Icelandair has shared photos of its first Airbus A321neo emerging after painting. The airline is set to take delivery of A321-200NX TF-IAA (12213) in November. By the start of next year's summer season, it expects to have taken delivery of three more.
In total, Icelandair is set to lease seven A321-200NXs, five via SMBC (one of which is this one), and two from CDB Aviation Leasing. The seven aircraft are an interim solution for the thirteen A321-200NYs the airline has on order directly with Airbus and which are planned for delivery from 2029 onwards.
Icelandair will use its new A321neos to replace its ageing fleet of Boeing B757s. Currently, the airline's fleet is made-up of seventeen B737-8s, four B737-9s, twelve B757-200s, two B757-300s, three B767-300ERs, and two B767-300ERBCFs.
In a statement issued on 11 September 2024, the aviation lessor arm of the China Development Bank, CDB Aviation, announced it is set to place an order with Airbus for A320neo-family aircraft.
In total, the leasing company will order 80 aircraft that are expected to be delivered to CDB-customers between 2030 and 2032.
Currently, the lessor has open orders with Airbus for eleven A320neos and 28 A321neos.
KM to introduce a slightly updated livery on the A321neo
On 13 February 2024, KLM announced it will introduce a slightly updated livery on its upcoming Airbus A321neos. The "swoop" downwards will now go lower, which means the dark blue line will be under the nosedome of the aircraft. Today, this line is over the nose of the aircraft. In the press-release, KLM states that having a nose in a single colour makes nosedome replacements easier. The new A321neos will also feature the raccoon-mask around the cockpit windows. It's unclear if the modification will also be transferred to other types in the fleet.
KLM is expecting to take delivery of four A321neos this year, which are all leased via CDB Aviation:
A321-251NX PH-AXA (11895)
A321-251NX PH-AXB (12144)
A321-251NX PH-AXC (12238)
A321-251NX PH-AXD (12254)
The A321neo will be equipped with 227 seats, featuring 197 economy seats and 30 business class/economy comfort seats.
On 26 August 2024, KLM will launch commercial flights and the first destinations will be Berlin, Copenhagen and Stockholm. After delivery of the second aircraft, KLM will add Edinburgh, London-Heathrow and Paris-Charles de Gaulle as next destinations.
9H-VDC (msn 958) was delivered to the Maltese carrier on June 9 in an unbranded livery. Mas Air confirmed to Cargo Facts that it is the aircraft's primary lessee from CDB Aviation and that it sub-leased the converted freighter to gallistair under a long-term agreement.
Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows the A330 has thus far been deployed between Frankfurt Int'l and destinations in Mexico and the United States. It flies under gallistair's own 'GH' code.
The Maltese carrier's fleet also comprises two A320-200s. Mas Air, in turn, operates two A330-200(P2F)s, one B767-200(SF), one B767-300(ERBDSF), and one B767-300F. It recently added its first A330-300(P2F), EI-MAE (msn 964), after conversion but has yet to induct
CDB Aviation Advances A330 P2F Strategy with New Conversion Order and Freighter Introduction in China
Orders twelve more conversions from Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (“EFW”), bringing the A330 P2F fleet to fourteen aircraft
Launches the A330-300 P2F type in China, backed by new leases with Sichuan Airlines and Jiangxi Cargo Airlines
Debuts first A330 P2F conversions to be performed in Shanghai, China, and Mobile, Alabama, U.S.A.
Becomes the largest lessor of EFW-converted A330 P2Fs
SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Limited (“CDB Leasing”), appearing today on the sidelines of Singapore Air Show, detailed new developments in its A330 passenger-to-freighter (“A330 P2F”) strategy and related commercial activity.
Advancing its already leading position in the A330 P2F conversion segment, CDB Aviation committed to an additional twelve conversions with EFW, expanding its A330 P2F fleet to fourteen aircraft. Moreover, the lessor is on pace to launch the A330-300 P2F freighter type in China in 2022, with lease commitments from Sichuan Airlines and Jiangxi Cargo Airlines.
“We have strategically positioned our platform to be the A330 P2F program frontrunner among lessors,” commented Patrick Hannigan, CDB Aviation’s Chief Executive Officer, adding that the A330 P2F marked the lessor’s first entry into the air cargo space. “We’re very satisfied with this program’s progress and momentum to date and look forward to further expanding our freighter fleet in collaboration with our partners at Airbus, ST Engineering, and EFW.”
CDB Aviation was one of the first lessors to secure conversion commitments for the A330 P2F, contracting two initial conversions with EFW in November 2020. With this latest order, the company will become the largest lessor of EFW-converted A330 P2Fs, with a total of fourteen aircraft in its fleet.
“The A330 P2F continues to gain traction as the preferred next-generation type in the fast-growing Medium Widebody Freighter space. It is delivering to cargo operators the most advanced fly-by-wire technology, increased volumetric capacity for today’s less dense freight, reduced fuel consumption, a lower environmental footprint, and the benefits of Airbus fleet commonality,” added Hannigan.
