Airlines

Airbus hikes payload specification for A350 freighter

Airbus increased the payload capacity of the A350 freighter from 109 to 111 tonnes. The increased amount was revealed on June 14 during a briefing by Florent Massou, senior vice-president for widebody programmes.

The newly announced aircraft programme, which was announced towards the end of 2021, has so far secured 39 confirmed orders and is scheduled to go into service in 2026. Because of how well the design is coming together, Massou said, “We can already add an additional 2 tonnes, allowing for increased revenues for airlines and overall platform efficiency.”

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He pointed out that the increased payload capacity will enable the aircraft to perform more favourably than rival versions.

The new freighter’s main deck cargo door, which measures 175 inches (4.44 metres) wide, will be one of its most notable characteristics. The manufacturer estimates that it will have a 7.500-kilometre range and 111 tonnes of cargo capacity. More than 70% of the fuselage will be constructed of cutting-edge materials, reducing weight and increasing operating effectiveness.

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Massou claims that this door is the broadest one produced. “The door of the A350F cannot be compared to any other model. Larger doors make loading easier and make it easier to fit larger shipments onto the platform.

These improvements will lower carbon dioxide emissions from operations when compared to cargo aeroplanes currently in service. It will also have a substantially lower noise impact.

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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.