Virgin America places firm order of 60 new Airbus 320

Virgin America today announces a firm order for 60 new Airbus A320 aircraft to be delivered starting in 2013, including 30 of the A320neo aircraft  the first commercial order for the new eco-efficient engine option. This formalizes and expands an initial commitment made at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2010. Today's announcement of the new fuel-saving A320neo is a new development in that deal. Virgin America is the launch customer for the new eco-efficient Airbus A320neo aircraft, which promises to be one of the most fuel and carbon-efficient commercial aircraft in the world. With today's order and growth from other sources, Virgin America's fleet will more than triple in size – from its current 34 aircraft to 111 aircraft by 2019. To celebrate its growth, the airline today launches a "Sweet 60" sale on flights across its network with fares from $60, restrictions, taxes and fees applying.

The 30 current technology A320s are slated for delivery from 2013-2016. The neo option was launched in late 2010, and the 30 neo aircraft are slated for first delivery in early 2016. The A320neo will offer 15 percent gains in fuel efficiency, along with the accompanying improvements in carbon efficiency  including double digit reductions in NOx emissions. The A320neo offers reduced engine noise, lower operating costs and up to 500 nautical miles more range. Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson and Virgin America President and CEO David Cush, today join Airbus CEO Tom Enders and Airbus COO Customers John Leahy, to make the announcement alongside one of the new aircraft during the Airbus annual press conference at Toulouse, France.

Virgin America orders upto 60 A320's

British entrepreneur Richard Branson provided a closing flourish to the Farnborough Airshow by doubling the size of his Virgin America airline fleet by video link from the Caribbean on Thursday.
The founder of airline Virgin Atlantic announced an order for 40 Airbus A320 single-aisle jets worth $3.3 billion plus options for 20 more. It was reported that the Branson will be celebrating his 60th birthday in a weeks time and to mark his 60th birthday he has placed orders for 60 brand new aircrafts. 

Flybe places orders for Embraer E 175 jets

Embraer and Flybe, one of Europe's leading low-cost and regional airlines, signed a contract for the sale of 35 Embraer  E175 jets, today, at the 47th Farnborough International Airshow, in England. The deal includes 65 options and 40 purchase rights, giving the order a potential for 140 Embraer 175s. The total value of the contract, at list price, is US$ 1.3 billion, based on January 2010 economic conditions, and could reach US$ 5.0 billion, if all options and purchase rights are exercised. The British airline's Embraer 175 jets will be configured in a single-class layout, seating up to 88 passengers with comfortable, 30-inch pitch (76 cm) Elite seats. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2011.

LAN confirms orders of 50 A320's

Chile's dominant airline LAN said on Tuesday it has ordered 50 Airbus A320 planes with a list price of around $4.15 billion as the carrier seeks to expand its operations in Latin America. LAN plans to double its fleet with an investment of about $7.7 billion by 2018. The 50 short-haul planes would be incorporated in its fleet between 2012 and 2016 and used in regional and domestic routes in Latin America. LAN has placed orders for 95 A320 planes that it would be delivered between 2010 and 2016, and might sell 15 A318 planes, a company spokeswoman reported to press.

LAN was one of the Latin American companies that made large commercial plane orders at the Farnborough Airshow on Tuesday. The Chilean carrier, one of the region's profitable airlines, has gained passenger traffic, rising 15.5 percent in June from a year earlier after growing 13.9 percent in May. In December, LAN signed a contract to buy 30 new Airbus A320 short-haul planes worth around $1.97 billion.

Malayasians' order with Boeing

Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets will be installed on all 35 of the 737-800 aircraft that Malaysia's national carrier, Malaysia Airlines, has on order with Boeing. The first aircraft will deliver later this year, with deliveries continuing into 2013."We are very pleased that Malaysia Airlines decided to install Blended Winglets on its entire fleet of 737-800 aircraft," says Aviation Partners Boeing CEO John Reimers. "This commitment assures they are operating the most efficient aircraft available with greater flexibility to meet the changing needs of the industry in Southeast Asia." Malaysia Airlines already has experience with Blended Winglets on a small fleet of leased 737-800 aircraft. APB's operational performance claims were verified in the daily operations of the aircraft and led to the fleet-wide investment decision. "We hope this is the first of many orders from Malaysia Airlines," says Reimers. "Blended Winglets will differentiate them from the aggressive low cost market in the region and provide a visible cost advantage over their competition."Blended Winglets are ideal to address the challenging operating conditions in Southeast Asia as they provide takeoff weight capability improvements of up to 6 tonnes from high altitude, hot and obstacle-limited airports while dramatically reducing fuel and engine maintenance costs on normal operations.

