ON THE BOEING FRONT

                     Boeing Lost No Orders to Cancellations in October,  a First Since July 2019

In October, Boeing logged its first month in more than three years without a single cancellation and padded its backlog with orders for 10 more 787s and more than 100 737 Max aircraft.

It had not reported a cancellation-free month since July 2019, shortly after aviation authorities globally grounded the 737 Max Boeing said on November 8th.

In October, the company landed orders for another 122 aircraft, largely to orders from Alaska Airlines, British Airways and Iberia parent IAG to respectively bought 52 and 50 737 Max jets.  Boeing also received orders in October for one 737 Max from American Airlines, and three Max from an undisclosed customer of customers.

In addition, Boeing has not named which customer or customers placed orders in October for 10 787s.  Those deals throw more momentum behind the 787 program following a delivery halt that lasted roughly 20 months, ending in August.  Also in October, Boeing took commitments for one 767-300 Freighter from FedEx and for five 777Fs from unnamed buyer which turned out to be Emirates.  The combined 122 orders Boeing secured in October were more than it received in any month this year except July.

But the US manufacturer’s pace of aircraft deliveries slowed in October as the company continued struggling to offload aircraft amid a fact of challenges, including its continued inability to deliver the 737 Max to Chinese airlines.

Last month, Boeing delivered 35 aircraft of all types, including  one 737NG -based P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, 22 737 MAX, one 747-8F, two 767-based KC-46 military refueling tankers, two 767-300Fs, one 777F and six 787s.  For the year to end of October, Boeing received orders for 664 aircraft and logged 114 cancellations, leaving it with 550 net orders.

Over the same period, it has delivered 363 aircraft, including 300 737s.  That compares with 268 aircraft, including 201 737s, it shipped in the same 10 months of 2021.  At October 31, Boeing’s backlog stood at 4,441 aircraft, up from 4,4,354 at the end of September.  The backlog includes 3,590 737s, two 747s (for Atlas Air), 111767s, 318 777s and 420 787s.

Source: Boeing

                      

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

                                    Airbus Speeds Deliveries, Books Key Chinese Jet Order

Airbus deliveries accelerated in October to reach 497 airplanes so far this year.  An underlying total of 495 after excluding two Aeroflot deliveries cancelled due to Western sanctions against Russia, the planemaker said on Tuesday, November 8th.

Airbus delivered 60 jets in October, up from 55 the previous month.  It still has what most analysts have called a stretching but broadly achievable task to reach a target of 700 deliveries in 2022, following problems with tattered global supply chains.  Within the total deliveries so far this year, widebody deliveries were robust, Airbus said.

Airbus also posted 177 new orders in October after rejigging of new order from British Airways owner IAG, which placed an expanded order for 59 aircraft that superseded an earlier batch of 14 single-aisle jets.  Airbus also booked an order for 40 jets from traditional Boeing operator Xiamen Airlines, which had provisionally added Airbus as a supplier in September in a sign of Beijing’s apparent tilt towards Europe amid tensions with Washington.  Boeing declined comment on the order, whose publication coincide with the first day of Chin’s Zhuhai Airshow.

The update comes on top of existing orders for 140 jets re-announced by China in what expert described as an effort to showcase a visit by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.  The Xiamen deal brought Airbus orders so far this year above the 1,000 mark.  After 223 cancellations, its 1,033 gross orders fell back to a net total of 810 in the first 10 months.

Sources: Airbus, Reuters 

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

                  Embraer Got Chinese Approval for E190-E2, with Larger E195-E2 to Follow

Chinese regulators have certificated the Embraer 190-E2, with the approval process for the larger E195-E2 also under way.  Embraer announced the certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China at the Zhuhai air show on November 10th.  It expects validation for the E195-E2 to “follow shortly”.

The Brazilian airframer has a requirement in China for up to 1,445 new aircraft in the up to 150-seat category over the next 20 years.  The hot-and high performance of the twinsets is an ideal fit for the country’s geography.

“Embraer believes the E-190-E2 is the best aircraft to serve low density but high elevation markets in western China with the right performance, more profitability.”  Its only Chinese customer for the E195-E2 is lessor ICBC, which has a firm order for 10 aircraft. To date, five have been delivered and are operated on lease by KLM Cityhopper,  Cirium fleets data shows.

Source: Embraer, Picture Embraer

                                            Boeing Business Jets Joins Dealers Group

Boeing Business Jets is the newest OEM member of the international Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA), the group announced on November 14th.  The manufacturer of the BBJ 737/Max family, BBJ787, and BBJ777X, has delivered more than 260 business jets since its founding in 1996.

“Boeing Business Jets is delighted to be an OEM member of IADA.  The organization of airplane transaction experts has become a force in promoting transparency and integrity in aircraft sales”, said company president Erika Pearson.  ”As the market evolves following the pandemic, we look forward to working with other IADA members to meet the needs of the growing ranks of private flyers.”

