Aerospace

Top 5 selling Narrow Body aircraft

In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most widely used and best-selling narrow-body aircraft.

We will look at some of the popular narrow-body aircraft in this article. which are taken into account based on the rankings and orders. The newest generation of these aircraft recently made its market debut. Let’s explore these planes.

1. Airbus A320neo family

Due to its advanced technology and effectiveness, the Airbus A320 neo is one of the most popular airplanes worldwide. It is one of the most commonly purchased airplanes ever produced by the Airbus company.

By 2019, the market share of the A320neo over the rival Boeing 737 MAX was 60%. More than 130 customers have placed orders for 8,502 A320neo family aircraft as of July 2022, and 2,341 of those aircraft had already been delivered.

China’s top 3 airlines will purchase nearly 300 Airbus A320neo aircraft. (Opens in a new browser tab)

The Airbus A320 neo family of aircraft represents a technological advancement over the Airbus A320. It was put into orbit on December 1st, 2010, and took off for the first time in September 2014. compared to existing A320 engines, maintenance costs are 20% cheaper. and emits fewer carbon emissions and noise.

It can be equipped with two different types of engines: the Pratt & Whitney PW1000 and the CFM Leap 1A. Customers can select either one of them. As of July 2022, there have been no accidents involving hull loss or fatalities in the A320neo series.

Boeing received the most orders at the Farnborough airshows in 2022. (Opens in a new browser tab)

2. Boeing B737 MAX aircraft.

The Boeing 737 MAX is the fourth generation of the Boeing 737, a narrow-body airliner built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes, a division of the American company Boeing. It replaces the Boeing 737 Next Generation and competes with the Airbus A320neo series (NG).

Initiated in August 2011, the program made its first flight in January 2016 and was certified by the FAA in 2017. Malindo Air was the first user of this aircraft.

Image: Jetline marvel / Rob Ryan

More than 863 airplanes have already been produced by Boeing. The FAA authorized the production of the aircraft after it was halted for two years. Boeing would complete some of the backlog delivery obligations by 2023. As demand rises, Boeing is increasing manufacturing to produce more aircraft.

COMAC C919 Successfully Completes Flight Tests(Opens in a new browser tab)

It has four versions and seats anywhere between 138 and 204 people. It has a single engine configuration that may be equipped with the CFM leap 1B engine, one of the best engines and the same engine used in the Airbus A320 aircraft. Its range is 7,130 kilometers.

Additionally, the Boeing 737 Max 10 is expected to enter the market the following year. It has 4174 unfilled orders compared to 863 deliveries.

10 things about Boeing 737 max aircraft.(Opens in a new browser tab)

3. Airbus A220 family

Another game-changing aircraft from Airbus is the A220. The fewer passengers and shorter routes network are best suited for this aircraft. Airbus Canada Limited Partnership is the manufacturer of the five-abreast Airbus A220 family of narrow-body aircraft. It served as the Bombardier CSeries for two years after its initial design by Bombardier.

The program was introduced on July 13, 2008, and the A220-100, formerly known as the CS100, flew for the first time on September 16, 2013. After Airbus purchased a 50.01% part in the project through a joint venture set up in 2016, the plane was relaunched as the A220 in July 2018.

Six airBaltic Airbus A220s were grounded due to a lack of spare parts(Opens in a new browser tab)

Courtesy: Airbus

It has fly-by-wire flight controls, highly efficient engines, and substantial use of composite materials, similar to the wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 XWB, and is propelled by Pratt & Whitney PW1500G geared turbofan engines.

The aircraft family has a range of 6,670 kilometers and can lift a maximum of 70.9 tonnes off the ground. Both launch companies reported better-than-expected fuel burn and dispatch dependability in addition to receiving praise from the crew and passengers.

The geared turbofan engine with improved aerodynamics can reduce fuel consumption by up to 25% per passenger, maintenance expenses by up to 25%, and noise emissions by up to 50%. it has major operators like Delta Air Lines, airBaltic, Air Canada, Swiss International Air Lines, and JetBlue Airways.

