Category: Airbus news (Page 3 of 48)

Virgin Atlantic increases capacity to the USA for summer 2024

December 15, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Virgin Atlantic is delighted to announce plans to increase capacity to its heartland in the USA, adding frequencies from London Heathrow to both New York JFK and Boston for summer 2024. These new services complement the airline’s recent announcements of increasing Miami services from 11 flights per week to twice daily year-round and a new seasonal summer service from Manchester to Las Vegas.

Next summer, the airline will offer a record number of flights between London and New York, with a seventh daily flight to JFK, and together with Joint Venture partner Delta, will offer ten daily services to the Big Apple, an increase of 11% compared to summer 2023.

In a further boost to its East Coast flying, Virgin Atlantic will also operate a second daily flight to Boston. Complementing Delta’s daily service, Boston will be served with three flights a day.

Customers on both Virgin Atlantic departures will experience flying on the airline’s newest aircraft, the A330-900neo, and A350-1000, increasing the number of Upper and Premium seats by 23%. Upper-Class passengers looking to treat themselves can also benefit from booking the A330-900neo innovative Retreat Suite, which comprises of two spacious exclusive suites at the front of the Upper Class cabin. Elsewhere, passengers travelling with Joint Venture partner Delta will be able to enjoy its new and enhanced Delta One product.*

*There may be occasions that some ad-hoc Boston and New York services are substituted for an alternate aircraft type.

Azul Linhas Aereas discloses order for four A330neo’s

December 15, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Sao Paulo, Brazil, December 15, 2023 – Azul Airlines SA (NYSE: AZUL) discloses a firm order for four additional A330-900 from a purchase agreement signed in June 2023. With these aircraft, the airline will expand its fleet and international route offering.

The A330neo is powered by the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, with a range of 7,200 nautical miles / 13,300 kilometers non-stop. Azul Linhas Aereas launched operations in 2008 and has since grown to become one of the largest airlines in Brazil by servicing more than 160 destinations within Brazil, the United States, Europe and South America. Azul received the Americas’ first A330neo in 2019 and operates 12 A330 Family aircraft.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Air Lease delivers first of seven Airbus A321-200neo aircraft to Transavia

December 15, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Los Angeles, California, December 15, 2023, Business Wire – Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) announced one new Airbus A321-200neo aircraft delivered to Transavia Airlines, a subsidiary of Air France KLM SA (Paris: AIRF). This aircraft is the first of seven new Airbus A321s confirmed to deliver to Transavia on long-term lease from ALC’s order book with Airbus and the first A321-200neo to join the Dutch carrier’s fleet.

Forward-Looking Statements

Lufthansa Group completes sale and leaseback of twelve aircraft

December 15, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Xetra: LHAG) has entered into an agreement for a sale and lease back of twelve short-haul aircraft. The transaction reflects the Group’s strategy to finance investments in new aircraft through a mix of cash, Japanese Operating Leases (JOLCO’s) and operating leases. The sale and lease back supports the modernization of the fleet of the Lufthansa Group Airlines. New and modern aircraft lower fuel consumption, reduce emissions, and improve ex fuel unit costs.

The transactions were executed with two counterparties, Clover Aviation Capital and long-term business partner BBAM (Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management), for the sale and lease back of twelve Airbus A320 family aircraft at favorable commercial terms. The aircraft are up to two years old and are currently operated by Lufthansa Airlines, Lufthansa CityLine and Eurowings. The sale generates proceeds of 600 million EUR in the fourth quarter of 2023, with the aircraft leased back for a term of 72 months. The resulting lease obligation is recognized as debt under IFRS 16 and amounts to 200 million EUR.

A book gain of 100 million EUR resulting from the sale will be recognized in EBIT. The book gain will not be included in Adjusted EBIT, with the transaction already included in Lufthansa Group’s financial outlook. This assumes net capex to amount between 2.5 and 3 billion EUR in 2023.

Forward-Looking Statements

Turkish Airlines ordering 220 more Airbus aircraft

December 15, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, France, December 15, 2023 – Turkey’s national carrier, Turkish Airlines (Istanbul: THYAO), will expand its fleet with an order for 220 Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) aircraft. The order consists of 150 Airbus A321’s and 70 A350 widebody aircraft. The A350 order consists of 50 A350-900’s, 15 A350-1000’s and 5 A350F reighters. This follows two orders from the airline for 10 A350-900’s in September and four A350-900’s in July 2023. This latest order will take Turkish Airlines’ total orderbook for Airbus aircraft to 504, of which 212 are already delivered.

Forward-Looking Statements

Japan Airlines takes delivery of its first A350-1000

December 14, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, France, December 14, 2023 – Japan Airlines Co Ltd (Tokyo: 9201) has taken delivery of its first A350-1000 from the Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) delivery centre in Toulouse. The A350-1000 is set to become the airline’s new international aircraft, initially flying on the prestigious Tokyo Haneda – New York JFK route.

