Aeroflot, the Russian flag carrier and member of the SkyTeam alliance, has taken delivery of its first A350-900, becoming the launch operator of the latest generation widebody aircraft in Eastern Europe and CIS. Aeroflot’s A350-900 features a distinctive new livery embracing its almost 100 year heritage. Aeroflot has a total of 22 A350-900 aircraft on order and operates an Airbus …
Airbus, Government Of Québec Become Sole Owners Of A220 Programme As Bombardier Completes Strategic Exit From Commercial Aviation
Airbus, the Government of Québec and Bombardier Inc. have agreed upon a new ownership structure for the A220 programme, whereby Bombardier transferred its remaining shares in Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Airbus Canada) to Airbus and the Government of Québec. The transaction is effective immediately, Airbus has said. This agreement brings the shareholdings in Airbus Canada, responsible for the A220, …
Airbus, Green Africa Announce Strategic Partnership With MoU For 50 A220s
Airbus has announced that Green Africa Airways, Nigeria’s Lagos-based airline, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 50 A220-300 aircraft, one of the major orders to be placed globally for the A220 programme and the largest ever from the African continent. Airbus also quoted Babawande Afolabi, Founder & CEO of Green Africa Airways, as saying: “Together with Airbus, …
Airbus celebrates the 100th A220 aircraft produced
Airbus has celebrated the 100th A220 aircraft produced for a customer during a ceremony at the aircraft programme’s headquarters in Mirabel, Canada. The aircraft, an A220-300, destined for Riga, Latvia-based airBaltic, features a brand new and comfortable cabin layout with 149 seats plus a modernised livery. The A220 Family is assembled at Airbus’ main Final Assembly Line in Mirabel and …
GECAS Orders 12 A330neo, 20 A321XLR Aircraft
Airbus has announced that GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of General Electric, has signed a firm order for 12 highly efficient wide-body Airbus A330neos and 20 long-range single-aisle A321XLRs. The agreement for the A321XLR includes an order for 13 new planes and the upsizing of seven A321s in its existing backlog. The latest …
BelugaXL receives EASA Type Certification
Airbu says its BelugaXL has received its Type Certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) paving the way for entry-into-service by early 2020. The aircraft is an integral part of Airbus’ industrial system and a key enabler for production ramp-up requirements beyond 2019. The BelugaXL allows for 30% extra transport capacity being 7 metres longer and 1 metre wider …
Airbus Begins U.S. Production Of A220 Aircraft
Airbus has begun manufacturing the A220 in the U.S. The first team of A220 production workers began work at Airbus’ Mobile, Alabama-based production facility following their recent return from on-the-job training in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada, where the A220 programme and primary final assembly line are located. “The expansion of our commercial aircraft production in Mobile to a second product line—with …
Airbus Launches Campaign To Celebrate Golden Jubilee
Airbus has launched a global campaign celebrating the company’s 50 year anniversary, showcasing key moments of pioneering progress throughout the past five decades. The campaign which began recently commemorates five decades after French Minister of Transport, Jean Chamant and the German Minister of Economic Affairs, Karl Schiller signed an agreement at the 1969 Paris Air Show for the joint-development of …
Air Mauritius Takes Delivery Of Its First A330neo
Air Mauritius has taken delivery of its first A330-900, on lease from ALC during a ceremony held in Toulouse. The National carrier of the Republic of Mauritius is the first A330neo operator based in the southern hemisphere, and the first airline in the world to operate a combination of both the A330neo and A350 XWB. Benefiting from the A330neo unbeatable …
Who Wins The Race For Africa’s Emerging Aircraft Market?
By Roland Ohaeri Sustained Optimism The aircraft market in Africa may be growing slowly in line with the slow growth of airlines on the continent. But the potential for more aircraft to be demanded in Africa as the economy and the air transport industry emerge, for aircraft sellers, is worth waiting and positioning for. Air traffic growth and demand for …