It received 774 orders as of 2022 and delivered 228 aircraft to its customers.

4. COMAC Family

Unreleased on the market yet, a new Chinese aircraft has already reached a significant number of orders, which inspires trust in the firm making it.

The Chinese aviation authorities have awarded the C919 its all-flying certification, and this year’s market release is anticipated.

Chinese aircraft company Comac created the narrow-body airliner known as the Comac C919 for commercial use. In 2008, the development program was introduced. The first prototype went into production in December 2011, and it was finished on 2 November 2015 and had its first flight on 5 May 2017.

Courtesy: Comac

It is powered by Chinese ACAE CJ 1000A turbofan engines or CFM Leap engines. be able to travel 5,555 kilometers with 156–168 passengers in its typical operating configuration (3000 nmi). Comac had 1008 pledges as of the end of August 2018, including 305 firm orders, many of which came from Chinese leasing companies or airlines. Up to 77.3 tonnes, maximum take-off weight and 20,400 kg payload are permitted.

The majority of Chinese consumers have already committed to purchasing C919 aircraft, and Comac is already working on the next iteration. A long-range, 250–320-seat wide-body twinjet aircraft family called the Comac C929 is being developed by CRAIC, a joint venture between the Chinese Comac and the Russian United Aircraft Corporation.

5. Embraer E190-E2 family.

Another aircraft that fits inside a 5,000-kilometre travel segment is the Embraer. Regional airlines would benefit most from using this aircraft.

A medium-range jet is the Embraer E195. The E190-E2 was the first type, and it made its first flight on May 23, 2016, was certified on February 28, 2018, and went into service with Widere on April 24, 2018.

The two sizes of Pratt & Whitney PW1000G turbofans, fly-by-wire controls with new avionics, and upgraded cabins are shared by the three twinjet variants. They also have the same four-abreast narrow-body fuselage with varying lengths and three different new wings.

Courtesy : Jetline Marvel /Daval

The E195-E2 will be 9.4 feet long and have three seat rows than the E195, and it can hold 146 people.

Two GE engines, and two Pratt & Whitney PW1919G engines, can power this aircraft. Embraer aims to reduce fuel consumption by 16 to 24% and maintenance costs by 15 to 25 percent per seat.

It has 146 seats and can hold up to 88 passengers. Additionally, it has a maximum take-off weight capacity of 61 tonnes and a payload capacity of 16 tonnes. Its range is 4,917 kilometers. It has currently gotten orders for almost 241 aircraft.

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Dawal

He is an aviation journalist and the founder of Jetline Marvel. Dawal gained a comprehensive understanding of the commercial aviation industry. He has worked in a range of roles for more than 9 years in the aviation and aerospace industry. He has written more than 1700 articles in the aerospace industry. When he was 19 years old, he received a national award for his general innovations and holds the patent. He completed two postgraduate degrees simultaneously, one in Aerospace and the other in Management. Additionally, he authored nearly six textbooks on aviation and aerospace tailored for students in various educational institutions. jetlinem4(at)gmail.com

Aerospace

India is set to build a central command for the Air Traffic Control system, called ISHAN

Coutresy : Boeing planes

India’s air traffic growth has led to increased responsibilities for air traffic control. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is considering centralizing air traffic control for aircraft, dividing the country into four regions. The goal is to consolidate India’s segmented airspace into a single entity to improve air traffic management (ATM) efficiency, safety, and smoothness.

Recently, the AAI invited expressions of interest to develop a detailed project report for the Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic Management (ISHAN) initiative in Nagpur. Under this plan, air traffic controllers in Nagpur would handle domestic flights flying above 25,000 feet, eliminating the need for coordination among controllers in different regions.

For domestic regional flights operating above 25,000 feet, control would shift to the central command in Nagpur. This consolidation aims to enhance airline operations, increase flight handling capacity, and reduce congestion and flight times for passengers.

Currently, the AAI provides ATM services over Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic areas, covering over 2.8 million square nautical miles. This airspace is divided into four flight information regions (FIRs) in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, along with a sub-FIR in Guwahati.

