Airbus Updates No.3076

 Uganda Airlines Secures Morning Landing Slot At London Heathrow

Uganda Airlines has secured an early morning landing slot at London Heathrow Airport. The flight from Entebbe will land in Heathrow at 06:00 AM, a prime time for business travelers and considered one of the most coveted slots at the airport. Uganda will fly its brand new Airbus A330neo on the route.

Uganda Airlines will fly the rare A330-800neo on its new, prized Heathrow slot. Photo: Airbus

New slot

According to Daily Monitor, Uganda Airlines has secured a new slot at London Heathrow, flying five times a week from Entebbe. The slot comes into effect from the start of the summer season on March 28th, but the airline is yet to receive certification for its new Airbus A330-800neo.

Notably, Uganda Airlines has secured a prime slot at Heathrow: an early morning arrival. The popularity of early morning slots cannot be overstated, with Oman Air buying a 05:30 AM arrival slot for a record $75 million in 2016.

Uganda has managed to secure a 06:00 AM arrival into Heathrow (leaving at 09:00 AM) without purchasing the slot from another airline, according to Business Daily. This is a remarkable feat given how young the airline is (less than two years old) and considering it only received its first widebody a few months ago. Moreover, it highlights how sharply demand for slots has fallen at Heathrow.

Early morning slots at slot-restricted airports like Heathrow are coveted by airlines since they cater perfectly to business travelers. Photo: Heathrow Airport

Once Uganda’s shiny new A330neos are certified by its regulators and the UK lifts its ban on non-essential travel, the airline will begin flights to London. According to a spokesperson for the airline, it plans to start flight at some time in May, saying,

“The aircraft are not yet certified by the regulator but we are hoping to have completed that process by the end of April. If the UK relaxes travel restrictions, we should be ready to launch London sometime in May.”

Opportunity

For Uganda Airlines, the A330neo is a chance to expand beyond Africa and become a major international airline. In addition to London, the carrier plans to launch flights to Dubai and has secured rights for six weekly flights. While demand will dictate the final schedule for the short term, the airline has its eye on more locations.

The next destinations for the airline will be Mumbai, India, and Guangzhou, China, another popular hub route. This has been an ambitious rise for the airline which is yet to turn even two years old. It currently operates nine regional routes using CRJ900ERs and will add two routes Johannesburg and Lusaka soon.

With the first flights planned for May, keep an eye out for this rising African carrier in the skies. Currently, the airline only has two A330neos on order but it could add more widebodies in the future if it sees a growing demand. Considering the untapped potential of African aviation, we could see this airline expand quickly.

Airbus Updates No.2980

A Winning Year For Airbus – Success Despite A Pandemic

The end of 2020 will signify the end of what has been a successful year for European aircraft manufacturer Airbus. This year has seen the ongoing coronavirus pandemic impact almost every aspect of commercial aviation. Nonetheless, Airbus has been able to enjoy success despite these widespread and varied challenges.

The type certification and first deliveries of the -800 variant of the A330neo have represented particular highlights for Airbus this year. Photo: Getty Images

Yesterday we looked at Boeing’s 2020 highlights, but what have been Airbus’s reasons to be cheerful this year?

A smaller neo – the Airbus A330-800

2020 proved a defining year for the development and production of the Airbus A330-800. This is the smaller of the A330 family’s two ‘neo’ (new engine option) variants. It represents a next-generation version of the original A330-200, with the larger -900 neo corresponding to the original -300 variant.

customers are faced with a choice between longer range and better capacity. The -800 has a typical three-class capacity of 257 passengers and a range of 15,094 km (8,150 NM). Meanwhile, the -900 typically seats 287 passengers across three classes, but has a shorter range of 13,334 km (7,200 NM). Most customers have opted for the -900 variant, which launched commercially in December 2018 with TAP Portugal.

