January 30, 2021 by kaplanianreport

Kaplanian Report – Feb. 2021

On The Boeing Front

Boeing Commits to Deliver Commercial Aircraft Ready to Fly on 100% Sustainable Fuel

Boeing has committed that its new commercial aircraft will be able to burn 100% sustainable aviation fuels by 2030. Boeing has previously conducted successful test flights replacing petroleum fuels to address the urgent challenge of climate change.

Boeing says it continues to study other carbon-reducing technologies, such as hybrid-electric and hydrogen propulsion systems.But it describes sustainable aviation fuel(SAF),which includes biofuel, as the prime means by which the sector can reach IATA’s goal of,2050 cutting airline emissions to half of 2005 levels.

“Our industry and customers are committed to addressing climate change and sustainable aviation fuels are the safest and most measurable solution to reduce aviation carbon emissions in the coming decades,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stan Deal. ”We are committed to working with regulators engine companies and other key stakeholders to ensure our airplanes and eventually our industry can fly entirely on sustainable jet fuels”.

Boeing has been a pioneer in making sustainable aviation fuels a reality, partnering globally with airlines, industry governments and research institutions to expand limited supplies and reduce the fuels’ cost. Boeing worked with airlines, engine manufacturers and others to conduct biofuel test flights starting in 2008 and gain approval for sustainable fuels in 2011. In 2018, the Boeing ecoDemonstrator flight-test program made the world’s first commercial airplane flight using 100% sustainable fuels with a 777 Freighter, in collaboration with FedEx Express.

Source: Boeing/Picture Neste

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus Puts the Brakes on A320 Rate Increases

“Airbus will slow a planned increase in A320-family production as it reacts to further demand pressure created by the Covid-19 pandemic,” the company said on Thursday January 21, 2021. The expected gradual increase from the current rate of 40 A320s per month will now increase to 43 per month in the third quarter and 45 in the fourth quarter, compared with previously planned jump to 47 of the narrow bodies starting in July.

The Company’s A220 monthly production will increase from four to five aircraft per month starting at the end of the first quarter as previously planned. Wide body output remains at current levels. Airbus also said it will postpone a potential increase for the A350 and maintain its five-per- month rate. A330 will remain at two-per-month for the foreseeable future.

“Airbus continues to monitor the market closely,” said the company in a statement. ”With these revised rates, Airbus preserves its ability to meet customer demand while protecting its ability to further adapt as the global market evolves.

Airbus expects the commercial aircraft market to return to pre-Covid levels by 2023 to 2025.”

Source: Airbus/Picture Airbus

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

De Havilland Set to Pause Dash 8 Q400 Production

De Havilland Canada (DHC) is set to pause production once the current Dash 8-400 is completed the company indicated. Currently, De Havilland has 17 Dash 8-400 orders scheduled for customers in 2021. There are two more Dash 8s in the backlog without identified customers.

“We will continue to sell, deliver and support the Dash 8-400 while taking appropriate measures to safeguard our people and business,” said DHC in a statement to Aerotime News. ”Our manufacturing operations have capacity to produce aircraft at our Downsview facility into 2023. However, we will not be producing “whitetails” and market demand will guide our future production plans for the Dash 8-400 Aircraft.”

In October 2020, two Dash 8-400 aircraft were delivered to Ethiopian Airlines, including the airline’s 30th Dash 8-400 aircraft.

Source: De Havilland/Picture De Havilland

F/List To Develop Cabin Features for Aerion’s AS2 Supersonic Jet

Aerion has selected high-end interiors manufacturer F/List to supply the AS2 supersonic business jet. The agreement builds on a relationship that has been ongoing between F/List and Aerion since 2014. F/List already has provided Aerion with expertise in interior engineering, certification support, materials and process, and finishes.

Under the expanded agreement, F/List will work with Aerion to develop an ”innovative, ultra-luxury cabin experience” to include cabinets, liners, hard floorings, and baggage liners.

“The AS2 will be a step into the future for passenger experience and the cabin will link emerging technologies, new materials, visionary style, traditional craftsmanship to create the future of luxury,” said Tim Fagan, the director of industrial design for Aerion.

Source: Aerion/Picture Aerion

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Saudia the National Flag carrier of Saudi Arabia Introduces comprehensive Flight Guide in Braille

Saudia has become the world’s first airline to introduce a comprehensive flight guide in braille for visually-impaired and blind passengers. The airline features Braille entertainment options include audio descriptive movies.

