Airbus Updates No.2188

Cebu Pacific order 16 A330neo, 10 A321XLR and 5 A320neo aircraft

Le Bourget – Cebu Pacific (CEB), a Low Cost Carrier based in the Philippines, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for 31 Airbus aircraft, comprising 16 A330neo, 10 A321XLR and 5 A320neo.

Cebu Pacific’s A330neo aircraft will be a higher capacity version of the A330-900, with 460 seats in single class configuration. The airline also becomes one of the launch airlines for the A321XLR, which will be able to fly nonstop from the Philippines to destinations as far afield as India and Australia. The A320neo aircraft announced today will be the first of the type to feature 194 seats in a single class layout.

This latest agreement supports CEB’s ongoing fleet renewal programme, which aims to have only new generation, environmentally efficient aircraft by 2024. The fast-growing carrier’s decision also strengthens its all-Airbus fleet status in the jet category.

Selected for their outstanding operational efficiency, comfort and increased range, these new-generation aircraft will allow Cebu Pacific to further expand its Asia-Pacific network and position itself even more competitively.

The A320neo and A321XLR are members of the A320 Family incorporating the very latest technologies, including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver fuel savings of 20 percent. At the end of May 2019, the A320neo Family had received more than 6,500 firm orders from over 100 customers worldwide.

The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step from the A321LR which responds to market needs for even more range and payload, creating more value for the airlines. From 2023, it will deliver an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700nm – 15 percent more than the A321LR and with 30 percent lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous generation competitor aircraft.

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 nautical miles, 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 including state-of-the-art passenger inflight entertainment and Wifi connectivity systems.

Airbus Updates No.2187

AirAsia upsizes A320neo order to larger A321neo

Le Bourget – AirAsia will upsize its future Airbus single aisle fleet, converting 253 orders for the A320neo to the larger A321neo version. The change will enable the airline to offer higher capacity in response to ongoing strong demand across its network. AirAsia becomes the world’s largest customer for the A321neo.

In total, AirAsia has placed orders for 592 A320 Family aircraft. Following the upsizing, AirAsia’s backlog with Airbus includes 353 A321neo. To date, the airline has taken delivery of 224 A320 Family aircraft, flying out of its bases in Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines and Thailand.

The A321neo is a member of the best-selling A320 Family incorporating the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver fuel savings of 20 percent. At the end of May 2019, the A320neo Family had received more than 6,500 firm orders from over 100 customers worldwide.

Airbus Updates No.2186

IAG backs the A321XLR with an order for 14 aircraft

Le Bourget – International Airlines Group (IAG) has selected the A321XLR to expand its fleet of highly efficient single aisles with a firm order for 14 aircraft. Of these, eight are destined for Iberia and six for Aer Lingus.

IAG, the parent company of leading airlines also including British Airways, Level and Vueling, is one of Airbus’s largest customers and this agreement will take the overall order from the group to 530 aircraft. IAG airlines combined operate one of the world’s largest Airbus fleets with over 400 aircraft.

The aircraft will enable Aer Lingus to launch new routes beyond the US East Coast and Canada. For Iberia, this is a new aircraft type that will enable it to operate new transatlantic destinations and increase frequencies in key markets.

The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step from the A321LR which responds to market needs for even more range and payload, creating more value for the airlines. From 2023, it will deliver an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700nm – 15% more than the A321LR and with 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous generation competitor aircraft. This will enable operators to open new world-wide routes such as India to Europe or China to Australia, as well as further extending the Family’s non-stop reach on direct transatlantic flights between continental Europe and the Americas. For passengers, the A321XLR’s new Airspace cabin will provide the best travel experience, while offering seats in all classes with the same high-comfort as on a long-haul wide-body, with the low costs of a single-aisle aircraft.

Airbus Updates No.2185

Airbus launches longest range single-aisle airliner: the A321XLR

Le Bourget - Following the very positive feedback from the market, Airbus has launched the A321XLR to complement its best-selling A321neo Family. The A321XLR thus becomes the next evolutionary step which responds to market needs for even more range, and creates more value for the airlines by bringing 30% lower fuel burn per seat than previous-generation competitor aircraft. Starting from 2023, the aircraft will deliver an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700nm – 15% more than the A321LR and with the same unbeatable fuel efficiency.

