Aviation

Chinese firm secretly orders 20 Airbus A330 neo aircraft

Airbus has made a significant stride in the aviation market, securing an order for 20 A330neo aircraft from a confidential buyer.

The deal, finalized on May 15, 2024, underscores the continued trust and demand for Airbus’ modern aircraft solutions. Details of this substantial transaction, along with other notable business activities, were unveiled in Airbus’ monthly order and delivery summary report for May 2024, released on June 6.

Alongside the A330neo order, Airbus also sealed a deal for seven A321neos with Nordic Aviation Capital, further solidifying its position in the industry. Moreover, Airbus is actively engaged in discussions with various Chinese airlines, exploring the potential sale of more than 100 A330neo widebody aircraft.

This strategic move comes at a pivotal moment, with China’s decision to halt imports from Boeing, potentially opening doors for Airbus to offer compelling terms and secure lucrative agreements.

May 2024 marked a milestone in Airbus’ delivery achievements. The company successfully delivered 53 aircraft to 34 customers, including the landmark 600th A350. Since its introduction on January 15, 2015, Airbus has delivered a total of 602 A350s, accumulating an impressive 1,445 orders before transitioning to the enhanced New Engine Option series.

Amidst these developments, Turkish Airlines emerged as the sole recipient of a new A350 in May 2024. Additionally, Airbus delivered three new aircraft to Delta Air Lines, comprising two A321neos and a single A220-300. Spirit Airlines also expanded its fleet with A320neos.

Year-to-date, Airbus has delivered a total of 256 aircraft, demonstrating its commitment to meeting customer demands. With an ambitious target of reaching 800 deliveries by January 31, 2025, Airbus remains focused on sustaining its growth trajectory and delivering exceptional value to its global clientele.

Aviation

Boeing Resumes 737 MAX Manufacturing After Seven-Week Strike

In a crucial move for its recovery, Boeing has restarted production of its best-selling 737 MAX jetliner, about a month after a significant seven-week strike involving 33,000 factory workers came to an end.

This marks a key milestone for the planemaker, which has been facing considerable challenges in recent years, including heavy debt and a series of setbacks.

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According to the report from Reuters, Boeing resumed the production of the 737 MAX jetliner last week, a pivotal step as the company aims to meet the growing global demand for air travel. With over 4,200 orders from airlines, Boeing’s ability to get the 737 MAX production line back in motion is vital for its financial recovery.

Although Boeing had previously planned to restart production earlier, the company faced numerous obstacles that delayed this process. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) head Mike Whitaker told Reuters on Thursday that while Boeing had not yet resumed production, they had plans to restart by the end of the month.

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The road to this point has been rocky for Boeing. Setbacks such as the tragic fatal crashes of the 737 MAX, the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing supply chain issues, production safety concerns, and increased regulatory scrutiny have all contributed to delays in the company’s efforts to ramp up production.

The seven-week strike, which involved thousands of Boeing’s factory workers, added yet another hurdle. Despite these challenges, production of the 737 MAX officially resumed on Friday, according to one of the anonymous sources.

Boeing, however, declined to comment on the matter. The planemaker is now focused on reaching its goal of producing 56 737 MAX airplanes per month, a target that has been delayed due to the many issues that have beset the company over the past few years.