Airbus Updates No.1455

First China Airlines A350XWB takes shape in Airbus’ Final Assembly Line.

27 JANUARY 2016 PRESS RELEASE

Assembly of the main airframe sections of the first A350 XWB for China Airlines is advancing at Airbus’ Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France. 

This involves the assembly of the wing-fuselage junction, the installation of the tailplane and also the tailcone. The aircraft will then be moved to the next assembly station for structural completion, ground testing of mechanical, electrical and avionics systems, and then the start of cabin installation. First delivery of Airbus’ latest generation widebody airliner to China Airlines is scheduled in Q3 2016. 

China Airlines has 14 A350-900 twin engine widebodies on order. The aircraft will be deployed on the carrier's long-haul routes to Europe, Australia and the United States as well as on selected regional routes. China Airlines currently operates 24 A330s and six A340s on regional and long haul services. 

The A350 XWB is the world’s latest generation airliner and the newest member of Airbus’ modern, comfortable & efficient widebody product family. The aircraft features the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Together, these latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel burn and emissions, and significantly lower maintenance costs. For passengers, it brings new levels of in-flight comfort, with an extra-wide cabin offering more personal space in all classes, including 18 inch wide seats as standard in economy class. To date, Airbus has recorded a total of 777 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 41 customers worldwide, already making it one of the most successful widebody aircraft ever. 

Airbus Updates No.1454

Iran, Airbus strike deal for 8 A-380, 16 A-350 jets

Sunday, 24 Jan 2016 | 5:29 AM ETReuters

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Iran has struck a provisional deal with Europe's Airbus to buy eight A-380 superjumbo planes to be delivered from 2019, the deputy transport minister told Reuters on Sunday.

A deal for 127, mainly new, aircraft which it hopes to complete this week also includes 16 A350 jets, Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan, deputy transport minister said in an interview on the sidelines of an aviation conference in Tehran.

Airbus Updates No.1453

Saudi Arabia’s Flynas in talks with Boeing, Airbus for 100 Jets

By Bloomberg

• Monday, 25 January 2016 10:38 AM

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Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier Flynas is talking to Airbus Group SE, Boeing Co. and Bombardier Inc. about a potential order for 100 new aircraft, after the carrier posted a profit in 2015 for the first time in its history.

The airline is considering 60 new planes in the next five years with an option for 40 more, Flynas Chief Executive Paul Byrne said in an interview in Bahrain. It’s considering the Airbus A320 Neos, Boeing 737 Maxs and Bombardier CS300 aircraft and expects to decide on the order this year.

Saudi Arabia, with a population of 30 million people, is removing restrictions in its travel market. It’s in the process of licensing two new operators, Saudi Gulf Air and Al Maha Airways, which is owned by Qatar Airways. The two new operators have experienced delays in obtaining their permits. Flynas currently has an all-Airbus fleet of 26 jets.

“We’re talking to Airbus, Boeing and Bombardier about purchasing or leasing depending on which is the best deal for us,” Byrne said. “If we were to change from Airbus to Boeing or Bombardier, that will be a big move for us but its not as dramatic as it sounds.”

Airbus Updates No.1452

Airbus A321	-211	6936		VN-A667	VietJetAir	delivery 20-21jan16 XFW-AYT-BOM-SGN	ex D-AVZS
Airbus A321	-231	6938		B-MCE	Air Macau	delivery 20-21jan16 XFW-ADB-DWC-MFM	ex D-AVZV
Airbus A321	-231	6940		N155NN	American Airlines	delivery 21jan16 XFW-BGR-DFW	ex D-AVZW
Airbus A330	-243	729		A6-EYH	Etihad Airways	first in svc 08jan16 AUH-DUB vv after paint into new cs	ex F-WWKR
Airbus A340	-313	125		EC-GGS	Iberia	last svc 18jan16 MVD-MAD, parked since	ex EC-154
Airbus A340	-313	264		B-2390	Air China	ferried 15jan16 CTU-LDE, for Airbus as F-WXAF	ex F-WWJY

Airbus Updates No.1451

Airbus A300	-622R(F)	722		EI-OZM	ASL Airlines Ireland	delivery 20jan16 IST-LEJ	ex HL7244
Airbus A310	-325	624		CS-TKN	Azores Airlines	SATA cs, ferried 16jan16 LIS-LETL for heavy mx**	ex TF-ELR
Airbus A319	-113	644		UR-CMW	Dart Airlines	ferried 18jan16 IEV-THR, for Zagros Airlines?	ex OO-SSP
Airbus A319	-112	2891		5H-FJG	FastJet	delivery 15-16jan16 MPL-HRG-DAR	ex F-WTDD
Airbus A319	-112	3700		D-ABGQ	Air Berlin	ferried 18jan16 MAD-MPL, EC-reg for paint prior re-delivery	ex EC-LRZ
Airbus A319	-112	3704		D-ABGR	Air Berlin	ferried 18jan16 MPL-MAD, EC-reg after paint prior re-delivery	ex EC-LRS
Airbus A320	-214	533		YL-LCL	smartLynx Airlines	ferried 20jan16 WOE-DUS prior return to svc	ex EI-DDL
Airbus A320	-212	671		UR-CME	YanAir	ferried 19jan16 KRT-RKT-VIN after wet-lease to Sudan Airways	ex N503NU
Airbus A320	-214	984		EI-FMN	ACG Acquisitions	ferried 19-21jan16 SHA-DEL-TBS-PAD-WOE	ex B-2205
Airbus A320	-214	1087		LZ-BHF	BH Air	in svc** 18/20jan15 SOF-DEL-SOF	ex EC-HDN
Airbus A320	-214	2627		D-ABNW	Air Berlin	delivery 15jan16 XIY-TSE-DUS by Azur Aviation	ex B-6262
Airbus A320	-232	2732		HL8055	Air Busan	delivery 15-16jan16 SNN-SVX-ICN	ex EI-FLZ
Airbus A320	-232ACJ	4388		B-8415	Deer Jet	delivery 18-19jan16 AFW-ANC-HKD-PEK	ex N60FC
Airbus A320	-232	5877		EC-LZM	Vueling	ferried 16jan16 BCN-DXB-SGN on wet-lease to Jetstar Pacific** (+ 5940 EC-LZF)	ex F-WXAA
Airbus A320	-214	6681		B-1695	Qingdao Airlines	delivery 15jan16 TLS-TSE	ex F-WWIC
Airbus A320	-214	6929		RP-C4107	Cebu Pacific Air	delivery 20jan16 TLS-CAI-DXB, first in new cs	ex F-WWBT
Airbus A321	-231	3830		G-POWN	Titan Airways	for delivery mar16	ex OE-LET
Airbus A321	-231	6818		B-8187	Capital Airlines	delivery 15-16jan16 XFW-TSE-PEK (+ 6853 B-8188)	ex D-AZAM
Airbus A321	-231	6930		N961JT	jetBlue	delivery 15jan16 XFW-JFK-LCQ	ex D-AVZP
Airbus A321	-211	6935		B-16221	Eva Air	delivery 15-16jan16 XFW-DWC-DMK-TPE	ex D-AVZR

Airbus Updates No.1450

Gulf Air orders 29 A320neo Family aircraft

Bahrain’s national carrier to upgrade its fleet with fuel-efficient single aisle aircraft

21 JANUARY 2016 PRESS RELEASE

As part of its fleet renewal strategy, Gulf Air has announced a firm order of 29 A320neo Family. The new order includes 17 A321neo and 12 A320neo of which 10 A320neo have been confirmed in 2012. The contract was signed today at the Bahrain International Airshow between Mr. Maher Salman Al Musallam, A/Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Air and Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer, in the presence of H.E. Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Kingdom of Bahrain and Mr Matthias Fekl, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the Promotion of Tourism and French Nationals Abroad.

Gulf Air currently operates 28 Airbus aircraft; and the new aircraft will fit seamlessly into the airline’s current fleet, thanks to Airbus’ overall fleet commonality, its low operating costs, optimum fuel efficiency and best-in-class passenger comfort of any single aisle aircraft.

Commenting on the agreement, Gulf Air A/Chief Executive Officer Mr. Maher Salman Al Musallam, said, “I am delighted that we will enhance and simplify our fleet structure building on Airbus aircraft. This restructured order meets Gulf Air’s future fleet requirement and our network expansion plans. As a result, I now look forward to furthering Gulf Air’s fleet modernization process while supporting our network and overall passenger experience enhancement strategies.”

“We are pleased that Gulf Air has chosen the A320neo Family to complement its long-term growth strategy. The fuel efficient aircraft will provide the airline with a higher operational efficiency and profitability while its wider cabins will open a new dimension of passenger appeal,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer.

The A320neo Family incorporates latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices, which together deliver more than 15 percent in fuel savings from day one and 20 percent by 2020 with further cabin innovations. With nearly 4,500 orders received from some 80 customers since its launch in 2010, the A320neo Family has captured a 60 percent share of the market.