FIRs are responsible for providing air traffic services, including weather information, visibility, and search and rescue assistance. The proposed unification under the ISHAN initiative aligns with the projected growth of the aviation industry, which anticipates a doubling of domestic passenger traffic by 2030.

Aerospace

Does AirAsia show interest in Comac aircraft in the future?

Courtesy : Tony Fernandes (Linked in Story)

Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, operating as AirAsia Group, recently paid a visit to the facilities of COMAC on April 2, 2024, and was thoroughly impressed by what he witnessed.

C919 already securing nearly 1000 orders

COMAC, known for its homegrown aircraft, has launched two promising jets: the ARJ21 and the C919 aircraft. Both aircraft are gaining popularity in the Chinese market, with the C919 already securing nearly 1000 orders from various airlines.

Fernandes expressed his admiration for COMAC’s achievements in aircraft manufacturing, acknowledging the immense challenge it entails. His visit underscored the realization that AirAsia now has a viable third option when it comes to selecting aircraft for its fleet.

During his tour, Fernandes was delighted by the innovation and technology evident in COMAC’s aircraft production and the company’s commitment to long-term partnerships.

He noted that many Western companies have shifted away from prioritizing loyalty and customer service, opting instead for short-term gains and a narrow definition of success.

Last month, COMAC embarked on an international tour, showcasing demonstration flights to neighboring countries, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia. Fernandes believes that the positive impression left by COMAC during his visit opens up new opportunities for collaboration.

Fernandes emphasized COMAC’s remarkable achievements

The shared values of loyalty, customer service, and long-term vision align closely with AirAsia’s ethos, making collaboration with COMAC appealing. With a focus on innovation and excellence, both companies stand to benefit from a partnership grounded in trust and a shared commitment to success.

Indonesia and China have already collaborated in validating and maintaining the airworthiness of the ARJ21 aircraft, indicating a solid foundation for future partnerships.

In his statement, Fernandes emphasized COMAC’s remarkable achievements and genuine desire for long-term partnership, highlighting the absence of ego and a genuine willingness to succeed together. He marveled at COMAC’s fully automated, AI-driven factory, a testament to their dedication to innovation and efficiency.

Fernandes criticized Western firms for prioritizing short-term gains over loyalty, customer service, and long-term strategy, emphasizing the importance of understanding customers’ needs and collaborating to achieve success.

Aerospace

Indigo will soon launch Air Taxi Service in India

Image:Archer Aviation

InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent brand of IndiGo, is set to revolutionize travel in India with its upcoming air taxi service.

Scheduled for a potential launch in 2026, this innovative venture promises a seamless journey for passengers between two bustling hubs. Delhi and Gurgaon in Haryana. The forthcoming service is projected to revolutionize the daily commute, offering passengers a swift aerial journey covering the distance in a mere 7 minutes.

This remarkable efficiency contrasts starkly with the conventional 90-minute drive, underscoring the immense time-saving potential for commuters. The anticipated fare, ranging from Rs 2,000-3,000, makes this innovative mode of transport not only swift but also remarkably competitive in pricing.

At the heart of this ambitious endeavor lies a strategic partnership with Archer Aviation, a pioneer in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft technology. Under this collaboration, Archer will supply 200 state-of-the-art eVTOL aircraft, representing an investment of US$ 1 billion. These cutting-edge aircraft, capable of accommodating up to four passengers alongside the pilot, epitomize the future of sustainable air travel.

Powered by six battery packs, Archer’s eVTOL aircraft boast rapid charging capabilities, enabling a swift turnaround between flights. With a charging time of just 30-40 minutes, these eco-friendly aircraft ensure minimal downtime, maximizing operational efficiency.

Similar services are anticipated to be introduced by the joint venture in Bengaluru and Mumbai as well. Nevertheless, the service rollout period has not yet been made public by the company. Next year, it is anticipated to get its certification. Following this, the company will start the certification procedure with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).