Airbus Updates No.4337

 

Airbus A320	-231	444		OY-JRK	Danish Air Transport	ferried 31jul24 JNB-ABV-BLL after lease to Global Airways	ex ZS-GAB
Airbus A320	-232	3010		4X-ABY	Arkia	delivery 03-04aug24 DPS-CMB-RKT-LCA, Bamboo cs, VP-reg	ex VP-CCN
Airbus A320	-214	3605		LZ-FSF	Fly2Sky	delivery 05aug24 OSR-SOF, after paint into all white plus titl	ex N279GX
Airbus A320	-232	3618		SU-SKE	Sky Vision Airlines	delivery 03aug24 FRU-CAI	ex EX-32010
Airbus A320	-214	4867		EC-OFY	Vueling	delivery 08-09aug24 TUS-BGR-KEF-BCN	ex N845VA
Airbus A320	-214	5086		9H-SWN	Avion Express Malta	delivery 06aug24 KUN-MLA	ex 9H-AHS
Airbus A320	-214	5112		EC-OJT	Vueling	delivery 31jul-01aug24 CGK-CCU-SHJ-OSR, M-reg	ex M-ABSM
Airbus A320	-214	5179		RP-C4263	Cebu Pacific Air	delivery 02-04aug24 LCQ-YYJ-ANC-CTS-MNL	ex N855VA
Airbus A320	-214	5990		VP-CEZ	SMBC Aviation Capital	ferried 31jul/04aug24 BOM-KWI-TLL	ex VT-GOQ
Airbus A320	-271N	7858		2-TWGN	AviLease	ferried 01aug24 DEL-ISL	ex VT-WGN
Airbus A320	-271N	9530		RP-C4264	Cebu Pacific Air	delivery 03aug24 CGK-MNL	ex OE-IDR
Airbus A320	-251N	11942		B-32HJ	Spring Airlines	delivery 02aug24 TSN-PVG	ex B-000V
Airbus A320	-272N	12215		EI-HON	ITA Airways	delivery 01aug24 TLS-FCO	ex F-WWDI
Airbus A320	-271N	12223		EI-KIB	Air Astana	delivery 08ah24 TLS-NQZ	ex F-WWBK
Airbus A320	-251N	12226		CC-BHH	Latam Chile	delivery 01aug24 TLS-FOR-SCL	ex F-WWBP
Airbus A320	-251N	12246		VT-IXI	IndiGo Airlines	delivery 09aug24 TLS-DEL	ex F-WWTZ
Airbus A321	-211	1960		LZ-FSI	Fly2Sky	delivery 09aug24 EGBP-SOF	ex OY-VKD
Airbus A321	-251N	8260		A6-AEN	Etihad Airways	first in svc 06aug24 AUH-AMD-AUH, 20 years cs	ex VP-CFN
Airbus A321	-271NX	11894		N14518	United Airlines	delivery 02-03aug25 XFW-EDI-BGR-TPA	ex D-AVZP
Airbus A321	-271NX	11908		N729NK	Spirit Airlines	delivery 10aug24 XFW-KEF-DTW	ex D-AZYZ

credit: Skyliner Aviation News

Airbus Updates No.4336

 

Air Astana to lease seven Airbus A321LRs

Air Astana (KC, Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev) has signed a new dry lease agreement with Air Lease Corporation for seven A321-200NX(LR)s with deliveries slated for between 2026 and 2028, the carrier said in a stock market filing.

The Kazakh flag carrier already operates twelve A321-200NX(LR)s (ten of which are leased from Air Lease Corporation), as well as eleven A320-200s, thirteen A320-200Ns, two A321-200s, and four A321-200Ns in terms of its narrowbody aircraft. It has no outstanding orders for narrowbodies from manufacturers but plans to add three more A320-200Ns from Avolon, the ch-aviation fleets module shows.