Guests can select a Braille cuisine option at time of booking through a simple step while making a booking from the airline’s website or calling SAUDIA. The airline provides services such as elevators, special meals and menus, safety procedures and magazines printed in Braille for guests.

Chief executive officer of Saudi, Captain Ibrahim S. Koshy said: “Saudia is committed to being an inclusive airline, providing amenities, services and support for all guests. We take pride in making our very best efforts to provide a comfortable, welcoming and hospitable experience from each point of the journey.”

Source: Saudia/Picture Saudia

First UK Wedgetail Arrives for Conversion By STS

A former Deer Jet-operated Boeing 737NG will be modified into an E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft for the Royal Air Force (RAF); it arrived at its UK conversion site earlier last month.

Currently registered N946BC, the narrowbody arrived at the Birmingham airport facilities of STS Aviation Services on January 7th, following a 6 hour flight from Bangor, Maine, in the USA.

Cirium fleets data recorded the twinjet as having previously been operated in a 737-BBJ1 configuration with 29 seats. First flown in June 2010, before undergoing conversion for VIP operations, it was used by Deer Jet under registration B-5273-via China’s AVIC international leasing-before being acquired by Boeing in June 2019.

Boeing Defence UK managing director Anna Keeling describes the milestone as a “major accomplishment”. “While hundreds of people throughout the UK and around the world have been working on this program since the contract was signed, we now have the airframe that will become the RAF’s first Wedgetail in the country,” she notes.

The Other pre-owned asset scheduled to undergo conversion for the RAF as also originally ordered by Deer Jet, now registered as N947BC and first flown in June 2011, the platform saw use with Deer Jet’s sister operators Hong Kong Jet, and business Aviation services Guernsey, as well as Bermuda firm Longtail Aviation, Cirium fleet records show.

In addition to these two airframes, the UK will also field a trio of new build 737-700s, to complete its E-7 fleet. Ordered via $2 billion acquisition to replace aged E-3D Sentry airborne warning and control system aircraft, the fleet will be based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, alongside the Raf’s 737NG-based P-8A Poseidon MRA1 maritime patrol aircraft.

Source: Flightglobal/Cirium Fleets Data/picture Boeing Defence UK

Qantas to Revisit Project Sunrise at End of 2021: Alan Joyce

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce believes the carrier’s Project Sunrise initiative to launch ultra-long haul flights will be even more viable in the post-coronavirus world. Joyce adds that plan will be revisited at the end of 2021, potentially setting the stage to launch services from Melbourne and Sydney to London and New York.

As the Covid-19 pandemic grew more severe, in May, 2020, Qantas pressed pause on Project Sunrise. The initiative could have seen it order up to 12 Airbus A350-1000s. “We were pretty close…within a couple of weeks of placing orders for the aircraft,” says Joyce.

He adds that Airbus would have provided a “specially designed version” of the -1000 “to allow us to do these sectors economically and the business case looked really good.”

Joyce made the remarks during an interview on the Reuters Next virtual conference.

“I am optimistic that the Project Sunrise business case will still look good,”says Joyce, “But we’re obviously not going to put an order in for new aircraft until we see the international markets recovering.”

Source: Reuters/Picture Qantas

LATEST NEWS

Gulf Air is in talks with Airbus and Boeing to delay some aircraft deliveries as the pandemic continues to disrupt global travel.

WestJet of Canada returned the Boeing 737 Max to revenue service on January 21st with a flight from Calgary to Vancouver; becoming Canada’s first airline to fly the aircraft commercially following an almost two-year pause.

FedEx US cargo giant plans to retire its remaining MD-11s by 2023. Over the years, the MD-10s were the workhorse of FedEx’s fleet.

Alaska Airlines took delivery of its first Boeing 737 Max on January 14th, it will mark the first of 68 units of the narrowbody to join the carrier this decade.

American Airlines continues to reactivate its 737 Max fleet post grounding, the airline on January 20th set to exceed 200 flights of the type. It is now operating up to 23 flights with the type each day.

China Aircraft Leasing(CALC) has placed an order for 30 Comac ARJ21 aircraft with an Indonesian airline, TransNusa in which CALC and two of its most senior executives have a 49% takes a co-buyer.

Frontier Airlines has selected Pratt & Whiney PW1100Gs to power 134 incoming Airbus A320neo family jets a move that will diversify its fleet way from complete reliance on CFM International power plants.

United Airlines revealed the first 12 routes that its Boeing 737 aircraft will fly. Starting with 24 daily departures, with that number quickly growing to 32.

