Month: May 2021

by

Kaplanian Report – June 2021

ON THE BOEING FRONT

US Carriers Begin Repairs on Boeing MAX Planes

United Airlines and two other major U.S. Carriers said on Thursday, May 13th, they will quickly repair more than 60 Boeing 737 Max planes grounded early in April over an electrical problem that could have interfered with some critical systems.

Boeing sent all affected carriers service bulletins late on Wednesday the 12th on how to address the production after the FAA had signed off on the service bulletins. The electrical problem being repaired did not cause any in-service failures, the FAA noted.

United spokeswoman Leslie Scott said on Thursday the airline expects its “ Boeing 737 Max aircraft to return to service in the coming days as we complete our inspection process and ensure those aircraft meet rigorous safety standards.”

American Airlines, which said it would begin making required changes and anticipates “all affected aircraft will begin safely returning to service in days.” 

Southwest, which has 32 affected planes, said it estimates the work will take two to three days per aircraft. 

The FAA said in a statement last month that other carriers affected by the electrical issue were Cyman Airways, Copa Airlines, GOL Linhas Aereas, Iceland Air and a few more.

Source: Reuters

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus Formally Lists Highest-Weight A350-1000 at 319t

Airbus has formally listed its highest weight variant for the A350-1000, which will have a maximum take-off weight of 319t.           

This version of the twinjet, designated as weight variant WV006, is 3t heavier than the previous 316t variant WV002 and WV011.

Fuel capacity of the new variant remains the same as the others figure Airbus gives as 156,000 liters- although the European Union Aviation safety agency puts the -1000’s usable fuel under 158,800 liters including nearly 100,000 liters in the center tank.

The 319t aircraft is listed with a maximum zero-fuel weight of 223t, in revised airport planning documentation, and maximum landing weight of 236t. No payload-range data has been featured for the variant. Airbus still lists the typical range of 316t version at around 8,200nm with 366 passengers.

The Program aims to provide non-stop service to cities including Sydney and Melbourne from points such as London and New York. However, as a consequence of the pandemic, the airline has yet to order the intended A350-100s and has indicated the introduction of Project Sunrise flights is being pushed back at least to 2024.

Qantas selected the A350-1000, equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, after considering the General Electric GE(X-powered Boeing 777X.

Source: Airbus,Picture Airbus

BUSINESS/REGIONAL JETS

Pilatus Delivers 1800th PC-12

Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus announced on May 4th that it has delivered its 1800th PC-12 single-engine turboprop. According to the company, the PC-12 fleet has logged more than 8 million flight hours since receiving its FAA type certificate in 1994. It has seen service in areas including executive transport, commuter and regional airline operations, medevac flights, police and border surveillance and cargo transport. Pilatus delivered a total of 82 PC-12s last year. 

“The PC-12 program continues to exceed all expectations original set for it by Pilatus,” said Pilatus Business Aircraft CEO Tomas Bosshard. ”the market response to the PC-12 NGX has been fantastic, and we are seeing many operators of earlier PC-12, twin turboprops, and light jets making a switch to an aircraft which offers proven reliability, performance and safety combined with the latest in engine and avionics technology.” 

The latest PC-12 model, the PC-12 NGX, was introduced at the 2019 National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BAC). It has a range of 1,803 NM, top cruise speed of 290 knots and full fuel payload of 988 pounds. The PC-12 NGX is powered by the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6E-67XP engine. 

Source: Pilatus, Picture Pilatus                                                                   

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

KLM Aims to Complete 737-800 Cabin Upgrades By March 2022  

KLM has debuted a cabin upgrade for the first of 14 Boeing 737-800s, part of a fleet revamp it aims to complete by March next year. 

The refurbished aircraft, which are mostly deployed on European flights, have new seats in economy and business classes. The seats are around 20% lighter than previous seats, contributing to estimated annual savings of 58 tons of fuel and 184 tons of CO2 emissions per aircraft.

The Upgraded cabins also have onboard connectivity, USB ports for charging devices, and longer overhead bins.

KLM executive vice-president customer experience, Boet Kreiken, says: “KLM wants to offer its passengers even more comfort on European flights, while reducing the CO2 emissions of flights. That is why KLM continues to invest in its onboard product and sustainability and can continue to meet our customers’ expectations and emerge stronger from the crisis.”

Source: KLM,KLMPicture

             

  Irkut Receives First Wing Panels for Serial MC-21  

Russian airframer Irkut has received the first MC-21 wing panels for a serial production aircraft, delivered to the Irkutsk-baed facility by road.

