Vistara to add 50 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft to its fleet

Vistara, the New Delhi-based carrier, has signed a letter of Intent (LOI) for 13 Airbus A320neo aircraft to add to its existing portfolio of 21 Airbus airplanes.

The full-service airline has also committed to an additional 37 A320neo Family aircraft from lessors. The combined agreements would add 50 A320neo Family to Vistara’s fleet. The engine selection for Vistara’s latest firm order is Leap CFM.

For Vistara, the A320neo will be the first aircraft to fly regional international routes.

Image: Airbus.

Sichuan Airlines orders 10 Airbus A350-900s

Airbus confirmed at the Farnborough Airshow a deal agreed earlier in 2018 that Sichuan Airlines, based in the Southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu, has selected the A350-900 to become the latest aircraft in its fleet.

Sichuan Airlines operates the largest all-Airbus fleet in China with over 130 Airbus family aircraft. In addition to its domestic network, Sichuan Airlines now operates on over 30 international routes, including routes from Chengdu to Moscow, Sidney, Dubai and Vancouver. The airline also leased four A350-900s, with the first one to be delivered by this year.

The newly introduced A350-900, which is a strong supplement to Sichuan Airlines’ Airbus fleet, will be deployed on its nonstop long haul international routes, such as Chengdu to North America and Europe.

By the end of June 2018, Airbus has recorded a total of 882 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 46 customers worldwide, already making it one of the most successful wide-body aircraft ever.

2018 list price: A350-900 US$317.4m.

Image: Airbus.

Embraer E190-E2 lands at London City Airport

On July 13, 2018 an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft landed for the first time at London City Airport (LCY). The newest aircraft from Embraer, the world’s quietest and most efficient in its class, entered into service in April this year. An aircraft from Embraer’s test fleet stopped off at LCY on its way to appear at next week’s Farnborough Air Show. The visit demonstrates the importance Embraer places on being able to offer LCY capability to airlines and its intention to work with London City Airport to certify the E2 to meet customer demand, which is likely to rise as LCY increases connectivity.

Arjan Meijer, Chief Commercial Officer, Embraer Commercial Aviation, said, “For Embraer, London City feels like home, wherever you look, our aircraft are there. So it’s a big moment for us to bring the newest generation Embraer jet to this important European hub. We know that passengers will love the new aircraft, still with no middle seats and featuring larger overhead bins, and Londoners will also appreciate the quietness of the aircraft and its low emissions.”

London City Airport is London’s most central airport, known for its convenience and speedy passenger experience. Its location means operating aircraft have to be compatible with the airport’s steep approach and short runway. Embraer aircraft are well suited to this and have operated from LCY since 2009, when BA Cityflyer started operations with the E170. Embraer aircraft accounted for nearly 60% of departures from LCY in 2017.

Richard Hill, Chief Commercial Officer at London City Airport, said: “to welcome the Embraer E2 to London City Airport for the first time is a crucial milestone towards certification and subsequent commercial operation at London’s most central airport. The first generation of E-Jets have been intrinsic to London City’s growth, so much so that up to three quarters of all passengers now land or depart on the aircraft. As we continue a £480m transformation, due for completion in 2022, the E2 has enormous potential for London City, with proven ability to operate with less noise, fewer emissions, and better fuel efficiency to open up new destinations, delivering significant benefits for our airline customers, passengers and local neighbors.”

In certification testing EASA figures confirmed the E190-E2 has the lowest noise levels among all new generation single aisle aircraft. If this performance can be replicated in the operational environment of London City Airport, the E190-E2 would meet the minimum noise restrictions of the airport’s new Aircraft Noise Categorisation Scheme (ANCS), which will be fully introduced next year. The E190-E2 is the first of a new generation of crossover narrowbody jets from Embraer. The aircraft entered into service with Norwegian carrier Widerøe in April.

The E195-E2 goes into service next year with Azul in Brazil. The E190-E2 cuts fuel burn by more than 17%, and is the quietest passenger jet in the world today both in the cabin and outside.

Since entering revenue service, the E-Jets family has received more than 1,800 orders and over 1,400 aircraft have been delivered. Today, E-Jets are flying in the fleet of 70 customers in 50 countries. The versatile 70 to 150-seat family is flying with low-cost airlines as well as with regional and mainline carriers.

Photo: Embraer.

Philippine Airlines takes delivery of its first Airbus A350-900

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 at a special event in Toulouse, France, becoming the 19^th airline to operate the world’s most modern and efficient long range airliner.

Altogether, Philippine Airlines has ordered six A350-900s, which will be primarily operated on nonstop services to Europe and North America. These will include the carrier’s longest route to New York, which the A350-900 can operate nonstop in both directions, all year round. Representing a distance of over 8,000 nautical miles, the 17 hour return journey from New York to Manila previously involved a technical stop in Vancouver.

Philippine Airlines has configured its A350-900s with a premium three class layout seating 295 passengers in three classes. This including 30 seats that convert to fully flat beds in Business Class, 24 offering extra space in Premium Economy and 241 18-inch wide seats in the main cabin.

The aircraft features the award-winning Airspace by Airbus cabin, with more personal space and full connectivity throughout. The cabin is the quietest of any twin aisle aircraft and features the latest mood lighting and air conditioning systems. Higher humidity levels and a lower cabin altitude all contribute to added well-being on board, especially for long range flights.

At the end of June 2018, Airbus has recorded 882 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 46 customers worldwide, already making it one of the most successful widebody aircraft ever. 182 A350 XWBs have been delivered to 19 airlines worldwide.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Airbus and Philippines): Philippines (Philippine Airlines) Airbus A350-941 F-WZNA (RP-C3501) (msn 221) TLS (Eurospot). Image: 942284.

Philippines aircraft slide show:

Royal Jordanian enhances Crown Class meals

Royal Jordanian Airlines made this announcement:

The upgrades, which are carried out in coordination with DNATA Jordan, RJ’s catering provider, are the result of RJ’s continuous efforts to further enrich its guests’ experience on board its Crown Class.

The newly introduced appetizer and dessert plates were carefully selected to pair well with the choices of hot meals RJ serves on board and to suit different tastes.

The superior appetizers on Crown Class offer two choices: Arabic mezze and Western hors d’oeuvres. They consist of a variety of meat and seafood choices, including smoked salmon, shrimps, calamari and roast beef, or stuffed vine leaves, tabbouleh, shankleesh and mutabbal. These choices will be changed every two weeks, during different cycles; at the same time, the choices offered to passengers flying onboard RJ from Amman will be different from the choices offered out of Amman.

RJ President/CEO Stefan Pichler stressed RJ’s keenness to continuously improve all guest services, keeping them up to the reputation of this prestigious international company which shows appreciation to its passengers. Part of this endeavor is the meal offer on RJ’s flights, in cooperation with dnata.

He said that the improvements came in response to passengers’ suggestions and desires, expressed to RJ, in order to meet these demands and to make passengers’ travel experience comfortable and enjoyable, just as RJ is known to have been doing.

Pichler called on all guests to provide RJ with their feedback, promising to maintain an open channel of communication between the airline and its customers.

“We listen to our guests and want to receive their feedback, particularly in regard to our onboard services which RJ constantly works on improving,” he said.

Photo: Royal Jordanian.

Ryanair responds to Lufthansa’s claims about Laudamotion

Ryanair on July 13 confirmed that Lufthansa Group is making false claims about Laudamotion.

Lufthansa’s claim that it has “fully complied with all requirements of the European Commission regarding the required transfer of aircraft to Laudamotion” is simply untrue. Lufthansa agreed to transfer 11 aircraft to Laudamotion, yet as of July 13, Lufthansa has only delivered 9 aircraft.

1. One of the aircraft, which was supposed to be delivered “at the beginning” of June, has now been delayed until at least the end of August, which means Laudamotion has lost the benefit of this aircraft (and its slots) during the peak summer months.

2. Not alone has Lufthansa failed to honor its obligations to lease the 11 aircraft, but the lease costs of the aircraft it has leased to Laudamotion are substantially higher than market rates for Airbus A320’s of this age.

3. Laudamotion has repeatedly honored both its aircraft lease payments and maintenance reserves to Lufthansa. Lufthansa’s claims of “repeated failure” to pay is false.

4. Lufthansa has used every tactic in the book to harm and damage Laudamotion including withdrawing flying business from Laudamotion (which Lufthansa had originally agreed) then refusing to pay over €1.5m of lease payments properly due to Laudamotion for flying carried out on behalf of Lufthansa in March, April and May.

Despite Lufthansa owing Laudamotion over €1.5m in overdue lease payments for the months of March, April and May, Lufthansa has attempted to terminate all 9 aircraft leases on unfounded legal grounds, even though lease rentals for the full month of July had already been paid at the end of June.

Ryanair’s Juliusz Komorek said:

“Lufthansa is abusing its dominant position in the German and Austrian markets in a blatant attempt to eliminate a much smaller, Austrian competitor, Laudamotion. Lufthansa’s attempt to terminate Laudamotion’s 9 aircraft leases during the peak of the summer period, at a time which would cause maximum damage to Laudamotion and its customers, is in breach of its obligations to the EU.

Lufthansa dominates the German, Austrian, and Swiss markets and the fact that it is now abusing this position to try to remove Laudamotion’s aircraft fleet, while refusing to pay Laudamotion lease payments that are months overdue, is in flagrant breach of fair procedure and competition rules. It is Lufthansa who has repeatedly failed to pay Laudamotion over €1.5m of lease payments for March, April and May.”

Top Copyright Photo: Laudamotion Airbus A320-214 OE-LOE (msn 4269) FRA (Marcelo F. De Biasi). Image: 941409.

Laudamotion aircraft slide show:

Laudamotion’s routes from Dusseldorf and Berlin this coming winter:

Delta to add Raleigh/Durham – Chicago O’Hare service

Delta Air Lines will add Delta Connection service operated by SkyWest Airlines between Raleigh/Durham and Chicago (O’Hare) next year. According to Airline Route, SkyWest will operate Embraer 175 on the new route commencing on April 2, 2019.

In other news, Delta is also adding New York (JFK) – Antigua flights starting December 22, 2018 for the winter season.

Copyright Photo: Delta Connection-SkyWest Airlines Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N254SY (msn 17000621) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 942790.

Delta Connection-SkyWest aircraft slide show:

EWA Air signs commitment for two ATR 72-600s

Mayotte-based carrier EWA Air has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the acquisition of two ATR 72-600s. The latest-generation turboprops will replace and upgrade their two currently leased ATR 72-500s (above). The airline, a subsidiary of Air Austral, has been an ATR operator since its launch in 2013 and uses its aircraft to connect Mayotte with destinations in Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Tanzania, providing essential connectivity to passengers travelling for business and leisure.

The aircraft will be equipped with 64 seats with deliveries beginning before the end of this year.

EWA Air, the first Airline Company of Mayotte, was born from the synergy of three partners sharing a common ambition: to contribute to the opening up of the territory and its influence in the Mozambique Channel. The Air Austral Group, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Mayotte and the Ylang Invest Company joined together to respond, thanks to EWA Air, the high expectations of the population regarding travel. Being a subsidiary of Air Austral Group, EWA Air offers its passengers a guarantee in terms of quality of services as well as in term of safety, a top priority for the company.

All photos by EWA Air.

easyJet adds its 1,000th route

easyJet on July 12 reached a key milestone with the launch of its 1000th route. The 1000th route, is from Manchester to Bordeaux.

The new routes commencing in winter 2018 are:

Belfast to Fuerteventura

Belfast to Prague

Belfast to Salzburg

Bristol to Larnaca

Bristol to Are Ostersund

Bristol to Sofia

Glasgow to Venice

Liverpool to Toulouse

London Luton to Gibraltar

London Luton to Krakow

Manchester to Lanzarote

Manchester to Barcelona

Manchester to Bordeaux

Manchester to Faro

Manchester to Innsbruck

London Stansted to Hurgharda

The easyJet brand is now operating over 300 aircraft to 150 airports across 33 countries.

easyJet (UK) aircraft slide show:

Turkish Airlines receives first Airbus A321neo aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan™ engines

(PRNewsfoto/Pratt & Whitney)

Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corporation, and Turkish Airlines celebrated delivery of the airline’s first Airbus A321neo aircraft. The aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan™ (GTF) engines, is the first of the air carrier’s order of 92 firm GTF-powered A321neo aircraft. Pratt & Whitney will also provide Turkish Airlines with engine maintenance through a long-term EngineWise™ service agreement.

Turkish Airlines currently operates a fleet of 97 V2500^®-powered A320ceo family aircraft and 10 PW4000-powered A330-200 aircraft.

Since entering into service in early 2016, the GTF engine has demonstrated its promised ability to reduce fuel burn by 16 percent, to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 50 percent to the regulatory standard and to lower the noise footprint by 75 percent.

The V2500 engine is offered through IAE International Aero Engines AG, a multinational aero engine consortium whose shareholders comprise Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corporation; Pratt & Whitney Aero Engines International GmbH; Japanese Aero Engines Corporation; and MTU Aero Engines GmbH.

Photo: Turkish Airlines.