Airlines

China to Design second Phase of C919 Aircraft; Cathay Pacific Shows Interest

Comac Eyes Saudi Arabian Market to Challenge Western Aircraft Giants

In a significant move reflecting China’s growing ambitions in the aviation industry, the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) is set to expand its production facilities for the indigenous C919 jets in Shanghai.

This expansion comes in response to a surge in orders, signaling a significant milestone for China’s efforts to establish itself as a key player in the global aerospace market. According to reports from the China Aviation Planning and Design Institute (AVIC-CAPDI), a key contractor involved in the project.

COMAC has embarked on the second phase of the C919 large passenger aircraft batch production capacity construction project. The project, located in Pudong, Shanghai, boasts a substantial total construction area of 330,000 square meters.

The expansion project, as outlined by AVIC-CAPDI, primarily focuses on the construction of crucial infrastructure including an assembly plant, parts warehouse, and tarmac area. Such developments underscore COMAC’s commitment to ramping up manufacturing capabilities to meet the burgeoning demand for the C919 aircraft.

This move comes on the heels of major orders from leading Chinese carriers, including Air China and China Southern Airlines, each placing orders for 100 C919 jets. These substantial orders not only validate the growing confidence but also aim to challenge the dominance of industry giants Airbus and Boeing in the commercial aircraft market.

Despite primarily securing orders from Chinese airlines and aircraft lessors, the C919 has garnered significant traction, accumulating over 1,000 orders to date. Moreover, at the recent Fortune Innovation Forum held in Hong Kong, Ronald Lam, CEO of Cathay Pacific, hinted at the airline’s potential interest in adopting the C919 in the near future.

Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.