Airbus Updates No.1449

K5 Aviation orders Airbus ACJ319neo

Aircraft is part of newest corporate jet family

21 JANUARY 2016 PRESS RELEASE

K5 Aviation GmbH of Germany has firmed up a previously announced commitment for an Airbus ACJ319neo, adding to the growing number of orders for the world’s newest private jet family, which includes the ACJ320neo launched in 2015.

The ACJ319neo will be operated by K5 Aviation, which will be the first to fly the new type. K5 Aviation already manages three ACJ319s that are offered for VVIP charter exclusively through Vertis Aviation. 28 East, jointly owned by K5 and Vertis Aviation, managed the aircraft acquisition.

Delivery of the “green” aircraft is planned for the second quarter of 2019. Engines and cabin outfitter have yet to be selected.

“Today’s Airbus ACJ319 is popular with VVIP charters organised by Vertis Aviation and operated by K5 Aviation, and we look forward to even more success with the ACJ319neo,” says 28 East Partner Luca Madone.

“Comfort, space and freedom of movement are especially important to customers at the top-end of the market, which is what we deliver with the Airbus ACJ319, and the neo version will allow us to do this on even longer flights,” says K5 Aviation CEO Erik Scheidt.

“Airbus corporate jet customers can now sign up to give even more wings to their lifestyles with the ACJneo Family, and it’s great to see many of our existing customers and operators doing exactly that,” adds Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers John Leahy.

Airbus’ ACJneo Family combines new fuel-saving engines, wingtip-mounted Sharklets and other improvements to give customers and operators better fuel efficiency and greater range, including giving the ACJ319neo a flying time of 15 hours.

Airbus’ ACJneo Family is the only top-of-the-line corporate jet offering to deliver industry standard features, such as the increased protection offered by fly-by-wire controls, Category 3B automatic landing, and options such as runway overrun prevention and onboard airport navigation systems (ROPS and OANS).

More than 170 Airbus corporate jets are flying on every continent, including Antarctica.

Airbus Updates No.1448

First A320neo delivery opens new era in commercial aviation

Lufthansa becomes launch customer of best-selling A320neo

20 JANUARY 2016 PRESS RELEASE

The Lufthansa Group, Airbus’ largest airline customer and operator, marks a major step in aviation history today by taking delivery of the first A320neo, the world’s best-selling and most fuel efficient single aisle aircraft.

Equipped with all new technology Pratt & Whitney PurePower® Geared Turbofan™ engines, the A320neo sets a new, even higher standard in aircraft efficiency, reducing emissions and noise as well as burning 15% less fuel than current generation aircraft from day one and 20% less by 2020.

“We are happy that today we are the first airline worldwide to receive the Airbus A320neo. Featuring the leading technology of Airbus and Pratt & Whitney, the A320neo is by far the most efficient and most silent aircraft on short- and medium-haul routes.

With lower fuel consumption and consequently lower CO2 emissions, the A320neo has a clearly improved environmental performance. Furthermore, the new jet engine technology makes the aircraft considerably quieter. As a result, we have ordered a total of 116 aircraft of this type for the airlines of the Lufthansa Group”, states Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG.

“Today we prove once again that as an aviation company and airline group we are pioneers in the development and introduction of technical innovations. In this year alone the Lufthansa Group will receive a total of 52 new aircraft, a number we have not received in years”, says Spohr.

“Pratt & Whitney congratulates Lufthansa as the launch customer for the A320neo aircraft powered by PW1100G-JM engines,” said Robert Leduc, Pratt & Whitney President.. “Airbus and Lufthansa have been important customers for Pratt & Whitney for many years. With the A320neo’s unprecedented reductions in fuel burn, emissions and noise, I am confident that these business relationships will have continued success for many years to come.”

“Handing over the first A320neo to a world’s leading airline and long standing Airbus customer, Lufthansa, is a truly great day for everyone at Airbus,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO. “This occasion marks a new step forward to delivering on our promises and meeting our industry’s goal for sustainable aviation. The A320neo embodies Airbus’ passion and commitment to deliver maximum value and efficiency to our customers through continuous innovations.“ 

The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices. With almost 4,500 orders received from nearly 80 customers since its launch in 2010, the A320neo Family has captured some 60 percent share of the market.

Last year Lufthansa celebrated its 60^th anniversary since it started operations in 1955. In this period, Lufthansa Group’s Airbus orders have reached a combined total of 582 aircraft including 386 A320 Family, of which 116 are NEOs (71 A320neo and 45 A321neo). The full range of Airbus wide-body aircraft have been or will be a part of Lufthansa’s fleet from the innovative A300/A310 to the iconic A380 (14 in service), the versatile A330 to the modern and extra-comfortable A350 XWB (25 firm orders).