Air Tahiti studying the A350 for fleet renewal. Available slots –again- is a driver.

Air Tahiti Nui is considering either the A330neo or the A350 Family of aircraft as potential replacements for its fleet of 5 A340-300s. The Tahiti Infos news site says the carrier is looking to acquire either 4 upgraded A330s or A350-900s. Given order backlogs with manufacturers Airbus, Air Tahiti Nui will likely only take delivery of its first new aircraft in 2019/2020 at the earliest.

Source: Airbus

"It is not we who define the schedule, it is the manufacturers," CEO Michel Monvoisin said. "At this point in time, we have to consider that the best possible delivery date [for new jets] will be in either 2019 or 2020."

Source: publico.pt

The renewal plan has taken on a strong degree of urgency given that the expiration in 2017 of a French law exempting tax on investments in France's overseas territories (Loi de Développement économique des outremers - Lodeom) could result in an extra-cost in each aircraft of around EUR 67million.

 

Based on the article “Air Tahiti Nui studying the A330neo, A350 for fleet renewal” published in Ch-aviation

A350 Formation flight of 5 prototypes. Backstage.

Airbus has released an interesting video showing how the A350 Formation flight of the 5 prototypes held last 29/Sep was prepared.

This Formation flight around Toulouse was performed the day before achieving the Type Certification by EASA.

Click here to watch the video (6.3 minutes).

All pictures are video-captures. 






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Malaysia Airlines eyes A350 but wants first deliveries in 2017.

Malaysia Airlines could decide between the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 as its future of its long-range fleet as early as March/2015 for delivery in 2017 as a first step in a sweeping restructuring of the airline.

The Malaysian flag-carrier is preparing to be nationalised under full control of state-run Khazanah Nasional by year’s end and choosing a fuel-efficient replacement for its ageing Boeing 777 fleet is now a high priority for the airline.

“We definitely see an urgent need to have a long-term fleet plan for MAS” said Mr PK Lee, Regional Senior Vice President of Malaysia Airlines.

Source: publico.pt

“Once we establish a new business model consistent with our aspirations as a premium airline, we need to align this to our fleet plan” Lee told Australian Business Traveller in Kuala Lumpur.

“In March/2015 we will have an accurate picture of our first design for the new business – including fleet size, fleet types and fleet plan – so this will be an important milestone for making that decision so that in 2-3 years time we have the best aircraft for the long term.”

Lee said that while replacing the Boeing 777s had previously been discussed, “the total revamp of the organisation is an opportunity for MAS to seriously look at the fleet type”, adding that the issue was “definitely more important” in light of the pending nationalisation.

“The A350 and 787 are both very good aircraft, as to which we choose, it depends whether Airbus and  Boeing can convince us which is the better fit” Lee said, “but so far we have not looked into the 777X.”

Source: publico.pt

Lee said that despite Malaysia Airlines’ financial woes – the airline airline has racked up debts of $1.5 billion since 2011 – bulking up the fleet with factory-fresh aircraft would not be beyond the airline once its nationalisations is complete.

“Definitely we will have the money to buy them” Lee says. “As the national carrier we have 100% support from the Government”.

Based on the article “Malaysia Airlines eyes Airbus A350, Boeing 787 but unsure of 777X” published in Australian Business Traveller

A350 finishes Asian demo-tour.

The A350 XWB took centre stage in the fast-growing Asian market during its successful 11-day demonstration tour, which was performed ahead of the first customer delivery, planned for coming weeks.

Source: Airbus

Using its MSN005 A350-900 developmental aircraft, Airbus debuted the A350 XWB in 5 new Asian destinations: Seoul, Tokyo, Hanoi, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, before returning back in Toulouse on Black-Friday.

Source: JangSu Lee

Throughout this trip, Airbus underscored the highly-efficient widebody jetliner’s superior operating economics and high levels of passenger comfort, which was highlighted during the visits of key customers, invited airline guests, industry officials, journalists and bloggers.

More than 4.000 people came aboard the aircraft during its Asian stopovers, with 375 of them given the A350 XWB experience during demonstration flights.

Source: Airbus

Visitors to MSN005 were able to experience first-hand the A350 XWB’s “xtra” wide cabin, which provides more personal space in all classes, the latest in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems, wide panoramic windows, large overhead stowage compartments and precise temperature control. 

