Airbus Updates No.4388

Airbus delivers very 1st Airbus A321XLR

A happy moment for Airbus on 30 October 2024, as the manufacturer has officially delivered its very first A321XLR. The happy receiver of the aircraft is IAG, which has allocated it to Iberia where it will fly as EC-OIL (11504).

The A321-200NY can fly 15% further than the A321-200NX, enabling it to serve routes up to 8.700 km. Airbus flew the A321XLR for the first time on 15 June 2022, and received its type certification from the EASA on 19 July 2024.

According to Airbus, it has more than 500 firm orders for the newest version of the A321neo.

IAG has fourteen A321-200NYs on order. Eight of these will go to Iberia, while the other six are allocated to Aer Lingus.

From 6 November 2024, Iberia will deploy the type first from Madrid to London-Heathrow and Paris-Charles de Gaulle. From 14 November 2024, it will start using the type on long-haul flights to Boston (MA). Later next year, it will also serve Washington-Dulles (VA) with it

Airbus Updates No.4387

 

Saudi Arabia’s start-up airline places £6bn plane order in challenge to Gulf rivals

Riyadh Air has lodged a mammoth $8bn (£6bn) aircraft order as it ramps up efforts to take on established Middle Eastern carriers such as Emirates.

The Saudi Arabian start-up airline, which is bankrolled by the Saudi state, has struck a deal to buy 60 A321neo short-haul jets from Airbus.

This is in addition to an earlier agreement for 39 Boeing wide-bodies announced last year, which includes the option for another 33.

The Airbus order marks the latest step in Riyadh Air’s bid to muscle in on a Gulf market dominated by some of the world’s biggest airlines, including Dubai-based Emirates and Qatar Airways.

Chief executive Tony Douglas said the Airbus jets will help “support economic growth” by establishing the comprehensive route network needed to transform the city of Riyadh into a global aviation hub.

The move to establish a new airline is a key element of Saudi Arabia’s bid to reduce its reliance on oil by diversifying into new sectors such as transport and tourism.

The airline, which plans to commence flights next year, is also understood to be pursuing an additional deal for more wide-body jets as it looks to expand its fleet further.

It is also exploring plans to enter the cargo market.

Riyadh Air has said it wants to offer flights to 100 global destinations by the end of the decade, which will support Saudi Arabia’s bid to attract 100m tourists a year.

Mr Douglas revealed his ambitions for the airline in an interview with The Telegraph earlier this year: “It’s no secret that for a long time, Saudi Arabia has lagged way behind in terms of global connectivity, and there’s no good example anywhere in the world of a sustainable, fast-growing economy that hasn’t got good connectivity.

“The Kingdom needs a new world-class national carrier that will be its own version of Emirates and Qatar Airways, and the answer to that is Riyadh Air.”

Meanwhile, the deal capped a positive day for Airbus, which also revealed that profits rose 39pc to hit €1.4bn in the three months to September.

Airbus Updates No.4386

 

Airbus Prepares First Delivery Of A321XLR Aircraft For Spanish Airline Iberia

The long-awaited service entry of Airbus' next-generation game-changing narrowbody aircraft, the Airbus A321XLR, could be just around the corner, according to the latest reports from industry sources. Reuters indicated that the A321XLR will be delivered to Spanish flag carrier and Oneworld alliance member Iberia next Tuesday.

The delivery of this long-range narrowbody has undoubtedly been long-awaited, as the aircraft could be set to become the most influential narrowbody aircraft of the next decade. The plane will be handed over through a formal transfer of ownership next week, although the aircraft will likely not enter commercial service with the airline for at least a month.

With a game-changing range of up to 4,700 nautical miles, the Airbus A321XLR could drastically change how airlines perform narrowbody operations and open up newer low-demand destinations across the globe. Dozens of A321XLRs have already been ordered, and the airline's decision to deliver its first plane to Iberia stands as a symbol of the manufacturer's relationship with the Spanish flag carrier. Iberia has not yet responded to requests for comment from Simple Flying and other media outlets regarding the matter.

Airbus Updates No.4385

 

airBaltic resumes all Airbus A220 in-house ops

airBaltic (BT, Riga) has ended the wet-leasing in of all aircraft and will operate all of its in-house flights using its own A220-300s during the Winter 2024/25 season.

