Tag: a320 (Page 4 of 15)

Qantas Group Announces its Balance Sheet Repair is Underway

May 19, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

A sustained rebound in domestic travel demand, and the performance of its Freight and Loyalty divisions, continues to drive the Qantas Group’s recovery from the impacts of COVID-19.

Based on current trading conditions the Group expects to be statutory free cash flow positive for the second half of FY21. Net debt levels peaked in February at $6.4 billion and are expected to be lower than they were in December ($6.05 billion) by the end of the financial year.

Liquidity levels remain strong with total funds of $4.0 billion, including cash of $2.4 billion and $1.6 billion of undrawn debt facilities as at 30 April 2021.

The total revenue loss for the Group since the start of COVID is now projected to reach $16 billion by the end of FY21 – however the role of domestic travel demand in the Group’s recovery is highlighted by the fact revenue from domestic flying is expected to almost double between the first and second half of this financial year.

Assuming no further lockdowns or significant domestic travel restrictions, the Group expects to be Underlying EBITDA positive in the range of $400 – 450 million for FY21. At a statutory level before tax, the Group is still expecting a loss in excess of $2 billion, which includes the significant costs associated with previously announced redundancies, aircraft write downs and non-cash depreciation charges.

Click the link below to read the full press release!

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/7978/

Airbus Fly-By-Wire Visionary Bernard Ziegler Passes Away

May 5, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, France 5 May 2021 – Airbus (OTC: EADSY) is saddened to learn of the passing of Bernard Ziegler, at the age of 88. Ziegler, one of Airbus’ engineering pioneers, was instrumental in the introduction of the world’s first digital Fly-By-Wire (FBW) and side stick controls in a commercial passenger aircraft with the A320 in 1988.

Ziegler’s career spanned some four decades. He realised the full potential that digital FBW could bring, including flight envelope protection incorporated into the control software. Ziegler’s legacy lives on with digital FBW on all current generation Airbus aircraft, and its adoption as the standard on all modern passenger aircraft globally.

Born in 1933, in Boulogne sur Seine, Ziegler graduated from the French “Ecole Polytechnique” in 1954 and, later, from several engineering and flight training schools (Ecole Nationale de l’Air, Ecole de Chasse, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de l’Aéronautique, Ecole du Personnel Navigant Essais). For ten years, he was a fighter pilot in the French Air Force.

During the early 1960s he studied aeronautical engineering at ENSA (l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure de l’Aéronautique) in Toulouse, which is now ISAE-SUPAERO. He then attended prestigious flight test pilot school EPNER, before taking up a career as a military test pilot.

Ziegler joined Airbus as its chief test pilot in 1972 and was given the task of setting up a new flight test division. He put together a team that shared the objectives of both the design office and the partner countries, fostering collaboration between flight test crews and design engineers.

As a test pilot, he flew the first flight of the first A300 in 1972. The programme was later on an early testbed for FBW which transfers the pilot’s commands to the aircraft via digital signals. FBW provides significant benefits through commonality, improved flight safety, reduced pilot workload, fewer mechanical parts, and real-time monitoring of all aircraft systems.

He also flew the A310, A320 and A340-200. In June 1993, Ziegler participated in the longest flight ever undertaken by a civil aircraft, when an A340-200, dubbed the “World Ranger”, flew around the world from Paris with just one stop in Auckland in just over 48 hours.

Up until his retirement in December 1997, Ziegler was Airbus Senior Vice President of Engineering.

Air Cairo Receives First Airbus A320neo

April 27, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Hamburg, Germany 26 April 2021 – Air Cairo, Egypt’s low-fare airline, has taken delivery of its first A320neo aircraft. The new aircraft will join Air Cairo’s all Airbus fleet of seven aircraft. The aircraft is on lease from ICBC Leasing and is equipped with CFM LEAP-1A engines.

With improved levels of efficiency, the new aircraft will be deployed on Air Cairo’s regional and international network to serve countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East – demonstrating the operational flexibility of the A320neo. Air Cairo’s fleet expansion and modernization strategy coincides with the airline’s decision to open more routes, fostering closer links with countries across continents.

Offering the airline exceptional technical, economic and environmental performance, Air Cairo’s A320neo is configured with 186 seats in an all-economy-class cabin. Passengers onboard the aircraft will benefit from the widest cabin of any single-aisle aircraft and the latest generation in-flight entertainment system.

The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines, Sharklets and aerodynamics, which together deliver 20% in fuel savings and CO2 reduction compared to previous generation Airbus aircraft. The A320neo Family has won more than 7,450 orders from over 120 customers.

Virgin Australia Group Outlines Growth Plans to Support Tourism Recovery

April 19, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

BRISBANE, 15 April 2021: Virgin Australia Group has announced fast-tracked plans to acquire new aircraft, create more frontline jobs and grow its network to further support domestic tourism.

The recovery efforts include the reintroduction of 10 additional Boeing 737-800 aircraft and the planned return of more than 80 per cent of the airline’s pre-pandemic domestic capacity by mid-June. Network operational changes will also allow the airline to redeploy Boeing 737 aircraft to other parts of its network over the coming months.

After a year of rolling state-based restrictions, pent-up travel demand is supporting the launch of several new and expanded services and frequencies on key leisure and business routes. Virgin Australia Group is committed to maintaining a market share consistent with its pre-COVID position.

Commitment to Jobs

The creation of more roles at the Company will see more than 220 cabin crew return to the skies from the airline’s discontinued long-haul international, ATR regional and Tigerair Australia operations. The new recruits will join one of 15 cabin crew training schools over the next two months.

In addition, a major recruitment drive to fill more than 150 new cabin crew roles, including an expression of interest for future positions has also begun today, with applications from other Virgin Australia employee groups being assessed as a matter of priority. External expressions of interest can be made via the airline’s careers website.

Fleet and Network

The Company has finalised arrangements to re-introduce 10 Boeing 737-800 aircraft which had previously been operated by Virgin Australia, with further aircraft under investigation. The first three aircraft will join the airline’s mainline fleet this month while the remainder are set to progressively enter service by October.

The Company is finalising wet lease arrangements with Alliance Airlines to operate Fokker 100 services on behalf of Virgin Australia between Brisbane-Alice Springs and Brisbane-Mt Isa from 19 April 2021. The move will allow Virgin Australia to explore more efficient ways of managing capacity and frequencies to support choice and convenience for regional customers.

Using an Airbus A320 aircraft, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) will also move to operate select services on mainline routes between Perth-Darwin, Perth-Broome and Perth-Adelaide from next month. These arrangements will support the redeployment of the Boeing 737 aircraft to other markets.

Between now and the June school holidays, the airline will add more than 220 return flights per week to its schedule, offering new and extended seasonal services and expanded frequencies on key business and leisure routes. Trans-Tasman services to Queenstown are set to recommence ahead of school holidays on 18 September 2021.

Tigerair Taiwan Becomes New Airbus A320neo Operator

April 9, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Taipei, 8 April 2021 – Tigerair Taiwan, the low cost subsidiary of China Airlines, has taken delivery of its first A320neo. This is the first of 15 A320neo Family aircraft scheduled to join the airline’s fleet. The aircraft is also the first A320neo to be introduced in Taiwan, and will be the optimal platform for Tigerair Taiwan to increase capacity and open new routes across the Asia region. The A320neo has a range of up to 3,200nm, enabling flights of up seven hours from Taipei.

With the A320neo, Tigerair Taiwan will benefit from the lowest operating costs and highest comfort levels in the single-aisle segment, while maintaining a high degree of commonality with the A320ceo. Tigerair Taiwan’s A320neos are powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines and configured in a single class layout with 180 seats.