Airbus Updates No.4335

 

JetBlue Airways defers Airbus A321neo deliveries

JetBlue Airways (B6, New York JFK) and Airbus have entered into an amended delivery schedule deferring forty-four A321-200Ns initially due from 2025 to 2029, to 2030 and beyond, the US carrier announced in its 2024 second quarter financial results.

Following this deferral, JetBlue’s firm aircraft orders remain as follows:

• the remainder of 2024: twelve A220-300s, one A321neo;
• 2025: twenty A220-300s, four A321neo;
• 2026: twenty A220-300s;
• 2027: five A220-300s;
• 2028: seven A220-300s;
• 2029 onwards: four A220-300s and forty-four A321neo.

Additionally, JetBlue has the option to purchase twenty A220-300s between 2027 and 2028.

Chief Executive Officer Joanna Geraghty said during an investor call that restoring the company’s balance sheet is critical to securing its future and returning to profitable growth.

“We simply cannot continue to invest in capital-intensive assets that must be financed upon delivery and that are subsequently unable to produce a return because they have to be parked due to required maintenance and lengthy wait times. With that in mind, we’ve come to an agreement with Airbus to defer forty-four A321neo aircraft, which are the fleet most impacted by the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine issues. This will reduce our upcoming capital expenditures by USD3 billion, helping us to improve our free cash flow outlook and restore our balance sheet health,” she said.

The carrier’s fleet currently comprises 308 aircraft, including thirty-four A220-300s, 130 A320-200s, sixty-three A321-200s, twenty-five A321-200NX, eleven A321-200NX(LR), and forty-five E190s.

In the first half of 2024, JetBlue reported a net loss of USD691 million. The carrier added that it is still working with Pratt & Whitney to secure compensation for 2024 and that the engines' removal's full impact and potential remediation steps remain uncertain.

Airbus Updates No.4334

 

Lufthansa to exit Airbus A330 and A340 operations by 2028

Lufthansa (LH, Frankfurt International) has announced that as a part of its new turnaround programme it will retire all remaining A330-200s, A340-300s, A340-600s, and B747-400s by 2028 to reduce the costly complexity of its widebody fleet.

The ch-aviation fleets module shows the airline currently operates seventeen A340-300s, seventeen A340-600s, and eight B747-400s. It owns all of these aircraft. It also operates nine A330-300s, and while it no longer operates any A330-200s, having retired all five as of 2006, its leisure-focused Discover Airlines (4Y, Frankfurt International) subsidiary operates three.

Lufthansa did not respond to ch-aviation's request for confirmation that the announced plan pertains to the Discover-operated A330-200s.

Lufthansa's quadjet fleet also comprises eight A380-800s (of which five are currently active) and nineteen B747-8s.

Lufthansa Group conceded in its quarterly earnings release that it was becoming "increasingly challenging" for its mainline to hope to break even in 2024. The holding posted a EUR212 million euro (USD229 million) operating loss for the first half of 2024, while Lufthansa itself recorded a EUR442 million (USD478 million) operating loss.

The holding blamed late aircraft deliveries as one of the causes of its current headaches. On a group level, it took 41 fewer B787-9s and B777-9s between 2019 and now than it had planned. It compensated for the delays by extending the service lives of twenty-three A340-300s and B747-400s. This only partially offset the delays, with 18 aircraft still missing, while at the same time there were rising fuel and operating costs. The changes also increase "irregularity costs" and lower crew productivity. As a result, Lufthansa Group estimates the cost of delayed widebody deliveries to be in triple-digit millions of euros.

Lufthansa has twenty-one B777-9s, seven B777-8Fs, and thirty-four B787-9s remaining on orders from Boeing.

The holding identified a host of other issues affecting its mainline carrier, such as "negative market development in the key Asia-Pacific traffic region, inefficiencies in its Lufthansa and Lufthansa CityLine flight operations", and "the disproportionately high increase in location cost in Germany and new collective labour agreements".

