ALL THINGS BOEING

First Australian P-8A Poseidon Arrives in the US For Modification

Boeing has received the first of 12 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon aircraft to receive a modification known as Increment 3 Block 2. It comes as the RAAF recently welcomed its 13th P-8A Poseidon to its fleet at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia.

Why it matters: Along with a significant upgrade to the submarine hunter’s airframe and avionics systems, this modification includes new airframe racks, radome, antennas, sensors, and wiring, ensuring the P-8A remains the most capable maritime patrol aircraft in the world.

Paired with the arrival of the 13th P-8A, these enhancements will improve fleet readiness and operational reach. Two of the 12 aircraft will be upgraded at  Boeing’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul facility in Jacksonville, Florida.

• The first of those two arrived on September 25. 

• The remaining 10 aircraft will be completed by Boeing Defense Australia at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

• The delivery of the 13th aircraft on September 29 marked the first P-8A delivery to the RAAF in six years.

• The 14th and final Poseidon for the RAAF is scheduled for delivery in 2026.

Source: Boeing, Picture Boeing

Boeing Finalizes $ 10.6bn Sale of Digital Businesses to Thoma Bravo

Boeing has sold several businesses to investment firm Thoma Bravo, closing a deal that injects fresh cash into the company and reflects a plan by Chief Executive Kelly Ortberg to sharpen Boeing’s strategic focus. The aircraft manufacturer announced on November 3 that it had finalized the divestitures through an all-cash sale of $10.55 billion to Thoma Bravo. Ortberg also says the sale will help Boring maintain its investment-grade credit rating.

Assets divested include Boeing’s aircraft management software provider AerData& flight-service information providers ForeFlight, Jeppesen, and OzRunways. Boeing had housed those businesses under its Boeing Global Services division. The sale reflects Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg’s intention to shift Boeing’s focus more toward its prime business of aircraft manufacturing.

Source: Boeing

ALL THINGS AIRBUS

Airbus Trims A220 Production Targets Over Supply & Demand Considerations

Airbus has lowered its target for A220 production rates, aiming for 12 aircraft per month next year, down from 14. The airframer attributed the decision to the “current balance between supply and demand”.Airbus has taken net orders for just 36 A220s over the first nine months of this year, but has delivered 62 of the twinjets. The backlog for the A220 stood at 490 aircraft at the end of September. Airbus says the situation has led to an “adjustment of the ramp-up trajectory”. But the manufacturer’s other aircraft production plans remain unchanged.

It is still aiming for $75 per month on the A320neo family in 2027, and $12 per month for the A350 in 2028. The airframer also confirms the A330 monthly rate will stay at four aircraft until 2029 when it rises to five. Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury says the complex and dynamic operating environment means deliveries are still backlogged. The company handed over 507 commercial jets in the first nine months of the year, including 33 A350s and 20 A330s. But Airbus is maintaining its full-year delivery target of 820 aircraft.

Source: Airbus, picture Airbus

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

Supply Shortages No Longer Hindering Embraer’s 2025 Production Plans

Supply chain troubles will not affect Embraer’s ability to hit its 2025 aircraft delivery target, with chief executive Francisco Gomes Net saying the company already has all components needed to meet its goal. That means reaching the target rests on how fast Embraer can move jets through its production facilities. The risk for the supply chain in 2025…is over”, Gomes Net said on 4 November when Embraer disclosed its third-quarter financial results. “We have all the parts we need to assemble the aircraft. Now, it’s up to us.” 

Source: Embraer

Pilatus Resumes U.S. Deliveries Despite Tariff Penalty

After previously announcing a temporary hit to U.S. deliveries of its PC12 single-engine turboprop and PC-24 twinjet in August, due to 39% tariffs imposed on Swiss products by the U.S. government, Pilatus has committed to resuming deliveries to U.S. customers. Earlier in November, Pilatus handed over the first PC-12 Pro for a U.S. customer. A Pilatus spokesman told AIN, “ For the time being, Pilatus will honor its contractual responsibilities towards its U.S. clients and dealers by ensuring deliveries to the USA until the end of 2025. PC-12 and PC-24 ferry flights to the USA have therefore resumed. Intensive discussions have been held with U.S.sales partners and end customers to seek transit solutions concerning handling trade tariffs.” Next year, Pilatus will open a new service center at Florida’s Sarasota International Airport. Eventually, the company plans to build a final assembly plant there for aircraft slated to go to buyers in North and South America. 