The A320neo Family offers the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky and incorporates the latest technologies, including new generation engines and Sharklets, delivering a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption. At the end of March 2021, the A320neo Family had won nearly 7,400 firm orders from 120 customers worldwide.

Air Lease Places Two Airbus A320-200 Aircraft with Qanot Sharq Airlines Uzbekistan

February 21, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Los Angeles, California, February, 2021 – Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) announced today long-term lease placements for two used Airbus A320-200 aircraft with Qanot Sharq Airlines (Uzbekistan), scheduled to deliver this March. This will be the first two aircraft in the fleet of the Uzbek startup airline.

“ALC is pleased to announce this lease placement of two A320-200s with Qanot Sharq Airlines,” said AJ Abedin, Vice President, Marketing of Air Lease Corporation. “We have worked closely with the Qanot Sharq executive team and are thrilled to participate in the launch of the first Uzbek startup airline through the placement of their first two aircraft.”

“We are honored and excited to work with one of the largest aircraft leasing companies in the world to assist with the launch of our airline,” said Nosir Abdugafarov, owner of Qanot Sharq Airlines. “These two A320-200s are scheduled to deliver in March and will be the first two aircraft in Qanot Sharq’s fleet, ensuring the highest standard of safety and comfort for our passengers.”

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release 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.

About Qanot Sharq Airlines

Established as the first privately owned Airline in Uzbekistan, Qanot Sharq is led by a team of highly accomplished airline industry professionals with over 200 years of combined industry experience. The airline will operate from multiple regional airports in Uzbekistan, providing scheduled air service to international destinations such as Istanbul, Ankara (Turkey), Dubai (UAE), Jeddah, Medina (Saudi Arabia), Moscow, St. Petersburgh (Russian Federation) and Almaty (Kazakhstan).

Air Côte d’Ivoire Receives its First Airbus A320neo

February 18, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Toulouse, 18 February 2021 – Air Côte d’Ivoire, Ivory Coast’s flagship carrier based in Abidjan, has taken delivery of its first A320neo, becoming the first operator of the type in the West-African region. This latest generation aircraft will join Air Côte d’Ivoire’s existing Airbus fleet of six aircraft.

With improved levels of efficiency, this new aircraft will be deployed on Air Côte d’Ivoire’s regional network to serve Senegal, Gabon, and Cameroon. Destinations like South Africa will be added at a later stage, highlighting the operational flexibility of the A320neo. Powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines, the aircraft is configured in a comfortable two-class layout with 16 seats in Business and 132 seats in Economy Class. Passengers will benefit from the widest cabin of any single-aisle aircraft, high-speed Internet connectivity and latest generation in-flight entertainment system.

Air Cote d’Ivoire’s first A320neo took off from Toulouse carrying 1 tonne of humanitarian goods including medical equipment and toys. In partnership with Aviation sans Frontières and the Airbus Foundation, the mission is part of Air Côte d’Ivoire’s corporate social responsibility initiative. The transported goods will serve local NGOs in Abidjan, thus supporting the education and health sector in the country.

Air Cote d’Ivoire has a fleet of 10 aircraft, including three A319s and three A320s, serving 25 domestic and regional destinations in West and Central Africa.

The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines, Sharklets and aerodynamics, which together deliver 20% in fuel savings and CO2 reduction. The A320neo Family has won 7,450 orders from nearly 120 customers.

SAS and CFM Sign Engine Purchase and Services Agreement

February 17, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

SAS has selected CFM International LEAP-1A engines to power its new fleet of 35 A320neo family aircraft ordered in 2018. This agreement also includes eight spare engines. In addition, SAS has signed with CFM a Rate-Per-Flight-Hour (RPFH) support agreement to cover its new fleet of LEAP-1A engines, including spares, as well as 15 additional LEAP-1A-powered A320neo on lease.