October saw Kuwait Airways take delivery of the first Airbus A330-800. Photo: Airbus

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Certification and first deliveries

The gulf in orders (14 vs. 318 as of November 2020) might have left Airbus in doubt as to how worthwhile further development of the -800 was. Nonetheless, it pushed on, and it received type certification from the EASA and FAA this February. It received upgraded Extended Twin-Engined Operations certification in April, joining its larger -900 counterpart in having an ETOPS grading of 180 minutes.

In October, Kuwait Airways took the first-ever A330-800 delivery. It wasted no time launching it commercially the following month, on a flight from Kuwait to Dubai. Just before Christmas, Uganda Airlines became the second carrier to take delivery of the type. It expects to receive its second example in January 2021.

Uganda Airlines took delivery of its first of two A330neos earlier this month. Photo: Airbus

The advent of the A321XLR

Airbus has also continued to make good progress this year on its latest A320neo variant. Known as the A321XLR, its proposed range of 8,700 km / 4,700 NM outranks the A321LR by 1,300 km / 700 NM. This represents a 15% increase over an aircraft that itself has a 15% longer range than the standard A321neo. Despite the challenges that 2020 has thrown aviation’s way, Airbus confirmed earlier this year that the A321XLR remained on track for a 2023 launch.

As the coronavirus pandemic worsened and passenger numbers continued to fall, the A321XLR emerged as a perfect post-pandemic aircraft on low-capacity long-haul routes. Examples of where the A321XLR might fly can be seen in the graphic below. It has significantly lower operating costs than a widebody long-haul aircraft, and, with its lower capacity, is also far easier for airlines to fill. The aircraft’s order numbers speak for themselves, with more than 450 already having been placed.

The Airbus A321XLR may prove to be the perfect post-pandemic airliner on ‘long thin’ routes. Image: Airbus

The A321XLR also outranks its fellow long-haul aircraft in terms of fuel efficiency. All in all, it is set to be a very cost-efficient aircraft. This will be an increasingly important factor going forward, with airlines needing to save money after what has been an immensely financially challenging year, and typical demand levels not set to return for the foreseeable future. With the A321XLR, Airbus might just have created the solution to a problem that, at the time of its announcement at last year’s Paris Air Show, nobody could have foreseen existing.

 

Airbus Updates No.2929

 Kuwait Airways Operates The World’s First Passenger A330-800 Flight

Kuwait Airways’ rare A330-800 operated its first commercial flight yesterday (November 20th), flying the short distance between Kuwait and Dubai. This marks the very first revenue flight ever for the type. The airline has eight of the long-range widebody on order, the largest customer for the shorter A330neo.

Kuwait Airways’ first two Airbus A330-800neos were delivered to the airline on October 29th. Photo: Airbus

Flight details

The Kuwaiti flag carrier used its newest aircraft on a fairly routine service between Kuwait and Dubai. A simple hop over the Persian Gulf, the distance between the two cities is just 530 miles or 853 kilometers.

Operated by the aircraft registered as 9K-APF, the outbound flight to Dubai was KU671, leaving on November 20th at 11:28. It appears that this service was delayed by roughly 50 minutes. Once the aircraft made its departure, it was just over an hour before it arrived at Dubai International Airport, at 13:32, taking into account a one-hour time difference. The aircraft then spent a short one hour and twenty minutes at Dubai.

The return journey, flight KU672, departed at 14:51 and arrived in Kuwait at 15:17 – a slightly longer flight time of one hour and 26 minutes. The longer flight can mostly be attributed to the orientation of runways and the extra time needed to turn around and get in the right position.

A very popular route

In February, we covered the busiest international routes of 2019, which indeed included the Kuwait to Dubai sector. In fact, in 2019, this route logged an impressive 14,581 flights.

On the list of 20 busiest international routes, this route was right in the middle at number 10 and the only route in the Middle East region. In 2019 it was served by four different airlines: two budget carriers and two full-service airlines. These would be:

• Kuwait Airways
• Emirates
• Jazeera Airways
• flydubai

In fact, Emirates operated an astounding 41 weekly flights on this route – as many as six per day! All using its Boeing 777 aircraft.

Two A330-800s were delivered to Kuwait Airways simultaneously. Photo: Airbus

We expect that this service was simply a ‘warm-up’ flight for the airline and not likely a standard route it will be deployed on. It would certainly be a waste of the aircraft’s impressive range of 8,150 nautical miles (15,094 kilometers).

At the end of last month, we wrote about the potential cities the airline’s A330-800s could fly to from Kuwait. Perhaps once the industry recovers, the cities below might be good destinations for Kuwait Airways and its newest long-haul jets. Not only would these be popular vacation destinations for the citizens and residents of Kuwait, but ex-pats and migrant workers could benefit from the direct connection to their home countries.

• Sydney, Australia: 6,960 nautical miles
• Johannesburg, South Africa: 3,500 nautical miles
• Los Angeles, United States: 6,950 nautical miles

Of its existing destinations, flights to London, Guangzhou, or Manila could be good candidates. Once service to New York resumes, the -800 would also fit well for it. This could also be the case for Bangkok in the east, or Paris, Frankfurt, and Milan up north.

Airbus Updates No.2876

 

Uganda Airlines’ Rare Airbus A330-800neo Comes Out Of Paintshop

On Friday, we got a glimpse of Uganda Airlines’ A330-800neos complete with livery. The airline says the aircraft is on schedule for delivery in December. Meanwhile, the country has just reopened for international flights, and its national carrier hopes to be flying to Johannesburg within the next few weeks.

Uganda Airlines’ A330-800 has received its livery and is on schedule for delivery in December. Photo: Airbus

Rare but beautiful

One of Uganda Airlines’ two A330neos has rolled out of the paintshop. The rare A330-800 widebody plane looks stunning in the East African flag-carrier’s livery. Once the new long-haul jets have joined the revived airline’s fleet, the carrier plans to deploy them on routes to Dubai and London.

The aircraft, manufactured at Airbus’ facilities in Toulouse, has been registered as 5X-NIL. Uganda Airlines confirmed today that its delivery for December remains on schedule.

Start-up and flag-carrier

Uganda Airlines only commenced operations in August last year. The airline, both a start-up and a national carrier, currently only has four Bombardier CRJ-900s in its fleet. It usually operates routes throughout East Africa but has been granted permission to go to Johannesburg. Operations to the South African metropolis were initially scheduled to begin in March but are now set to commence within the coming weeks.

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Why is the aircraft rare?

The A330neo is the latest version of Airbus’ widebody jet, launched in July 2014. It has two versions; the A330-800 and the A330-900. Uganda Airlines’ plane is of the former model, slightly smaller than its sibling but with a longer range.

Thus far, Airbus has sold only 14 of the A330-800, which makes Uganda’s new jet rare indeed. The A330-900, on the other hand, has proved more popular. Airbus has sold 318 of the model and delivered 49 of them up until now. Delta Air Lines was the launch customer for the A330-900, putting in an order for 35 in November 2014. Thus far, it has taken delivery of seven, three of which are currently listed as parked.

Airbus Updates No.2532

Air Greenland to sell its only Airbus A330-200 aircraft

Kangerlussuaq, Greenland - Air Greenland is putting its only Airbus A330-200 for sale. The company is replacing the 21.5-year-old aircraft with a brand new A330-800.

The airline will receive its first A330neo at the end of 2021.

Air Greenland appointed Skytech-AIC for the sale of its PW4000-powered Airbus A330-200. The aircraft, which was manufactured in 1998 and has been in service with Air Greenland since 2002.

Skytech-AIC is a British aerospace company providing services to airlines and investors in aircraft finance, procurement, remarketing and fleet asset protection.