The Boeing subsidiary joins airframers Textron Aviation, Bombardier, Airbus Corporate Jets, Dassault Falcon, Gulfstream Aerospace, and Honda Aircraft.  IADA dealers comprise the top 12 percent of aircraft brokers who are involved in 46 percent of used aircraft sales.

Source: ainonline, Boeing Business Jets, Picture Boeing Business Jets                                                                   

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

                               Atlas Air Awarded Extension of Air Force One Pilot Training

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. has announced that the United States Air Force (USAF) has extended its agreement with Atlas Air to train pilots and flight engineers for Air Force One.

Under the five year extension of the agreement, which Atlas Air has held since 2007, crews for the Air Force’s VC-25, a modified version of the Boeing 747-200B, will receive ground and flight-simulator training at Atlas Air’s world-class training center in Miami, Florida.

“Air Force One,” the designated call sign of the aircraft when the President is on board, consists of two specially configured Boeing 747-200B aircraft.  The past four U.S. presidents have been flown to locations throughout the world by Atlas-trained pilots and flight engineers who received their certification from Atlas Air.

Source: Atlas Air,Picture Boeing

                 Boeing & Lessors Back Study into Potential Irish Sustainable Fuel Facility

Boeing is linking with Irish Lessors Avolon and Orix Aviation, to support energy specialists’ examination of potential sustainable fuel production in Ireland.  The feasibility collaboration is being led by Dutch-based future fuel firm SkyNRG and local sustainability partner SFS Ireland.  They aim to identify opportunities for a commercial-scale sustainable fuel production facility in the country.

SkyNRG chief executive Philippe Lacamp says the study will bring “great value” to Irish aviation’s effort to meet decarbonization aims.  “Each new sustainable aviation fuel research project pathways and sustainable feedstocks are available and helping evaluate how best to assist the aviation industry in meeting undated targets,” he says.

Avolon says planned growth of renewable energy sources makes Ireland a potential location for sustainable aviation fuel production, adding that Ireland is the base for a number of important stakeholders with interest in decarbonizing aviation.  Avolon says the study will be completed next year.

Boeing vice-president for environmental engagement, Sheila Remes, says the industry requires a “massive increase” in sustainable fuel production.  “Scaling sustainable aviation fuel is paramount,” she says. “Ireland’s growth in renewable energy makes it a prime location for production with zero climate impact.”

Source: FlightGlobal,  Avolon, Boeing

                                        First RAF Wedgetail Gains its MSA Radar Array

The first of three Boeing 737NG airframes is undergoing modification into the E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control configuration for the UK, has had its distinctive “top hat” radar array installed.

The Northrop Grumman Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) sensor was fitted on the future Royal Air Force (RAF) surveillance asset at STS Aviation Services’ modification facility in Birmingham, the UK, the prime contractor Boeing announced on November 4th.

Prior to fitting the MESA arry—which had earlier this year completed testing a Northrop’s Linthicum, Maryland facility—the narrow body’s mid-fuselage ‘Section 46’ was removed and strengthened, in order to bear the structure’s weight.

All three of the RAF’s on-order Wedgetails are currently in modification at the Birmingham site, with work involving more than 100 Boeing and STS personal.  Two of the airframes were previously operated as business jets, while the third is a new-build example, delivered in mid-July.

“The sensor itself is a critical enabler to surveillance and air dominance, and the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft will provide the RAF with a combat-proven advantage against even the most sophisticated adversaries,” says Ian Vett, Boeing’s director of the UK E-7 program.  The UK’s E-7 A fleet is scheduled to achieve operational capability during 2024.

Sources: STS Aviation Services, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Picture Boeing

Regional Jets

                        Malaysia Airlines Eyes 25 More Narrowbodies; Does Not Rule Out 737 Max

Malaysia Airlines is to kick off air framer discussions for a potential order for 25 more narrow body aircraft’s as the airline awaits delivery of its first Boeing 737 Max in about half a year.

Chief executive Izham Ismail says the airline will “evaluate all options”, and does not rule out ordering more 737 Max aircraft, or “even regional Aircraft”, as long as “the aircraft meets our business goals”.

“ We are agnostic to the aircraft types as long as it is commercially viable and meets our sustainability goals,” says Izham, who was speaking to FlightGlobal in Bangkok, on the sidelines of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines’ Assembly of Presidents.

The Kuala Lumpur-based carrier has 25 737 Max 8s on order, the first example is expected to be delivered by the second quarter of 2023, with deliveries running through 2025.

The new aircraft, which are expected to be fitted with new cabin products, replace the airline’s 737-800s on a one-for-one basis, says Izham.  Malaysia Airlines will take seven 737 Max aircraft next year, a move which will see five-800s moved to low-cost unit Firefly.