This new agreement is part of SAS’ fleet upgrade program that aims to improve efficiency and sustainability performances. SAS has been at the forefront of introducing technologies that reduce the impact of aviation on the environment, as well as choosing efficient engines to power its fleet.

SAS was a launch customer for CFM’s advanced LEAP-1A engine that it selected in 2011 to power the first batch of 30 A320neo. SAS currently operates 44 A320neo aircraft and 1 A321neo LR powered by the fuel-efficient LEAP engine and plans to introduce two additional A321neo LR.In total SAS orders for purchased and leased aircraft placed in 2011 and 2018 will enable SAS to increase the fleet of A320neo to 80.

CFM International’s advanced LEAP-1A engine continues to set a new industry standard for fuel efficiency and asset utilization, logging more than seven million engine flight hours in commercial operations. The fleet is demonstrating a 15 percent better fuel consumption and CO2 reductions as well as a significant improvement in noise emissions compared to the best CFM56 engines.

Frontier Airlines Forms Pilot Pathway with ATP Flight School

January 25, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

DENVER – Jan. 25, 2021 – Frontier Airlines and ATP Flight School have formed a “Frontier Direct Program” targeting ATP graduates and CFIs for employment as Frontier Airlines First Officers.

In the Frontier Direct Program, ATP graduates and instructors progress from ATP straight to the flight deck at Frontier after enhanced ATP CTP training that includes additional Airbus A320 full-motion flight simulator experience. The new partnership offers pilots an accelerated path to a rewarding career with Frontier while providing Frontier access to a high-quality pool of qualified pilot applicants, dedicated future employees, and advocates of the Frontier brand.

After completing flight training in ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program, graduates gain flight experience with ATP as paid flight instructors. Between 1250-1500 hours total flight time, recommended instructors interview with Frontier Airlines. After the candidate selection and interview process with Frontier, applicants receive a Conditional Offer of Employment and continue working towards 1,500 hours of flight experience with ATP. Once ready to transition to Frontier, pilots attend the enhanced ATP CTP course. This tailored course with ATP utilizes full-motion Airbus A320 simulator training to prepare pilots for success at Frontier.

“We appreciate Frontier Airlines collaborating with ATP,” said Justin Dennis, President of ATP. “This program is a tremendous career opportunity for ATP graduates, while helping Frontier access a pool of highly qualified, professional pilots who appreciate the opportunity to fly for Frontier.”

Added Brad Lambert, Vice President of Flight Operations for Frontier Airlines, “Frontier is proud to partner with premier flight schools such as ATP to ensure the quality of our future pilot supply. We have been impressed with the caliber of candidates we have seen. Coordinating with ATP to enhance their jet transition program helps to evaluate and improve on the skill set required to be a safe and successful airline pilot.”

Four ATP graduates have already completed the program in a proof of concept started in 2020. All four pilots have been flying the line with Frontier after successfully completing new-hire training and IOE.

First Officer Walter Copeland III was one of the first participants in the Frontier Direct Program, transitioning from ATP to Frontier in Feb 2020. Walter began flying as a first officer in Jun 2020 – just 29 months after starting training with ATP.

Aircalin Takes Delivery of First A320neo

January 14, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

New Caledonia’s Aircalin has taken delivery of its first A320neo. The aircraft joins two A330neo already delivered under the carrier’s fleet modernisation plan.

With its new fleet the airline benefits from the lowest operating costs in the respective size categories, as well as the unique commonality between variants of the Airbus Family.

Aircalin’s A320neo is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1000 engines and configured in a single class layout with 168 seats.

With the A320neo, Aircalin will be able to increase capacity on its flights and open new routes across the Pacific region.

The A320neo Family offers the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky and incorporates the latest technologies, including new generation engines and Sharklets, delivering a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption, as well as 50 per cent less noise compared to previous generation aircraft.

At the end of November 2020, the A320neo Family had received 7,455 firm orders from over 120 customers worldwide.

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