Airlines

Boeing 737 plane reborn as £5,920-a-night ‘private jet villa’ in Bali

A magnificent villa has been created from a Boeing 737 airplane, giving it new life. The passenger plane, which was formerly a part of Mandala Airlines’ fleet before the Indonesian airline went out of business in 2014, was purchased by Russian businessman Felix Demin in 2021 and relocated to Bali in Indonesia.

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Here, Mr. Demin intends to convert it into a private rental in addition to his three other Bali homes. He claims that by March 2023, the “Private Jet Villa” will be open to visitors.

Courtesy: @privatejetvilla

On a Pectau clifftop, a hybrid plane-villa has been under construction for more than a year and has received a lot of social media interest. On its Instagram page, @privatejetvilla, influencers are pictured relaxing on observation nets sticking out of the fuselage and observing the sunset while perched on the wingtips.

The two-bedroom villa has a clifftop pool, four lounge chairs, fringed parasols, an outside seating area, and a fire pit. Instagram photos of interiors display a white and cream color design with mother-of-pearl and gold accents, as well as glass areas that let in light. However, it won’t be inexpensive. The home is already for sale on Expedia priced at £5,920 a night.

Courtesy: @privatejetvilla

This is a jet aircraft that we have converted into a luxury hotel from the outside and from the structural standpoint, he said. Additionally, the entire plane’s construction had been examined and given an extra-sound inspection. Nothing would occur, he insisted, “even if we had 300 people here on this wing. A stone bathtub that has been sunk into the jet’s cockpit, according to Mr. Demin, is on display there.

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Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.