Jordan Aviation has filed an application with the US Transportation Department ( Dot) to begin flights between Jordan and the US. The privately owned airline, which primarily provide wet lease services and charter flights, is seeking a foreign air carrier permit to start scheduled US flights from April 1.

Sources: United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Gulf Air, FedEx, Routes Online, Arabian AeroSpace, Flightglobal

AIR CARGO

Freighter Line Hands Boeing Advantage in Twin-Aisle Orders and Delivery Contest

While Airbus delivered far more aircraft overall than Boeing last year, Boeing freighter activity meant it was able to hand over a greater number of twin-aisle models.

Boeing’s freighter business contrasted sharply with that of Airbus, which has not sold a new-build cargo aircraft for nearly six years and whose diminishing freighter backlog was zeroed in December of last year with the cancellation of a long-dormant order.

Boeing benefited particularly from its freighter activity. The 46 deliveries comprised five 747-8Fs (all to UPS), 19 767-300Fs and 22 777Fs, and retains 96 freighters in its backlog.

While Atlas Air has agreed to take the final four 747-8Fs from the production line, Boeing still has commitments for 85 777Fs and 767-300 Fs.

Airbus’s last freighter order was recorded in March 2015 when Turkish Airlines agreed to take four A330-200Fs, the only new build cargo aircraft by Airbus.

The Cancellation of three outstanding A330-200Fs ordered by Turkey’s MNG Airlines means there is no current backlog for the type, the only new build freighter offered by Airbus.

Source: Flightglobal/Boeing/Picture DHL

BBAM Orders Another Six 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters

Aircraft lessor BBAM limited Partnership has placed orders with Boeing for the conversion of six additional 737-800s into the Boeing Converted Freighter configuration.

San Francisco-based BBAM has also taken options with Boeing for an additional six 737-800BCF conversions, part of a deal reflecting the strength of the e-commerce market, Boeing says on January 19. With the deal, BBAM has ordered or taken options on 15 737-800BCFs. The company’s portfolio of jets includes 132 737-800s and two 737-800BCFs, according to its website.

Boeing has landed more than 150 737-800BCF orders and commitments, Boeing Says.

“The continued strong demand for the 737-800BCF demonstrates the critical role these converted freighters play in the growing express and e-commerce market,” says Boeing senior vice-president of commercial sales and marketing Ihssane Mounir.

Source: Boeing/Picture Boeing

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

Editor: Lee Kaplanian

June 11, 2017 by kaplanianreport

June 2017 The Kaplanian Report

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Elaborates on 777-9 Design Details

Boeing has published further preliminary details of the 777-9’s configuration, three years ahead of entry into service. It shows a slightly lower aircraft with an interior re-sculpted to carve out a precious 10.2cm (4in) of internal diameter.

A 79-page document posted on Boeing’s website offers the first detailed update on the larger 777X variant’s dimensions since a brochure version appeared in 2015.

Boeing released both documents to help airport managers prepare for the arrival of the stretched wide body with its extended wingspan.

Compared with the previous iteration, the update shows the 777-9’s designers have made a few minor tweaks. For example, the height of the vertical tail above the runway is about 17 cm (6.6 in) shorter,while it remains nearly 1m (3.3 ft) taller than the height of the 777-300ER.

The most critical dimensions for the 777-9 remain unchanged, with a 2.9m (9.5 ft) longer fuselage and 7m (22.9 ft) wider unfolded wingspan compared to the 777-300ER.

The folded wingspan of the 777-9 measures 64.82m (212.7 ft), about 2,54cm (0,083 in), wider than the 777-300 ER. Boeing also has

worked to make the 777-9 more comfortable with a standard 10-abreast layout in economy class.

The 777-9 shares an external fuselage cross-section with the 777-300ER, but the internal sidewalls have been carved out by about 10.2cm (4.0in).

Boeing now lists the 777-9’s standard two-class cabin as accommodating 414 passengers, with a three-class cabin holding 349 seats.

Source : Boeing/BoeingPicture

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

A330 First Flight Likely to Slip to September

Airbus will now perform the first flight of its A330neo “at the end of the summer”’, a significant delay over its previous timeline for the re-engined aircraft. Speaking at an event in Toulouse, Airbus executive vice-president for programs Didier Evrard confirmed the slippage.

The initial Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engine has successfully completed tests, he says: “We will install it during the summer and fly at the end of the summer.”

The maiden flight, he says, would likely take place around September rather than August, due to the lengthy summer break in France.

