds of pilot, flight attendant and maintenance positions that America’s fastest growing airline will be hiring over the next few years.