The 17.5m(57.4Ft) panel was manufactured at the AeroKompozit plant in Ulyanovsk-a distance of some 3,600km(2237 miles) from the MC-21 final assembly line.

Irkut will use the panels for the initial customer aircraft. This will be a-300 variant, powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1400G engines.

It says the use of strong, lightweight composite materials for the wing will improve aerodynamic performance and support a large fuselage diameter.

United Aircraft adds that it has developed a specialized road-transport system featuring secure locks and sensors designed to prevent structural damage.

Source: Flightglobal,picture United Aircraft

Avelo Plans US East Coast Expansion                   

Recently launched US start-up Avelo Airlines will expand to the US East Coast this year with flights from Tweed New Haven airport in Connecticut.

Avelo will also open a crew base at Tweed, which has struggled to retain air service in recent years, despite being located with the populous New York metropolitan area.

The Airline, which began operations on April 28 with flights from Burbank, California, will begin flying from Tweed in the third quarter, using Boeing 737-700s, it says on May 6. 

Avelo has not disclosed which routes it will serve from New Haven.  The airline also agreed to invest $1.2 million to help “upgrade and modernize facilities and operations” at Tweed.

Those funds are part of a $100 million project underway at Tweed that includes construction of a new terminal and a runway extension.  Avelo intends to base more than 100 staff at Tweed, including pilots, flight attendants, customer support staff and technicians. 

In the past 15 years, airlines had operated flights from New Haven to cities including Baltimore, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Charlotte & Chicago.  In the past decades, commuter airlines also flew from Tweed to various destinations within New England.

These days, however, Tweed has just one commercial airline route—a flight to Philadelphia operated by Republic Airlines on behalf of American Airlines. 

Source: Avelo, Picture Avelo Airlines  

                             Lufthansa Orders Five A350s And Five 787s 

Lufthansa Group has ordered 10 Airbus and Boeing wide bodies as it continues modernizing its fleet, with a goal of reducing fuel consumption and cost.

The German carrier has placed orders for five A350-900s and five 787-9 Dreamliners, bringing the number of new aircraft to be delivered in this decade to 175, it said on May 3rd.   The twin-engined types will replace the airline’s four-engined A340-family aircraft.

“Even in these challenging times, we are continuing to invest in a more modern, more-efficient and a much lower-emission Lufthansa Group fleet,” says the carrier’s chief executive Carsten Spohr .

“ At the same time, we are pushing ahead with the modernization of our long-haul fleet even faster than planned prior to the coronavirus pandemic due to anti-cyclical opportunities.”

The carrier now has a mix of 45 787s and 777s on order with Boeing.  The Dreamliners will join the fleet during the coming winter season, the airline says, and the following will arrive in the first half of 2022.

The five new A350s will be delivered in 2027 and 2028, the carrier says.

Source: Lufthansa,Picture Lufthansa

    

LATEST NEWS

  • Breeze Airways, the new low-cost airline led by serial aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, began flying on May 27th with a flight from Tampa to Charleston, South Carolina.  The aircraft will then, on the same day, fly from Charleston to Hartford.

  • Qatar Airways group chief executive Akbar Al Baker has been named as chairman of the governing board of the Oneworld Alliance.  He succeeds Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce, who served in the role since September 2018.
  • AirCap shareholders have voted in favor of the proposed merger with US leasing giant GECAS, which the two companies unveiled in March.
  • Airbus, Boeing vie for a multi-billion dollar Qantas order to replace its aging 737-800 fleet.  The runoff is between the A320neo family and the 737 MAX.  However, basing Qantas’ future fleet around the MAX would continue a relationship in place since October 1993, when the airline took delivery of its first 737,a 737-300.
  • IndiGo Indian budget carrier has selected the CFM International Leap-1A to equip another A320neo-family aircraft.

  • Supersonic Business Jet Development Aerion has unexpectedly ceased operations, after admitting it could not raise enough capital to bring its AS2 program to market.
  • Dassault Aviation has flown the second flight-test Falcon 6X, with the new twinjet making a 2h sortie from the airframes’s Merignac production site near Bordeaux on April 30th.

