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Airbus in early talks over moderate A380 stretch
Airbus has strongly hinted that it is considering a moderate stretch of the A380 as part of a modernization package tied to a potential engine upgrade on the type. While the notion is only preliminary, the airframer has been gauging interest from possible customers. Airbus had originally intended to stretch the A380-800 to a proposed -900, a version which would make better use of the -800’s wing.
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Boeing is exploring new aircraft body type
Boeing is exploring the possibilities of a new aircraft, larger than its 737, but more compact than its wide-body craft. The potential plane would be larger than Boeing's out-of-production 757, and boast a longer range. Senior Vice President John Wojick said that Boeing is projecting demand for at least a thousand such planes.
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Comac wins commitments for 64 jets
Comac has won commitments for an additional 57 of its C919 narrow-bodies, bringing the total for the in-development jet past the 500 mark, as the Chinese airframer works towards a roll-out this year. Additionally, seven has been added to the number of ARJ21 regional jets for which Comac has secured commitments.
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Embraer lands deals for 50 E-Jets
Embraer has secured firm orders from three airlines and one aircraft lessor for a total of 50 E-Jets, evenly split between the current generation and the E2 variants, the Brazilian airframer disclosed today at the Paris air show. Aircastle has made firm commitments to 15 Embraer 190-E2s and 10 E195 E2s, taking options for an additional 25 across the two variants. The lessor's firm orders, which have a list-price value of $2.6 billion, bring the E2 total to 267, Embraer says.
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GECAS orders 60 more A320neos
US lessor GECAS has ordered another 60 Airbus A320neo jets, doubling its commitment to the re-engined type. GECAS had previously opted to take 60 of the type in 2011.
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Liebherr wins more work on Boeing 777X
Germany’s Liebherr is to develop and manufacture a power drive unit and hydraulic motor for the leading edge actuation system on the Boeing 777X. Liebherr says the components for the new widebody are required to be “compact, extremely reliable and light in weight”.
LinkAirlines
Garuda signs for 30 A350s after striking 787 deal
Garuda Indonesia has signed a letter of intent to purchase 30 Airbus A350 XWBs. The airline will use the type to develop its medium and long-haul network, says Airbus, noting that the A350 can fly nonstop from Jakarta and Bali to Europe. Development of Garuda's long-haul business "will be a priority in the coming years", says airline chief Arif Wibowo. "With its reduced fuel consumption, range capability and extra-wide cabin, the A350 XWB will be one of the options for us to reposition ourselves as a leading premium carrier in the competitive long-haul market out of Asia."
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Garuda tentatively commits to 30 787-9s, 30 more Max 8s
Garuda Indonesia has disclosed its intent to purchase 30 Boeing 787-9s and up to 30 more 737 Max 8s. Chief executive Arif Wibowo says the agreement is part of the airline's "revitalization program." The Indonesian flag carrier has also reconfirmed an intent, disclosed in October 2014, to purchase 50 737 Max 8s.
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Qatar orders 10 777-8Xs and four more 777Fs
Qatar Airways has placed an order for 10 777-8Xs and four 777 Freighters. "Acquiring technologically advanced airplanes such as the 777X is integral to our expansion strategy," says the airline's chief Akbar Al Baker. "With the addition of these 777-8Xs to the 50 777-9Xs already on order, we are confident of continuing the tremendous legacy of the 777."
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Saudia taking 20 regional A330s plus 30 A320s
Saudi Arabian flag-carrier Saudia is committing to 20 of the regional version of the Airbus A330-300, under an agreement which will also include 30 baseline A320s. The carrier had already been revealed as an initial customer for the new lower-weight A330 variant, which is being aimed at high-density shorter routes.
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SkyWest debuts first Alaska E175
Utah-based SkyWest Airlines will debut the first of 15 Embraer 175s on 1 July, as it confirms plans to replace older regional jets with the 76-seat model.
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Swiss converts 10 CS100s to CS300s
CSeries launch operator Swiss has converted 10 of its 30 firm CS100 orders to the larger CS300, manufacturer Bombardier confirms. The original 30-unit purchase agreement, signed by Swiss parent Lufthansa, was disclosed in 2009. "With its size and its low operating costs, the CS300 aircraft ideally complements the CS100 aircraft and the rest of our European fleet," says Swiss's chief executive Harry Hohmeister. "With both versions of the new CSeries family of aircraft in our ranks, we can be highly flexible in tailoring capacity to demand on our European routes."
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United Express Fleet to receive 10 new E175s
Ten more Embraer E175 aircraft will be added to United Airlines' United Express fleet to offer passengers more in-flight comfort and convenience. "The E175s are a great addition to the regional fleet and further align the United Express in-flight experience with our mainline service," said Ron Baur, United's vice president of fleet.
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US Airways Pittsburgh maintenance hangar lease is extended
US Airways is extending its lease for jet heavy maintenance hangar space at Pittsburgh International Airport for another five years, a bit of good news for a region ravaged by the airline’s cutbacks over the last decade. The decision signals that the carrier intends to keep the work in Pittsburgh, at least for now, even as it completes its merger with American Airlines.
LinkAirports
Tucson Airport Authority CEO touts Delta's investment, partnership
Delta will offer service three times a day between Tucson and Los Angeles according to a recent announcement. "We value our partnership with Delta and the significant investments they continue to make in providing high quality air service for Southern Arizona," said Tucson Airport Authority President and CEO Bonnie Allin.
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Military
Beechcraft re-christens AT-6 as Wolverine
Textron Aviation has rechristened its Beechcraft AT-6 light attack aircraft as the “Wolverine”, while the company’s Cessna Grand Caravan EX special mission aircraft has made it’s Paris debut. Russ Bartlett, president of Beechcraft Defense Company, says that the airframer wanted to differentiate the armed AT-6 from the T-6 Texan trainer. “We wanted a name that was appropriate, relevant, and cool,” says Bartlett. “The wolverine is a territorial, defensive type of animal.”
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Boeing eyes F-15 modifications, extra Super Hornet sales
Boeing sees strong demand for F-15 Strike Eagle upgrades domestically and among Japan and South Korea, particularly for communications upgrades that would allow the fourth-generation fighter to share and fuse data with the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. As the company prepares for a reduction in fighter work toward the end of the decade, officials think significant modernization programs could help keep the workforce busy until the USA starts building a follow-on to the F-35.
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Boeing optimistic about Korean tanker decision falling to KC-46
Boeing is optimistic about securing its first international KC-46A Pegasus tanker customer as South Korea prepares to down-select a supplier by month’s end. According to one source with knowledge of the program, Korea has accepted final offers from Boeing, Airbus and Israel Aerospace Industries to delivery four aerial refuelling tankers, and is due to pick a winner by the end of this month with an announcement expected to "tickle out" by mid-July. That down-selection comes as Japan prepares to release its own request for proposals for tanker aircraft in the coming weeks. The current solicitation is in draft form.
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Boeing announces repeat C-17 order for Qatar
Qatar is to boost its fleet of C-17 strategic transports to total eight aircraft, Boeing confirmed on the opening day of the show. The Qatar Emiri Air Force already has four of the giant airlifters in service. “We are very please with the C-17s, and look forward to doubling our fleet to enhance worldwide operations,” says deputy commander Gen Ahmed Al-Malki. The service introduced its first example in 2009.
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P&W developing upgrade package for B-52 engine
Pratt & Whitney is developing a proposal for a package of performance upgrades for the existing Boeing B-52 engine after the US Air Force again postponed a plan to replace the venerable bomber’s 60-year old TF33 engine. Several four-engined solutions have been evaluated by the USAF to replace the eight TF33s on board each B-52H.
LinkRotary Wing
Milestone signs for Bell 525s and more Airbus helicopters
Milestone Aviation Group has signed letters of intent for 20 Bell 525 Relentless rotorcraft and increased its commitment for Airbus Helicopters H175s. Subject to confirmation, the lessor will start taking delivery of the aircraft in 2017. It would be the second lessor to order the 525, after Waypoint struck a deal for the type in March. "Milestone is committed to building long-term relationships with industry leaders that deliver value for our customers," says Milestone president Daniel Rosenthal. "By securing future delivery positions for the Bell 525, we are continuing to demonstrate our strong commitment to that goal."
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Aviation Quote
If Richard Branson had worn a pair of steel-rimmed glasses, a double-breasted suit and shaved off his beard, I would have taken him seriously. As it was I couldn't . . .
— Lord King, Chairman British Airways.
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