JAL’s A350 is configured in four classes. The First Class features six Suites, each with a choice of three modes: sofa, seat and single bed or double bed. The Business Class also offers Suites, with 54 seats and privacy doors. Meanwhile, the Premium Economy Class (24 seats) and Economy Class (155 seats) both feature more personal space and comfort in their respective categories. JAL’s A350-1000 cabin has been designed to make passengers immerse in the elegance of Japanese aesthetics and tranquillity. Meanwhile, a serene ambiance highlights the beauty of Japan. The cabin’s stylish interior is tailored to a high quality, high comfort passenger experience which echoes JAL’s renowned service.

JAL has ordered 31 A350 aircraft, comprising 18 A350-900’s and 13 A350-1000’s. The carrier has been operating the A350-900 on high density Japanese domestic routes since 2019. The A350’s unique Airspace cabin is the quietest of any twin-aisle in the sky. It offers passengers and crews the latest modern in-flight products for the most comfortable flying experience. The aircraft’s new generation engines and use of lightweight materials make it the most fuel efficient large widebody aircraft. The A350 is the quietest aircraft in its class featuring a 50 percent noise footprint reduction versus the previous generation aircraft, making it a good airport neighbour wherever it flies.

Avolon orders another 100 Airbus A321neo aircraft

December 12, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, France, December 12, 2023 – Avolon, the international leasing company, has signed a firm order for another 100 Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) A321neo aircraft, taking its total order for the A321neo to 190 aircraft. The agreement secures Avolon’s delivery pipeline for the world’s preferred single aisle Family.

With this latest agreement, Avolon’s total firm order-tally directly from Airbus rises to 632 aircraft, and includes A320, A330 and A350 Families. In September, Avolon ordered 20 A330neo aircraft to take advantage of growing global widebody demand.

The A321neo is the largest member of the Airbus A320neo Family, offering unparalleled range and performance. By incorporating new generation engines and Sharklets, the A321neo brings a 50% noise reduction and more than 20% fuel savings and CO₂ reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, while maximizing passenger comfort in the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky. To date more than 5,600 A321neo’s have been ordered by more than 100 customers across the globe.

Forward-Looking Statements

Japan Airlines to debut new A350-1000 on Tokyo to New York City route

December 10, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

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Cathay Group orders Airbus A350F freighter

December 8, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, France, December 2023 – Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways Limited (Hong Kong: 0293) has become the latest carrier to order the all-new Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) A350F, following the signature of a purchase agreement for six aircraft. The A350F will join the airline’s cargo division, Cathay Cargo, and will become a central element in its future fleet, bringing new levels of efficiency across its extensive network.

Currently under development, the A350F can carry a payload of up to 111 tonnes and can fly up to 4,700 nautical miles / 8,700 kilometres at significantly lower cost than any other freighter available today. This will enable it to serve all heavy cargo markets, including the world’s biggest freight route between Hong Kong and Anchorage.

Powered by latest technology Rolls-Royce Trent-XWB97 engines, the aircraft will bring a reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions of up to 40% when compared with the older 747F and is at least 20% more efficient than its competitor.

The A350F features the largest main deck cargo door in the industry, with fuselage length and capacity optimised around the industry’s standard pallets and containers. Over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials, resulting in a 46 tonne lighter take-off weight than the competing derivative. The A350F is also the only freighter aircraft that will fully meet ICAO’s enhanced CO₂ emissions standards, coming into effect in 2027.

Airbus and BMW Group launch Quantum Computing Competition

December 6, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Santa Clara, California, December 6, 2023 – Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) and BMW Group (Xetra: BMWG) launch a global Quantum Computing Challenge entitled “The Quantum Mobility Quest” to tackle the most pressing challenges in aviation and automotive that have remained insurmountable for classical computers. This challenge is the first-of-its-kind, bringing together two global industry leaders to harness quantum technologies for real-world industrial applications, unlocking the potential to forge more efficient, sustainable and safer solutions for the future of transportation.

Quantum computing has the potential to significantly enhance computational power and to enable the most complex operations that challenge even today’s best computers. In particular, for data-driven industries like the transportation sector, this emerging technology could play a crucial role in simulating various industrial and operational processes, opening up opportunities to shape future mobility products and services.

Challenge candidates are invited to select one or more problem statements: improved aerodynamics design with quantum solvers, future automated mobility with quantum machine learning, more sustainable supply chain with quantum optimisation, and enhanced corrosion inhibition with quantum simulation. Additionally, candidates can put forward their own quantum technologies with the potential to develop native apps yet to be explored in the transportation sector.

The challenge is hosted by The Quantum Insider (TQI) and divided into two parts, a four-month phase where participants will develop a theoretical framework for one of the given statements, and a second phase during which selected finalists will implement and benchmark their solutions. Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides candidates with an opportunity to run their algorithms on their Amazon Braket quantum computing service.

A jury composed of world-leading quantum experts will team up with experts from Airbus, BMW Group, and AWS to evaluate submitted proposals and award one winning-team with a €30,000 prize in each of the five challenges, by the end of 2024.

Registration opens today, and submissions will be accepted from mid-January through April 30, 2024 here: www.thequantuminsider.com/quantum-challenge.

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