Commercial Aviation News

Singapore to launch 787-10X with order for 30

Singapore Airlines is expected to become the first airline to recieve the proposed stretched Boeing 787-10X aircraft with a solid order for 30 of the type.

China Southern Airlines will be taking delivery of its first Boeing 787-8 aircraft on 31 May. The aircraft is due to arrive at the carrier's base in Guangzhou on the morning of 2 June. The new Boeing Dreamliner is expected to be initially utilized on domestic routes before being deployed on international routes.

***​

Boeing Delivers Thomson Airways' First 787 Dreamliner

- First UK airline to operate the 787

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom -- Boeing and Thomson Airways announced the delivery today of the airline's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airplane, the first of eight 787s Thomson Airways has on order, is the first to be delivered to a UK airline. Thousands gathered to watch Thomson's 787 Dreamliner arrive at Manchester Airport, completing its delivery flight from Paine Field in Everett, Wash. Senior Thomson and Boeing executives, including Thomson Managing Director Chris Browne and Boeing Commercial Airplanes Vice President of Marketing Randy Tinseth, were onboard the delivery flight.

"After much anticipation, we are very excited to welcome the 787 Dreamliner to our fleet and as the first airline in the UK, hope our customers will enjoy the unique experience of this revolutionary aircraft," said Browne. "The extended flying range of the Dreamliner also unlocks a host of new and exciting holiday options for our customers, increasing the range of long-haul destinations available with Thomson Airways from four UK airports. Customers will be amazed at the unique look, feel and service – all of which will ensure the unique Thomson holiday experience starts as soon as they step on board this fabulous new aircraft." The aircraft was welcomed on arrival at Manchester by Todd Nelp, vice president of European sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Ken O'Toole, Chief Commercial Officer for MAG, owner of Manchester Airport.

"Today's 787 delivery represents a very significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between Boeing and Thomson Airways," said Nelp. "Thomson becomes the first UK airline to operate the 787, the most technologically advanced and fuel efficient commercial jetliner ever built. Thomson's passengers will experience unparalleled levels of comfort with the 787's improved lighting, bigger windows, larger overhead bins, lower cabin altitude and enhanced ventilation systems. This delivery marks the next chapter in history for both Thomson and the UK aviation industry."

The 787 Dreamliner is composed of light-weight composites and features numerous systems, engine and aerodynamic advancements, making it more efficient to operate compared with its competition. It is the first mid-sized airplane capable of flying long-range routes, providing airlines with unprecedented fuel economy and low operating costs and enabling airlines to open new, non-stop routes preferred by passengers. On July 8, Thomson's first long-haul Dreamliner flights will operate from Manchester to Florida and Glasgow to Cancun. Thomson will also operate services from London Gatwick and East Midlands airports. Later this year, the airline will introduce direct flights to Phuket, Thailand from the UK. The Thomson 787 Dreamliner will carry 291 passengers and is configured with 47 seats in the airline's Premium Club cabin and 244 seats in the Economy Club cabin. Thomson Airways is part of the TUI Travel PLC and is the UK's third largest airline operating 58 aircraft.

Here is a look at that new Thomson bird...

British Airways won't compensate Heathrow Airport passengers affected by last week's emergency landing

The smoking engine that caused a British Airways Airbus A319 to land back at Heathrow just moments after takeoff temporarily closed one of the airport's runways that subsequently caused a ripple effect of flight delays and some cancellations. According to the European Court of Justice, if passengers experience flight delays greater than three hours compensation is due.

Qatar Airways will not be a launch customer for Boeing's next passenger jet, a stretched version of its 787 Dreamliner, its chief executive said on Tuesday. Qatar Airways, one of the world's fastest growing carriers, has expressed interest in the 323-seat 787-10X, prompting speculation that it would be among the first batch of buyers. "We like launching aircraft but not every aircraft. We are not a supermarket," chief executive Akbar Al Baker told Reuters. Launch customers usually get favourable pricing to kickstart new projects, though the fanfare of launch is not without risk because early aircraft tend to be heavier and require closer attention in order to ensure reliability.

Boeing is expected to announce a formal launch of the aircraft at the June 17-23 Paris Airshow, although the timing is uncertain. Boeing simply says that the launch could be within months, subject to board approval. The launch of the 787-10X - which will drop the working "X" from its name once it is launched - is part of a growing struggle between Airbus and Boeing for wide-body jet orders as airlines look to renew and expand their long-haul fleets. The stretched 787-10X will compete with the A350-900, the main model of Airbus's newest jet family. Boeing also hopes it will cut short a renaissance of the older Airbus A330, which has sold well during a three-year development delay of the 787.

The model received an unexpected early boost when Singapore Airlines placed a provisional order for 30 aircraft last week, subject to the final go-ahead. Boeing is expected to assemble a handful of other buyers to launch the aircraft with a fanfare. Boeing has started assembly of the 787-9, a larger version of the plane in service. The 787-10 would be larger still. Manufacturers often stretch aircraft designs once new models have entered service to lower operating costs per seat, a crucial measure of success for airlines. More passengers means a shorter range but lower fuel cost per seat, making it attractive to fly on routes that do not cover the full distance offered by the smaller basic model.

Europe's Airbus was meanwhile expected to start taxiing trials on Tuesday of its new A350, built with similar lightweight technology to the 787 that offers fuel savings to airlines. Industry experts say the jet seems on course for its first flight late next week, just before the Paris air show, where it could also make a brief flypast if tests go according to plan. Airbus says the aircraft will fly when crews are ready.

(Reuters)

Low-cost carrier, Jetstar, is preparing for their first Boeing 787 slated to join their fleet in September. The carrier is expected to commence commercial services with the aircraft type in November. The aircraft will initially be operated domestically before it is used on international routes. Jetstar should have three 787s by year end.

A glimpse at the new A320neo engine by Pratt & Whitney. It is a PurePower PW1100G-JM engine that is now in the flight test phase and has had afirst flight already

LAN also recently got their first Airbus A320 equipped with sharklets...

South Africa's national airline plans to spend between $4 billion to $7 billion for 25-30 long-haul aircraft and has mostly been looking at the Boeing 787 (BA.N) and Airbus A350 (EAD.PA), a senior official said on Monday.

State-owned South African Airways (SAA) expects deliveries to start from 2017, Nico Bezuidenhout, who has been acting chief executive since February, told Reuters. Dogged by boardroom strife and massive losses, SAA hopes fuel efficient aircraft will help defray expensive energy costs, Bezuidenhout said.

Singapore opts for Trent 1000 on 50 787s

Singapore Airlines is to utilize Rolls-Royce Trent 1000s to its brand-new Boeing 787-10X aircraft. This knowledge comes after the carrier announced a conditional order for 30 of the new Boeing-type. Rolls-Royce has been developing a new variant of its Trent 1000, which it has designated the 1000-TEN, which it will offer for the whole 787 range - including the -10X. Expect Singapore Airlines is to take delivery of the 787-10Xs from 2018-19, if Boeing formally launches the programme. The 1000-TEN engine is intended for service entry from 2016.

507 Air France flights cancelled today and 393 at Paris (CDG). ATC in France have planned three days of strikes.

UK leisure carrier Monarch Airlines is considering ordering the Bombardier CSeries as part of an expanded narrowbody refleeting programme. They are currently in contemplation so if do take on Bombardier the CSeries will be part of a 62-plane order.

“Five years ago we would have gone straight to Airbus and Boeing, but the CSeries is offering an attractive seat-mile cost, although smaller in size,” says Monarch financial director Robert Palmer. Monarch has also increased the size and scope of its request for proposals. It originally planned to acquire 45 aircraft between 2016 and 2021, but this has since risen to 62 units, with deliveries scheduled until 2024.

Commercial Aircraft Market Forecast Numbers

Well if you are still hoping that there is a glimmer of hope that Airbus's brand-new A350 XWB will be at the Paris AirShow, stop holding your breath! You can still get to see Rolls-Royce in the mix with an A380 superjumbo that will delivered to British Airways after the show. The special thing is here, is that the A380 is powered by RR Trent-900s!

Top ten airlines revealed again, and AGAIN, no U.S airlines in that list!!

Top 10 airlines in the world

Air France-KLM firms A350-900 order

More orders continue to pour in at this year's Paris AirShow. Air France-KLM has firmed its agreement to acquire 25 Airbus A350-900s, which will be operated by both carriers. The final agreement to take the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered aircraft has been the subject of long negotiations. Air France chief Alexandre de Juniac says: "Despite some difficulties we're facing we're in sufficiently good shape to renew our long-haul fleet." He says the A350 will enter Air France service in 2017. The company is also taking 25 options.

Airbus books almost US$70 billion at Paris Air Show 2013

At the 2013 Paris Air Show, Airbus won US$68.7 billion worth of business for a total of 466 aircraft, which shows the resilience of the commercial aviation industry. The deals comprise Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) for 225 aircraft worth US$29.4 billion and firm purchase orders for 241 aircraft worth US$39.3 billion.

Southwest cancels 57 flights after computer glitch

Southwest Airlines expects some lingering delays Saturday morning after a system-wide computer failure caused it to ground 250 flights for nearly three hours late Friday night. Full service was restored just after 2 a.m. EDT Saturday, but the Dallas-based airline is still working to clear a backlog of flights and reposition planes and crew. (AP)

While Airbus and Boeing slug it out at the top of the aviation business market, Embraer and Bombardier have been having their own war as well. Bombardier's preference to place it's new CSeries in the upmarket sector showed signs of backfiring at the Paris Airshow last week, as its arch-rival in the small passenger jet category, Embraer, piled on orders for an upgraded plane. It's not only the Canadian and Brazilians competing strongly, there is an upcoming competitor from Japan with the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) expected to come to the fore in 2015.