The contract was signed on November 11, 2021, for six months through May 11, 2022, with the first SmartLynx Airlines Malta A320 9H-SLI (msn 3866) currently being ferried to Nigeria and 9H-SLJ (msn 3880) to follow.
Air Peace said it would deploy the two A320s on both domestic and regional routes.
It currently operates eight B737-300s, five B737-500s, one B777-200(ER), two B777-300s, one VIP-configured Do328-300, eight E145s, and four E195-E2s, the ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows. It has ambitious growth plans with firm orders for a further nine E195-E2s and ten B737-8s. Chief Operating Officer Oluwatoyin Olajide highlighted that the airline sees the A320s as an interim solution until more E2s arrive and underlined that the initial damp-lease could open new avenues for cooperation with SmartLynx going forward.
"While the pandemic has sadly taken its toll on many businesses, our strategy has been focused on the expansion of our valued client portfolio," Vice-President (Sales and Development) Edvinas Demenius said.
The Government of Ukraine and Airbus have signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering a potential order for six A220s, twelve A320 Family aircraft, and four widebody A330/A350s for the planned new flag carrier, now known to be called Ukrainian National Airlines.
The start-up is set to begin operations by the end of 2022 and has been touted as a way to reduce dependency on Ukraine International Airlines (PS, Kyiv Boryspil), the country's largest carrier owned by US-sanctioned oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky. On November 25, the cabinet adopted the "Action Plan to Prevent the Abuse of Excessive Influence by Persons with Significant Economic and Political Weight in Public Life (Oligarchs)", a flagship initiative of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Among other measures, the plan included a new flag carrier.
On November 8, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's parliament) approved the revision to the 2021 budget, allocating an additional UAH500 million hryvnias (USD18.5 million) in start-up capital for Ukraine National Airlines.
Zelensky first proposed the creation of a new state-owned airline in Ukraine in early 2020. The country has relied on privately-owned carriers since the collapse of Air Ukraine (6U, Kyiv Boryspil) in 2004. While the government remains adamant that Ukraine National Airlines should eventually operate Ukrainian-made aircraft, Zelensky conceded that local manufacturers were not ready for such expansion. The only commercial aircraft manufactured in Ukraine is the An-148-100.
The choice of the European manufacturer as the fleet supplier is not surprising as the government had appointed French consultancy Aerogéstion and has closely cooperated with the French state in recent months.
The MOU was signed during the ongoing Big Construction: Aviation and Tourism Forum. The parties did not publicly disclose the delivery timeline or any further details concerning the tentative order. They said Ukraine National Airlines would either buy or lease the aircraft. Airbus said that once they are delivered, it could start cooperating with the Ukrainian aerospace industry, although it did not clarify what that would entail.
Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said that the government would be careful with the development of the new carrier adding that the authorities are confident it will turn profitable within five years of launching.
Zelensky added that on top of creating the new flag carrier, the government's strategy also envisions the expansion of Kyiv Boryspil to become "the most powerful Eastern European air hub". Ukraine also plans to build two new airports, one in the eastern part of the country and one in Zakarpattia in the southwest. However, Zelensky did not specify any exact locations for these gateways.
Italy’s ITA Set To Receive Its First A350-900 In June
Italy’s new flag carrier ITA is all set to receive its first Airbus A350-900 next summer. The airline is reportedly set to take its largest widebody in June, just in time for the booming summer rush.
ITA will receive its first A350 early next summer. Photo: Airbus
All set
According to Italiavola, ITA CEO Fabio Lazzerini has revealed the delivery timeline for the airline’s largest aircraft in an interview with Il Messaggero. The newly formed Italian airline will pick up the keys to its first A350-900 in June 2022, just seven months from now and less than a year since the original order with Airbus.
The arrival of A350 will allow for new long-haul routes by ITA, including Rome to Buenos Aries. With the 777s retired, the airline will now rely solely on Airbus’ offerings to fill the gaps in its long-haul network.
The A350 will also provide a much-needed capacity boost ahead. While nothing is certain yet, airlines are likely to see a bustling summer season next year, with millions of passengers returning to the skies after over two years on the ground. This will be an important time for ITA, as it looks to reinvent Italian aviation.
More coming
However, it’s only the A350 that’s making its way to ITA next year. In terms of the fleet, the airline plans to add 50% more aircraft, or roughly another 25 planes. This will be a mix of A220s, A320s, and A330neos, the other types of aircraft on order by ITA. This will be matched by wide-scale staff hirings, also to the tune of 50% of current capacity.
All of this will allow the airline to offer 150% new tickets across its network and generate a much greater volume of sales. Overall, next year will be ITA’s standout one, with the airline hoping to use the rebound of travel as its breakthrough introduction.