Source: Malaysia Airlines, Picture Malaysia Airlines

LATEST NEWS

• Air Astana the national carrier of Kazakhstan has signed a deal to take three Boeing 787-9 through lessor Air Lease as it continues with its fleet upgrade.  The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in early 2025 through spring 2026 from ALC’s order book with Boeing.

• Japan’s Skymark Airlines  announced on November 10th the airline’s plan to add up to 12 737 Max airplanes.

• Mongolian Airlines (MIAT) operated a Boeing 737 Max-8 from Ulaanbaatar to Guangzhou.  The Mongolian airline will operate the flight on a weekly basis with the previously banned type.

• Italy will increase its planned purchase of Boeing KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers to six aircraft, up from two previously.

• Royal Jordanian and Pratt & Whitney signed propulsion contracts to equip the carrier’s future Airbus A320neo-family and Emrbraer E-Jet aircraft with geared turbofan (GTF) engines.

• Aeroitalia is to take three Boeing 737 Max 8 jets on long-term placement from Air Lease, as the Italian Start-up carrier seeks to expand its operations in the coming years.

• BOC Aviation has announced that it has completed the delivery of six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to Norwegian carrier Norse Atlantic Airways.

• Antonov Airlines has announced it will spend about half a billion dollars to rebuild the damaged (by the Russians) AN-225 Mriya, the world’s largest cargo plane.

• Brazilian Carrier Azul has ordered a further three Rolls-Royce Trent 7000-powered Airbus A330neos taking its fleet of widebody twin to eight.

• The Egyptian Government spotted at Hamburg Airport this Boeing 747-8i sporting the special livery of the Egyptian government.  The aircraft bearing the registration SU-EGY(c/n37826) was originally destined to Lufthansa as D-ABYE, but the example was not taken up by the European Carrier.  It is understood that the 2011-vintage has been in storage in the U.S for more than a decade pending new ownership.

Sources: Air Lease, BOC Aviation, Boeing, Royal Jordanian, Antonov Airlines Mongolian Airlines, Skymark Airlines, Italian Government.

AIR CARGO

                      Silk Way West Airline Announces an Order for two 777-8 Freighters

Azerbaijani cargo carrier Silk Way West Airlines has placed an order for two Boeing 777-8 Freighters and taken an option on two more of the type.

The deal, which was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s orders and deliveries website, marks a further commitment to the freighter Boeing launched in January this year and for which it has booked more than 50 orders.

Boeing launched the new freighter with a 34-strong commitment from Qatar Airways.  All Nippon Airways, Lufthansa, Ethiopian Airlines have all made commitments to the freighter, while Cargolux last month firmed an order for 10 of the type.

Silk Way Group president Zaur Akhundov says: “This year Silk Way Airlines celebrates its 10th anniversary, and over the past decade the carrier has been operating an all-Boeing fleet.  Today’s agreement reflects our ongoing investment in Boeing’s market -leading freighters”.  Silk way also placed a commitment for up to four of Airbus’ Freighter in June.

Sources: Boeing, Silk Way West Airlines, Picture Boeing

                                 Emirates Places a Firm Order for Five New 777LRFs

Emirates has placed a firm order for five Boeing 777Fs in a deal worth over $1.7 billion at list prices.  Two aircraft will be delivered in 2024 and three in 2025, says Emirates.  The deal pushes the carrier’s total orders to 200 widebody jets.

“Emirates is investing in new freighters so that we can continue to serve customer demand with the latest fuel-efficient aircraft,” says Emirates chairman and chief executive Ahmed bin Said Al Maktoum.

“This order reflects Emirates’ confidence in airfreight demand and overall aviation sector growth.  It lays the ground for our continued growth, which is driven by the reach of our diverse global network, the advanced handling infrastructure at our Dubai hub, and the tailor transport solutions that Emirates has developed to serve our varied customers’ needs.”

The jets will add to the carrier’s freighter fleet, which now stands at 11 777Fs.  Emirates, the launch customer for the 777F, says the type is effective at transporting items that are sensitive to time and temperature, such as fresh products, medicines, pets, cars, and horses.

“We value the trust that Emirates has repeatedly placed in its all-Boeing freighter fleet,” says Stan Deal, president and chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Sources: Emirates, Boeing, Picture Emirates

                           MSC-Mediterranean Shipping Company SA to Develop MSC Air Cargo

MSC Mediterranean shipping Company SA, a global leader in transportation and logistics, has started developing a new MSC Air Cargo solution in response to customer demand and as a complimentary service to its container shipping solutions.

MSC Air Cargo has been under development for several months and the new solution will be available from early 2023, following the delivery of the first of four MSC- branded Boeing 777F aircraft.  They will be operated by Atlas Air, a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

MSC has appointed Jannie Davel, formerly of Delta Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo and DHL, to develop its air cargo business and build the team that will implement it.  MSC Air Cargo’s First Boeing 777F has been already painted by Boeing pending delivery.

Source: MSC Air Cargo, Picture MSC Cargo

                 

Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor 

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian