Commercial Aviation News

The ATR 72-600 is also expected to be re-entering the Chinese market place soon thanks to it being green-lighted by Chinese Aviation authorities. Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, ATR’s Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Receiving CAAC’s validation of the ATR 42-600 type certificate, along with a firm order, is a major achievement marking the re-introduction of ATR turboprops in China. The ATR 42-600 will undoubtedly prove to be a game-changer. ATR offers an eco-responsible alternative to jets while bringing comfort and convenience to passengers, and essential air services for communities and businesses to thrive." China's growth is expected to continue in a meaningful way which will require more capacity. Fabrice Vautier, ATR’s Senior Vice-President Commercial, said: "By 2035, we anticipate that over 150 airports will be built in China and turboprops will play a key role in creating a new network of short, thin routes, complementing the high-speed train offering. Our 20-year forecast predicts a need for 280 new turboprops in the region, and ATR is perfectly placed to meet this demand, whilst also contributing to decrease the reliance on public subsidies and delivering reduced CO2 emissions."

New Saudi Arabian lessor AviLease has carried out its first deliveries, with the handover of two Airbus A320neos to local operator Flynas.

Azul Linhas Aereas has added 3 additional Airbus A330neo (900 variant) aircraft. The additions are expected to permit the airline to further expand the network and complement its existing A330 operations, bringing the airline’s total fleet of A330neo aircraft to eight. "We are delighted to have secured three more next-gen Airbus widebody aircraft for the upcoming years. This reaffirms our position as the airline with the most modern fleet in the region, with 70 percent of our capacity coming from fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft," said John Rodgerson, Chief Executive Officer of Azul.

Airbushas announced the commissioning of the first A321 aircraft to be assembled at its Final Assembly Line Asia (FAL Tianjin) in Tianjin, China. The breakthrough expands and deepens the collaboration with China’s aviation industry, and demonstrates Airbus’ commitment to enhance its long-term strategic partnership with China. The FAL in Tianjin officially started the adaptation work to become A321 capable in August 2022. It is the first major upgrade of the assembly line since operations commenced in 2008. FAL Tianjin’s first A321 aircraft is scheduled for delivery in early 2023.

"Since we announced our plans to expand the capability of FAL Tianjin to A321 production last November, I am proud that the Airbus Tianjin team has successfully completed the relevant adaptation work on schedule by working closely with European experts and our suppliers to overcome the impact of COVID-19" said George Xu, Airbus Executive Vice President and Airbus China CEO. "The commissioning of the first A321 aircraft underlines Airbus' commitment to China, marking a new milestone in the industrial cooperation with our Chinese partners." The latest Final Assembly Line now makes the fourth Airbus facility of its kind around the world. Toulouse, France; Hamburg, Germany; Tianjin, China; and Mobile, United States are the present sites around the world.

On 28 October 1972, the world’s first twin engined widebody commercial aircraft, the A300B1 development aircraft, MSN 1, bearing the registration F-WUAB, performed its maiden flight in Toulouse. The test flight crew were Captain Max Fischl, First Officer Bernard Ziegler, Flight Test Engineers Pierre Caneil and Gunter Scherer, with Romeo Zinzoni as Test Flight Engineer/Mechanic in the cockpit. The flight was initially scheduled for Friday 27 October but unfavourable weather conditions (fog) pushed it back by 24 hours. On the following day, Saturday 28th, conditions were better with some sunshine but with the risk of wind. However the weather was judged sufficiently good for the flight to go ahead. The flight lasted 1h 25 min. during which a maximum speed of 185kt (342.6Kmh) was reached at an altitude of 14,000ft (4,300m). Autopilot was engaged, moving surfaces were tested and landing gear retraction and deployment were performed. Upon return to Blagnac airport, strong wind gusts, the famous Toulouse “Vent d’Autan”, required a controlled crosswind landing which was expertly handled by Max Fischl.

Regional prop airframer ATR has brought Uzbekistan into the fold with a new order. Uzbekistan airline Silk Avia is going to be the operator. Once the order for the 5 turbo props is fulfilled they will be the first ATRs in that country. Of the 5 aircraft, three directly from ATR and two from a lessor. Rano Dzhuraeva, Chair of Uzbekistan Airports, commented": We are excited to be soon launching our operations with an all-ATR fleet. As a new low-cost airline, we undertook an extensive review of which aircraft would provide the best solution. Our selection of the ATR 72-600 is the perfect choice for us as they will ensure we can offer our passengers the most modern, comfortable and reliable experience in the most affordable and sustainable way.”

Flying the long way to Tokyo on Finnair A350.

Air France recently took delivery of its 20th Airbus A350-900. On the 25th of November the airline accepted its latest aircraft if the type. The aircraft is called "Angers". The previous 19 also bear names and are as follows. "Toulouse", "Lyon", "Saint-Denis de la Réunion", "Nice", "Bordeaux", "Marseille", "Reims", "Dijon", "Saint-Malo", "Cannes", "Aubusson", "Pointe-à-Pitre", "Fort-de-France", "Chambord", "Cayenne", "Lille", "Menton", "Deauville" and "Biscarosse" .

Air Corsica has taken delivery of the first ATR 72-600 fitted with the brand new PW127XT powerplants. Air Corsica is the launch customer for the ATR with the upgraded engines. A clear testament of ATR’s commitment to investing in technology that brings affordable and sustainable regional mobility, the new PW127XT engine offers a 20% reduction in maintenance costs and a 3% improvement in fuel consumption compared to the PW127M – which means -45% fuel burn and CO2 emissions compared to similar-size regional jets. Air Corsica’s passengers will benefit from high cabin comfort and further innovation as the aircraft will be equipped with USB ports for charging electronic devices during the flight – a first in ATR cabins.

The last in-build 'Queen of the Skies' (Boeing 747) has rolled off the production line. That model is a Boeing 747-8F variant and is expected to be delivered to Atlas Air. Overall the specimen to be rolled-out is number 1,574. Remember the Boeing 747 has constantly been in production since the late 1960s (1968). The first flight of the 747 happened in 1969 while the first delivery went to Pan Am in 1970. The new 747-8F will be delivered to Atlas Air in early 2023.

First Airbus A330-neo for Air Greenland.

It looks like Airbus will not meet its delivery target of 700 aircraft it set for 2022. It appears on the current trajectory that it will deliver around 630 aircraft, 70 short of the original target. The manufacturer had originally planned to deliver 75 Airbus A320 family aircraft per month, however this target has now been decreased to 65 per month for the next two years. It now hopes it will be able to hit 75 A320 family aircraft a month in 2025.

Boeing hit another snarl with their 777X test program. The test flights with the aircraft had to be temporarily suspended because of issues that arose with the powerplants running the aircraft. GE's GE9X engine is the engine powering the 777X. We" are reviewing a technical issue that occurred during GE9X post-certification engineering testing, and we are closely coordinating with Boeing on our findings to support their return to flight testing," GE Aerospace said.

The world's first C919 has been delivered. China Eastern Airlines is the recipient of the new aircraft. The C919 is China's first homegrown large passenger aircraft in accordance with international airworthiness standards.

There is good news for Embraer in Canada as the Brazilian airframer has gained certification from Transport Canada for their latest iterations of the E190 and E195 (E2 versions). Now this is the reality deliveries can start to Canadian based customers. The delivery of the first of fifty E195-E2 ordered by Toronto based Porter Airlines will commence in the next few days.

A look at the final Boeing 747 rolling off the production line and out of the facility. The last 747 is a -8F variant and will be delivered to Atlas Air in early 2023.

Making the first Condor Airbus A330neo.

Making Xiamen Airlines first Airbus A321neo.