With this added range, airlines will be able to operate a lower-cost single-aisle aircraft on longer and less heavily travelled routes – many of which can now only be served by larger and less efficient wide-body aircraft. This will enable operators to open new world-wide routes such as India to Europe or China to Australia, as well as further extending the Family’s non-stop reach on direct transatlantic flights between continental Europe and the Americas. For passengers, the A321XLR’s new Airspace cabin will provide the best travel experience, while offering seats in all classes with the same high-comfort as on long-haul widebody aircraft.

The A321XLR has been designed to maximize overall commonality with the A321LR and the rest of the A320neo Family, while introducing minimal changes needed to give the aircraft an Xtra Long Range with increased revenue payload. The changes include: the new permanent Rear Centre Tank (RCT) for more fuel volume; a modified landing gear for an increased maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 101 metric tonnes; and an optimised wing trailing-edge flap configuration to preserve the same take-off performance and engine thrust requirements as today’s A321neo. In particular, the new optimised RCT holds more fuel than several optional Additional Centre Tanks (ACTs) did previously, while taking up less space in the cargo hold – thus freeing-up underfloor volume for additional cargo and baggage on long range routes.

The A320neo Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle aircraft with over 6,500 orders from more than 100 customers since its launch in 2010. It incorporates new-generation engines and Sharklet wing-tip devices plus other improvements which together bring double-digit fuel savings over its predecessor, the A320ceo Family. 

Airbus Updates No.2184

Air Lease Corporation to order 100 aircraft, including the new A321XLR

Le Bourget – Air Lease Corporation (ALC) (NYSE: AL), the Los Angeles-based aircraft leasing company, has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for 100 Airbus aircraft, including for the first time 50 A220-300s and 27 A321XLRs. The agreement also includes an incremental order for an additional 23 A321neos.

Founded in 2010, this latest order takes ALC’s cumulative orders to 387 Airbus aircraft, making it Airbus’ third largest lessor customer.

The A220 is the only aircraft purpose built for the 100-150 seat market; it delivers unbeatable fuel efficiency and widebody passenger comfort in a single-aisle aircraft. The A220 brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20 percent lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft. The A220 offers the performance of larger single-aisle aircraft.

With an order book of 536 aircraft at the end of May 2019, the A220 has all the credentials to win the lion’s share of the 100- to 150-seat aircraft market estimated to represent at least 7,000 aircraft over the next 20 years.

The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step from the A321LR which responds to market needs for even more range and payload, creating more value for the airlines. From 2023, it will deliver an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700nm – 15% more than the A321LR and with 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous generation competitor aircraft. This will enable operators to open new world-wide routes such as India to Europe or China to Australia, as well as further extending the Family’s non-stop reach on direct transatlantic flights between continental Europe and the Americas. For passengers, the A321XLR’s new Airspace cabin will provide the best travel experience, while offering seats in all classes with the same high-comfort as on a long-haul wide-body, with the low costs of a single-aisle aircraft.

Airbus Updates No.2183

Middle East Airlines orders four Airbus A321XLRs

Le Bourget - Middle East Airlines (MEA), the flag carrier of Lebanon, has signed a firm order for four A321XLRs, making it the launch airline customer of Airbus latest evolution of the winning A321neo family.

The agreement takes Middle East Airlines’ cumulative single aisle orders with Airbus to 15 A321neo family aircraft, including 11 A321neos and 4 A321XLRs with deliveries starting in 2020. MEA will use the A321XLR to strengthen its network in Africa and Asia.

The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step from the A321LR which responds to market needs for even more range and payload, creating more value for the airlines. From 2023, it will deliver an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700nm – 15% more than the A321LR and with 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous generation competitor aircraft. This will enable operators to open new world-wide routes such as India to Europe or China to Australia, as well as further extending the Family’s non-stop reach on direct transatlantic flights between continental Europe and the Americas. For passengers, the A321XLR’s new Airspace cabin will provide the best travel experience, while offering seats in all classes with the same high-comfort as on a long-haul wide-body, with the low costs of a single-aisle aircraft.