Progress
It’s been just over a month (October 15th) since Alitalia’s closed its doors and ITA took over. Since then, the airline has flown 600,000 passengers across Italy and the globe. While numbers have been affected by travel restrictions, it is nonetheless a strong start for the airline.
To boost numbers, the carrier is planning to increase its codeshares partners from 19 to 30 by the end of the year, ensuring it can grab as many passengers are possible. Membership to SkyTeam means the airline already has a total of 157 partners in varying capacities.
For now, ITA is preparing for another bumpy winter season. Much of Europe is struggling with a new wave of COVID-19, imperiling the winter travel for a second time. For now, the airline will be focusing on laying out capacity to key markets and preparing for the holiday season, which will see a bump in numbers.
The very first Airbus A220-based private jet has been spotted as it rolls out of the paintshop in a basic Airbus livery. The aircraft is set to take its first flight in the next couple of weeks, after which time it will head off to Comlux Completion in Indiana to have its luxury interior fitted. The jet is already sold to a luxury hotel group based in Dubai.
First glimpse of the ACJ TwoTwenty
Yesterday, Airbus gave the world its first glimpse of the completed private jet based on the popular A220 product. The ACJ TwoTwenty was seen rolling out of the paintshop in Mirabel, Canada, wearing the Airbus house livery for now. The aircraft is sporting test registration C-FTWU, and close inspection reveals an ‘operated by Comlux’ decal just about the forward windows.
This TwoTwenty already has a home to go to, although it won’t be heading there right away. During the Dubai Air Show, it was announced that luxury hotel group FIVE has bought the plane for the purposes of transporting its discerning guests between its various destinations. The hotel group is expecting delivery of this first aircraft in 2023.
Before that can happen, the ACJ TwoTwenty will need to take its proving flights, and will need to spend some time having its stunning interior outfitted by Comlux. Once it is complete, the aircraft will fly under registration 9H-FIVE (Nine-Hotel-Five) and will be operated by Comlux on behalf of the hotel.
Based on the A220-100, the TwoTwenty is one of the largest business jets on the market. Its auxiliary fuel tanks give it the legs to stay in the air for 12 hours or more, making it possible to fly direct between Tokyo and Dubai, or London and LA. FIVE will be able to shuttle up to 18 passengers between its hotels on the plane, flights which will come with lavish catering, in house DJs and FIVE’s unique party atmosphere.
FIVE is planning a rather awesome interior. Photo: Comlux
Off to Indiana for Christmas
Comlux advised Simple Flying that the first flight for the ACJ TwoTwenty will take place in early December. After that, it will take a ferry flight to Indianapolis where it will be completed by the firm. It will be a Christmas gift and a half for the workers in Indiana keenly waiting to start work on its glamorous interior.
Comlux Completion opened its Indiana facility in 2012, and invested to extend it in 2016 so that it could accommodate widebody aircraft for VIP completions. In all, the facilities in Indianapolis boast 157,000 ft2 / 14,600 m2 of space, enough to house one widebody and six narrowbody aircraft all at the same time.
It’s the only completion center in the world to integrate every aspect of VIP jet completion under one roof. From here, Comlux will be able to install electrics, mechanical systems, cabinetry, and upholstery as well as making any changes to avionics and completing certification ready for it to leave the facility.
Comlux has placed a firm order for two ACJ TwoTwenty aircraft, and is the launch customer of this new VIP jet. As part of the deal, Comlux will be the exclusive outfitter for the first 15 ACJ TwoTwenty models, letting the firm flex its well-honed talents in creating exceptional private jet finishes.
Qantas A380 To Return On Sydney-London Kangaroo Route In 2022
Hold on! The A380 just booked another slot. And not just any other slot, but Sydney-London, no less. It’s being reported that Qantas could bring back its Airbus A380 aircraft on the iconic Kangaroo Route from Sydney to London late next year. Just when we thought that the A380s were breathing their last in exile in dusty deserts, some airlines have bucked the norm and reaffirmed their faith in the superjumbo. Well, at least for the time being!
Hello London!
A380 fans have another reason to rejoice. Executive Traveller has reported that Qantas plans to deploy its A380 airplane on the Sydney-London route by October 2022. Qantas, like many airlines around the world, did not expect the giant to return anytime soon. However, the carrier has brought back the jets from storage and even planned its next few outings.
The Australian airline will first fly the A380 from Sydney to Los Angeles in March next year, and a London departure will follow a few months later in October. However, the London date is not set in stone. The report suggests that the A380’s reintroduction date to London could be brought forward should travel demand warrant an early comeback.
For the time being, the carrier’s 787-9 Dreamliners are filling in for the superjumbo on the popular Sydney-London Q1 service, with a stopover at Darwin.