Sources: Pilatus, AIN, Picture Pilatus                                                               

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Turkish Airlines Picks GEnx to Power Latest Batch of Boeing 787s

Turkish Airlines has selected GE Aerospace GEnx engines to power a new batch of Boeing 787s that the company has chosen to purchase. The carrier had been in negotiations with GE and Rolls-Royce after disclosing its plan to purchase 50 firm and 25 optioned 787s. Turkish has split the firm part of the agreement between the 787 9 for which it will take 35, and the larger 787-10. The airline says ”negotiations have been concluded” over the acquisition of engines and maintenance services. Turkish Airlines says deliveries of the additional 787s are scheduled to take place from 2029 to 2034.

Source: TUI Airlines, Picture TUI

First P-8A Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft Arrives in Germany 

Germany’s first Boeing P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine warfare aircraft has arrived at its permanent home. The 737-based jet was flown to Berlin-Brandenburg airport on 7 November by a flight crew from Germany’s Naval Aviation Squadron 3, who ferried the aircraft from Boeing’s delivery center in Seattle, Washington. 

German defense minister Boris Pistorius was on hand for the flight’s arrival, which marks the first of eight P-8As ordered by Berlin to replace the Lockheed P-3C Orion Maritime patrol aircraft.“Today, our naval aviators are literally switching from propeller to jet propulsion,” says Pistorius, who describes Poseidon’s arrival as a new era for German naval aviation.

Source: Boeing, Picture Boeing         

In Brief

• Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, selects up to 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners to expand its global network.
• Sweden has formally signed for a future fleet of four Embraer C-390 tactical transports.

• Alaska Air Group has secured a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

• Greek Carrier Aegean has ordered a further two ATR 72-600 turboprops, as its Olympic Air subsidiary introduces its latest of the type.

*  Uzbekistan Airways has converted eight options for Boeing 787-9 aircraft into firm Orders.

• Air Senegal announced on 17 November that the West African carrier has committed to order nine 737 Max airplanes.

• Gulf Air Bahrain’s flag carrier has firmed an agreement with Boeing for 15 Boeing 787s.

Sources: E.Kaplanian Research

AIR CARGO

Sun Country Completes Expansion To 20 737 Freighters For Amazon Cargo

Minneapolis-based low-cost carrier Sun Country Airlines is now operating a full 20-strong fleet of Boeing 737-800s on behalf of US logistics firm Amazon, capping a period focused on cargo growth. Sun Country completed its cargo expansion during the third quarter, executives said during the company’s 30 October earnings call, acknowledging the challenges of quickly integrating eight narrowbody jets over several months.“Adding eight additional aircraft to our fleet was truly a team effort, and represents a 14% increase in our total fleet,” says Torque Zubeck, Sun Country’s Chief Financial Officer. Sun Country says that as of 30 September, it operates 45 737s in its passenger fleet and 20 737 Freighters.

It also owns five aircraft on lease to other airlines.

Source: Sun Country, Picture Sun Country.

Air China Cargo Discloses A350 Freighter Plan

Air China Cargo has outlined plans to order up to 10 Airbus A350 Freighters, in a deal valued at up to $4.65 billion at list prices. Disclosed in a notification to the Shenzhen stock exchange, Air China Cargo says the commitment will consist of six firm orders plus four options. Deliveries are scheduled to run over the 2029-2031 period. Although already approved by the carrier’s board, its shareholders still have to approve the order via a vote at its annual general meeting.

Air China Cargo says the commitment is “in line with the company’s development plan and market demand and is conducive to long-term stable operation.”

Should the order proceed, it will be a welcome boost for the A350F program, replacing cancelled or reduced commitments this year from Air Lease and Air France-KLM, which cut a total of nine aircraft from the backlog.

Source: FlightGlobal, Picture Airbus

Researched and Compiled by : 

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor  

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian