Air Lease Corporation confirms the delivery of a new Airbus A321 aircraft to LATAM Airlines

Today Air Lease Corporation confirmed one new Airbus A321-200neo aircraft has been delivered to LATAM Airlines. This A321-200neo aircraft is the first of eight new Airbus A321s confirmed to deliver to the South American carrier from ALC’s order book with Airbus. Two A321-200neos are scheduled to deliver to the airline from ALC in 2023 and 2024, followed by five A321 XLRs starting in 2025 through 2026.

“ALC is pleased to announce our first A321-200neo delivery to LATAM Airlines today,” said Steven Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation. “With this new A321-200neo aircraft, LATAM adds to the airline’s fleet modernization program by obtaining the most advanced technology aircraft to optimize and grow the carrier’s expanding international route network.”

LATAM Airlines is a leading airline in Latin America, the group has a presence in five domestic markets in the region - Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. In addition, it also flies international services within Latin America and to Europe, Oceania, the United States and the Caribbean. 

The group has a fleet of Boeing 767, 777, 787, Airbus A321, A320, A320neo and A319 aircraft. LATAM Cargo Chile, LATAM Cargo Colombia and LATAM Cargo Brazil are the LATAM group's cargo subsidiaries, having a combined fleet of 18 freighter aircraft, which will gradually increase to a total of 19 cargo aircraft by 2024. 

ITA Airways takes delivery of its first Airbus A321neo

ITA Airways has taken delivery of its first A321neo on lease from Air Lease Corporation from Airbus’ Hamburg production facilities.  This latest addition further consolidates ITA Airways' all-Airbus fleet strategy, which currently stands at 81 aircraft, and includes the latest generation A220, A320neo, A330neo and A350 aircraft.

ITA Airways’ A321neo,  which will serve the airline’s medium-haul routes, is fitted with a three-class configuration including 12 Business Class full flat beds with direct aisle access, 12 Premium Economy seats in 4-abreast, and 141 Economy seats of which 12 are dedicated to Comfort Economy.

ITA Airways' A321neo aircraft features Airbus' Airspace cabin design, which includes new XL overhead bins and customised interior lighting based on the latest full-LED technologies to help reduce jet lag. In addition, to enhance the passenger experience, each seat is equipped with the latest generation in-flight entertainment system with individual screens and on-demand content.

The A321neo is the largest aircraft in 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. Having the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky, the aircraft is the perfect contender for maximising comfort.

To date, more than 5,500 A321neos have been ordered by customers across the globe.

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Massive 100 aircraft order for United Airlines

United Orders 110 New Aircraft with Deliveries Starting in 2028

New order builds on the early success of United Next strategy
 and includes 50 Boeing 787-9 and 60 A321neo aircraft

United also secures new options for up to 50 more Boeing 787s and new purchase rights for up to 40 A321neos at the end of the decade

The leading U.S. mega-carrier, United Airlines announced orders for 110 more aircraft for delivery beginning in 2028, building on the early success of United Next and adding additional flexibility for its long-term fleet.

Airbus A321neo

United converted previous options and purchase rights into firm orders for 50 Boeing 787-9s for delivery between 2028 through 2031, as well as 60 Airbus A321neos for delivery between 2028 and 2030. The company also secured new options for up to 50 more Boeing 787s and purchase rights for an additional 40 A321neo aircraft at the end of the decade.

"We're building a bright future at United and this order takes our already successful United Next plan into the next decade and beyond," said United CEO Scott Kirby. "Our planning and focus on the long term have helped us surge past other airlines that stood still. I'm convinced our strategy is the right one as we continue to add new, larger aircraft to take full advantage of our growing flying opportunities both internationally and domestically."

United expects to take delivery of about 800 new narrowbody and widebody aircraft between 2023 and the end of 2032.

Larger Aircraft to More Places

A key component of the United Next plan is growth in gauge, essentially flying larger planes with more available seats on the same route. Given that United currently operates out of the largest markets in the country - Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark/NYC, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. - upgauging also boosts overall connectivity domestically and internationally.

In 2019, United averaged 104 seats per North American departure, among the lowest in the industry. By 2027, United expects that number to jump more than 40% to over 145. United now has 180 A321neo and over 370 737 MAX aircraft on firm order through 2030, a combination that will drive the average seats per departure even higher on these larger aircraft, with even lower anticipated per-seat costs.

Fleet Flexibility

United's latest aircraft order starts at the end of the decade and can be used for fleet growth or replacement, depending on the demand and the economic climate at the time. And from a widebody perspective, the 50 incremental 787-9s that United ordered today will allow the airline to further simplify its international fleet – another benefit to customers and employees as well as an area of cost savings.

United is already the largest carrier across the Atlantic and Pacific. The airline now has 150 Boeing 787s on firm order – more than any airline in the world.

New Customer Amenities and Lower Carbon Emissions

The new aircraft in today's order will have the same customer amenities, technological innovations and fuel efficiency benefits as previous United Next narrowbody and widebody orders. For narrowbodies, these include seatback screens in every seat, enough overhead room for everyone's carry-on, Bluetooth connectivity, and fast Wi-Fi. And each new widebody features United Polaris® business class, where customers get their own pod with a lie-flat seats and 16-inch seatback screens. The airline recently announced new business class amenity products and services from Therabody and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Plus, these new aircraft will continue to reduce United's per-seat carbon emissions compared to the older models they replace, in line with the airline's expectation to be net zero by 2050 by reducing GHG emissions 100% without relying on traditional carbon offsets. According to Boeing, the 787 Dreamliner contributes up to a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions per seat compared with the airplanes it replaces and according to Airbus, the A321neo brings a 50% noise reduction and more than 20% fuel savings and CO2 reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft.

United expects that 75% of its fleet will be new-generation by 2030.

LATAM Airlines takes delivery of its first A321neo, adds 13 more to orderbook

LATAM Airlines has taken delivery of its first A321neo leased from AerCap and placed an order for 13 additional A321neo aircraft to further expand its route network and drive its regional growth. This is the first delivery of a committed backlog of 76 A321neo aircraft. In total, LATAM has 111 A320 Family aircraft to be delivered.

The newly delivered A321neo for LATAM can seat up to 224 passengers and feature Airbus’ Airspace XL bins in the cabin. The larger bins provide a 40% increase in storage space and facilitates 60% more carry-on bags, allowing a more relaxed boarding experience for passengers and cabin crews. The newly delivered A321neo flew to its destination with 49% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

“Our fleet renewal and modernization strategy is fully aligned with our sustainability commitment and brings us closer to the goal of becoming a carbon-neutral group by 2050,” said Ramiro Alfonsín, Chief Financial Officer of LATAM Airlines Group. “We will continue to work on enhancing the current fleet with next-generation aircraft to further improve our connectivity while caring for the environment.”

“We thank LATAM for their continued confidence in our aircraft, reselecting the A321neo for its continued network growth. This strategic move also accelerates LATAM decarbonisation trajectory as the A321neos are at least 20% more fuel-efficient, emitting 20% less CO2  and 50% less noise compared to previous generation aircraft,” said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International.

The A321neo is the largest member of Airbus’ best-selling single-aisle A320 Family. The A321neo allows operators to cover the entire market, while offering the lowest seat-mile cost of any single-aisle available. To date, more than 5,200 A321neos have been ordered by customers worldwide.

LATAM Airlines Group and its affiliates are the main group of airlines in Latin America, with presence in five domestic markets in the region: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, in addition to international operations throughout Europe, Oceania, the United States and the Caribbean. Today, LATAM operates 240 Airbus aircraft and is the largest Airbus operator in Latin America. In July this year, LATAM took delivery of a new Airbus A320neo, the first delivery using 30% SAF.

Airbus has sold over 1,150 aircraft in Latin America and the Caribbean. More than 750 are in operation throughout the region, with more than 520 in the order backlog, representing a market share of 58% of in-service passenger aircraft. Since 1994, Airbus has secured 75% of net orders in the region.

In 2016, Airbus became the first aircraft manufacturer to offer customers SAF at delivery flights. Today, aircraft and helicopters leave Airbus delivery centres with SAF onboard. SAF has been identified as one of the key elements in helping achieve emissions reduction goals.