In the meantime, lessor SMBC Aviation Capital has ruled out interest in the Airbus A330neo. Instead they are focusing its energies on securing more sale-and-leaseback deals for the A350.

Although leaving the door open for the re-engined wide body, SMBC chief executive Peter Barrett says at the moment “it is not something we have considered”.

Source : Airbus/Flightglobal

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

Fourth MRJ Arrives in US; Mitsubishi Evaluating Flight Test Program

A fourth Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. MRJ90 flight test aircraft has arrived at Moses Lake, Washington. The aircraft, which departed Nagoya, Japan, March 13, arrived April 1 at Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake. It made stops in Guam, the Marshall Islands, Honolulu and San Jose, California.

The total flight distance flown from Japan was approximately 14,000 km (8,700 miles) and total time was 19 hr and 48 min.

The latest aircraft to arrive in Moses Lake was the last that had been designated to participate in US-based MRJ flight testing. A fifth MRJ90 flight test aircraft is remaining in Japan, though the majority of flight testing is slated to occur in the US.

Source : ATW/Mitsubishi Aircraft

Dutch to Replace Royal Transport with 737 BBJ

The Dutch transport minister has announced the purchase of a Boeing 737 business jet to replace the current Fokker 70 that is currently used to transport members of the nation’s Royal family and government officials.

Boeing will supply the airframe, while Fokker Technologies will provide the VIP interior. The aircraft will have a capacity of 24 passengers: the same as the Fokker 70 in current use. It will carry the registration PH-GOV.

The preliminary agreement has been signed and final contract was finalized in April. The purchase price is estimated at $98.7 million and anticipated delivery is in 2019.

One of the requirements for the new aircraft is that it should be able to reach parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands non-stop, including the Dutch Antilles in the Caribbean.

Four responses were received following the release of a public tender last year, but none met all criteria leading the Netherlands to enter negotiations with Boeing over a BBJ acquisition.

One of the pilots for the new VIP transport will be King Willem-Alexander, who also has flown the Fokker 70. He will commence type rating training on the 737 this year.

Source : Flightglobal

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Gulf Air on Track for the First 787-9 Delivery

Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier, is gearing up for the arrival of the airline’s first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. It will be delivered in April 2018 and will operate the airline’s long haul routes, gradually replacing its Airbus A330s.

A total of 5 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners will have entered Gulf Air’s fleet by the end of 2018, with an additional 2 aircraft arriving in 2019 and 3 arriving in 2020.

Gulf Air’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners will offer 282 seats in a two-class configuration, with 26 Falcon Gild Class seats and 256 Economy Class seats.

“The 787 customer base is growing, not just globally, but in the Middle East as well with airlines such as Gulf Air taking delivery of the Dreamliner,” said Marty Bentrott,Vice President- Sales, the Middle East, Turkey, Russia and Central Asia.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes, ”We are confident that the 787-9 will help Gulf Air achieve a new level of efficiency and profitability, plus will contribute to their future growth and success.”

Source : Bizbahrain

WestJet to Purchase Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners

On May 2, WestJet announced a definitive purchase agreement with The Boeing Company for up to 20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. This agreement includes commitments for 10 Boeing 787-9 aircraft to be delivered between the first quarter of 2019 and December 2021; with options for an additional 10 aircraft to be delivered between 2020 and 2024. The airline also announced it has selected General Electric’s GEnx-1B engine for the 787.

“We welcome WestJet to the Dreamliner family and look forward to the new destinations they will serve,” said Ray Conner, Vice Chairman of The Boeing Company. “WestJet, for its entire 21-year history, has been a loyal all-Boeing jet customer and we’re excited to see them expand their fleet with the 787.”

As part of the purchase agreement, WestJet is converting 15 firm orders for the Boeing 737 MAX that were to be delivered between 2019 and 2021 to options available between 2022 and 2024.

Source : WestJet

Oman Air Plans Major Aircraft Order Even as Break-Even is Delayed

Oman Air Transport plans to move ahead with a multi-billion order for wide body jets early next year, even though it won’t now break even in 2017. The low oil prices curbs growth in the Persian Gulf.

The Carrier is now aiming to end losses by the end of next year, contingent on demand not deteriorating further, Chief Executive Officer Paul Gregorowitsch said in an interview on May 2. While the Mideast carrier will also delay plans to expand to a 70 aircraft and 75 destinations to 2023, from 2020, it still plans to order 15 new wide body jets needed to replace older planes and add capacity, he said.

