Air Senegal has taken delivery of its first A330-900 from Airbus’ production line in Toulouse. The carrier is the first African airline to fly Airbus’ new generation widebody aircraft featuring latest technology engines, new wings with enhanced aerodynamics and a curved wingtip design, drawing best practices from the A350 XWB.
Fitted with a three-class cabin comprising 32 Business class, 21
Premium Plus and 237 Economy class seats, Air Senegal plans to operate
its first A330neo on its Dakar-Paris route and to further develop its
medium and long-haul network.
The A330neo is the true new generation aircraft building on the
best-selling widebody A330’s features and leveraging on A350 XWB
technology. Powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the
A330neo provides an unprecedented level of efficiency – with 25% lower
fuel burn per seat than previous generation competitors. Equipped with
the Airspace by Airbus cabin, the A330neo offers a unique passenger
experience with more personal space and the latest generation in-flight
entertainment system and connectivity.
Note to editors
This delivery event also marks the first time when the Airbus
Foundation and Air Senegal team up for goodwill flight. Read more on
Airbus Foundation website
Boeing and International Airlines Group, the parent company of
British Airways, announced February 28, 2019 the airline has committed
to purchasing up to 42 777X airplanes, including 18 firm orders and 24
options. British Airways joins a group of leading carriers that have
selected the new 777-9, which will debut next month as the largest and
most efficient twin-engine passenger jet in the world.
The commitment, valued at up to $18.6 billion at list prices, will be reflected on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website once it is finalized.
“The new 777-9 is the world’s most fuel efficient longhaul aircraft
and will bring many benefits to British Airways’ fleet. It’s the ideal
replacement for the 747 and its size and range will be an excellent fit
for the airline’s existing network,” said Willie Walsh, IAG chief
executive. “This aircraft will provide further cost efficiencies and
environmental benefits with fuel cost per seat improvements of 30 per
cent compared to the 747. It also provides an enhanced passenger
experience”.
British Airways has been modernizing its fleet – one of the largest in the airline industry – to more efficiently serve its extensive global route network. In recent years, the airline has introduced the super-efficient 787 Dreamliner family to replace its medium-sized widebody jets. The new 777-9 will replace British Airways’ larger widebody airplanes, mainly the four-engine 747 jumbo jet.
In ordering the 777-9, British Airways extends a long-running
relationship with the popular 777 family. The airline is one of the
largest 777 operators with a fleet of nearly 60 of the long-range jet.
The airline last year committed to four more 777-300ER (Extended Range)
jets via operating lease.
The 777-9 is larger and slightly wider than current 777s with the ability to comfortably sit 400-425 passengers in a standard two-class cabin. Powered by 787 Dreamliner technologies, an all-new composite wing, and other enhancements, the 777-9 offers airlines 12 percent lower fuel consumption than competing airplanes. The 777-9 can also fly farther than its predecessors with a standard range of 7,600 nautical miles (14,075 kilometers).
(Reuters) – Boeing Co (BA.N) delivered a record 806 aircraft in 2018 as it overcame supplier woes, retaining the title of the world’s biggest planemaker for the seventh straight year.
The company’s shares rose as much as 3.9 percent to $340.90 and were the biggest percentage gainer on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI).
European rival Airbus SE (AIR.PA), which will report its numbers on Wednesday and lags behind Boeing due to engine delays, said it achieved its 800-jet target pending final audit.
“Overall, Boeing is taking market share from its main competitor Airbus and is well positioned with strong commercial and military demand,” said CFRA Research analyst Jim Corridore, who upgraded the stock to “strong buy” from “buy”.
Investors and analysts closely watch the number of planes Boeing turns over to airlines and leasing firms for hints on the company’s cashflow and revenue.
The latest numbers indicate that fuselage and engine delays at suppliers in 2018 are largely behind Boeing as it gears up to meet surging demand for airplanes in 2019 amid booming air travel.
“In addition to the ongoing demand for the 737 MAX, we saw strong sales for every one of our twin-aisle airplanes,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of commercial sales and marketing.
To mitigate supply chain snarls, Boeing helped expand production capacity at suppliers who have hired workers, including retirees this year.
In October, its biggest supplier Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc (SPR.N) said it was back on track to meet the surging demand for its aircraft parts.
CFM International, co-owned by France’s Safran (SAF.PA) and General Electric Co (GE.N), also affirmed in the same month its commitment to deliver 1,100 to 1,200 units despite being roughly four weeks behind schedule.
ORDER BOOM
Boeing also looked set to beat Airbus for aircraft orders on a like-for-like basis in 2018 after booking 893 net orders, excluding cancellations in the year.
Meanwhile, Airbus ended November with 380 net orders, to which it has since added confirmed deals for another 220 aircraft.
According to industry sources, it won another 150 from Asian-backed leasing companies that are yet to be announced, with Boeing also getting a lift from Chinese demand.
The Airbus tally, however, included 120 of the former Bombardier CSeries, a Canadian plane programme which it bought last year.
Orders for Boeing and Airbus are seen down compared to 2017 as airlines fret over trade tensions and the slowing global economic growth. But deliveries at both rose on the back of an earlier order boom.
“69 December 737 deliveries suggest (supplier) bottlenecks easing. Solid December book-to-bill closes year at 1.1x and helps mitigate cycle concerns,” Credit Suisse analyst Robert Spingarn said in a client note.
(Reporting by Ankit Ajmera in Bengaluru and Tim Hepher in Paris; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Arun Koyyur)
(Reuters) – FedEx Corp said on Tuesday it plans to add 1,000 Chanje electric delivery vans to its fleet of vehicles in a bid to save on fuel and cut down on pollution.
The package delivery company will buy 100 Chanje V8100 vans from the Los-Angeles based startup and lease the remaining from U.S. truck rental company Ryder System Inc.
United Parcel Service Inc, FedEx and Deutsche Post AG unit DHL have faced pressure from regulators around the world to lessen the environmental impact of their fleets.
UPS, FedEx and DHL have placed orders for Tesla Inc’s all-electric Semis and already use Workhorse Group Inc’s electric vans.
The Chanje electric vans will have a range of more than 150 miles when fully charged, with maximum cargo capacity of about 6,000 pounds.
Last year, Ryder said it would order electric delivery vans from Chanje and become the exclusive U.S. sales and lease partner for the company.
The Chanje V8100 vans are manufactured by FDG Electric Vehicles Ltd, the startup’s main investor, in Hangzhou, China.
The vans would be used for FedEx’s commercial and residential pick-up and delivery services in California.
(Reporting by Arunima Banerjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)
Move to expand A330-900neo order book to 35 from 25 addresses Delta’s near-to-medium-term widebody needs and reinforces commitment to fuel, economic and sustainable efficiency.
Delta Air Lines is adding 10 Airbus 330-900neo aircraft to its fleet under an agreement with Airbus and Rolls-Royce, expanding its order of the next-generation widebody jet from 25 to 35. The first delivery of the state-of-the-art aircraft, which is powered by next-generation and fuel-efficient engine technology, is expected next year.
“Expanding our A330 order book not only ensures that Delta’s near-to-medium-term widebody needs are taken care of, but also drives our strategic, measured international growth,” said Gil West, Delta’s Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “The next-generation engine technology from Rolls-Royce which powers the A330neo provides compelling operating economics, superior fuel performance and the range and coverage for our transoceanic needs going forward.”
These changes are consistent with Delta’s long-term philosophy of investing 50 percent of operating cash flow back into the business, West said.
Delta will be the first U.S. airline to operate the next-generation A330-900neo, which will offer the latest in innovative design and technology for customers. It will be the first Delta aircraft to feature all cabins – Delta One suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin. The jet also will be the first Delta aircraft to feature memory foam cushions throughout the aircraft for hours of comfort, and the first Delta widebody aircraft featuring its new wireless in-flight entertainment system in every seat.
Simultaneously, Delta has agreed to terms with Airbus to reduce its near-term A350-900 purchase commitment to a total of 15 aircraft from 25. The 10 previously on order A350 aircraft have been deferred to 2025-26 with certain flexibility rights including the right to convert these orders to A330-900s.
“The A350 has been a great success for our customers and our business,” West said. “A fleet of 15 of these world-class aircraft is the right current fit for Delta’s industry-leading global network, operational reliability and award-winning products and services.”
Delta currently operates 11 A350-900 aircraft and expects to take delivery of two A350s in 2019 and two in 2020.
In addition, Delta plans to retire older Boeing 767-300ERs in the years ahead as the aircraft reach the end of their serviceable life cycle.
Boeing, Air Lease Corp., and Air Tahiti Nui celebrated the delivery of the airline’s first 787-9 Dreamliner, via lease from ALC. This is the first Boeing airplane to join the Tahitian airline, which plans to use the longest-range Dreamliner to replace aging A340s and connect its home base in the South Pacific with world capitals such as Paris, Tokyo and Los Angeles.
Air Tahiti Nui joins other carriers in the Pacific who operate long-distance routes in switching to the super-efficient and long-range 787-9. The airplane can fly up to 7,635 nautical miles (14,140 km), while reducing fuel use and emissions by 20 to 25 percent compared to older airplanes.
Air Tahiti Nui configured its new Dreamliner to seat 294 passengers in three classes. The cabin features a new business class equipped with 30 full lie-flat seats, along with 32 premium economy seats.
“Our dream has finally become reality with the arrival of Air Tahiti Nui’s first 787-9 Dreamliner,” said Michel Monvoisin, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Air Tahiti Nui. “The Tahitian Dreamliner will make flying to one of the world’s treasures an unforgettable experience, as we introduce new seats and a culturally inspired cabin on the 787. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary this year, the 787 Dreamliner will guide us towards another successful 20 years and beyond.”
The airline announced in 2015 it would lease two 787s through ALC and purchase two 787s directly from Boeing as part of its plan to upgrade its fleet for the future.
French Polynesia President Edouard Fritch and other government dignitaries joined the airline in celebrating the milestone delivery at Boeing’s South Carolina Delivery Center.
“We are pleased to deliver ALC’s first aircraft to Air Tahiti Nui,” said Marc Baer, Executive Vice President of Air Lease Corporation. “The capabilities of the 787 will help enhance Air Tahiti Nui’s commercial operations and will significantly increase the efficiency of its future fleet.”
“We are honored to welcome Air Tahiti Nui as a new Boeing customer and the latest member of the 787 Dreamliner family. We are confident the airplane’s market-leading efficiency and unmatched passenger comforts will transform the airline’s operation,” said Ihssane Mounir, Vice President, Commercial Sales & Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “This delivery opens a new partnership between Boeing and Air Tahiti Nui, and demonstrates the strength of our partnership with ALC.”
