AirAsia orders 200 Airbus A320neo aircraft
Malaysian-based low-cost carrier AirAsia placed an order worth US$18.5 billion for 200 Airbus A320neo aircraft, the largest single order Airbus has ever received. Delivery will be in phases between 2016 and 2026. In total, the airline has ordered 375 units from the A320 family, with 89 of them currently in service.
A320neo is a redesign of A320 with a new engine and large wing-tip devices called sharklets. It can save fuel by 15 percent and achieve additional range capability of 500 nautical miles (950km). The aircraft model is also more environmentally friendly with 3,600 tonnes less CO2 emissions per aircraft per year and it is quieter.
The new order is to cater to expansion plans in the Philippines, Vietnam and other parts of Asia, according to Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group chief executive.
Rolls-Royce wins million-dollar deal from China Southern
Rolls-Royce has won a share of an order from China Southern Airline for V2500 engines to power 30 Airbus A320 aircraft. The contract, worth over US$250 million, includes a long-term engine maintenance agreement.
The V2500 is produced by the International Aero Engines consortium (IAE), in which Rolls-Royce is the senior shareholder. Nearly 6,500 V2500 engines are in service.
VistaJet as the launch customer of Bombarbier’s new product
Austrian luxury-charter company VistaJet has ordered 10 ultra-long-range Global 8000 business jets from Bombarbier, making it the first customer of the product.
The order is priced at around US$650 million and is assigned to deliver in 2017 and 2018. VistaJet has ordered 35 Bombarbier aircraft, mainly in the large-cabin and long-range categories.
The company is expanding quickly across BRINC (Brazil, Russia, India, Nigeria and China) countries and the Middle East. These markets account for over 75 percent of all of their flights.
Ryanair teams up with China for C919
Ryanair, the Irish low-cost airline, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) to develop its medium-range C919 jet.
The jet will be designed to carry up to 200 passengers and is expected to be available by 2018. It enables Ryanair to lower costs and continue to reduce fares for passengers across Europe.
This is the first time COMAC takes part at the Paris Air Show and the Ryannair marks its successful debut.
For more information, visit www.paris-air-show.com/en
Hazel Ho