“We are proud to have leading lessor CDB Aviation on board, growing its orders for A330 P2Fs,” said Andreas Sperl, EFW’s Chief Executive Officer. “The A330 P2F program is proving highly popular, and we now have over eighty aircraft on order. EFW is leading the overall A330 P2F program, which is a collaboration between ST Engineering, Airbus, and EFW. To ensure we can meet the rising demand for freighter conversions, EFW and ST Engineering are in the process of ramping up their conversion capacity.”
CDB Aviation’s first two A330 P2Fs are currently being converted in EFW’s facility in Dresden, Germany, and will be re-delivered to its launch operator, Mexico-based MasAir, in early 2022.
CDB Aviation has contracted three more placements with two new customers: Sichuan Airlines and Jiangxi Cargo Airlines.
Chengdu-based Sichuan Airlines has leased two A330-300 P2Fs, which will join the carrier’s existing freighter fleet of three A330-200Fs upon delivery in late 2022 and the middle of 2023. The lease transaction marks the first time that Sichuan Airlines will operate the A330-300 P2F type. These aircraft will provide the carrier with additional freighter capacity to meet the rapidly expanding cargo demand, further strengthening its transport and logistics business.
Jiangxi Cargo Airlines, a new Nanchang-based start-up cargo carrier, created through a joint venture between the Jiangxi Provincial Government and privately-owned Hongyuan Group, has leased one A330-300 P2F to be delivered in early 2023. Being the first cargo carrier owned and supported by the provincial government, Jiangxi Cargo Airlines sees the A330 P2F as the perfect fit for its future cargo strategy, providing a foothold for the airline to expand its market share.
“We’re delighted to welcome Sichuan Airlines and Jiangxi Cargo Airlines to our growing list of A330-300 P2F operators, marking the type’s first application in China,” said Peter Goodman, CDB Aviation’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We know the aircraft will be a superb addition to both these carriers as they grow their business to serve the country’s rapidly expanding air cargo demand.”
In 2022, CDB Aviation will expand its global conversion footprint by becoming the first customer for A330 P2F conversions to take place in the facilities of ST Engineering in Shanghai, China, and VT MAE in Mobile, Alabama, U.S.A. These conversion locations have been added to the existing A330 P2F conversion facilities of EFW in Dresden, Germany, and ST Engineering in Singapore. By the middle of 2022, the lessor plans to have aircraft converted simultaneously at three locations – in Dresden, Shanghai, and Mobile. EFW is a joint venture of ST Engineering and Airbus.
VP-BUM (msn 1361) was operated through April 2019 by Jet Airways (JAI, Mumbai Int'l) and has remained in storage since the collapse of the Indian airline. Nordwind Airlines is currently using the 8.6-year-old widebody, owned by CDB Aviation, to connect various Russian cities (Kazan Int'l, Moscow Sheremetyevo, and Samara Kurumoch) with Antalya in Turkey.
The A330-300 is the second new type in Nordwind Airlines' fleet in recent weks, after the induction of the airline's first A321-200N in early June 2021. The leisure specialist had originally hoped to induct the A330-300 in May 2020, but border closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the plan. Nordwind Airlines is expecting a second A330-300 shortly.
Aeroflot Takes Delivery Of Its First Airbus A320neo
Russian national flag carrier Aeroflot recently took delivery of its first long-term lease of four Airbus A320neo jets from Dublin, Ireland-based CDB Aviation. Aeroflot took delivery of its first Airbus A320neo on May 14 at the Henri Ziegler Delivery Centre in Toulouse, France.
Aeroflot’s first Airbus A320neo has the registration VP-PBQ. Photo: CDB Aviation
The Russian carrier is now awaiting the delivery of two additional Airbus A320neos and an Airbus A321neo, which it should receive by the end of May. All four aircraft are being delivered to Aeroflot from CDB Aviation, a wholly-owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co.
CDB Aviation has a Moody A1 rating
With the direct backing of the China Development Bank, CDB Aviation has been in the aircraft leasing business for the past 36 years and enjoys a Chinese sovereign credit rating. Sovereign ratings accurately rank default risk with CDB Aviations’ risk of default rated by American credit rating agency Moody as being A1.
In a company statement issued by CDB Aviation on May 17, CDB Aviation Chief Commercial Officer Peter Goodman says:
“We are pleased to expand our strategic relationship between Aeroflot and CDB Aviation,” adding that “these modern aircraft will deliver the right mix of operational efficiency and flexibility to support Aeroflot’s fleet optimization as the carrier works towards its Strategy 2028 and seizes on opportunities in the Russian and international air transportation markets.
The neos will support Aeroflot’s strategic efforts to retrench its leading position in key markets on the domestic network while enhancing its fleet with the latest technology narrowbody aircraft offering higher capacity and improved fuel-efficiency.”
Aeroflot’s Strategy 2028 is to have a fuel-efficient fleet of 600 aircraft, this also includes Pobeda Airlines and Rossiya Airlines.