International travel picks up
Australia has had some of the strictest border control policies in the world throughout the COVID pandemic. On November 1st, the country eased travel restrictions, allowing fully vaccinated Australians to cross the border and come back without the need to quarantine.
Qantas did not anticipate travel demand to bounce back the way it has, at least not enough to fill up the double-decker plane. But with the borders slightly more porous now, travel-starved Australians have lined up to book tickets in enormous numbers. This has given a new lease of life to the carrier’s fleet of A380s.
The superjumbo might not have remained the most efficient aircraft to operate, but it is undoubtedly one of the most comfortable airplanes ever built. Although it has lost some of its sheen when it comes to operating costs, particularly with more efficient twinjets posing ever-increasing threats, it remains a very popular aircraft with flyers. The news of Qantas’ A380 connecting the two hemispheres will, indeed, be welcomed by many.
Swimming against the tide
Over the last year and a half, countless obituaries have been written for the A380. Once a darling of the airlines, it fell out of favor quite swiftly during the pandemic and for valid reasons. There just weren’t enough people to fill the mammoth plane. Also, the high operating costs of the A380 pinched the airlines in a turbulent COVID-induced environment, particularly when they had the option of deploying new-generation planes such as the 787s and A350s at much lower costs.
Qantas joins other major carriers, including BA, by planning future flights for its A380s. Photo: Getty Images
However, with vaccination rates gaining pace worldwide and borders opening up, the A380s are gradually making their way back. Emirates never really said no to the superjumbo, and now British Airways, Qantas, and even Qatar – however reluctantly – are planning the return of their A380s.
While the glory days of the A380 might not return, it seems the superjumbo will still crisscross global skies for a few more years.
Ving AB, the Swedish tour operator, has announced that it has signed a lease-agreement with Air Lease Corporation for one A330-900 that will be placed at its Sunclass Airlines subsidiary. It's planned for delivery in the second half of next year. The airframe involved is F-WWYY (1981), which was originally destined for XL Airways France, then for STARLUX Airlines and now for Sunclass. It was ferried back to Toulouse after a stint of storage at Chateauroux on 19 August and has since then conducted various test-flights.
Sunclass Airlines, which was launched in 2019 as the successor of defunct Thomas Cook Airlines Scandinavia, is registered as a Danish airline but operates out of the major Scandinavian airports Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo and Stockholm. It currently has a fleet of eight A321s, one A330-200 and one A330-300. Both A330s are already 22 years of age.
408 aircraft including the first A350F ordered at the Dubai airshow
Dubai, 18 November 2021 – In the first major airshow since the COVID-19 pandemic struck two years ago, customers demonstrated confidence in the recovery of the aviation sector and also in Airbus by placing orders and commitments totalling 408 aircraft (269 firm orders and 139 commitments). The agreements covered the full range of commercial aircraft families, including a first commitment for the A350F freighter derivative.
At a pre-show event, Airbus launched its latest global market forecast outlining progressively shifting demand from fleet growth to accelerated retirement of older, less fuel-efficient aircraft resulting in a need for some 39,000 new-build passenger and freighter aircraft. Of these,15,250 aircraft (around 40%) are for replacements.
With the UAE Universal expo showcasing themes on Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity, on the eve of the airshow Airbus lit up the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, by displaying its Company purpose - “Pioneering sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world” - on the façade of this iconic Dubai landmark at a time when connecting with people and cultures has never been more important.
On the opening day of the show, Indigo Partners portfolio airlines placed a firm order for 255 A321neo Family aircraft, including 29 XLR. The order breakdown is as follows: Wizz Air 102 aircraft (75 A321neo + 27 A321XLR); Frontier 91 aircraft (A321neo); Volaris 39 aircraft (A321neo); JetSMART 23 aircraft (21 A321neo + 2 A321XLR).
The second day saw Air Lease Corporation sign a commitment for 111 aircraft covering the full range of aircraft families including the new A350 Freighter (25 A220-300s, 55 A321neos, 20 A321XLRs, four A330neos, seven A350Fs). Along with the orders, ALC and Airbus announced the first ever joint ESG scheme in aircraft procurement - a joint Sustainability Fund - to foster industry decarbonisation solutions.
On the third day, Jazeera Airways committed to 28 A321neos and Nigeria’s Ibom Air became a new Airbus customer with a firm order for 10 A220s.
On the defence side, Airbus sold two additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence, and secured a new export order for two A400M new generation airlifters from the Indonesian Ministry of Defence.
At the show, Airbus also highlighted its ambition to play a leading role in developing innovative and sustainable solutions for urban air mobility, leveraging partnerships and technologies to bring a product to the market by 2025.