Pegasus takes delivery of its 100th aircraft

Pegasus Airlines’ 100th aircraft, called Cumhuriyet - which translates as Repblic,  in honour of the Turkish Republic's centenary, has landed at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport. The new Airbus A321neo features the silhouette and signature of Türkiye’s founding father Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on its tail.

Continuing to expand its fleet with new generation engine aircraft, Pegasus Airlines has taken delivery of its 100th aircraft, named Cumhuriyet in honour of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye. The new Airbus A321neo, bearing the tail sign TC-RDP, completed its inaugural journey from Hamburg, Germany, landing at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport on Saturday, 30 September 2023, at 6pm. 

Mehmet T. Nane, Chairperson of the Board at Pegasus Airlines, and Güliz Öztürk, CEO of Pegasus Airlines, took delivery of the aircraft in person at the Airbus facilities in Hamburg, Germany. The aircraft was specially designed to pay tribute to the centenary of the Turkish Republic, featuring the silhouette and signature of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on its tail. Cumhuriyet is the ninth of the 16 new aircraft scheduled to join the Pegasus fleet in 2023, marking the 100th aircraft so far and the 75th aircraft to be delivered as part of the Airbus order signed in 2012, which, through additional agreements over the years was extended to a total of 150 aircraft. 

In her statement, Güliz Öztürk, CEO of Pegasus, expressed great pride in receiving the airline’s 100th aircraft during the Republic's centenary: "We've now reached our 100-aircraft milestone with our new A321neo aircraft, Cumhuriyet. We are taking strong steps into the future with an extensive international network spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Caucasus, and across Türkiye from north to east to south and west. With our innovative, rational, principled, and responsible approach, we aim to be one of the industry’s leading low-cost airlines that streamlines air travel while offering affordable fares. 

"We are committed to continuing the transformation that we started in Turkish aviation 18 years ago."

 

Güliz Öztürk emphasised that all aircraft deliveries from 2021 onward consist of A321neo aircraft: "The A321 is widely recognised in the industry as a game-changer, featuring a distinct configuration compared to standard short-to-medium range commercial aircraft. These aircraft offer more capacity through a longer fuselage while maintaining an operational process that aligns well with our current structure. In essence, this allows us to provide higher-capacity services without complicating our operational setup. In this regard, we are yielding high value efficiencies.” She continued: “We are committed to continuing the transformation that we started in Turkish aviation 18 years ago and remain dedicated to excellence. With our aircraft that make up Türkiye’s most modern fleet, we will continue to work with all our strength for our country, our industry, our stakeholders, and our guests.” 

As of 25 September 2023, Pegasus' fleet consists of 100 aircraft, including 15 Boeing B737-800s, six Airbus A320ceos, 46 Airbus A320neos, and 33 Airbus A321neos, making it the youngest fleet in Türkiye with an average age of 4.5 years.

 

Cathay Group orders 32 A320neo Family aircraft

Hong Kong’s Cathay Group has announced the purchase of an additional 32 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft as it continues to invest in expanding and modernising its fleet. The agreement doubles the Cathay Group’s total orders for the A320neo Family to 64, of which 13 have already been delivered.

Hong Kong’s Cathay Group has announced the purchase of an additional 32 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft as it continues to invest in expanding and modernising its fleet.

The 32 additional aircraft will comprise both the A321neo and A320neo which will join the fleets of Cathay Pacific and HK Express. They will principally serve destinations in the Chinese Mainland and elsewhere in Asia.

Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, Christian Scherer said: “Cathay is one of the world’s leading airline Groups and we are proud to be part of its recovery and growth plan.”

“Operating out of the Cathay Group’s base at the heart of Asia, the A320neo family will enable it to expand its services across the region with a most efficient single-aisle fleet and a positive passenger comfort differentiation. With a significant reduction in fuel consumption, the aircraft will also bring an immediate contribution to the Cathay Group’s sustainability goals.”

