Airbus Updates No.3773

 

Singapore Airlines Firms Order For New Airbus A350 Freighters

Airbus’ new entrant to the freighter market has secured a firm commitment from Singapore Airlines during the ongoing Singapore Airshow. The airline had signed a letter of intent in December last year, and has now converted that commitment into a firm order for the type.The aircraft will start delivering from 2025, and is set to replace the airline’s fleet of 747-400Fs. In total, Singapore Airlines has signed for seven of the new freighters, Airbus’ first new entrant to the cargo market for many years.

Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines, commented,

“This order underscores the importance of the cargo market to the SIA Group. The introduction of the A350F will enhance our capabilities in this key sector, ensuring that we are ready for the growth opportunities that will arise in the coming years. These new-generation aircraft will substantially increase our operating efficiencies and reduce our fuel burn, making an important contribution towards the success of our long-term decarbonisation goals.”

Singapore Airlines is clearly a fan of the Airbus widebody and is presently the world’s largest operator of the type. It has a total of 51 A350-900s in its fleet, plus seven A350-900ULR. With the A350F in its stable, the airline will be able to benefit from fleet commonality as well as a highly efficient freighter aircraft.

Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International Christian Scherer noted,

“Singapore Airlines is the world's largest operator of the A350 and is now set to become the first to fly the all-new freighter variant. The A350F will fit seamlessly into the carrier's existing fleet, while redefining the operational efficiency of its cargo operations, bringing a 40% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions compared with the aircraft it will replace at SIA, while offering the same payload-carrying capacity and longer range.

Cargo continues to shine

For airlines all over the world, cargo has been a bright spot in the quagmire of pandemic-induced challenges. For Singapore Airlines, a highly international-focussed airline operating in a market devoid of domestic flying, it has been critical in staying afloat. Although we are still waiting for the financial results for the third quarter of 2021, ending in December, the most recent results demonstrate just how important cargo has been. In the second quarter, ending September, SIA reported a record high of cargo revenue, clocking in at SG$1,875 million ($1,395 million), up more than 50% over the same quarter in the previous years.

Part of this drive into cargo was achieved by using more passenger planes in that period, adding almost 50% to its cargo capacity. The SIA Group’s cargo network stands at 78 destinations, up from 76 at the end of the first quarter. Goh Choon Phong noted that the trend of cargo’s importance to the airline is anticipated to continue, saying,

“Consumer patterns have changed dramatically in recent times, generating increased demand for the swift transport of cargo by air. With the A350F, SIA will be well-positioned to respond to this enormous market potential in a profitable and sustainable way.”

Singapore Airlines currently uses the 747-400F for its cargo arm. It has a fleet of seven of the aircraft, with an average age of 18.3 years, according to data at ch-aviation. With seven new A350F incoming, these older Queens will be able to take retirement, letting SIA operate similar levels of cargo loads with lower overheads in the future.

 

Airbus Updates No.3772

 

New generation Airbus A350F freighter to join Etihad Airways fleet

Singapore, 16 February 2022 –  Etihad Airways’ has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for seven A350F freighters to add to its existing fleet of five A350-1000 passenger versions. The announcement was made at the Singapore Airshow 2022. Etihad has also selected Airbus’s Flight Hour Services (FHS) to support its entire A350 fleet.

“Etihad is delighted to extend our relationship with Airbus to include this remarkable aircraft as part of our freighter fleet for the future,” said Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group. “As our cargo operations continue to overperform and we work towards a more sustainable future built upon the world’s youngest and most fuel-efficient fleet, the addition of the A350F will play a key role in driving our long-term cargo strategy and achieving our 2035 target to reduce CO₂ emissions by 50%.”

“We are pleased to sign this agreement with our long standing partner Etihad, shortly before this most discerning airline also introduces A350 passenger service. Thank you Etihad for endorsing the game changing nature of the new A350F” said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International. “The world’s only new generation large freighter will be unmatched in its market segment in terms of range, fuel consumption and CO₂ savings.”

As part of the world’s most modern long-range family, the A350F provides a high level of commonality with the A350 passenger versions. With a 109 tonne payload capability, the A350F can serve all cargo markets. The aircraft features a large main deck cargo door, with its fuselage length and capacity optimised around the industry’s standard pallets and containers. 