Further discussions will be held with manufacturers and leasing firms as Oman Air seeks to agree to terms to take either the Airbus A350 or the Boeing 787-9.

The 787 model has a slight advantage because the carrier already operates six Dreamliners, with the tally set to increase to 10 in 2018.

Oman Air will also go ahead with deliveries of the 20 Boeing 737 Max planes it has on order as it leases out some of its current marrow body fleet to better Match seats to demand.

While the carrier is continuing to operate 10 Airbus A330s, which form the core of its wide body operations, those planes will be retired to make way for the new aircraft. Gregorowitsch said. The upgraded A330neo isn’t of interest.

Source : Bloomberg

LATEST NEWS

Hawaiian Airlines has launched a companywide rebranding under which it will update its logos and repaint its fleet over the next several years.

Rossiya, the Russian carrier has unveiled a Boeing 777-300 with a specialized paint scheme, intended to draw attention to conservation of rare wildlife, including big cats.

Delta Air Lines added 10 Boeing 737-900ERs to its order book during the first quarter, bringing its total orders for the type to 130 aircraft.
Embraer delivered its 1,100th business jet on May 4. The milestone aircraft is the industry’s best selling Phenom 300, the customer is Net Jets.

Boeing has selected Ipeco to design and manufacture a High Comport Attendant Seat for the next generation 777X airplane. This follows on from a contract awarded last year for the pilot and observer seating for the same aircraft.

UPS Airlines is adding its first used Boeing 767-300 freighters to its fleet, with expected entry into service in 2018.

SMBC Aviation Capital has placed a direct order from Boeing for three 737-800s, bringing its total owned, managed and committed portfolio for 737-800s to 198.

Avolon delivered one Airbus A320-200 aircraft to Batik Air. This is the sixth Avolon aircraft on lease to Batik Air.

Asiana Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900, which is on lease from Dublin based SMBC Aviation Capital. The aircraft, part of a six A350 sale-and-leaseback deal is the first of the type to be operated by a Korean Airline.

Primera Air Scandinavian leisure carrier has placed an order for eight 737 MAX 9s, has taken purchase rights on four more. They will lease another eight from US lessor Air Lease Corp.

AIR CARGO

One of the Last Airworthy Boeing 747-200s Flies into Retirement

A Kalitta Air Boeing 747-200 delivers a soft puff of white smoke as the jet completes its second-to-last landing ever on Thursday April 20 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. On Friday, April 21st, the jet and its crew shuttled the airplane back to Kalitta Air’s home base in Michigan, where the airplane was retired for good by the cargo carrier.

In a time when the iconic jetliner has been disappearing from fleets across the globe at an astounding rate, another 747 biting the dust may not seem particularly remarkable. Yet this particular airplane stands out among the crowd: It’s one of the last airworthy 747-200s in commercial service. There are two others still in use as Air Force One.

“I tell ya, this is a nice airplane.It’s old school,” Captain Scott Jaykl says during a post-landing interview aboard the aircraft. “It’s a pilot’s airplane,” Jaykl says from the plane’s antiquated flight deck. ”You have manual control over everything.”

Built in 1987, Captain Jaykl’s jet was among the last “-200“ variants of the 747 to come off the assembly line. The model was then replaced by the updated 747-400 in 1989, and the -200 variant, which debuted in 1971, ended production completely a few years later.

This specific aircraft was originally bought by United Airlines, converted to a freighter for Northwest Airlines in 2000, then transitioned to Kalitta and added to its fleet in 2010 according to public records.

Source : USA Today/Ed’s Research/Picture

Cargolux And Emirates SkyCargo Ink a Memorandum of Understanding

Luxembourg all-freight operator, Cargolux and Dubai-based Emirates SkyCargo, have signed a memorandum of Understanding (MOU), paving the way for strategic cargo partnership

The partners said the agreement, which was signed at the Air Cargo Europe event in Munich, is the first of its kind in the air cargo industry between a mainline airline and a specialized freighter operator.

Under the cooperation, Emirates SkyCargo will use Cargolux’s nose-loading 747 freighters for heavy and outsized cargo, complementing its own fleet of 13 777Fs and two 747-400ERFs. The two carriers will also further develop block space and interline agreements on each other’s network.

Emirates SkyCargo will launch flight operations to Luxembourg from this month, while Cargolux will step up its Dubai World Central frequencies to 3X-weekly. Both airlines’ cargo will be handled at the same facility in Luxembourg, Cargolux will be handled by Emirates SkyCargo at Dubai World Central.