Airbus Updates No.2454

Air Greenland signs for one Airbus A330-800

Toulouse, France - The Atlantic carrier Air Greenland has signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for the acquisition of one A330-800, making the airline third known customer of the Airbus' slow-selling widebody jet.

The airline is expected to receive its A330-800 next year. The aircraft will enter into service between Kangerlussuaq Airport in Greenland and Copenhagen, Denmark.

Air Greenland currently has one Airbus A330-200 and several turboprop aircraft in its fleet.

With this order, Air Greenland aims to increase tourism in the Atlantic's remote territory and accelerate the growth of the country's only airline.

Greenland has an unfulfilled business potential regarding tourism, which can create both development and jobs. Combined with new runways in Nuuk and Ilulissat, we will unlock Greenland in a whole new way that will increase tourism and create growth,

said company Chairman Kjeld Zacho Jørgensen, who expects double-digit growth in tourism when the new aircraft joins the carrier's fleet.

With the arrival of its Airbus A330-800, Air Greenland will also launch another direct route to Ilulissat in the Disko Bay from Copenhagen, which is one of the most popular and sought destinations among tourists.

Air Greenland is the third identified operator of the smaller variant of the A330neo family, after Kuwait Airways (eight copies) and Uganda Airlines (two copies).

Last month, the European planemaker Airbus registered an order for four A330-800 from an anonymous customer.

The A330-800 doesn’t have any cost advantage over the A330-900 other than the fuel cost. It consumes less fuel than the larger A330-900. With today’s fuel prices, it doesn't make a remarkable difference.

The A330-900 accommodates 50 more passengers and has a better residual value. The A330-800 seems to have fallen into the trap of a non-loved variant.

Airbus Updates No.1964

KUWAIT AIRWAYS ORDERS AIRBUS A330-800NEO'S

Kuwait Airways, the national carrier of the state of Kuwait, has signed a Purchase Agreement (PA) for eight A330-800 aircraft. The agreement was signed by Yousef Al-Jassim, Kuwait Airways Chairman and Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse. 

Yousef Al-Jassim, Chairman Kuwait Airways said: “The A330-800 will seamlessly fit into our fleet expansion and growth plans. Its unbeatable operating economics and performance in addition to best in class passenger comfort make it a sound investment. We are confident that the A330-800 will support us to compete effectively on our expanding route network. Our relationship with Airbus extends beyond aircraft acquisitions and we look forward to further collaboration on technical fields.”

The announcement marks an important step in Kuwait Airways’ fleet renewal and expansion strategy. The national carrier of Kuwait also has A350 XWB and A320neo Family aircraft on order. The delivery of the new Airbus fleet will start in 2019.  

“We are delighted that Kuwait Airways has chosen the A330neo as a cornerstone of its future widebody fleet.  The A330-800 with its unique efficiency and versatility will support the carrier’s ambition to develop its expanding long haul network,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer. “The aircraft will seamlessly complement Kuwait Airways’  A320neos and A350 XWBs and deliver unbeatable operating economics, full operational commonality and unmatched passenger experience.”

Launched in July 2014, the A330neo Family is the new generation A330, comprising two versions: the A330-800 and A330-900 sharing 99 percent commonality. It builds on the proven economics, versatility and reliability of the A330 Family, while reducing fuel consumption by about 25 percent per seat versus previous generation competitors and increasing range by up to 1,500 nm compared to the majority of A330s in operation. The A330neo is powered by Rolls-Royce’s latest-generation Trent 7000 engines and features a new wing with increased span and new A350 XWB-inspired Sharklets. The cabin provides the comfort of the new Airspace amenities.

The A330 is one of the most popular widebody families ever, having received over 1,700 orders from 120 customers. More than 1,400 A330s are flying with over 120 operators worldwide. The A330neo is the latest addition to the leading Airbus widebody family, which also includes the A350 XWB and the A380, all featuring unmatched space and comfort combined with unprecedented efficiency levels and unrivalled range capability.