More than 70% of the airframe of the A350F is made of advanced materials, resulting in a 30 tonne lighter take-off weight and generating at least 20% lower fuel consumption and emissions over its current closest competitor. The A350F fully meets ICAO’s enhanced CO₂ emissions standards coming into effect in 2027. To date the A350F has won firm orders and commitments for 29 aircraft from 5 customers.

The A350F meets the imminent wave of large freighter replacements and the evolving environmental requirements, shaping the future of air freight. The A350F will be powered by the latest technology, fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines.

Airbus Updates No.3767

 

ST Engineering Wins First Lease Deal for A320P2F Freighters

by David Donald

 - February 14, 2022, 1:56 AM

The world’s first A320P2F gets towed at Seletar after completion of the conversion by ST Engineering. (Photo: Elbe Flugzeugwerke)

ST Engineering’s commercial aviation business has secured a lease deal with the Vaayu Group for five Airbus A320 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions, the company said on February 14. Two of the aircraft have already have found a home with an operator, Astral Aviation based in Nairobi, Kenya, which will become the first carrier to operate the narrowbody freighter conversion.

ST Engineering performs the conversions at Seletar, from where the initial aircraft undertook its maiden flight on December 8. The first of the aircraft is due to begin operations in the second quarter of this year. The cargo modification is initially being approved under an EASA supplemental type certificate.

“We are excited to welcome Vaayu as our first A320P2F lessee customer, and for Astral Aviation to be the first airline in the world to operate such a platform,” said Yip Heng Meng, ST Engineering’s executive v-p and head of aviation asset management. “As an aviation asset solution provider that is backed by other integrated life-cycle capabilities including freighter conversion and MRO, we are able to provide comprehensive solutions not offered by other service providers, and help operators gain a competitive edge.”

ST Engineering has partnered with Airbus for the narrowbody P2F program through the joint venture Elbe Flugzeugwerke. The JV also offers P2F conversions of the longer A321. The first aircraft in its size class to provide easy-to-operate containerized loading for both upper and lower deck space, the A320P2F also offers best-in-class fuel-burn figures. The A320P2F can accommodate 10 ULD containers on the main deck with a single pallet position, with a further seven ULDs on the lower deck. Payload totals more than 21 tonnes, which can be transported over 1,800 nm, while a 17-tonne payload can fly to a distance of 2,560 nm.

Key features of the P2F conversion include a main-deck port-side hydraulically-actuated cargo door measuring 142 by 85 inches that can lock electronically. The Class E cargo compartment meets industry requirements fully, with features such as a 9-g rigid cargo barrier, lightweight cargo lining, manually-operated loading system, and reinforced floor panels and floor grid to cater for the higher running loads.

Airbus Updates No.3766

 

Aviation Capital Group finalises order for 20 A220s

Singapore, 14 February 2022 – Global full-service aircraft lessor Aviation Capital Group (ACG), wholly owned by Tokyo Century Corporation, has signed a firm contract for 20 A220s following its order for 40 A320neo Family aircraft including five A321XLRs announced in December 2021.”

We are delighted to expand our partnership with Airbus through this A220 order”, said Steven C. Udvar-Hazy, Senior Vice President, OEM Relations & Market Development at ACG. “Our airline customers will appreciate the A220’s environmental friendliness, passenger comfort, and competitive operating economics.”

“This order for 20 A220s from Tokyo Century’s Aviation Capital Group reflects the potential of the aircraft as a sound investment, including for investors based in the Asia Pacific region”, said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International. “We thank and congratulate our partners at ACG. With fuel and emissions efficiency ever more a discriminating investment choice, the A220 really stands out. Equally gratifying is the market feedback that the A220’s cabin is becoming the passengers’ darling in the regional and small single-aisle segments.”

The A220 is the only aircraft purpose-built for the 100-150 seat market and brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines. Featuring a 50% reduced noise footprint and up to 25% lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft, as well as around 50% lower NOx emissions than industry standards, the A220 is a great aircraft for regional as well as long distance routes operations. The latest agreement lifts the total number of firm orders for the A220 above 700.

With this order ACG is supporting the recently launched multi-million dollar ESG fund initiative by Airbus that will contribute towards investment into sustainable aviation development projects.