The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines, Sharklets and aerodynamics, which together deliver at least 20 percent lower fuel burn and CO2 emission savings. With more than 9,700 orders from over 130 customers, the A320neo Family is the world’s most popular single-aisle aircraft.

Largest Eurowings medium-haul jet A321neo on more than 100 flights to Mediterranean and Canary Islands

D-AEEA has already flown holidaymakers to more than 16 holiday destinations.

Three more A321neo scheduled to join the fleet in the course of the year

The Airbus A321neo, the largest and longest Airbus medium-haul jet, which joined the Eurowings fleet around a month ago, has successfully completed its first 100 flights to the most popular holiday destinations in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands. The flight programme for the first weeks included 16 different destinations. Flight EW9856 from Düsseldorf to Palma de Mallorca was the first flight with which the latest addition to the fleet, registration D-AEEA, entered scheduled service on 20 July. Since then, the long "Mallorca Airbus" has flown many thousands of travel-happy passengers to their holidays.

The "Mallorca-Airbus": Highly efficient and quiet

The Airbus A321neo is by far the most efficient and quietest short-haul and medium-haul jet in the world and is the most visible sign yet of more than 50 sustainability initiatives at Eurowings. The aircraft has a significantly improved environmental performance compared to previous generations: 50 per cent reduced noise emissions, up to 20 per cent less fuel consumption and equally reduced CO2 emissions.

The seating capacity for up to 232 guests earns the newcomer the nickname "Mallorca-Airbus" - fitting for the Cologne-based company's well-known "Mallorca Shuttle". In the summer season, the A321neo will be increasingly deployed towards the Balearic island to serve the continuing high demand for the most popular destination in the Eurowings network. The Lufthansa subsidiary flies to the island's capital Palma up to 400 times a week in the high season. With the A321neo, Eurowings is continuing its fleet modernisation. In the course of the year, the airline will take delivery of another three aircraft of this type - the addition of a further A321neo is planned for February 2024. Together with the seven A320neo aircraft, the neo fleet of Eurowings will then comprise 13 aircraft.

Airspace Cabin for even more passenger comfort

The luggage compartments of the new Airspace Cabin have a 40 per cent larger volume and can even hold 60 per cent more suitcases, as these can be stowed vertically in the compartments. Another highlight is the new flexible lighting system, which is geared to passengers' biorhythms depending on the phase of the flight and time of day and illuminates the cabin in either warm orange or cooler blue tones.

To underline the importance of the A321neo for the topic of sustainability, Eurowings has made a comprehensive documentation of the introduction of the "sustainability ambassador": With more than 30 different cameras in a wide variety of positions and using state-of-the-art drones, a film crew followed the transfer of the aircraft from the Airbus factory site in Hamburg Finkenwerder to its home base in Düsseldorf. Thanks to close coordination with German Air Traffic Control and DUS Airport, a video was created that provides completely new perspectives on one of the most modern commercial aircraft in the world and sets new standards in communicating the topic of "sustainability".

50 Airbus A320neos on order converted to larger A321neo model by Avolon

Avolon, a leading global aviation finance company, has signed a binding agreement for its order of 20 new A330neo aircraft from Airbus. The order firms up a memorandum of understanding signed at the Paris Airshow in June. The new aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between 2025 and 2028.

Avolon was a launch customer for the A330neo programme in 2014 and is enjoying strong customer demand for additional widebody aircraft having fully placed its current order book. With over 1,400 A330ceo aircraft in operation, airlines are considering options to upgrade to the A330neo aircraft, which has an increased range of range of over 13,300km (7,200 nautical miles) and 25% lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The agreement with Airbus also confirms that 50 of the A320neo aircraft Avolon has on order with Airbus will convert to the larger A321neo model.

Andy Cronin, CEO of Avolon, commented:   “We see a high level of widebody demand within the delivery window for these aircraft. With our existing widebody pipeline already placed, these new aircraft will support our future growth plans and allow us to provide options for carriers looking to replace older A330ceo aircraft with the more fuel-efficient A330neo. The order builds on our strong relationship with Airbus as a launch customer for the A330neo, and our position as the leading lessor for this aircraft type.”

Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International at Airbus commented:   “It’s fantastic to see Avolon once again commit additional investment in the A330neo aircraft and lead the lessor market reordering widebody aircraft. Avolon’s vision and timing could not be better with this commitment for a further 20 aircraft to its portfolio. Avolon will benefit from the strong wave of growth and replacements that we currently observe across all markets, and we welcome our continuing partnership with them.”

Cloud joins the Frontier Airlines fleet

Aviation Capital Group has this week announced the delivery of one new Airbus A321neo aircraft on long-term lease to Frontier Airlines. Powered by the ultra-efficient Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, this is the sixth of seven A321neo aircraft scheduled to deliver to the airline from ACG’s order book with Airbus. Traditional to Frontier Airlines, this A321neo will unveil a new special livery with “Cloud, THE THREE-WATTLED BELLBIRD” painted on the tail.

Wizz Air orders a further 75 A321neo Family aircraft

Wizz Air, the European budget airline has signed a firm contract with Airbus for an additional 75 A321neo Family aircraft, taking its total order for the largest member of the Airbus single-aisle to 434, and for Wizz’s A320 Family overall to 565 aircraft. 

József Váradi, CEO of Wizz Air said; "With today's announcement, Wizz Air further reinforces its position as the largest A321neo Family operator in Europe and the Middle East. More than half our fleet has already been converted to cutting-edge neo technology. The A321neo’s unparalleled economic efficiency and remarkably low carbon footprint underpin our commitment to provide affordable and sustainable travel options for our customers. We have enjoyed a longstanding strategic partnership with Airbus and are steadfast in our commitment to this exceptional technology with one of the largest outstanding order books in the world of more than 350 neo aircraft.”

“Wizz Air has steadily grown to become a formidable airline in the European skies and a great partner to Airbus. The investment in the A321neo is a solid foundation in Wizz Air’s continued expansion strategy," said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International.

The A321neo is the largest member of Airbus’ A320neo Family, offering unparalleled range and performance. By incorporating new generation engines and Sharklets, the A321neo brings a 50 percent noise reduction and more than 20 percent 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, nearly 5,200 A321neos have been ordered by customers across the globe.

Frontier Airlines gets another new Airbus A321neo on lease from Aviation Capital Group.

Aviation Capital Group announced today, the delivery of one new Airbus A321neo aircraft on long-term lease to Frontier Airlines. Powered by the ultra-efficient Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, this is the fifth of seven A321neo aircraft scheduled to deliver to the airline from ACG’s order book with Airbus. Traditional to Frontier Airlines, this A321neo will unveil a new special livery with “Wilhelm, THE STELLER’S EIDER” painted on the tail.

Aviation Capital Group announces delivery of an Airbus A321neo to Frontier Airlines

Aviation Capital Group announced the delivery of one new Airbus A321neo aircraft on long-term lease to Frontier Airlines. Powered by the ultra-efficient Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, this is the fourth of seven A321neo aircraft scheduled to deliver to the airline from ACG’s order book with Airbus. Traditional to Frontier Airlines, this A321neo will unveil a new special livery with “Manuel the Squirrel Monkey” painted on the tail.

Aviation Capital Group is one of the world’s premier full-service aircraft asset managers with over 480 owned, managed and committed aircraft as of March 31, 2023, leased to roughly 95 airlines in approximately 45 countries. It was founded in 1989 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Century Corporation.

Pegasus Airlines Places Order for 36 New A321neo Aircraft

Pegasus Airlines has signed an agreement to purchase 36 new A321neo model aircraft, in addition to the existing aircraft orders placed under the 2012 Airbus order.

Pegasus Airlines has signed an agreement with Airbus for 36 new A321neo aircraft, in line with its strategy to modernise its fleet, focusing on reducing emissions while saving fuel and unit costs. Pegasus had previously modified its Airbus order signed in 2012, to include a total of 114 new aircraft with amendments made in 2017, 2021, and 2022. The delivery of the 36 newly ordered aircraft, in addition to its existing orders, is planned to be completed by the end of 2029. As a result, the original order for 100 A320/321neo family aircraft, placed by Pegasus with Airbus in 2012, has now been extended to a total of 150 aircraft. Among these, 108 are A321neos.

