Aviation
Airbus Orders and Deliveries Commercial Aircraft – October 2019
October was a landmark month for Airbus in terms of new business, with orders logged for 415 new commercial jetliners. This includes one of the company’s largest-ever transactions with a single airline operator, and overall bookings that significantly strengthened the extra-long-range A321XLR’s market positioning – while the 77 deliveries brought the total number of A320neo/A321neo jetliners delivered to customers/operators above the 1,000 mark.
Leading October orders was Indian carrier IndiGo’s for 300 additional A320neo Family aircraft, taking its overall order for the type to 730.
Other bookings in October for the increasingly-popular A321XLR included 30 for Malaysia’s AirAsia X, 20 for Hungarian-based Wizz Air, 12 for JetSMART of Chile, and two for an unidentified customer. Another unidentified customer ordered 13 A321XLRs in a transaction that also included 12 A330-900 highly efficient wide-bodies.
Completing the A320 Family orders during the month was China Airlines’ contract for 11 A321neos; seven A320neos for Taiwan’s Tigerair; and an agreement by the U.S. based lessor Aviation Capital Group for three A320neos. Overall, the A320neo Family reached a new milestone of over 7,000 orders from 113 customers with a backlog of more than 6,000.
New transactions were also booked in October for the latest member of Airbus’ single-aisle product line: the A220. France’s Réunion Island-based airline, Air Austral, signed a firm order for three A220s, becoming the first A220 customer in the Indian Ocean region; while Air Tanzania, the A220’s initial African-based operator, extended its fleet of A220-300s with two additional aircraft.
The 77 deliveries during the month were made to 45 customers and led by the A320 Family with 59 deliveries (56 NEOs and three CEOs). Since the A320neo Family entry into service in 2016, October marked Airbus’ 1,000th A320neo Family delivery, an aircraft which was received by IndiGo.
Among the other notable deliveries in October were the first A321neo for Taiwan’s STARLUX Airlines (through lessor GECAS).
EASA issued emergency Airworthiness Directive for Airbus A320
Completing the October deliveries were four A220s, along with 14 Airbus wide-body aircraft: eight A350-900s and six A330s (four NEOs and two CEOs).
During the first 10 months of 2019, Airbus made 648 deliveries overall to 92 customers, compared with 584 aircraft over the same period of 2018 – equivalent to 64 more deliveries.
Airbus ORDERS & DELIVERIES – November 2019
Taking the latest orders and deliveries into account, Airbus’ aircraft backlog as of 31 October stood at 7,471 aircraft including 6,107 A320 Family, 436 A220 Family, 593 A350 XWBs, 284 A330s and 51 A380s.
Aerospace
South Korean KF-21 Completed First Successful Aerial Refueling
The first aerial refuelling test of South Korea’s indigenous KF-21 Boramae fighter jet was successfully completed, marking a key milestone in the country’s defense capabilities.
Refueling from a Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force KC-330 aircraft off the southern coast, the Boramae fighter jet took off from Sacheon Airbase, some 183 miles southeast of Seoul. The Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) hailed this development, which represents a significant advancement for this state-of-the-art aircraft.
The successful aerial refueling test corresponds with a staged production plan intended to ease worries brought forward by the feasibility assessment carried out a year ago. The research recommended cutting production to just 20 units and made additional test suggestions. A DAPA official continues to state that after discussions with pertinent agencies, plans are in place to conclude verification testing by June of this year and complete a contract for the remaining 20 units by February of the following year.
The kf 21, which has been compared to the Turkish KAAN and the Indian AMCA, has a more stealthy airframe than fourth-generation aircraft, but it is not yet capable of fifth-generation fighter capabilities. However, in the future, modifications such as internal weapons bays might force South Korea to reclassify it as a fifth-generation fighter. Even while South Korea has made significant strides towards constructing the KF-21, other countries, including Turkey and India, are also stepping up their efforts to push plans for creating fifth-generation fighter jets.
As an initial phase, KAI boramae intends to manufacture a two-seat variant of the kai kf 21 boramae equipped with manned/unmanned teaming (MUM-T) capabilities. According to current plans, the Block 2 kf 21 fighter is slated for an upgrade to a low observability (LO) configuration, elevating it to the status of a fifth-generation fighter.
Additionally, KAI has put forward a proposal for the development of a Block 3 kf 21 boramae fighter jet, categorized as a sixth-generation fighter. This iteration would be larger, boasting enhanced stealth features and capabilities. It would incorporate more potent engines and operate within a comprehensive ‘system of systems’ framework, integrating with unmanned effectors for increased effectiveness.
With the KF-21’s production set to start later in the year, DAPA intends to finalise an agreement with KAI by the beginning of 2024. The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) is expected to receive 120 KF-21 fighters by 2032.