GE Capital services buys 40 B737's

GE Capital Aviation Services says it has ordered 40 Boeing 737-800 planes for $3 billion at list prices.

The deal announced at the Farnborough International Airshow on Monday follows orders for other Airbus and Boeing commercial aircraft from Emirates airline and newly created leasing company Air Lease Corp. — raising hopes the aviation market is improving after a two-year downturn.

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker says his company has ordered three business jets from Canadian manufacturer Bombardier. In a press conference Monday, he announced an order for two Global 5000 aircraft and a last minute addition a Challenger 605. The deal is worth $122 million at list prices, although airlines often negotiate substantial discounts. Al Baker says Qatar Airways is still talking to Bombardier about buying its C-Series commercial jet, but was not able to conclude a deal at the airshow.

Boeing and Emirates announce their order of 30 B777's

Boeing and Dubai-based Emirates Airlines today announced an order for 30 Boeing 777-300ERs (Extended Range) at the 2010 Farnborough International Airshow. Eighteen of these were previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website. Emirates is already the world's largest 777 operator with a fleet of 86 777s through direct purchase and lease, plus an additional 16 777-300ERs previously on order. It is also the only airline in the world to operate every model in the Boeing 777 family, including the 777 Freighter. "Since we took delivery of our first 777 14 years ago, the airplane's reliability, performance and operating economics have firmly established it as the backbone of our fleet," said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group.
"Our decision to further expand our 777 fleet reflects our plans to continue to build our fleet of the future and grow our expansive global network, which already spans six continents. It also demonstrates our commitment to operating a modern fleet that not only enhances the passenger experience but our operational efficiency as well." Emirates took delivery of its first Boeing 777, a 777-200, in 1996, and since then the airline has deployed the 777 on short-, medium- and long-haul routes.

"Emirates is today one of the world's leading airlines. Its growth over the years has established it as a truly global force in the aviation industry," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Emirates has played an important role in the success of the 777 with its strong support and valuable feedback over the years. Today's order underscores the airline's confidence in the airplane which forms the backbone of its fleet. For that we are very grateful." The Boeing 777 is the world's most successful twin-engine, long-haul airplane. The 777-300ER extends the 777 family's span of capabilities, bringing twin-engine efficiency and reliability to the long-range market. The airplane carries 365 passengers up to 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km). Boeing incorporated several performance enhancements for the 777-300ER, extending its range and payload capabilities. Excellent performance during flight testing, combined with engine efficiency improvements and design changes that reduce drag and airplane weight, contributed to the increased capability.

B787 dreamliner makes International debut at Farnborough airshow

The Boeing B787 Dreamliner made its international debut landing at the Farnborough Airport at 9:09 a.m. (local time) in support of the Farnborough International Airshow that begins today.
It's an honor to showcase the 787 here at the Farnborough Airshow, said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. This is the first international trip made by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airplane came nonstop to Farnborough, U.K., from Seattle.
We took advantage of the flying time to conduct some flight testing on the way, Fancher said. They are taking every opportunity to complete the testing requirements when they fly.
The 787 Dreamliner is built by an international team and will provide airlines around the globe with a new level of efficiency in operations, with a 20 percent reduction in fuel use when compared to similar-sized airplanes. The 787 also brings a new level of passenger comfort to travelers including bigger windows and more personal space as well as an environment designed to help them arrive at their destinations feeling refreshed.
Boeing executives and members of the board of directors, dignitaries from the United States and U.K. and a wide variety of media were on hand to welcome Captains Mike Bryan and Ted Grady as they stepped off the airplane and welcomed visitors aboard. About a dozen people traveled on the airplane to conduct testing during the flight. Fancher and other Boeing executives will provide a media briefing on the 787 at the airshow's main press chalet at 10 a.m. (local time). The airplane, referred to as ZA003, will depart Tuesday afternoon, July 20.

Emirates to place more aircraft orders

Emirates airline is set to place a $5 billion order for 20 Boeing B777 wide-body jets, aviation sources said on Saturday.The order could be a key feature of the opening day of the July 19-25 Farnborough air show on Monday, when the Dubai-based airline is expecteded to hold a news conference. Boeing declined to comment.

An order for 20 of the latest model of 777s, which seats 365 passengers, would be worth $5.4 billion at list prices. Emirates, the largest airline in the Arab world, placed an order for 32 Airbus A380s at the Berlin air show last month and said it was likely to order more aircraft soon.