Aviation

All-Boeing operator Xiamen Airlines takes delivery of its first A321neo

Xiamen Airlines, which had previously relied on Boeing, received its first A321neo Airbus aircraft on Sunday in Fujian, in the province of Fujian in East China.

The company announced that it will begin using the aircraft for commercial flights in the spring of this year, covering routes to and from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Sichuan Province, southwest China, Beijing Daxing International Airport, and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.

Frontier Airlines Unveils New Ultra Fuel Efficient Airbus A321neo(Opens in a new browser tab)

The A321neo aircraft operated by Xiamen Airlines is powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines and has 208 seats, 200 of which are in economy class and eight in business class. For more personal storage, the overhead bins in the cabin are 60 percent larger.

Boeing has been a key supplier to Xiamen Airlines since the company’s founding in 1984. It now operates 210 Boeing aircraft, including models from the 737, 787, and 757 series. As a result, Xiamen Airlines is the Chinese airline with the largest Boeing fleet.

Xiamen Airlines may be experiencing capacity issues, according to market observers, as some of its Boeing aircraft are grounded and the arrival dates of additional aircraft are still unclear.

Korean Air becomes new operator of A321neo(Opens in a new browser tab)

In 22 September 2022, Xiamen Airlines has placed a firm order for 40 A320neo Family aircraft switching to Airbus for its fleet growth, making the airline the newest Airbus customer. The agreement was announced by the major shareholder China Southern Airlines to the Shanghai Stock exchange.

The Chinese aviation market has been slowly recovering in recent months, and the Civil Aviation Administration of China announced at the end of 2022 that it will remove COVID-19 travel restrictions starting on January 8 in an effort to boost international passenger traffic, which had been reduced for three years as a result of the pandemic. This announcement also gives manufacturers confidence.

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Aviation

India Launches Its Medium-Lift Class Helicopter Program, chooses New Engine

India’s longstanding need for a Medium Helicopter may soon become a reality as the country has fully ramped up its engine development efforts. This new helicopter is set to replace the Russian-built models currently in service and will play a crucial role across various scenarios for the Indian Armed Forces.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd. (SAFHAL) have launched a groundbreaking partnership to develop a state-of-the-art high-power engine named Aravalli.

This new engine will power the upcoming 13-ton Medium Lift Helicopter (IMRH) and the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH), both of which are being designed and developed by HAL.

Named after the majestic Aravalli mountain range in India, the Aravalli engine symbolizes the country’s drive for self-reliance, or Aatmanirbharta, in critical engine technologies. This cutting-edge engine will be instrumental for the IMRH, a versatile 13-ton multi-role helicopter designed to meet the needs of the Indian armed forces, and the DBMRH, a 12.5-ton naval variant tailored for the Indian Navy.

The IMRH is poised to become a cornerstone of the Indian armed forces over the next decade. With its first flight expected in 3 to 4 years, the IMRH is anticipated to begin induction by 2030, with plans to integrate between 300 to 400 units, and potentially more in the future.

The IMRH is envisioned as a highly versatile multi-role helicopter that will enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian military. The DBMRH, designed for naval operations, will also face the challenges of high-altitude environments in regions such as Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh—areas of strategic importance due to their proximity to the China border.

In addition to its military applications, the Aravalli engine is projected to enter the civil market, serving roles in offshore operations, utility services, and VVIP transport. The long-term vision includes Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) activities to further extend the engine’s utility and support the aviation industry.

This collaboration between HAL and SAFHAL builds on their successful history of working together on the Shakti engine, which powers several HAL helicopters, including the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, and the Light Utility Helicopter. The proven success of this partnership lays a strong foundation for the development of the Aravalli engine, setting the stage for a new era in India’s helicopter capabilities.