Sources: Cfm International,AirCap,QatarAirways,Breeze Always, Flightglobal

 

AIR CARGO

                                           Lufthansa Cargo Looks Sharp in  Sharkskin

The airline will be improving its aerodynamics based on what it has learned from sharks.  It will soon be coating its aircraft with AeroSHARK: a foil that reproduces the features of sharkskin, which has evolved since the Paleozoic era a good 500 million years, and gives the animals tremendous gliding ability.  What has proven its worth in water could also be useful in the air, Lufthansa Cargo, Lufthansa Technik, and chemical producer BASF reasoned.  The result of their joint efforts is an artificial sheathing layer for aircraft, reducing kerosene consumption.

According to the three companies’ joint release published on May 3rd, Lufthansa Cargo will equip its entire fleet of 10 Boeing 777 freighter aircraft with AeroShark.  That’s what they call their product foil that mimics the fine structure of sharkskin, consisting of riblets measuring around 50 micrometers each.

Equipping the 10 777 freighters with the foil translates into annual savings of around 3,700 tons of kerosene and just under 11,700 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.  This is the equivalent of 48 individual fighter flights from Frankfurt to Shanghai.

But just incasing the freighters with sharkskin foil is  definitely not enough since it is a material modification and requires official approval.  Therefore, Lufthansa Cargo first has to obtain a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its 777F from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency(EASA)-Mandatory for operation-before the film can be applied.

Source: Lufthansa Cargo,Picture Lufthansa Cargo

                

                Volga-Dnepr’s Atran Leases two 737-800 Freighters

Russian freight specialist Volga-Dnepr Group’s Atran Airlines division is leasing another two converted Boeing 737-800 freighters from GECAS.

The express cargo operator has received one 737-800BCF-an ex-Ryanair aircraft, registered VQ-BFR-from the lessor.  They will build on the pair of 737-800BCFs which were introduced to Moscow Vnukovo-based Atran’s fleet in 2019.

Atran general director Vitaly Andreev says the type, which offers up to 23.5t of payload capability, ”constitutes the backbone” of the airline’s fleet.

“Additional aircraft will enable us to provide more solutions and guarantee high-quality services to our customers,” adds Andreev.  GECAS has over 60 converted 737-800s on order of which 34 have already been delivered.

Atran’s fleet also includes three 737-400SFs, airframes originally delivered in the late 1990s to Istanbul Airlines and China Xinhua Airlines.

Source: Flight global, Picture GECAS

                       

Researched and Compiled by : 

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor  

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian  

 

by

Kaplanian Report – May 2021

ON THE BOEING FRONT

US FAA and European EASA Approve 737 Max 8-200 Certification

On March 31, the FAA approved the design for the Boeing 737-8200, part of the Boeing MAX series’ necessary step before the U.S. platemaker can begin delivering the airplane to Ryanair. Following that, on April 6, European safety regulators have granted type certificate validation to the Boeing 737 Max 8-200, new high-density variant of the re-engined twinjet.

The 8-200 has been developed to increase the seating capacity of the Max 8. It has the same maximum take-off weight as the Max 8, at 82.2t, and the same baggage hold volumes. Irish budget carrier Ryanair is a major customer for the aircraft, having increased its order from 135 to 210 0f the type in December last year.

Ryanair is configuring its 8-200 with 197 seats. The aircraft has an extra pair of exit doors to meet evacuation requirements.

Source: Boeing, Flightglobal, Picture Boeing   

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus Switching A320neo to Electronic Rudder Control

Airbus is aiming to replace the mechanical rudder controls on A320nneo-family aircraft, switching to a full electric rudder system by early 2024.

Modification will coincide with the entry into service of the long-range A321XLR, which is being developed with the ‘E-Rudder’ architecture in mind. The E-rudder will become standard on the A319neo, A320neo and A321neo range. But it will not be fitted to conventional A320-family jets, nor it will be available as a retrofit.

The E-rudder program will replace the mechanical interface with an electrical one, saving some 40Kg in weight by enabling the removal of several fixtures and three computer units. Conversion to the E-rudder system involves installing a new rudder-pedal unit in the cockpit, new rudder-position sensors, and a back-up control module.

The Primary flight-control computers will have updated hardware and software, and software changes will be made to several others, while the rudder-actuation will be modified. “Ramp-up will be done over 2023 to standardize E-rudder by early 2024”, says Airbus, adding that simpler system will save fuel and reduce maintenance costs.

Suppliers including Thales, Safran, Collins and Liebherr are participating in the equipment updates for the program. Airbus adds that no relocation of the computers in the avionics bay will be necessary.

