Lufthansa A320

The Lufthansa Group has firmed up a previous Supervisory Board decision from March this year and signed for 100 A320 Family aircraft (35 A320neo, 35 A321neo and 30 A320ceo with Sharklets) at the Paris International Airshow in Le Bourget, France.

The Lufthansa Group has been operating the A320 Family since October 1989. They were the launching customer for the A321 and belonged to the first operators of the A319 and A320. The new order confirms Lufthansa’s leading position as the largest Airbus airline customer and operator in Europe, increasing its order for the A320 type to 299. Over 150 of these aircraft have already been delivered.

“These modern and fuel-efficient aircraft will meet the future growth and fleet renewal needs of the Lufthansa Group airlines. By purchasing these aircraft, we will be able in the long term to offer customers a comfortable and modern product in the highly competitive environment. In addition, these aircraft are contributing significantly to reduce noise and emissions wherever we fly our aircraft to”, said Nico Buchholz, Executive Vice President, Lufthansa Group Fleet Management.

“Lufthansa is a loyal customer, and has been operating our aircraft for almost 40 years. We are extremely pleased to receive this repeat order and thank our prestigious customer for their continuing strong commitment to our eco-efficient products. The A320 Family represents the highest level of operational performance while also offering Lufthansa passengers superior level of comfort and services,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

Air New Zealand A320 with Sharklets

Air New Zealand has taken delivery of its first A320 equipped with fuel saving wing tip devices, or Sharklets, at a ceremony during the 50th Le Bourget Paris airshow. The aircraft was officially handed over to the airline’s Chief Flight Operations and Safety Officer David Morgan.

Airbus launched the Sharklet during the November 2009 Dubai air show, and Air New Zealand was the first to commit to the fuel saving devices.

Captain David Morgan says, “The A320 is at the core of Air New Zealand’s domestic fleet and the airline is committed to moving all domestic flying to this aircraft type to reap the efficiency gains it offers.”

We are delighted that the launch customer for our Sharklet, Air New Zealand has taken delivery of its first A320 equipped with these fuel saving wing tip devices. The Sharklets deliver a fuel burn reduction of up to four percent and will help Air New Zealand become even more efficient in one of the world’s most competitive markets.” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer – Customers.

Air New Zealand will take delivery of a total of 10 Sharklet equipped A320s.

Sharklets are an option on new-build A320 Family aircraft, and standard on all members of the A320neo Family. The new wing tip devices measure 2.4 metres tall, replacing the A320’s current wing tip fence. They offer the flexibility to A320 Family operators of either adding around 100 nautical miles more range or an increased payload capability of up to 450 kilogrammes.

So far over 70 Sharklet aircraft have been delivered to over 20 customers. In total some 44 customers have ordered aircraft equipped with Sharklets.

Airnation.net Plane Spotting

A British Airways Airbus A380 puts the gear back up…

Doric Lease Airbus A380

It not often that an air show announcement creates audible gasps of surprise from the international aviation trade press – but it was the case today when Doric Lease Corp CEO Mark Lapidus told reporters his company will order 20 A380s, and stated this amount probably is not enough to meet demand.

Lapidus said that based on airline contacts already made by Doric, he believes there is a “pent up demand just under the surface” for A380s from multiple airlines that do not operate the aircraft or have not yet ordered them.

“With the leasing solution we are bringing to the table, we believe that many of those airlines will ‘cross the line,’” Lapidus told reporters during a press briefing this morning. “Airbus has rightly sized this aircraft: with 550 seats, its economics currently are unbeatable, and it will be very competitive with airplanes in the future – especially as we see rapid growth of the 400-seat routes around globe, which will continue to accelerate.”

The Doric agreement announced today is a Memorandum of Understanding for the 20 A380s, which is to be followed by a final purchase agreement in the next several months, he added. Deliveries will begin in 2016.

Doric has been extensively involved with the A380, as the company currently manages 18 of the aircraft acquired through sale-leaseback arrangements

“This is logical step forward based on Doric’s involvement in the A380 since it came into service in October 2007,” he said. “We uniquely know its performance capabilities, we see – and experience – its unrivaled product offering, and we watch how certain airlines not only grow their market share but also increase the yield by operating this aircraft. The A380 creates new passenger traffic, along with new economic activity by making it easier and more pleasant for passengers to travel.”

Lapidus said that based on the list of potential A380 leasing customers, he expects all 20 jetliners to be placed through lease transactions with probably two or three airlines. “This is why I think we may not have enough with our current agreement,” he added.

Based in Dublin, Ireland, Doric is the world’s third largest widebody leasing company, and the 11th largest commercial aircraft lessor worldwide.

Airbus A320neo

Industry leading aircraft lessor, ILFC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American International Group, Inc., has signed a firm contract for the purchase of 50 additional A320neo Family aircraft. The contract was announced today at the Paris Air Show by ILFC Chief Executive Officer, Henri Courpron and John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

ILFC was the first lessor to commit to the A320neo Family with a firm order placed in 2011 for 100 aircraft. With this latest order, ILFC increases its total firm NEO order tally to 150. ILFC will make its engine selection for the aircraft at a later date. Including this latest contract, ILFC remains Airbus’ largest customer, having ordered a combined total of 769 single-aisle and widebody Airbus aircraft.

“The A320neo is firmly established as a long-term cornerstone of ILFC’s portfolio of modern, fuel efficient aircraft. The NEO allows ILFC to offer its customers a single-aisle aircraft family that delivers a significant reduction in fuel consumption and the widest, most comfortable cabin in its class,” ILFC Chief Executive Officer Henri Courpron said. “We have already seen significant market interest in the NEO and that is why we have come back for more. We must be ready to deliver the product that airlines want and that will enable them to take advantage of the significant growth air transport will see over the coming years.”

“We are delighted to see our valued and long-standing customer ILFC coming back for more A320neo aircraft. This is clear signal of the continuing strong demand for Airbus’ most modern, fuel efficient aircraft which day in, day out, deliver profitability to their owners and a great travel experience to the passengers,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “With a portfolio of 150 A320neo’s at ILFC, we can take that as a strong confirmation of the NEO’s market leading position.”

The A320neo is offered as an option for the A320 Family and incorporates new more efficient engines and large “Sharklet” wing tip devices, which together will deliver up to 15 percent in fuel savings. At the end of May 2013, firm orders for the NEO stood at 2125 from 40 customers, making it the fastest selling commercial airliner ever and underlining its market leadership position with close to 60 per cent market share.

Boeing 737 MAX

Boeing and Tokyo-based Skymark Airlines (Skymark) today announced the airline’s intent to select the Boeing 737 MAX as its next generation single aisle aircraft of choice, making it Japan’s first airline to do so. The announcement came on the first day of the 2013 Paris Air Show. Boeing will work closely with Skymark to finalize a firm order in the coming months.

“We are delighted to deepen our partnership with Boeing and work together on the renewal of our single-aisle fleet,” said Shinichi Nishikubo, president and CEO of Skymark Airlines. “The Next-Generation 737 has been a key driver of our successful growth, and we are sure that the 737 MAX will provide us with even greater efficiency and competitive edge as we move into the next stage of expansion.”

Based at its Haneda Airport hub in Tokyo, Skymark Airlines currently operates a fleet of 30 Next-Generation 737-800s on a lease from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) and other lessors.

“Skymark is a pioneer in Japan’s commercial aviation market as they continue to introduce new and innovative airplanes,” said John Wojick, Senior Vice President of Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Under Mr. Nishikubo’s leadership, Skymark became the first airline in Japan to bring the innovative Boeing Sky Interior to the travelling public onboard its fleet of Next Generation 737-800 airplanes. And now Skymark is poised to become Japan’s first airline to enjoy the superior economic performance and environmental advantages of the 737 MAX.”

The 737 MAX builds on the strengths of the world’s best-selling Next-Generation 737. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see a 13 percent fuel-use improvement over today’s most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplanes.

About Skymark Airlines

Skymark Airlines has been flying the skies of Japan from its home-base in Tokyo since 1996. It now operates a fleet of 30 Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft on a network covering 25 domestic routes spanning the length and breadth of the country, with 78 round-trip flights per day.

Boeing completes assembly of United’s first two 787s

Boeing and GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of General Electric (NYSE: GE), announced today at the 2013 Paris Air Show a commitment to order 10 787-10X Dreamliners equipped with state-of-art GEnx engines, subject to the 787-10 program launch.

Boeing looks forward to working with GECAS to finalize the details of the agreement, at which time the airplanes will be posted to the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website as a firm order.

“We have studied the capabilities Boeing is developing for the 787-10X and anticipate strong demand from our airline customers for this airplane,” said GECAS President and CEO Norman C.T. Liu. “The 787-10X will be a perfect complement to our broad portfolio of modern, fuel-efficient aircraft offering the lowest operating costs in the market.”

Boeing has been working closely with airline and leasing customers to define the key capabilities and features of 787-10X, which would be the third and largest member of the 787 family. The 787-10X under consideration would add approximately 15 percent passenger capacity over the 787-9 with superior fuel efficiency to serve medium and long-haul markets.

“As a leader in commercial airplane leasing and financing, GECAS enjoys an outstanding reputation and its influence is substantial,” said Ray Conner, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “When GECAS makes a decision about how to build its fleet, the industry takes note. Its commitment to the 787-10X is a strong statement about the capabilities of this highly efficient airplane.”

Once finalized, these 787s will bring the total number of airplanes GECAS has ordered from Boeing to 598 since 1995, including 737s, 747s, 757s, 767s and 777s. To date, GECAS has taken delivery of 444 of the airplanes.

Qatar Airways Boeing 777 (file)

Boeing and Qatar Airways today announced agreements for nine Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes at the 2013 Paris Air Show.

The agreements include a firm order for two airplanes previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing Commercial Airplanes Orders and Deliveries website, plus a commitment for an additional seven airplanes. The total value of the agreement is $2.8 billion at current list prices.

The Doha-based airline currently operates 35 Boeing passenger and cargo 777s of various types, including 22 777-300ERs, nine 777-200LR (Longer Range) airplanes and four 777 Freighters.

The two firm airplanes give Qatar Airways a backlog of nine Boeing 777s. When the additional seven become firm, the backlog will rise to 16.

“With its reliability, economics and range capability, the 777 will continue to play a key role in enabling Qatar Airways to operate more direct non-stop flights from our hub in Doha to destinations in many markets including Australasia and the United States,” said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, speaking at a press conference at Le Bourget on the opening day of the Paris Air Show.

“We have already shown a desire to open up new destinations in the U.S., and the Boeing 777 will further feature in our expansion plans in this part of the world.”
Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 125 aircraft to 128 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas.

Qatar Airways took delivery of its first Boeing 777 in November 2007. In September 2011, the airline received a 777-200LR that became the 100th airplane to join its fleet.

“It is a great honor to have Qatar Airways operate the 777 as its long-haul flagship aircraft,” said Ray Conner, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 777′s unrivaled economics and customer-preferred passenger experience make it a cornerstone of Qatar Airways’ success.”

The demand for the Boeing 777 led to an increased production rate of 8.3 per month — 100 airplanes per year — in February 2013. In the past three years, the 777 program has increased rate two times, first from five airplanes per month to seven in 2011, then to the current, all-time high rate of 8.3.
As of May 2013, 1,105 777s have been delivered and a total of 1,452 have been ordered by 68 customers around the globe.

Airnation.net Plane Spotting

One of the all-time great commercial planes…the venerable Boeing 727…

TAM A330 Winglet on Hangar Building (caption from NY Post: ‘HANGAR HANG-UP . . . but plane left good tip’

A TAM Airlines A330 jet hit the side of a hangar yesterday at JFK Airport while reportedly parking and left its winglet lodged in to the side of the building.

The New York Post reports:

‘The red winglet of the Brazilian TAM plane broke off when it became lodged on the side of Hangar 3 in the 11 a.m. incident. A worker in the plane suffered a panic attack and was removed by rescuers from the Port Authority Police Department and EMS and treated at Jamaica Hospital.’

There were no passengers aboard the aircraft and the jet has been grounded for repairs.

No word if they’re going to leave the winglet up on the building for aesthetics. :)

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