Cargolux operates 14 747-8Fs and 12 747-400Fs, covering 90 destinations. ( five and a half years after the first GEnx powered 747-8F went into service. Cargolux has become the first operator to fly 1 million operating hours with the new engine type so far, the carrier has experienced no engine-caused in-flight shutdown of a GEnx since its entry into service.) Ed

Source: ATW

Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul News

Lessors Welcome New Engine Entrants

With next generation engine types, the CFM LEAP and the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan having a combined order backlog of nearly 20,000 units, engine lessors are anticipating greater numbers being brought into their portfolios over the next decade.

In a six person panel discussing the engine leasing market at Aviation Week Network’s Engine Leasing,Trading & Finance in London on May 10, lessors foresee opportunities around both the LEAP and the GTF. While Pat Laffan, SVP structured finance at GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), says the company will focus on GE and CFM engine types in future; primarily in the sale and leaseback market. They would also consider looking at other engine types should the returns be beneficial.

Julie Dickerson, managing director of Ireland-based Shannon Engine Support, a firm which doesn’t chase sale and leaseback deals, expects a greater focus on early year LEAP engines along with continuing with mature CFM56 types.

The widebody engine market also conjured up some interesting perspectives. Having found success with sales and aftermarket coverage with the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine, Bobby Janagan, vice president and general manager at Rolls-Royce and Partners Finance, conceded associated costs with the engine type could be high. Nevertheless they were similar to those of another wide body engine type, the GE90.

Speaking from the perspective of an independent lessor on the XWB, Dan Coulcher, SVP & chief commercial officer at Willis Lease Finance Corporation, pondered if there would be a competitive aftermarket for the engine type powering the Airbus A350, which has been in service since 2015. He also says entry-into-service challenges around Pratt’s GTF are a concern for would be investors, due to questions over changes to bills of materials on the engine.

Source : MRO Network

MRO LATEST NEWS

OEMServices has a 15-year Asiana Airlines contract to provide Airbus350-900 component support.

AFI KLM E&M extended component support deal with Malaysia Airlines for 54 Boeing 737NGs.

FL Technics signed a contract with Russia’s Nordavia to provide CAMO services for its Boeing 737CL aircraft.

Epcor was selected by Kenya Airways for APU support for Boeing 737NGs, 787s and Embraer E190s.

Airbus has a UPS contract to upgrade 52 Airbus A300-600Fs with new Honeywell avionics.

AerFIn agreed to acquire 15 Embraer E170s, plus spares inventory, from Saudia.

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com

September 15, 2015 by kaplanianreport

Volume 2 Issue 9 September 2015

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Spirit AeroSystems Celebrate the Completion & the Delivery of the First Boeing 737 Max Fuselage

Spirit AeroSystems announced it has completed the first fuselage as well as other components for the first Boeing 737 MAX. Spirit delivers approximately 70 percent of the 737 structure to Boeing including the fuselage, pylon, thrust reverser and engine nacelle at its Wichita, Kansas facility and the wing leading edges at its Tulsa, Okla. facility.

The first 737 MAX fuselage has arrived at the Renton site on Friday, August 21st.

Assembly of the first MAX is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2015 with the first delivery to customers scheduled for the third quarter of 2017.

The new 737 MAX will deliver 20 percent increased fuel efficiency to airlines versus the original Next-Generation 737. Boeing has already booked more than 2,800 firm orders with 58 different customers.

Source: Spirit AeroSystems/Boeing

Delta Retired the Very First Boeing 747-400 Built for A Commercial Airline

The wide body passenger jet (tail number N661) flew its final flight from Honolulu International Airport to Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

While it was the first 747-400 Boeing built for Northwest, it was the third to fly for the carrier because Boeing held on it for longer testing.

The Boeing 747-400 was the biggest model of the 747 family when it was released and is the best-selling aircraft Boeing jet. Boeing sold the first ones for about $150 million each.

Delta’s 747-400s were inherited by Delta, when the two airlines merged. It carries 376 passengers and cruise at about 560 mph, with a range of 7,400 miles.

Since it was delivered to Northwest Airlines it logged more than 61 million miles, enough to make 250 trips from the Earth to the moon.

It will move to Atlanta’s Delta Museum in early 2016.

Source: Minneapolis Biz Journal/Ed’s Research

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

A350-900 Makes Moscow Debut as Aeroflot Continues Review

Airbus has debuted the A350-900 at the 12th Moscow air show (MAK-2015) at least three years ahead of the first delivery to the type’s only customer in Russia.

Airbus A350 test pilot Frank Chapman piloted the A350-900-MSN-001 from Toulouse,France landing on August 24th at the Ramenskoye airport that hosts the biannual air show.

The A350 arrives in Moscow as Russian customer Aeroflot continues to evaluate several details about its original order, including the timing and number of deliveries and current mix of 14 A35-900s and eight A350-800s.

Airbus cancelled the A350-800 program last year, Aeroflot remains one of the few customers that have not decided what to do with its order. But Aeroflot has vowed not to cancel the A350-900 order in full. Last year, Aeroflot expected to take delivery of the A350-900s between 2018 and 2020, but not does not discuss a timetable for the aircraft.

Supporting the carrier’s decision likely figured large in Airbus’ decision to bring the A350-900 to MAKS for the first time.

Source : Flightglobal/Airbus

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

Comac Working Toward November ARJ21 First Delivery Chengdu Airlines

Comac is working toward an internal target to deliver its first ARJ21-700 to launch customer Chengdu Airlines on November 28, 2015.

The date holds significance for the Chinese airframe since it marks the day the indigenous regional jet took its first flight back in 2008.

The Plan is for Comac to deliver two regional jets to Chengdu Airlines this year, which will then be put into commercial passenger service next February.

Vice Chief Designer at Comac said Comac is still working on making changes to the ARJ21 despite receiving type certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China(CAAC) last December. He adds that while these issues do not relate to the safety of the aircraft, they could affect the operational efficiency of the jet.

Examples include changes that need to be made to improve how the aircraft’s anti-icing system functions in the event of a single-engine operation, as well as to the warning system to help enhance pilot’s operational awareness and help them better anticipate possible flying situations.

Source : Flightglobal/Photo Comac

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

WestJet Adds First Widebody to Fleet with Delivery of Boeing 767-300 ER

WestJet has taken delivery of its first Boeing 767-300ER, adding a wide body aircraft to its fleet for the first time.

The Calgary-based low-cost carrier (LCC) has operated an all 737 fleet since its founding in 1996, and in 2013 launched a Bombardier Q400 regional subsidiary called WestJet Encore. The airline is slated to take delivery of four 767-300ERs over the next eight months, with the fourth expected to arrive just before it launches 767 flights to London Gatwick in May 2016.

The first has arrived at WestJet’s base in Calgary and will be used on flights between Toronto and Calgary for several months, the carrier said.

The next two 767s will arrive this fall,and WestJet will launch 767 flights between western Canada and Hawaii and between Toronto and Montego Bay for its winter schedule in December.

The airline’s 767s will seat 262 passengers, including 24 in premium economy, but will have no first or business class seats. The aircraft will be able to fly up to 11 hours.

Source : ATW/WestJet

Alaska to Take First 737 MAX 8 in 2017

Alaska Airlines plans to take delivery of its first Boeing 737 Max 8 early in late 2017.

The Seattle-based carrier will take delivery of its first 737 Max about six months after launch customer Southwest Airlines takes its first aircraft, says its vice-president of capacity planning John Kirby at the Boyd International Aviation Forecast Summit in Las Vegas.

“Boeing has indicated that it maybe ready a little early,” says Kirby.

Alaska previously anticipated its first 737 Max 8 in 2018. The airline has firm orders for 37 737 Max aircraft, including 20 737 Max 8s and 17 737 Max 9s.

Alaska operates a fleet of 143 737s, including 27 737-400s, 14 737-700s,61 737-800s and 41 737-900ERs.

Source : Flightglobal

Vietnam Airlines Drops its A380 Order

The Vietnamese government has dropped all plans to confirm options on four Airbus A380s it signed up for in 2009.

The Vietnamese flag carrier Vietnam Airlines cited “increased pressure of arranging capital for aircraft purchases” as a key factor, along with slow progress on the planned Long Thanh International Airport at Ho Chi Minh City-the only Vietnamese airport with enough capacity to handle A380 aircraft.

Vietnam Airlines also has reportedly scaled down its original plan to boost fleet size to 150 aircraft over the next five years, and will instead grow to just over 120 aircraft.

The airline which is scheduled to take delivery of eight Boeing 787-9s and 10 Airbus A350 XWBs up to 2019 said that “ the world economic situation is more difficult,” and “fierce competition in the aviation market place” were both reasons for opting out of the A380 deal.

This latest cancellation comes as an added blow for Airbus’s A380 program,which has seen several cancellations in Asia, including a significant six- aircraft order from bankrupt low cost carrier Skymark Airlines.

Source : ATW

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF

Jet2 Budget carrier Jet2 has signed an order with Boeing for 27 737-800 aircraft. The deal marks the carrier’s first direct order with Boeing.

Emirates takes delivery of the 65th A380. Emirates A380s serve 34 destinations and has a further 75 on order.

Philippine Airlines is considering the acquisition or lease of eight 787 Dreamliners or Airbus A350 XWB aircraft.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has switched an order for six Boeing 787-9s to the larger 787-10 to better fit with its network plans.

Norwegian will lease two additional Boeing 787-9s, due for delivery in summer 2017, which it will use to extend its long-haul network.

China’s Bohai Leasing is in exclusive talks to buy Irish aircraft leasing firm Avolon for USD$2.64 billion, after raising its offer to put it ahead of a rival bidder.

Tyler IATA CEO and director general Tony Tyler will retire in June 2016 after serving five years in the position. Tyler’s retirement was announced on Aug.28 and the search for his successor has begun.

Malaysia Airlines has been granted an air operator’s certificate (AOC) by the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation under its new name Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB).

Mitsubishi Regional Jet( MRJ) test flight is scheduled for the latter half of October, Mitsubishi Heavy industries has announced.

Emirates and Boeing celebrated the simultaneous delivery of three 777s- two 777-300ERs and one 777 Freighter – marking the entry of the 150th 777into Emirates fleet.

Austrian Airlines Lufthansa subsidiary Austrian Airlines is preparing to receive the first of 17 modified Embraer E-195s.

BoraJet Airlines Turkish regional carrier has taken delivery of three Embraer 195s from the Regional aircraft Group of GECAS, the leasing and financing division of GE.

Air Cargo

Air China Cargo Began Freighter Service to Canada

Air China Cargo began its first scheduled freighter service between China and Canada on the 3rd of September, when Air China Cargo 777F touched down at Edmonton International Airport by the traditional gun salute, commemorating the carrier’s first scheduled stop at the western Canadian airport.

Air China Cargo will serve Edmonton six times each week, with a Shanghai-Edmonton-Dallas-Edmonton-Shanghai routing.

This is the first Freighter route between mainland China and the Canadian province of Alberta, and a key step in connecting the two economies. It’s also the only freighter service between Alberta and Texas.

Edmonton estimates that this new service will boost the GDP of the region by $31 million per year. Edmonton is situated near two business centers-the Nisku Business Park and the Leduc Business Park. It will provide opportunities for cargo businesses to work with Air China Cargo as well. The airport is also near major highways for easy truck transport.

Source : Air Cargo World/Air China

MILITARY NEWS

Northrop Delivers the 150th KC-10 Extender Aircraft to the US Air Force

Northrop Grumman has delivered the 150th KC-10 Extender air-to air refueling tanker aircraft to the US Air Force after providing major improvements.

The aircraft received product reliability improvements as part of its CF6-50 engine overhaul program,offering a 15-year high in engine fleet performance.

Northrop Grumman Technical Services weapon systems operations director Matt Emerson said : ”The delivery of the 150th KC-10 depot aircraft contributes to the critical mission requirements of the United States Air Force by ensuring that the KC-10 is operational when the customer need it.”

“ The aircraft was accepted with zero defects,further contributing to the company’s proven track record for helping the Air Force achieve the KC-10’s highest fleet mission capable rates in more than 16 years.”

The KC-10 Extender can refuel aircraft midair while transporting personnel,equipment and patients on overseas deployments and aeromedical evacuations.

Source : Airforcetechnology.com

US Navy Orders 13 P-8As, with Four for Australia

Boeing has secured a $1.49 billion contract from the US Navy for 13 P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, including the first four examples for the Royal Australian Air Force.

The deal covers nine aircraft for the USN and four for the Royal Australian Air Force, the company says.

“By working together since the early stages of the P-8A development, the US and Australia have created one airplane configuration that serves the need of both countries,” says Capt. Scott Dillon, the former’s P8 program manager. ”The Us and Australian P-8As will be able to operate with each other effectively and affordably for decades to come”, he adds.

In early 2014, Canberra approved an A$4 billion ($2.9 billion) allocation to acquire eight of the 737-derived aircraft, with options for four more. This allowed Boeing to place long lead-time orders for parts for the first four aircraft.

The P-8A will replace the RAAF’s fleet of Lockheed Martin AP-3C prions currently in their fleet.

Source : Boeing

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com