In her statement on the agreement, Güliz Öztürk, CEO of Pegasus Airlines, said: "We embarked on our journey with the belief that everyone has the right to fly and today, we remain equally dedicated to operational efficiency, financial performance, and sustainability for our industry and the world. With these goals in mind, we continue to work diligently and determinedly towards our strategy of fleet modernisation, focusing on fuel and unit cost savings, and emission reductions. Through our recent agreement with Airbus, by adding 36 new 239-seater A321neo aircraft, which are the most efficient aircraft type in their class, we will both expand and modernise our fleet.” 

"With an average age of 4.5 years, we operate the youngest fleet in Türkiye"

Noting that Pegasus have the youngest fleet in Türkiye and one of the youngest fleets among low-cost carriers globally with an average age of 4.5 years, Güliz Öztürk said: "This efficiency makes a significant contribution to reducing fuel consumption and emissions. In addition, we are actively pursuing many more initiatives on the road to net zero. In addition to our fleet transformation with new generation aircraft, we are moving towards this goal through our operational efficiency efforts, increasing our use of sustainable aviation fuel and our focus on alternative energy sources. In 2023 and beyond, our main goal will be to maintain and advance our leading position in the industry with our innovative, rational, principled, and responsible approach.” 

A321neos have higher seat capacity, lower fuel consumption and reduced carbon emissions per seat-kilometre

The A321neo, the latest addition to the Airbus medium-range single-aisle family, is the largest of the group. Due to its 239-seat configuration, it offers significant advantages in terms of capacity utilisation, while also providing significant benefits in terms of fuel consumption due to the technical specifications of the new generation LEAP-1A engines. Airbus states that the new-generation Neo aircraft is 15-20% more efficient in terms of fuel consumption and carbon emissions than its predecessors. The operational performance of the A320/321neo series aircraft validates this efficiency.

Viva Aerobus signs up for 90 Airbus A321neo jets

Mexican ultra-low-cost airline Viva Aerobus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 90 A321neo aircraft to drive its international and domestic growth. This MoU would bring the airline's order book to 170 A320 Family aircraft.

“These 90 A321neo 240-seater aircraft will allow us to grow and renew our fleet and remain the youngest in Latin America. The technology and operational efficiency of the A321neos will improve our operational reliability, on-time performance, and provide an unmatched passenger experience. Additionally, we expect to drive further cost-savings which will reflect in lower airfares and strengthen one of our most important advantages: having the lowest cost in the Americas. The fuel-efficiency and noise reduction that the A321neo provides will advance our sustainability efforts by delivering immediate, tangible carbon emission reductions, thus enhancing our position as the most efficient airline in the continent,” said Juan Carlos Zuazua, Chief Executive Officer of Viva Aerobus.

“The Mexican leisure market is in full recovery mode and Viva Aerobus is at the centre of the action! The unbeatable economics of the A321neo make it the perfect choice for the airline's ultra-low cost model. We are pleased to have been a partner with the airline since 2013 and look forward to working together as it continues on its growth trajectory", said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International.

Big orders from leasing giant Avolon at Paris Air Show....

Avolon orders 40 Boeing 737 MAX Jets

Converts 50 A320neos on order to larger A321neo model

Signs up for 20 Airbus A330neo aircraft. 

At the Paris Air Show on Wednesday, the international aircraft leasing giant Avolon has ordered 60 aircraft and converted a previous order to a larger type of plane. 

The firm has placed a firm order with Boeing for 40  737 MAX aeroplanes, the first order from the company since 2017. However, this isn't a completely new order, it was previously listed as unidentified on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website with the announcement deliberately delayed to the air show to boost Boeing's publicity coverage at the show. 

Andy Cronin, CEO of Avolon said: "Today's announcement reaffirms our long-standing partnership with Boeing and our support for their 737 MAX program. We are confident in the long-term demand from our customers for the 737 MAX, and this order extends our delivery pipeline out to 2030," 

Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes said: "This order demonstrates the popularity of the 737-8 among the leasing community and the demand they are seeing from their customers for this aeroplane model. Avolon has a long-standing relationship with the 737 MAX program and took delivery of the 1,000th 737 MAX last year. We look forward to building on this strong relationship with a key leasing partner as they grow their Boeing portfolio of aeroplanes."