"Our adaptability this past summer allowed us to maintain all planned operations despite external challenges. Our first priority is always to deliver the best customer experience through focusing solely on our A220-300 fleet, while we have sufficient aircraft availability, and we're committed to expanding and strengthening our fleet to support the growing demand for air travel from our passengers," President and CEO Martin Gauss said.

The Latvian carrier operates forty-eight A220-300s and has 42 more on firm order from Airbus. One delivery is expected "soon." The airline had been forced to resort to multiple wet leases during the summer season largely due to Pratt & Whitney PW1500G engine issues. The ch-aviation fleets module shows that ten A220s are currently inactive.

Gauss told ch-aviation before the peak season that while the situation had improved compared to 2023 (when airBaltic had to wet-lease in up to 14 aircraft), it was not good enough to avoid the use of supplemental ACMI. As of October 2024, the airline contracted six aircraft: three A319-100s (two from Carpatair and one from Avion Express) and three A320-200s (two from Heston Airlines and one from Avion Express). All of them ended operations for airBaltic on October 26, 2024.

airBaltic continues to pursue opportunities to wet-lease its own A220s out to other carriers. Sixteen of its A220s are currently operating for Lufthansa Group carriers: seven for Swiss, five for Eurowings, and four for Lufthansa.

Airbus Updates No.4384

 

Spirit Airlines sells 23 aircraft to GA Telesis

Spirit Airlines (NK, Fort Lauderdale International) has entered into a binding term sheet with GA Telesis to sell twenty-three A320 and A321 types, according to an October 24 Securities Exchange Commission filing. The lessor will pay around USD519 million for the aircraft, which will be handed over by the end of February 2025.

GA Telesis President Marc Cho said the acquisition adds a large number of A320ceo and A321ceo jets to GA's portfolio. "We are confident these aircraft will provide significant value to our customers as they continue their operations," he added. The aircraft are powered by International Aero Engines V2527-A5 and V2533-A5 Select-One engines and were manufactured between 2014 and 2019.

Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Spirit's board was considering filing for Chapter 11. More recently, the under-pressure low-cost carrier received some short-term financial breathing space when the US Bank National Association agreed to a two-month payment extension for its 2025 Notes.

Spirit estimates the net proceeds from the sale of the aircraft, combined with discharging the aircraft-related debt from its balance sheet, will boost its liquidity by USD225 million by the end of 2025. The airline says it remains on track to close the year with around USD1 billion in cash and cash equivalents on-hand.

According to ch-aviation fleets data, Spirit Airlines operates a fleet of 217 Airbus narrowbodies, including seven A319-100s, sixty-four A320-200s, ninety-one A320-200Ns, thirty A321-200s, and twenty-five A321-200NX. Of that number, thirty-eight A320-200s and all of the A321-200s were built between 2014 and 2019 and owned by the airline.

Spirit says the sale of the aircraft is subject to, among other things, the execution of definitive documentation, and satisfaction of other customary conditions.

Airbus Updates No.4383

 

Airbus A321	-271NX	12063		N588DT	Delta Air Lines	delivery 26oct24 XFW-KEF-MSP	ex D-AZAP
Airbus A321	-251NX	12072		B-HPT	Cathay Pacific	delivery 24-25oct24 XFW-DWC-HKG	ex D-AZWD
Airbus A321	-271NX	12080		VN-A537	Vietjet Air	delivery 23-24ct24 XFW-DXB-SGN	ex D-AYAA
Airbus A321	-251NX	12093		B-32HX	China Eastern	delivery 29-30oct24 XFW-NQZ-PVG	ex D-AYAF
Airbus A321	-271NX	12150		XA-VXT	VivaAerobus	delivery 26-27oct24 XFW-KEF-BGR-MTY	ex D-AZAN
Airbus A321	-251NX	12160		VH-OYR	Jetstar Airways	delivery 25-27oct24 XFW-MCT-KUL-MEL	ex D-AXXH
Airbus A321	-251NX	12163		G-UZMK	easyJet	delivery 25oct24 XFW-LGW	ex D-AZWF
Airbus A321	-271NX	12202		XA-VUN	Volaris	delivery 29oct24 XFW-KEF-YQX-MEX	ex D-AZWJ
Airbus A321	-221NX	12266		VN-A550	Vietjet Air	delivery 26-27oct24 XFW-DXB-SGN	ex D-AZAT
Airbus A321	-271NX	12376		RP-C4145	Cebu Pacific Air	delivery 23oct24 TSN-MNL	ex B-005E
Airbus A330	-202	272		JU-1332	Eznis Airways	ferried 25ct24 CHR-CDT, for part-our & scrap	ex EI-DIR
Airbus A330	-243	1319		EC-OHY	Iberia	OE-reg canx 22oct24 at MAD prior Level ops	ex OE-LTE
Airbus A330	-343	1329		HS-TEW	Thai International	delivery 25oct24 LHR-BKK	ex G-VGBR
Airbus A330	-343	1666		2-VISS	Wind Leasing Co	air-test at LETL 28oct24 prior delivery to?	ex 9V-SSI
Airbus A330	-941	2078		G-VEYR	Virgin Atlantic	delivery 25oct24 TLS-LHR	ex F-WWYO
Airbus Canada A220	-300	55300		N241BZ	Breeze Airways	delivery 25oct24 BFM-TPA	ex C-GPQZ
Airbus Canada A220	-300	55302		EI-HHS	ITA Airways	delivery 26oct24 YMX-FCO	ex C-FOYE
Airbus Canada A220	-300	55304		F-HPNN	Air France	delivery 26oct24 YMX-CDG	ex C-FOVH

Airbus Updates No.4382

Airbus A300	B4-622R(F)	733		T7-ASK	San Marino Executive Aviation	ferried 20/24oct24 TLV-ISL-SNN for paint into?	ex VQ-BMW
Airbus A318	-112CJ	3886		B-32JS	private	seen regd at TSN 24oct24	ex OE-IGH
Airbus A319	-111	2866		2-EZBC	Aviation Leasing DMCC	ferried 23oct24 MME-ISL	ex G-EZBC
Airbus A320	-214	3230		N633VA	AJ Aviation	ferried 28oct24 MZJ-HDO	ex F-WWBE
Airbus A320	-216	3921		EI-DTG	ITA Airways	ferried 29oct24 NAP-DGX	ex F-WWBG
Airbus A320	-214	4758		VP-CCR	Avolon Leasing	air-test 25oct24 at TNN	ex XY-ALL
Airbus A320	-214	5515		RP-C4262	Cebu Pacific Air	delivery 26-29oct24 LCQ-YYJ-ANC-CTS-MNL	ex N361VA
Airbus A320	-271N	7047		VP-CEL	SMBC Aviation Capital	ferried 12/22-23oct24 DEL-HYD-MCT-OSR	ex 2-VWGA
Airbus A320	-214	7174		D-AIUV	Discovery Airlines	ferrped 27oct24 FRA-NWI for paint	ex D-AVVU
Airbus A320	-271N	7205		VP-CEQ	SMBC Aviation Capital	ferried 23/26oct24 BOM-HYD-SHJ-OSR	ex VT-WGD
Airbus A320	-232	7378		TC-JTT	Turkish Airlines	delivery 24-25oct24 KUL-KHI-SAW	ex 2-VNJA
Airbus A320	-232	7725		EC-OKG	Vueling	OE-regd 22oct24 prior delivery ex WOE	ex OE-IGK
Airbus A320	-271	8310		ES-MBE	Marabu Airlines	delivery 26-27oct24 NAG-MCT-VNO	ex VT-IVO
Airbus A320	-251N	9361		B-32J1	GX Airlines	delivery 27oct24 HAK-HAN-NNG	ex OE-IQE
Airbus A320	-271N	11111		EI-HKW	Merx Aviation Finance	ferried 22-26oct24 BOM-MCT-ATH-SNN-OSR	ex VT-WDB
Airbus A320	-251N	12026		VT-IXM	IndiGo Airlines	delivery 25oct24 XFW-DEL	ex F-WWTY
Airbus A320	-251N	12137		B-32HL	Chengdu Airlines	delivery 23oct24 TSN-CTU	ex B-007Q
Airbus A321	-231	2653		LY-NVH	Avion Express	delivery 25oct24 PRG-RJK	ex VP-CBX
Airbus A321	-231(F)	3964		EC-OHG	Swiftair	delivers 29-30oct XSP-MAA-DWC-ATH-MAD, OE-reg	ex OE-IHR
Airbus A321	-271NX	11523		N551DT	Delta Air Lines	delivery 23oct24 XFW-KEF-MSP	ex D-AVXF

credit: Skyliner Aviation News

Airbus Updates No.4381

 