Source: Airbus, Picture Airbus 

REGIONAL /BUSINESS JETS

                                            Pilatus Reveals PC-24 order for Qatar’s Air force

Qatar’s air force is to field a pair of Pilatus PC-24 light jets, the Swiss airframer revealed in its annual results publication on April 22.

“November 2020 brought exciting news…when we signed a contract with the Qatar Emiri Air Force for two PC-24s,” Pilatus says. The service will employ the aircraft “ for pilot training and VIP transportation”, it adds.

Also included as part of the contract is a five-year support package involving the manufacturer providing “on -site technical assistance” for the business jets.

Qatar’s air force also is a customer for Pilatus’s PC-21 turboprop trainer, with 24 examples in use.

Source: Pilatus, Picture Pilatus     

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

                   Air Canada to complete Acquisition of Airbus 220 and Boeing  737 Max

 Air Canada plans to complete plans to acquisition of 33 Airbus 220s and 40 Boeing 737 Max narrow bodies thanks to a C$ 5.879 billion ($ 4,682 billion) financing commitment by the government of Canada under its Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) program, the airline said late Monday April 12th.

The package provides for fully repayable loans that Air Canada would draw down only as required, as well as equity investment. It includes a government purchase of C$500 million worth of shares of the airline, meaning Ottawa will again own a part of the Canadian flag Carrier.

“The additional liquidity program we are announcing today achieves several aligned objectives as it provides a significant layer of insurance for Air Canada, it enables us to better resolve customer refunds of non-refundable tickets, maintain our workforce and re-enter regional markets,” said Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau.

“Most importantly, this program provides additional liquidity, if required, to rebuild our business to the benefit of all stakeholders and to remain a significant contributor to the Canadian economy through its recovery and for the long term.”

Finally, the airline agreed to restrict certain expenditures and restrict dividends, share buybacks, and senior executive pay.

Source: Air Canada, Picture Air Canada

Lessor DAE Places $1.8 Billion Order for 15 737 MAX Jets 

Boeing and DUBai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) have announced the aircraft lessor has ordered 15 737-8 Max jets. 

DAE has been investing in the MAX by buying jets from existing customers and leasing them back to the carriers. The announcement follows a sale-and leaseback agreement the lessor signed in the third-quarter with American Airlines for 18 new 737 Max 8s,DAE also completed a sale-and-leaseback with Brazilian low-cost operator Gol for five 737 Max 8s.

DAE’s website indicates it owns and manages 116 737 family aircraft, forming the bulk of Boeing aircraft under its portfolio.

The new order is DAE’s first direct 737 MAX purchase from Boeing as it modernizes its portfolio for better economic and environmental performance.

Firoz Tarapore, chief executive officer of DAE, said: “We are delighted to deepen our already strong relationship with Boeing. Including this order, we own and manage 162 Boeing aircraft. An increasing number of global aviation regulators are retiring the MAX to the skies. We are confident in the success of these aircraft as domestic and regional travel are seeing strong signs of recovery.”  

Source: Boeing, ArabianAerospace, Image Boeing

        

                             Aeromexico Reaches A deal for Massive Fleet Transactions 

On April 23, 2021, Aeromexico announced it reached an agreement with lessors and Boeing to add 24 new Boeing 737 Max aircraft. It will include 737 Max 8s and 737 Max 9s and  four 787-9s as part of the airline’s restructured agreements with Boeing and certain lessors to incorporate new aircraft. Other suppliers and financial entities also participated in these transactions, resulting in a comprehensive deal that offers multiple benefits to the carrier.

The addition of the first aircraft is scheduled for this year, offering service beginning this summer season and the rest arriving in the second half of 2021 and during 2022.

These transactions make it possible for Aeromexico to modify long-term maintenance contracts and reduce leasing costs of eighteen(!*) other aircraft that are part of the current fleet.Aeromexico estimates that reaching the comprehensive agreement will lead to total savings of approximately 2 billion dollars.

Source: Aeromexico, Picture Aeromexico

LATEST NEWS

Southwest Airlines first arrival and departure inaugural flight from Fresno Yosemite International Airport took place on Sunday, April 25, 2021. About 120 passengers were booked for the inaugural flight. For the first flight, Southwest dispatched its “California One” jet, a 737-700 with a paint job depicting the state’s bear.

  • Willie Walsh Former IAG chief executive has officially taken over as director general of IATA on April 1, succeeding Alexandre de Janiac.

  • Air Cairo has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320neo, which joins the Egyptian low-cost carrier’s all-Airbus fleet of seven aircraft.