The newly launched turnaround programme, which aims to make Lufthansa "fit for the future" and "the Group's flagship again", will also tighten the focus on its premium product, more seasonal network, an increase in Lufthansa City Airlines and Discover operations, and other improvements. Lufthansa Group noted that its other carriers "remain on course in line with market developments". Nonetheless, Swiss was the only one to post an operating profit in the first half of the year. Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings all posted small operating losses not exceeding EUR100 million (USD108 million).

Airbus Updates No.4333

 

Airbus A321	-251N	8312		A6-AEP	Etihad Airways	first in svc 24jul24 AUH-CAI-AUH	ex VP-CFV
Airbus A321	-251NX	9571		A6-AER	Etihad Airways	air-test 31jul24 at CGK, 2-reg prior delivery	ex 2-AECB
Airbus A321	-251NX	11727		TC-RDZ	Pegasus Airlines	delivery 26jul24 TLS-SAW	ex F-WWAZ
Airbus A321	-271NX	11937		N731NK	Spirit Airlines	delivery 26jul24 XFW-KEF-DTW	ex D-AXXJ
Airbus A321	-251NX	11971		HS-EAD	Thai AirAsia	delivery 25-26jul24 XFW-DWC-DMK	ex D-AVZQ
Airbus A321	-271NX	12049		N14515	United Airlines	delivery 25jul24 BFM-TPA	ex F-WZMS
Airbus A321	-271NX	12077		TC-LPF	Turkish Airlines	delivery 26jul24 XFW-IST	ex D-AVXZ
Airbus A330	-343(F)	1408		M-MPSD	EAT Leipzig	ferried 30jul24 DRS-LETL for paint	ex VP-BMA
Airbus A330	-343	1427		C-FDHG	Air Canada	delivery 31jul24 YHM-YYZ, Star Alliance cs	ex 2-AODZ
Airbus A330	-243F	1688		F-HMRG	CMA CGM Air Cargo	ferried 24jul24 SNN-BHX after paint into DHL partner cs	ex OO-CMA
Airbus A330	-941	2068		RP-C3908	Cebu Pacific Air	delivery 25jul24 TLS-MNL	ex F-WWCT
Airbus A340	-642	557		D-AUSZ	Universal Sky Carrier	delivery 30jul24 JNB-HHN	ex ZS-SNG
Airbus A350	-941	79		HB-IHC	Edelweiss Airlines	ferried 29jul24 HAN-SNN, OE-reg for paint prior delivery	ex OE-LHF
Airbus A350	-1041	662		JA04WJ	Japan Airlines	delivery 31jul24 TLS-HND	ex F-WZND
Airbus A350	-941	671		F-HUVN	Air France	delivery 25jul24 TLS-CDG	ex F-WZGE
Airbus A350	-941	673		N522DZ	Delta Air Lines	delivery 25jul24 TLS-ATL "LA28 Olympics” cs	ex F-WZNU
Airbus A350	-941	677		N523DN	Delta Air Lines	delivery 27jul24 TLS-ATL	ex F-WZNM
Airbus Canada A220	-300	55290		9A-CAE	Croatia Airlines	delivery 29-30jul24 YMX-CPH-ZAG	ex C-FPBE

Airbus Updates No.4332

 

Airbus A319	-112	3202		D-ASTX	Lufthansa City Airlines	ferried 31jul24 MUC-FMO for paint	ex HB-IOX
Airbus A319	-112	3689		YR-LIC	FlyLili	air-test at CRA 27jul24 prior svc entry	ex 9H-XFW
Airbus A320	-2 ?	?		2-AECH	AerCap	ferried 01aug24 HAK-CJU-TSN	ex ?
Airbus A320	-231	444		OY-JRK	Danish Air Transport	ferried 31jul24 JNB-ABV-BLL after lease to Global Airways	ex ZS-GAB
Airbus A320	-232	470		N413UA	United Airlines	ferried 25ju24 DEN-MZJ, for paet-out & scrap	ex F-WWBM
Airbus A320	-232	2840		HL7745	Air Busan	ferried 25-29jul24 CAN-CTS-ANC-P08, for part-out & scrap	ex F-WWIE
Airbus A320	-214	3256		YR-ADC	Flyyo	delivery 26-27jul24 HYD-HRG-BBU	ex VP-CXH
Airbus A320	-214	5112		EC-OJT	Vueling	delivery 31jul-01aug24 CGK-CCU-SHJ-OSR, M-reg	ex M-ABSM
Airbus A320	-214	6072		VP-CEK	SMBC Aviation Capital	ferried 20/26-27jul2 BLR-HYD-CAI-SNN	ex VT-GOR
Airbus A320	-251N	9361		B-32J2	GX Airlines	for delivery aug24 ex HYD	ex OE-IQE
Airbus A320	-251N	9457		B-32J1	GX Airlines	N-reg canx 25jul24, delivery 26ju24 HAK-HAN-NNG	ex N9457
Airbus A320	-271N	11961		B-32HF	Sichuan Airlines	delivery 23jul24 TSN-CTU	ex B-000W
Airbus A320	-251N	11962		B-32J3	Zhejiang Loong Airlines	delivers 25jul24 TSN-HGH	ex B-007F
Airbus A320	-271N	12092		N550VL	Volaris	delivery 24jul24 BFM-MEX	ex F-WZMV
Airbus A320	-251N	12169		N902AV	Avianca Colombia	delivery 31jul24 TLS-YYR-MDE	ex F-WWBS
Airbus A320	-251N	12187		VT-RIO	Air India	delivery 30jul24 TLS-DEL	ex F-WWDT
Airbus A320	-251N	12197		F-HXSD	Transavia France	delivery 26jul24 TLS-ORY	ex F-WWBQ
Airbus A320	-251N	12226		CC-BHH	Latam Chile	delivery 01aug24 TLS-FOR-SCL	ex F-WWBP
Airbus A320	-251N	12235		VT-IXH	IndiGo Airlines	delivery 25jul24 TLS-DEL	ex F-WWTU
Airbus A321	-232(F)	1675		N991CM	Cargo Aircraft Management	delivery 02-03aug24 SFB-YQX-SNN-LPBJ	ex OY-KBH

credit: Skyliner Aviation News

Airbus Updates No.4331

flynas orders Airbus A330-900's and Airbus A320neo family aircraft

On 25 July 2024, flynas and Airbus signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for additional Airbuses. The signing took place during the Farnborough Air Show and is for a deal for 75 A320neo-family aircraft as well as fifteen A330-900s.

According to flynas, the deal also includes options on another 55 A320neo-family aircraft and fifteen A330-900s.

Low-cost carrier flynas is already an all-Airbus operator and has a fleet of four A320s, 53 A320neos, and five A330-300s. It also has open orders with Airbus for 55 A320neos and ten A321neos.

Airbus Updates No.4330

Abra Group signs-up for Airbus 350's for Avianca & Wamos

On 25 July 2024, Airbus announced during the Farnborough Air Show that is has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Abra Group for an order for five A350-900s.

The Abra Group is the holding company owning Avianca and GOL Linhas Aereas. It has also recently invested and acquired a stake in Wamos Air.

As the Airbus press-release specifically states that the A350s will be used to "strengthen air connectivity between Latin America and the rest of the world", we assume the aircraft will be added to the Avianca-fleet.

No delivery timeline has been communicated by either company.

Airbus Updates No.4329

Drukair signs MoU with Airbus

On the first day of the Farnborough Air Show, Airbus announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Drukair for three A320neos and two A321XLRs. Delivery of the aircraft is expected to begin in 2030.

Drukair is planning to use its new aircraft to expand its route network, including opening-up new connections to Europe, South East Asia and Australia.

Currently, the airline's Airbus-fleet is made-up of three A319s and a single A320. It also has one ATR42-600 in the fleet.

Illustration by Airbus.

Airbus Updates No.4328

 

Japan Airlines finalises order for A350-900s and A321neo aircraft

Farnborough, United Kingdom, 23 July 2024 – Japan Airlines (JAL) has signed a firm order with Airbus for 20 A350-900 widebody aircraft and 11 single-aisle A321neo, finalising a commitment announced earlier this year.

The order was announced at the Farnborough Air Show 2024 during a signing ceremony with Yukio Nakagawa, Executive Officer and Senior Vice President Procurement of Japan Airlines, and Christian Scherer, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Commercial Aircraft business.

The new A350-900s will join the carrier’s A350 fleet serving international routes, while the A321neo will operate on domestic services within Japan. To date, JAL has ordered a total of 52 A350s, with 18 in service. The A321neo contract represents JAL’s first order for the Airbus single-aisle product line.

Executive Officer and Senior Vice President Procurement of Japan Airlines Yukio Nakagawa said, “We are delighted to have signed the firm order for the introduction of additional A350s and new A321s. We will accelerate the introduction of the state-of-the-art and fuel-efficient aircraft to provide our passengers with excellent service and to reduce CO₂ emissions. We believe that this additional introduction of Airbus aircraft will further deepen our partnership.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Commercial Aircraft business, Airbus, Christian Scherer said, “We thank Japan Airlines for placing its confidence once again in the A350. In addition, we celebrate a new milestone in our partnership with the airline following its order for the A321neo. We are committed to providing our full support to Japan Airlines as its growing fleet is deployed on more routes across its network, both domestically and internationally.”

The A350 is the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft and the long-range leader in the 300-410 seater category. The A350’s all-new design includes state-of-the-art technologies and aerodynamics delivering unmatched standards of efficiency and comfort. By the end of June 2024, the A350 Family had won more than 1,300 firm orders from 60 customers worldwide, making it one of the most successful widebody aircraft ever.

The A321neo is the largest member of Airbus’ best-selling A320neo Family, offering unparalleled range and performance. By incorporating new generation engines and Sharklets, the A321neo brings a 50% noise reduction and more than 20% fuel savings and CO₂ reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximising passenger comfort in the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky. To da3te more than 6,400 A321neos have been ordered by more than 90 customers across the globe.

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A350 aircraft is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100% SAF capable by 2030.

Airbus Updates No.4327

 

Virgin Atlantic orders seven additional A330neo aircraft to complete fleet transformation

Farnborough, United Kingdom, 23 July 2024 – Virgin Atlantic has placed a firm order for seven A330neo aircraft as part of its wider fleet transformation. The agreement takes Virgin Atlantic’s commitment for the A330neo to 19 aircraft in total, providing improved economics.

The order was announced during the Farnborough Airshow onboard Virgin Atlantic’s A330neo, named ‘Ruby Rebel’, and registered as GB-VSRB after founder Sir Richard Branson, to celebrate the airline's 40th anniversary. 

Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic said, “Today, we complete our multi-billion-dollar fleet transformation, with the purchase of seven additional A330-900s, which we know our customers and our people love to fly. Flying the youngest fleet is the most readily available and significant lever towards decarbonising long-haul aviation and we are proud to already operate one of the youngest and most fuel and carbon efficient fleets across the Atlantic.”

“Our special partnership with Airbus began with the arrival of ‘Lady in Red’ in 1993, with our most recent arrival, ‘Ruby Rebel’, arriving to mark our 40th birthday this year. Virgin Atlantic has flown more than 60 Airbus tails in the last three decades. While not first to the party, they’ve been our main dance partner, making our customers smile ever since.”