About the A320neo
The Airbus A320neo (new engine option) is the world’s most advanced and fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft. Customers selecting to purchase the Airbus A320neo have the choice of two engine options the LEAP-1A from CFM International, a joint venture between America’s General Electric and France’s Safran or Pratt & Whitney PW1000G. It is worth noting that the PW1000G is the engine used to power the Airbus A220, Mitsubishi SpaceJet, and Embraer’s new generation of E-Jets. The Airbus A320neo is also fitted with fuel-saving wingtips that Airbus call Sharklets.
The Airbus A321neo can carry more passengers than the A320neo and has a longer range. Infographic: Airbus
According to aviation enthusiast website aerotime.aero Aeroflot’s A320neos will be configured to accommodate 12 passengers in business class and 144 in economy class. The A321neo is slightly larger and will be configured to accommodate 12 passengers in business class and 184 passengers in economy class. The A321neo also has a longer range of 3995.68 nautical miles ( 7,400 kilometers) which is 593.96 nautical miles ( 1,100.01 kilometers) more than the A320neo.
Aeroflot suspends flights to Turkey
In other Aeroflot news, the airline announced on May 17 that it was canceling nearly all flights to Turkey during June. The move came following concern about the rates of COVID-19 infections and the worry that possibly infected people could travel to Russia. The suspension of flights will come as bad news for Turkish Mediterranean resorts as they are particularly popular with Russian vacationers.
Except for two weekly flights to Istanbul, Aeroflot has suspended all flights to Turkey. Photo: Getty Images
Except for two flights per week, Aeroflot has suspended flights between Russia and Turkey. When speaking about the decision with the Russian news agency, TASS Aeroflot spokesman Mikhail Demin said:
“Travels are always planned weeks, sometimes months in advance. We stopped sales and canceled all flights to Turkey for June, with the exception of the two flights a week to Istanbul allowed by the headquarters (the operational headquarters for control and monitoring of the situation with coronavirus), so as not to inconvenience passengers due to possible cancellations,” he said.
CDB Aviation delivers the last Airbus A320neo to TAP Air Portugal
Hamburg, Germany – The Irish lessor CDB Aviation delivered the final Airbus A321neo jet to the Portuguese flag carrier TAP Air Portugal.
The aircraft is the sixth A321neo jet from the same order package signed with the Dublin-based, China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co. subsidiary leasing company.
TAP Air Portugal took delivery of its new single-aisle jet in Hamburg, Germany last week. The delivery marks the completion of the transaction with CDB Aviation involving four A321neo single-aisle jets and two A330neo widebody jets which was announced in December 2018.
The addition of these narrowbody and widebody latest technology aircraft will support TAP’s vision of increasing capacity to support new routes,
said Peter Goodman, CDB Aviation Chief Marketing Officer.
TAP is among many airlines in CDB Aviation’s rapidly expanding global customer network who benefit from our company’s fast-evolving and industry-leading, full-service platform,
Goodman added.
The Star Alliance member airline has 11 A320neo, 13 A321neo, six A321LR, and six A330neo more on order with the European aircraft manufacturer.
DUBAI — Leasing company CDB Aviation has confirmed a deal with Airbus for 90 A320neo family aircraft. Airbus clarified that this agreement stemmed from an original 2014 deal for 45 of the family aircraft and then another 45 aircraft at the Paris Air Show earlier this year.
“By confirming today’s order for 90 A320neos, we have doubled our overall order position for the aircraft family,” said CDB Aviation’s President and CEO, Peter Chang.
This order is Airbus’ second biggest of the week, which reaffirms further growth for the A320neo family program. Airbus has been playing it strong at the Dubai Air Show with its A320neo family, selling over 500 units alone across five to six different customers.
In turn, the 737 MAX has only sold around 245 units this week, which is less than half of what Airbus has sold on their end.
CDB Aviation has been playing strong lately. On November 9, it concluded an order for 42 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, 10 Boeing 737 MAX 10s and eight Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
At the 2017 Paris Air Show, the Boeing order was stated as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with a value of $7.4 billion at current list prices. Also, it features a reformation of six 737 MAX 8 orders, to the 737 MAX 10.
However, today’s confirmation of 90 Airbus A320neo aircraft for the leasing company puts Airbus ahead of Boeing in terms of unit sales at the Dubai Air Show.
“The order from CDB Aviation is another true endorsement from the lessor community for the A320neo Family,” said Airbus Commercial Aircraft Chief Operating Officer- Customers, John Leahy. “This latest order demonstrates its continued confidence in our product for its airline customers and recognizes the A320neo as a sound financial asset in its portfolio.”
As of October 2017, the A320 program has an order count of 13,308 units from 300 different customers, whereas the Boeing 737 program has only sold 9,442 units. This shows that Airbus currently owns the larger portion of the pie in this market.
The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver at least 15% fuel savings at delivery and 20% by 2020, according to the manufacturer.
CDB Aviation’s A320neos will be run by CFM’s engines, which will provide this cost saving that Indigo Partners are looking for across their conglomerate.
Overall, it is yet again another boost for the A320neo program and will definitely be one of much more to come looking into the next year with the likes of Farnborough on the way.
First Airbus A321neo for Icelandair emerges