Based on the press release “The A350 XWB makes a big impression during its Asian demonstration tour”

American wheels & carbon brakes for Chinese A350s

UTC Aerospace Systems has been selected by China Airlines to supply the wheels and carbon brakes for its fleet of 14 Airbus A350-900 aircraft.  The company will provide the equipment through its Landing Systems facility in Troy, Ohio.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ramis-photos/15041492804/in/pool-1297388@N21

The A350-900 carbon brakes use proprietary DURACARB® carbon heat sink material whichprovides exceptional brake performance and a 35% brake life advantage over competitive products, producing significant cost savings for operators.

"China Airlines' selection of our A350 wheels and brakes demonstrates their confidence in our product innovation and adds to the portfolio of equipment we already provide to this key customer," said Jim Wharton, Senior Vice President, Landing Systems for UTC Aerospace Systems.

Source: Toze Batista

"During our long-term relationship UTC Aerospace Systems has provided industry-leading products and customer support.  We are counting on their superior brake life and reduced maintenance costs for our new A350 fleet," said Joseph Chou, General Manager, Supplies Department, China Airlines.

Based on the press release “UTC Aerospace Systems Selected by China Airlines to Provide Wheels and Carbon Brakes for their Airbus A350-900 Fleet”

Reason behind Delta-decision to order A350.

AirwaysNews has conducted an economic analysis of the 787-9, A350-900 and 777-200LRs trying to analyze the reasons behind Deltas decision to order A350s and A330neos instead of 787.

Source: Airbus

The route used for the comparison has been a representative one: Seattle-Shanghai Pudong, from Delta’s trans-Pacific network. The distance for the route is 4.972 nautical miles, and operating cost calculations were made based on a variable fuel cost scenarios (jet fuel at $3.50, $3.00, and $2.50 per gallon). The A350-900 and 787-9 are assumed to sport identical 46% discounts with a 60% discount for the 777-200LR (as Boeing attempts to fill its production gap). A 12-year depreciation schedule is used.

As the data illustrates, the A350-900′s higher seating capacity gives it only a narrow disadvantage in cash operating cost per seat mile, but in terms of total CASM, the 787-9 has a small (<3 .5="" advantage.="" nbsp="" o:p="">

Both aircraft are close enough in terms of operating cost that non-operating factors (commonality with the A330-900neo, availability, etc.) won the day for the A350-900.

Furthermore, the analysis clearly illustrates why Delta rejected the stopgap 777-200LRs; a 16-20% operating cost disadvantage inclusive of capital costs is too large to stomach in a low margin hub like present day Seattle.

Source: publico.pt

As the operating economics are close enough to each other, “availability carried the day”; delivery slots offered to Delta in the 2016-2018 timeframe by Airbus (combined delivery slots for the A330-900neo and A350-900) have made the difference.

Based on the article “ANALYSIS: Delta Order for A350; A330neo Hinged on Pricing, Availability.” Published in AirwaysNews

Kuwait Airways orders 10 777-300ERs because there isn´t any white-tail A350 available for 2016.

Kuwait Airways has confirmed it is buying 10 Boeing 777-300ERs. The preliminary agreement means the state-owned flag carrier (with a nearly all-Airbus fleet) is greatly expanding its ties with Boeing.

Source: Airbus

“We appreciate the start of a new partnership with Kuwait Airways,” said Marty Bentrott, Boeing’s vice-president of sales for Middle East, Russia and Central Asia.

This long awaited decision has a key lever; deliveries will begin in two years, in November/2016. And there are no A350s available for 2016. Airbus has preferred to secure the order of 25 A350s from Delta (deliveries beginning in 2017) than selling 10 aircraft more to Kuwait Airways that has already 10 A350 (deliveries beginning in 2019).  

Source: Airbus

The offer was accepted after securing all necessary official approvals and the contract will be signed soon, chairwoman Rasha al-Rumi said.

In February, loss-making KAC signed contracts with Airbus to buy 25 planes in the first order for new aircraft in more than 20 years; 15 A320neo and 10 A350-900s, with an option to buy 5 more of each. Under a second contract, KAC will lease 7 A320s and 5 A330s, with delivery due to start next month.

Source: publico.pt

The airline, which is slated for eventual privatization, has an ageing fleet of 12 Airbuses (5 A300-600Rs, 3 A310-300s and 4 A340-300s) and 3 Boeings (2 777-200ERs and one 747-400 Combi). It has posted losses in all but one of the past 21 years, amounting to a total of more than $2.7 billion, which has been covered by the government.

Based on the article “Kuwait Airways confirms decision to opt Boeing 777-300ERs” published in Arabian Aerospace