Airbus Chief Executive Officer, Commercial Aircraft, Christian Scherer said, “We are grateful for Virgin Atlantic’s decision to expand its A330neo fleet as part of its strategy to have the youngest fleet across the Atlantic. The A330neo not only delivers unbeatable operational seat mile cost and an exceptional passenger experience, it also greatly enhances Virgin Atlantic’s fleet efficiency and contributes to their sustainability journey. We look forward to continuing this smooth and successful collaboration for many years to come."

The A330neo features the award-winning Airspace cabin, which offers passengers a unique passenger experience, high level of comfort, ambience, and design. This includes more individual space, enlarged overhead bins, a new lighting system and access to the latest in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems.

Powered by the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the A330-900 is capable of flying 7,200 nm / 13,300 km non-stop. At the end of June 2024, the A330 Family had accumulated 1,798 firm orders from more than 130 customers worldwide, including 319 A330neo from 30 customers.

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A330 family is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The manufacturer is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100% SAF capable by 2030.

Airbus Updates No,4326

 

Airbus A321	-251NX	11915		B-KKG	Hong Kong Express	delivery 13-14jul24 TLS-MCT-HKG	ex F-WWSC
Airbus A321	-271NX	11922		9H-WNN	Wizz Air Malta	delivery 17jul24 XFW-BUD	ex D-AVZL
Airbus A321	-271NXLR	11932		C-GOKH	Air Transat	delivery 12jul24 XFW-YUL	ex D-AXXA
Airbus A321	-271NX	11944		TC-LPE	Turkish Airlines	delivery 17jul24 XFW-IST	ex D-AZAC
Airbus A321	-251NX	11958		VT-ICV	IndiGo Airlines	delivery 18jul24 XFW-DEL	ex D-AVZE
Airbus A321	-271NX	11968		N650FR	Frontier Airlines	delivery 17jul24 XFW-YYR-TPA “Morrison The Crested Caracara”	ex D-AVXV
Airbus A321	-271NX	12006		D-ANLA	Condor	delivery 19jul24 XFW-DUS	ex D-AVXR
Airbus A321	-251NX	12015		G-TNEE	British Airways	delivery 18jul24 XFW-LHR	ex D-AVZD
Airbus A321	-251NX	12020		VH-OYQ	Jetstar Airways	delivery 20-22jul24 XFW-MCT-KUL-MEL	ex D-AVXP
Airbus A321	-272NX	12133		9M-VAD	AirAsia	delivery 17-18jul24 XFW-MCT-KUL	ex D-AVXW
Airbus A321	-271NX	12305		B-32HT	Juneyao Airlines	delivery 18jul24 TSN-PVG	ex B-000T
Airbus A330	-203	678		B-16310	Eva Air	ferried 17jul24 TPE-NOC, for part-out & scrap	ex F-WWYB
Airbus A330	-343	1060		VP-CRQ	AerGo Capital Leasing	ferried 16jul24 NAP-TUN-LETL	ex HS-TER
Airbus A330	-243	1626		9K-APA	Kuwait Airways	ferried 18jul24 MLA-BJV after paint into all white, RCAF logo on tail	ex F-WWYV
Airbus A330	-243F	1688		F-HMRG	CMA CGM Air Cargo	ferried 12jul24 CHR-SNN for paint into DHL Air Hong Kong cs	ex OO-CMA
Airbus A330	-941	2063		EI-HJS	ITA Airways	delivery 12jul24 TLS-FCO	ex F-WWCR
Airbus A350	-941	646		D-AIXV	Lufthansa	delivery 18jul24 TLS-MUC	ex F-WZFG
Airbus A350	-941	660		F-HUVJ	Air France	delivery 18jul24 TLS-CDG	ex F-WZNL
Airbus Canada A220	-300	55089		5N-CDB	Ibom Air	air-test at MST 12jul24, VP-reg prior delivery	ex VP-BNY
Airbus Canada A220	-300	55284		N256BZ	Breeze Airways	delivery 12jul24 YMX-TPA	ex C-FOVD