The A320neo and its derivatives are the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family with over 6,500 orders from some 100 customers since its launch in 2010. It has pioneered and incorporated the latest technologies, including new generation engines and the industry's reference cabin design, delivering 20% fuel cost per seat savings alone. The A320neo also offers significant environmental benefits with nearly a 50% reduction in noise footprint compared to previous generation aircraft.

Airbus Updates No.2182

Virgin Atlantic selects A330neo for its fleet renewal and expansion

Le Bourget – Virgin Atlantic has selected 14 A330-900s to replace its A330ceos from 2021, with options to further expand its fleet of highly efficient wide-body aircraft. The firm order for eight aircraft and six additional on lease from Air Lease Corporation (ALC) (NYSE: AL), was signed at the Paris Air Show by Shai Weiss, Virgin Atlantic CEO and Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO.

Virgin Atlantic currently operates a fleet of 40 wide-body aircraft and will soon take delivery of its first of 12 A350-1000s. This latest order for A330neos is a further commitment by Virgin Atlantic to continue modernising its fleet with aircraft offering the highest standards of fuel efficiency and noise reduction alongside the best in class cabin comfort.

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 including state-of-the-art passenger inflight entertainment and Wifi connectivity systems.

Airbus Updates No.2181

South Korea's Aero K mulls A320neo order

Illustration of Aero K Airbus A320-200 © Intro Aviation

13.06.2019 - 21:48 UTC

Aero K (Cheong Ju) is considering placing an order for twelve A320-200neo, as well as leasing more A320-200s or A320neo for deliveries in early 2020, CAPA has reported.

The start-up LCC currently has three A320-200s on firm order from Airbus which are due for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2019, when Aero K expects to launch operations.

The carrier is already eyeing more aircraft to support its ambitious growth strategy out of Cheong Ju, an airport located some 100 kilometres south of Seoul and near the future Korean administrative capital, Sejong.

In 2017, Aero K initially placed an order for eight A320-200s with deliveries expected to start in 2018. However, it later sold its delivery slots as its launch was delayed by the Korean government's refusal to issue new licences to start-up carriers due to overcapacity in the market. Aero K eventually secured an air transport licence in March this year.

Airbus Updates No.2180

SAS set to commence A350 ops in late 4Q19

Illustration of SAS Scandinavian Airlines Airbu... © Airbus

14.06.2019 - 09:44 UTC

SAS Scandinavian Airlines (SK, Copenhagen Kastrup) says it expects to commence longhaul A350-900 operations in early 2020. According to its 2QFY19 earnings, as of April 30, 2019, SAS has eight A350-900s on order from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) of which four are due in FY2020 (November 1, 2019 – October 31, 2020) while the other four are due in FY2021 (November 1, 2020 – October 31, 2021).

In a statement issued June 13, the Nordic carrier said its first A350-900 - SE-RSA - will deliver by the end of the current calendar year. It will then be deployed on crew training flights throughout Scandinavia during December and January following which it will then make its longhaul debut on SAS's Copenhagen Kastrup-Chicago O'Hare route effective January 28, 2020.

The widebody twinjets will be based out of the Danish capital and will be used on SAS routes to Chicago, Beijing, New York JFK, Tokyo Narita, Shanghai Pudong, Hong Kong Int'l, and San Francisco, CA during the first year.

SAS's A350s will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84s and will feature a total of 300 seats of which 40 will be in Business, 32 in Premium Economy, and 228 in Economy.

According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, SAS's widebody fleet currently consists of eight A330-300s and eight A340-300s.

Airbus Updates No.2179

JAL - Japan Airlines takes delivery of first A350-900

JAL - Japan Airlines Airbus A350-900 © Airbus

14.06.2019 - 11:20 UTC

JAL - Japan Airlines (JL, Tokyo Haneda) has taken delivery of its first of eighteen A350-900s on order from Airbus after JA01XJ (msn 321) was positioned from Toulouse Blagnac to Tokyo Haneda on Thursday, June 13.