Airbus A350	-941	663		D-AIXW	Lufthansa	delivery 16oct24 TLS-MUC	ex F-WZNX
Airbus A380	-861	168		A6-EOD	Emirates	at DXB 18oct24 in NBA livery after paint prior svc re-entry	ex F-WWSY
Airbus Canada A220	-300	55293		N279BZ	Breeze Aitways	delivery 18oct24 BFM-TPA	ex C-GPSW
Airbus Canada A220	-300	55299		F-HPNM	Air France	delivery 19oct24 YMX-CDG	ex C-FOIB
Airbus Canada A220	-300	55303		2-ALCA	Air Lease Corp	ferried 16-17oct24 YMX-KEF-LFBF	ex C-FPGI

Airbus Updates No.4380

 

Airbus A320	-271N	12325		CC-DBL	Sky Airline	delivery 18-19oct24 TLS-YYR-MIA-SCL	ex F-WWIJ
Airbus A320	-252N	12331		F-HXSH	Transavia France	delivery 16oct24 TLS-ORY	ex F-WWDZ
Airbus A320	-251N	12334		G-UZLZ	easyJet	delivery 16oct24 TLS-LGW	ex F-WWDO
Airbus A320	-232	5228**		LZ-FSG	Fly2Sky	delivery 06-07oct25 KUL-SHJ-SOF	ex 9V-TRQ
Airbus A321	-211(F)	775		PS-LVU	Levu Air Cargo	posn 16-17oct24 SJK-VCP-MAO	ex 9H-CGD
Airbus A321	-231	2695		LY-NVH	Avion Express	seen regd at PRG 14octz24, all white	ex VP-CBX
Airbus A321	-231(F)	2741		PS-AJA	Azul Linhas Aéreas	delivery 15-16oct24 TNA-SKD-MLA-SID-CNF “Cargo Blue” cs, OE-reg	ex OE-IAW
Airbus A321	-231	6009		TC-LBC	Turkish Airlines	ferried 18oct24 16aug24 SNN-EMA, OE-reg, for paint prior delivery	ex OE-IZR
Airbus A321	-211	8577		2-FWCA	FW Aviation	ferried 14-15oct24 SZB-CMB-MCT-ATH-SNN	ex VN-A2627
Airbus A321	-211	8592		2-FWCB	FW Aviation	ferried 18-19oct24 SZB-CMB-MCT-ATH-SNN	ex VN-A628
Airbus A321	-251nX	12040		D-ANLB	Condor	delivery 18oct24 XFW-DUS	ex D-AZAH
Airbus A321	-251NX	12060		G-SUNO	Jet2	delivery 11oct24 XFW-MAN, first in silver/red cs	ec D-AZAS
Airbus A321	-251NX	12112		B-32J5	China Southern	delivery 16-17oct24 XFW-NQZ-PVG	ex D-AZWO
Airbus A321	-271NX	12176		N655FR	Frontier Airlines	delivery 16oct24 BFM-TPA	ex F-WZMC
Airbus A321	-271NX	12177		N586DT	Delta Air Lines	delivery 16oct24 BFM-MSP	ex F-WZMI
Airbus A321	-271NX	12189		9H-WNS	Wizz Air Malta	deluvery 16oct24 XFW-BUD	ex D-AZAW
Airbus A321	-251NX	12341		B-32HS	Xiamen Airlines	delivery 16oct24 TSN-XMN	ex B-000C
Airbus A330	-202	700		9H-MFS	HiFly Malta	posn 14oct24 LPBJ-YTR after transfer (+ 1002 9H-HFL 03oct24 ALG-IST)	ex TC-AGL
Airbus A330	-343	1315		HS-TEV	Thai International	delivery 14oct24 LHR-BKK	ex G-VNYC
Airbus A340	-642	953		2-STNF	Hua An Aviation	ferried 15oct24 UTP-TYN, for paint into all white prior delivery to?	ex HS-TNF