Avolon has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus at the Paris Air Show to order 20 Airbus A330neo aircraft. These new aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between 2026 and 2028.

Avolon was a launch customer for the A330neo programme in 2014 and has fully placed its current widebody order book.  This agreement will also see 50 A320neo aircraft Avolon has on order with Airbus converted to the larger A321neo model as passenger demand has recently rapidily 

Andy Cronin commented:  “We have been a strong supporter of the A330neo programme since its launch and, with our existing widebody orderbook fully placed, we are now locking in future growth in a supply-constrained environment. Our expanded delivery pipeline allows us to offer our customers the A330neo’s range and reduced emissions, supporting their evolving fleet needs. Our recent aircraft orders and commitments reflect our confidence in the long-term growth trajectory of the aviation sector, which is outlined in our recent World Fleet Forecast projecting that the global passenger fleet will almost double by 2042.”

Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International at Airbus said: "It’s fantastic to see Avolon once again commit additional investment in the A330neo aircraft and lead the lessor market reordering widebody aircraft. Avolon’s vision and timing could not be better with this commitment for a further 20 aircraft to its portfolio. Avolon will benefit from the strong wave of growth and replacements that we currently observe across all markets."

Volaris has disclosed 25 A321neo from a purchase agreement signed in October 2022.

Mexican ultra-low-cost airline and all-Airbus operator Volaris has disclosed 25 A321neo from a purchase agreement signed in October 2022. 

These aircraft bring Volaris total backlog to 143 A320neo Family aircraft, which will support the airline’s continuous fleet renewal and expansion, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines.

“These A321neos will support our long-term business viability and sustainability strategy while moving us closer to operating an all-NEO fleet by 2028. Our 143 aircraft backlog demonstrates Volaris financial strength and will guarantee our growth in the Mexican market as well as in routes to the United States and Central America," said Enrique Beltranena, Volaris President and Chief Executive Officer.

“The A321neo’s superior performance and efficiency will continue to drive Volaris’ network growth. As the fleet grows the airline will be well-positioned to meet future demand, especially in the Mexican leisure market. We look forward to working closely with Volaris as it continues to spread its wings," said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International.

The A321neo is the largest-fuselage member of Airbus’ best-selling single-aisle A320 Family. The A321neo allows operators to cover the entire market while offering the lowest seat-mile cost of any single-aisle available.

Volaris became an Airbus customer in 2006, and since then the airline has ordered 206 A320 Family aircraft, including more than 170 A320neo Family aircraft. Volaris is the largest A320neo Family operator in Latin America.

Airbus has sold over 1,150 aircraft in Latin America and the Caribbean. More than 750 are in operation throughout the region, with another 500 in the order backlog, representing a market share of nearly 60% of in-service passenger aircraft. Since 1994, Airbus has secured 75% of net orders in the region.

250 aircraft order for Airbus from Air India confirmed at Paris Air Show.....

Air India firms up order for 250 Airbus aircraft

A350 aircraft of choice for Air India’s renaissance in long-haul travel

A320 Family of jets to become the cornerstone of 

Air India’s domestic and regional fleet

As had been predicted some time ago,  Air India has firmed up its order for 250 Airbus aircraft and also selected an Airbus maintenance and digital package to power the airline’s transformation and growth strategy.

The aircraft order includes 140 A320neo and 70 A321neo single-aisle aircraft as well as 34 A350-1000 and six A350-900 wide-body jets. The deal confirms the letter of intent to acquire the aircraft that was signed back in February 2023.

The purchase agreements for the aircraft, as well as the Letters of Intent for maintenance and digital services, were signed in the presence of N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons and Air India, Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD of Air India, Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO, Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, and Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director, Airbus India and South Asia at the Paris Air Show 2023.

Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India, said: “Our ambitious fleet renewal and expansion programme will see Air India operate the most advanced and fuel-efficient aircraft across our route network within five years. We are proud to be working with all our partners, including Airbus, in this journey to rebuild a global airline which reflects India taking a more confident posture around the world.”

STARLUX Airlines launches third Philippines route.....

STARLUX Airlines, the Taiwan-based luxury carrier is adding a third Philippines destination to its schedule and will launch a daily service between Taipei and Clark, Philippines on 15th August.

The new service will allow passengers from North America to travel all the way from Los Angeles to Clark – the gateway to the northern Philippines and island tourist destinations – via Taipei. 

Formerly the largest U.S. military base in Asia, Clark has been transformed into what’s now known as the Freeport Zone —an important economic centre and tourist destination. Clark has experienced significant economic growth and development in recent years, attracting businesses and investments. It is also an up-and-coming tourist destination, known for its beautiful natural surroundings, including mountains, lakes, and outdoor recreational areas.

“We believe Clark will be an important route to increase our competitiveness in the North American transit market by making it easy for passengers heading to Clark or other destinations in the northern Philippines for business or pleasure,” said Glenn Chia, CEO of STARLUX.

The flights to Clark will be operated by an Airbus A321neo configured in a two-class layout, with 8 seats in business class and 180 in economy class. 

The schedule for the new flights to Clark is shown below:

Flight Number	Route	Weekly Schedule	Departure Time	Arrival Time
JX789	Taipei – Clark (TPE - CRK)	TUE, THU, FRI, SUN	07:45	09:45
JX790	Clark – Taipei (CRK - TPE)		10:45	12:45
JX791	Taipei – Clark (TPE - CRK)	MON, WED, SAT	17:25	19:25
JX792	Clark – Taipei (CRK - TPE)		20:25	22:25

Frontier Airlines get another Airbus A321neo......

Frontier Airlines has taken a new Airbus A321neo jet on a long-term lease from the aircraft leasing giant Aviation Capital Group LLC.  The super fuel efficient Airbus aircraft is powered by the Pratt & Whitney GTF engines and is the third of seven A321neo aircraft scheduled to be delivered from ACG’s order book with Airbus. Traditional to Frontier Airlines, this A321neo will unveil a new special livery with “Sierra The Bighorn Sheep” painted on the tail.

Aviation Capital Group is one of the world’s premier full-service aircraft asset managers with approximately 470 owned, managed and committed aircraft as of December 31, 2022, leased to roughly 95 airlines in approximately 45 countries. It was founded in 1989 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Century Corporation. 

Air India has leased four new Airbus A321neo aircraft from AerCap

Global leasing giant AerCap Holdings confirmed today that it has completed a mandate for the lease of four new Airbus A321neo aircraft with Air India, the flag carrier of India, following the delivery of the fourth aircraft.

The aircraft, powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines, are the first A321neo aircraft to be inducted into the Air India fleet. 

"It is a very exciting time for Air India as it returns to Tata Group ownership and transitions its fleet to meet the rapidly growing Indian aviation market.  AerCap is delighted to play a role in Air India's fleet transformation by providing its first tranche of NEO aircraft on operating lease," said Peter Anderson, the Chief Commercial Officer of AerCap. "We wish Air India and the Tata Group every success as they restore Air India to one of the world's leading airlines."

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial & Transformation Officer, Air India, said: "These four new, leased Airbus A321neo aircraft join our fast-growing fleet as part of the sweeping transformation in progress at Air India. We look forward to continuing our very successful partnership with AerCap as we go along in our continuing effort to build Air India as one of the world's finest airlines."

Founded by the legendary JRD Tata, Air India pioneered India's aviation sector. Since its first flight on October 15, 1932, Air India has an extensive domestic network and has spread its wings beyond to become a major international airline with a network across USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Far-East, South-East Asia, Australia, and the Gulf. Air India is a member of Star Alliance, the largest global airline consortium. After 69 years as a government-owned enterprise, Air India and Air India Express were welcomed back into the Tata group in January 2022. The present management at Air India is driving the five-year transformation roadmap under the aegis of Vihaan.AI to establish itself as a world-class global airline with an Indian heart.