The whole production plan for 40 kf21s has been approved by the Defence Project Promotion Committee, with an estimated cost of 7.92 trillion won (US$5.9 billion) between now and 2028.
Aviation
Laser Attack on Aircraft after flying over at Mexico Fireworks Festival
In a shocking turn of events, a passenger jet was nearly blinded by the intense beams of hundreds of laser pointers wielded by festival-goers at a pyrotechnics festival in Tultepec, Mexico.
The harrowing incident unfolded last weekend during the National Pyrotechnic Festival, an annual celebration showcasing Mexico’s rich tradition in fireworks production and usage.
Video footage captured the moment when a passenger jet, en route to Felipe Ángeles International Airport, soared above the festival grounds. As the aircraft approached, the sky became illuminated with a multitude of green laser beams, creating an eerie glow around the plane.
https://twitter.com/fl360aero/status/1770277290695385593
The sight was both astonishing and terrifying, as the lasers posed a serious risk to the safety of the aircraft and its passengers. Social media erupted with condemnation towards the festival-goers, labeling their actions as idiotic and dangerous.
Social media erupted with condemnation as the video spread rapidly, with users expressing outrage at the dangerous behavior of the festival attendees. Many denounced the act as foolish and illegal, highlighting the potential consequences of such reckless actions.
It is currently unclear if the police are investigating the video or if the airline targeted has complained to air safety officials.
Airlines
Indigo contributed 31 crores to India’s political party for election funds
In a recent disclosure, it has come to light that Rahul Bhatia, the promoter of IndiGo, along with companies under his InterGlobe Group, has made significant donations totaling Rs 56 crore to four political parties. Additionally, SpiceJet, led by Ajay Singh, has contributed Rs 70 lakh to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The data further reveals that InterGlobe Air Transport Ltd, a part of the InterGlobe Group, purchased 11 electoral bonds valued at Rs 1 crore each on May 10, 2019, amounting to a total of Rs 11 crore. Similarly, Interglobe Aviation, the parent company of IndiGo, acquired 5 electoral bonds worth Rs 1 crore each on October 23, 2023, totaling Rs 5 crore.
InterGlobe Real Estate Venture and InterGlobe Air Transport Ltd directed the lion’s share of their political contributions, totaling Rs 31 crore, to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Surprisingly, the second-largest recipient was the Trinamool Congress (TMC), receiving Rs 16.2 crore from Bhatia. Additionally, InterGlobe Aviation Ltd allocated Rs 5 crore to the Congress party, while Bhatia contributed Rs 3.8 crore to its ally, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Rahul Bhatia, individually, also made substantial contributions through electoral bonds, purchasing bonds worth Rs 20 crore. On April 7, 2021, a total of 29 electoral bonds were acquired, with 19 bonds valued at Rs 1 crore each and 10 bonds at Rs 10 lakh each, summing up to Rs 20 crore. When combined with the donations from IndiGo and its affiliated companies, the total contributions from the promoter and associated entities reach Rs 56 crore.
On the other hand, SpiceJet, once a prominent player in the Indian aviation industry, has seen a decline in its market position, currently ranking fifth in terms of market share. Despite this, the airline has engaged in political contributions, with donations made in three separate installments.
Aviation
Air India Express to Operate 360+ Daily Flights in Summer 2024
In a strategic move aimed at significantly expanding its operations, Air India Express, the Tata Group-owned airline, is gearing up to soar to new heights this summer.
With a robust plan in place, the airline is set to operate more than 360 daily flights during the upcoming summer schedule, marking a substantial increase in its services both domestically and internationally.
Compared to last year’s summer schedule, Air India Express is witnessing remarkable growth, with a surge of over 25 percent in domestic flights and over 20 percent in international flights. This translates to an additional 55 domestic flights and 19 international flights, with a total of 259 domestic and 109 international departures.
As part of its efforts to bolster connectivity, the airline will be ramping up frequencies to key international destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Jeddah, and Sharjah, catering to the growing travel demand in these regions.
In addition to its expansion plans, air india american express is also delighting its passengers with an enhanced in-flight dining experience. To mark the upcoming Holi celebrations, the airline has introduced the traditional Indian sweet “Gujia” to its award-winning in-flight dining menu, ‘Gourmair,’ promising passengers a delightful gastronomic journey.
Recently, Air India Express Rolls Out ‘Xpress Lite’ Fares, Through the ‘Xpress Lite’ program, travelers can take advantage of fares that are less expensive than standard ones. Complementing this service is “Xpress Check-In,” a function that allows passengers to skip lines at baggage belts and check-in counters, thereby expediting the boarding procedure. air india express ticket offer Furthermore, travelers who choose “Xpress Lite” prices will be given a free 3-kilogram cabin luggage allowance.
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