Airbus Updates No.4379

Airbus A300	B4-203(F)	141		EX-30003	Gewan Airways	first in svc17oct24 FRU-SHJ after transfer, all white, very small titl	ex UP-A3003
Airbus A300	F4-605R	855		EI-LDA	ASL Airlines Ireland	delivery 10oct24 BUD-SNN after transfer, for paint	ex B-LDA
Airbus A319	-132	2711		VH-8NY	Network Aviation Australia	ferried 11oct24 P08-MCN, N-reg for paint prior delivery	ex N517NK
Airbus A319	-132	3017		N530NK	Spirit Airlines	ferried 14oct24 IAH-P08 for storage	ex D-AVXL
Airbus A319	-132	3026		N531NK	Spirit Airlines	ferried 20oct24 IAH-P08 for storage	ex D-AVWC
Airbus A319	-132	3395		VH-8NZ	Network Aviation Australia	delivery 01-04oct24 BQN-PHX-HNL-APW-CNS-PER, QantasLink cs	ex N534NK
Airbus A319	-115CJ	3856		T7-L05	AMAC Aerospace	air-test at BSL 10oct24 prior delivery	ex M-ABUS
Airbus A319	-115CJ	3856		RP-C3856	Challenger Aero Air Corp	for delivery 18-19oct24 BSL-DWC-MNL	ex T7-LOS
Airbus A319	-153N	12222		B-32HP	China Southern	delivery 16-17oct24 XFW-NQZ-CAN	ex D-AVWO
Airbus A320	-232(F)	2288		A6-RMA	Vaayu	delivery 07oct24 CAN-RKT	ex D-AATA
Airbus A320	-232	3143		XA-	VivaAeroBus	delivery 12-13oct24 KTW-KEF-BGR-MTY, LZ-reg	ex LZ-DCU
Airbus A320	-214	6850		9K-AKE	Kuwait Airways	ferried 02/12oct24 BJV-BTS-BJV, üaint into all white	ex F-WWBY
Airbus A320	-271N	7042		VP-CEL	SMBC Aviation Capital	ferried 12oct24 DEL-HYD	ex 2-VWGA
Airbus A320	-232	7378		TC-JTT	Turkish Airlines	air-test at KUL 11oct24, 2-reg prior delivery	ex 2-VNJA
Airbus A320	-232	7771		TC-JTS	Turkish Airlines	delivery 14-15oct24 KUL-KHI-SAW	ex 2-VNJB
Airbus A320	-271N	8158		D-AAAZ	Lufthansa Technik	ferried 17-18oct24 KUL-MCT-OSR, for Marabu Airlines	ex VT-IVH
Airbus A320	-251N	12218		9H-NEG	KM Malta Airlines	delivery 11oct24 TLS-MLA	ex F-WWIO
Airbus A320	-251N	12308		TS-INM	Nouvekair	delivery 17oct24 TLS-MIR	ex F-WWBU
Airbus A320	-251N	12316		B-32J9	China Eastern	delivery 15-16oct24 TLS-NQZ-PVG	ex F-WWBY
Airbus A320	-251N	12321		VT-IXN	IndiGo Airlines	delivery 11oct24 TLS-DEL	ex F-WWDL

Credit: Skyliner Aviation News

Airbus Updates No.4378

 Azul receives first Airbus A321P2F freighter

Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras (AD, São Paulo Viracopos) has taken the delivery of its first A321-200(P2F), ch-aviation research has revealed, and expects to induct it into scheduled service during the first quarter of 2025.

PS-AJA (msn 2741), formerly OE-IAW, was ferried to Belo Horizonte Tancredo Neves from Jinan via Samarkand, Malta International, and Sal Amilcar Cabral International between October 15 and 16, ADS-B data shows. It has a capacity to carry up to 27 tonnes in 14 pallet positions; it was converted to a freighter by Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH. "This aircraft will significantly increase our operational efficiency, integrating perfectly into our network and bringing more agility to our customers throughout Brazil," said Daniel Tkacz, the airline's vice president of operations.

The Brazilian carrier expects to add a second A321(P2F), OE-ICC (msn 2759), and soon to be PS-AJB. It is currently in Guangzhou. In a statement, Azul Cargo Express said this airframe will arrive in Brazil in November.

Both airframes are owned and managed by AerCap. They were delivered originally to China Southern Airlines (CZ, Guangzhou) in 2006.