According to the airline, sisterships JA02XJ (msn 333) and JA03XJ (msn 343) are expected to deliver by September 1 at which time it will deploy the type into commercial service on flights between Tokyo Haneda and Fukuoka.

Aside from eighteen A350-900s, JAL also has thirteen A350-1000s on firm order from Airbus with options for a further twenty-five of either type.

The A350-900 will mainly replace JAL's B777-200s on domestic trunk routes while the -1000s will replace its B777-300(ER)s on longhaul international sectors.

Airbus Updates No.2178

American Airlines mulls A321neo(XLR) to replace B757s

American Airlines Airbus A321-200NX © Airbus

13.06.2019 - 10:19 UTC

American Airlines (AA, Dallas/Fort Worth) is in talks with Airbus about the proposed and tentative extra long-range version of the A321-200neo. Bloomberg has reported that the US carrier mulls the type as a replacement for its B757-200s.

The talks are reportedly at an early stage and no announcement is expected imminently.

ch-aviation understands from industry sources that Airbus may formally announce the launch of the A321neo(XLR) during the upcoming 2019 Paris Air Show in the second half of June. The type could offer up to 900 nautical miles extra range in comparison to the in-production A321neo(LR).

The deliveries of the A321neo(LR)s started in November 2018. According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, there are currently five active units of the type globally - two operating for Arkia Israeli Airlines and one each for Air Transat, TAP Air Portugal, and La Compagnie.

American Airlines has thirty-four B757-200s. The average age of the aircraft is 19.6 years. The carrier owns all of the aircraft. The B757s are deployed predominantly on US domestic transcontinental services, as well as to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Latin America, and to select destinations in Europe (Reykjavik Keflavik, Shannon, and Edinburgh).

The 2011 American Airlines order for 130 A321-200neo (later downgraded to 100) has been widely seen as a factor that pushed Boeing to develop the B737 MAX.

The US carrier's narrowbody fleet currently includes 131 A319-100s, forty-eight A320-200s, 219 A321-200s, three A321neo, twenty-four grounded B737-8s, and 304 B737-800s. American Airlines also has outstanding orders for 97 more A321neo and seventy-six B737 MAX 8s.

Airbus Updates No.2177

The month in review: May 2019

Airbus booked an order for one ACJ320neo corporate jetliner in May and delivered 81 aircraft from all members of its in-production jetliner product line during the month, which were received by 49 customers.

The ACJ320neo acquisition was by an undisclosed customer – bringing overall bookings for NEO versions of the A319/A320/A321 Family to 6,505. Overall sales for the Airbus A320 Family of jetliners totaled 14,640 at the end of May.

Single-aisle aircraft deliveries during May involved four A220s and 57 A320 Family jetliners (of which 47 were NEO versions). For its wide-body aircraft, Airbus delivered five A330s (of which three were in the NEO configuration) and 13 A350 XWBs in the A350-900/A350-1000 versions, along with two A380s.

Among the notable deliveries in May was the first A330-900 provided to Delta Air Lines – positioning this U.S.-based carrier as an operator of Airbus’ two newest wide-body aircraft: the A330neo and A350 XWB. Also during the month, Airbus delivered the initial A321neo jetliner versions for Air Transat (via the AerCap leasing company); Lufthansa; and La Compagnie (via GECAS), for this exclusively business-class French airline operating scheduled transatlantic flights.

Taking the latest orders and deliveries into account, Airbus’ backlog of jetliners remaining to be delivered as of 31 May stood at 7,207 aircraft. This total was composed of 464 A220s; 5,795 A320 Family jetliners; 280 A330s; 615 A350 XWBs and 53 A380s.  

A300/A310	A220/A320	A330/A340/A350	A380	Total
Total orders	816	15176	3001	290	19283
Total deliveries	816	8917	2106	237	12076
Aircraft in fleet	306	8511	1948	234	10999