Airlines

Boeing 737 MAX makes first passenger flight in China since March 2019

On Friday, a Boeing 737 MAX made its first passenger flight in China in over four years, marking a significant accomplishment in the US aircraft manufacturer’s efforts to revive its operations in the second-largest aviation market in the world.

Flight Radar 24 reports that the domestic China Southern Airlines flight from Guangzhou to Zhengzhou took off at 12:45 using a MAX aircraft.

Boeing received the most orders at the Farnborough airshows in 2022.(Opens in a new browser tab)

The most often used After deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia in March 2019, a Boeing model was placed on the ground. However, in late 2020, after modifications to the aircraft and pilot training, the model was once again in operation all over the world. In spite of ongoing trade concerns with the US, China is the last significant market to start flying the MAX once more. Domestic travel demand has recovered as China abandoned zero-COVID restrictions.

In October 2022, foreign carriers started flying the MAX to China, an indication that the first nation to ground the type following the crashes was loosening its regulations. The 737 MAX was slated to return to commercial service by China Southern in October 2022, but it was not used on the scheduled flights.

10 things about Boeing 737 max aircraft.(Opens in a new browser tab)

The MAX’s return, according to Citi analyst Jason Gursky, was the company’s first move toward restoring normal to its China operations and might pave the way for the delivery of brand-new aircraft.

In a note to clients on Wednesday, he noted that “Boeing suggested at its November 2022 investor day that its long-term financial plans do not envisage deliveries of new aircraft into China,” adding that a change in that circumstance would make its targets much less hazardous.

Due in major part to the MAX suspension, Boeing has been lagging well behind Airbus SE in deliveries into the largest aeroplane market in the world. Boeing shipped eight aircraft to China in 2022 whereas Airbus shipped more more than hundred.

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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.