Airlines

Airbus unveils order from Wizz Air for 75 A321neo aircraft

Wizz Air, Europe’s fastest-growing ultra-low-cost carrier, has signed a solid contract for an additional 75 A321neo Family aircraft, bringing the total order for the largest member of the Airbus single-aisle to 434 aircraft, and the total order for Wizz’s A320 Family to 565 aircraft.

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According to Wizz Air’s CEO, József Váradi, “With today’s announcement, Wizz Air further solidifies its position as the largest A321neo Family operator in Europe and the Middle East. The majority of our fleet has already been upgraded to modern Neo technology. Our dedication to providing our clients with inexpensive and environmentally friendly travel options is supported by the A321neo’s unmatched economic efficiency and incredibly small carbon footprint.

We have had a long-standing strategic cooperation with Airbus and are unwavering in our dedication to this remarkable technology, holding one of the world’s largest outstanding order books of more than 350 neo aircraft. Wizz Air is an all-Airbus operator with a fleet of over 180 A320 Family aircraft currently in operation.

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The largest aircraft in Airbus’ A320neo Family, the A321neo has unmatched range and performance. The A321neo, which has the biggest single-aisle cabin in the skies, reduces noise by 50%, saves more than 20% on fuel, and emits less CO2 than earlier single-aisle aircraft. This is made possible by utilizing latest generation engines and Sharklets. Customers from all around the world have so far ordered nearly 5,200 A321neos.

Airlines

S7 Group Begins Fan Blade Production for Western Engine Models

The privately-owned Russian aerospace giant S7 Group has reportedly commenced production of blades for Western-built aero engines at its subsidiary, the Berdsk Electromechanical Plant (BEMZ), located in Novosibirsk.

This development, reported by the Russian aviation publication ATO.ru, marks a significant step for the company amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.BEMZ has started manufacturing composite fan blades compatible with jet turbine engines, including the CFM International CFM56, which powers popular aircraft like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family.

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The technology for restoring blades of gas turbine engines used in Airbus and Boeing aircraft was previously developed by the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics and is now being implemented in the production of new aircraft parts at BEMZ.

Currently, BEMZ focuses on producing parts essential for maintaining the airworthiness of civil aircraft. Over the past year and a half, the plant has manufactured approximately 3,500 structural elements and components for replacement on foreign aircraft, which are utilized by airlines such as S7 Airlines, Pobeda, Aurora, and Aeroflot.

The facility is undergoing expansion, with two stages of an investment program totaling 2 billion roubles already completed. These developments are likely geared toward producing blades for the CFM56 engines, which equip more than half of S7’s operational fleet, including 28 Airbus A320-family aircraft and 19 Boeing 737-800s.

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Vasily Yurchenko, CEO of Berdsk Electromechanical Plant, emphasized the shift in focus towards maintaining the airworthiness of the Western-made fleet. The plant has delivered thousands of components to S7 and other Russian carriers since 2022. Notably, according to Russia’s Air Operators Association, 89% of the country’s passengers in 2023 traveled aboard foreign-made aircraft.

Future plans include serious investments to transform the plant into a modern, high-tech aircraft manufacturing facility. In addition to engine blades, BEMZ is also known for producing various spare parts for aircraft, reinforcing its role in the Russian aviation industry as it adapts to new manufacturing needs.