Aerospace

As demand surges, IAG orders a large number of planes from Airbus and Boeing.

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Following shareholder approval, International Airlines Group (IAG) confirmed a purchase order for 37 more A320neo aircraft. The newest order brings the total for the year to 59 single aisle aircraft. Earlier agreements for 22 A320neo Family (17 A320neos, 5 A321neos) were announced in March and June 2022.

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Furthermore, it reported that its shareholders had approved a deal with Boeing to order a combined 50 737-8-200s and 737-10s, plus 100 options. In May 2022, Boeing and IAG announced their tentative agreement, which was awaiting shareholder approval. In November, a record of the firm order for 50 737s will be available on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website.

IAG is one of Airbus’s largest international customers and operates a sizable number of Airbus aircraft in its fleet. These newest models of aircraft will play a significant role in IAG’s strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

The A320neo Family is equipped with the most recent technologies, such as Sharklets and new generation engines, which together save at least 20% on fuel. The A320neo Family is the most popular aircraft in the world, with more than 8,500 orders from more than 130 customers.

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The 737-10, the largest model in the family, can travel 3,300 miles and accommodate up to 230 passengers in a single class. The fuel-efficient jet can travel on 99% of single-aisle routes, including those 757s usually service. With the 737-8-200, IAG will be able to outfit the aircraft with up to 200 seats, boosting revenue potential and lowering fuel consumption.

The 737 uses the newest CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets, and other enhancements to provide the highest efficiency, reliability, and passenger comfort available in the single-aisle market. The average fuel efficiency of the 737 family of aircraft is 20% higher than that of the first Next-Generation 737s when they entered service and 14% higher than that of the Next-Generation 737s that are currently the most fuel-efficient.

Related Topics:A320 neo airbus Boeing IAG

Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.