  • Delta Air Lines has firmed orders for 25 Airbus A321neos and pulled forward A30 and A330 deliveries, reflecting the airline’s anticipation that passenger demand will accelerate in coming years.

  • Indian Regulators have taken the first steps to easing restrictions on Boeing 737 Max flights by approving foreign carriers to overfly its airspace using the type.
  • Etihad Airways has carried out its first scheduled flight to Israel, following the diplomatic normalization agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

  • Fiji Airways is set to be the first Asia-Pacific carrier to return the Boeing 737 Max into service, after Fijiian civil aviation authorities lifted the grounding of the narrowbody.

Sources: Flightglobal,Boeing,Etihad Airways,Delta Airlines,Fresno Bee,Airbus


AIR CARGO

       

Silk Way West Airlines has placed an order for five Boeing 777 Freighters, the Azerbaijani carrier’s first commitment for the long-haul twinjet. The airline already operates a fleet of five Boeing 747-8Fs and seven 747-400Fs. The agreement covering the 777s was signed at a ceremony in Baku on April 28.No delivery dates have been disclosed.

Silk Way Group president Zaur Akhundov says: “This deal is an incremental part of our fleet renewal and our commitment to see our customers’ expectations.

I am confident that the acquisition of new freighters will further strengthen our leading position on the global air freight market for the next 15 to 20 years.”

“Silk Way West Airlines has been rapidly expanding the geographic reach of its network. With the global air freight market forecasted to grow more than 60% over the next 20 years, the new order bolsters their ability to meet trade and commerce demand in the Commonwealth of Independent States, Europe, the Middle East ,Asia and North America.” said Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The 777 Freighter is the world’s longest range and most capable twin-engine freighter. The airplane’s fuel efficiency and ability to reduce CO2 emissions by 17% compared to legacy airplanes will contribute to the carrier’s sustainability goals, with a range of 9,200 kilometers.

Boeing says adding the longer-range freighter will enable Silk Way to operate long-haul routes more efficiently with fewer stops.

Source: Boeing,Boeing Picture

 OTHER NOTEWORTHY NEWS

Boeing Calls on US Government to Reinstate Trade Relationship with China 

Boeing is calling on the administration of President Joe Biden to reinstate trade relations with China, saying aircraft orders from the country will be key to the airframes’s long term health.

On the Chicago headquarted company’s first-quarter 2021 earnings results call on April 28, Boeing chief executive David Calhoun says the US aerospace industry depends on Chinese orders. The company wants to ensure the administration  knows “the importance of getting the relationship right”.

“It’s time for us to point out the economics of trade with China,” Calhoun says. ”We need to get the order stream going again; I am confident that will happen, and this is the moment to begin to talk about it.” “It will eventually impact our production rates,” he adds.

A major related issue is re-certification of the 737 Max. China has not cleared the type to fly despite the Federal Aviation Administration approving the Max five months ago following a 20-month grounding. More than 160 of the 195 countries’ civil aviation regulators have followed the FAA’s lead but not China. Some industry observers interpret this as retaliation by Chinese authorities.

Calhoun now expects China will re-certification the Max in “the second half of 2021”. “We are still awaiting Max regulatory approval from China and the timing of it will affect our delivery plan,” adds chief financial officer Greg Smith. ”It’s an important market and orders from China will affect future production rates.”

China was the first country to clip the Max’s wings by grounding the aircraft following two fatal accidents, in 2018 and 2019. China’s civil aviation regulator said in Mid April that it has been discussing with Boeing a plan to restore 737 Max service. However, it added that it remains sufficiently un satisfied to clear the jet, leaving China’s timeline for lifting the Max’s grounding uncertain.

China is a huge market for the narrowbody; at the time of the Max founding in March 2019, 12 operators in the country had nearly 100 of the jets in service. Chinese carriers still hold orders for more than 200 of the jets, Cirium fleets data shows. The biggest operator of the type is China Southern Airlines, with 24 examples currently in storage, and 34 more on order with Boeing.

Analysts agree the Max’s long-term prospects in China remain strong because airlines there – indeed, airlines everywhere – will need the narrow bodies to expand in the decades following the pandemic. Boeing’s only real current competitor, Airbus, cannot produce enough A320neo-family  jets to meet demand alone analysts say.

Sources: Boeing, FlightGlobal, Cirium fleets Data

Researched and Compiled by : 

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor  

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian