Airlines

Icelandair Signs MOU For Up To 25 Airbus A321XLR aircraft

Airbus A321XLR Secures EASA Approval, Ready for Commercial Debut

A Memorandum of Understanding for the purchase of 13 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, with the option to purchase an additional 12 aircraft, has been signed by Icelandair and Airbus. Beginning in 2029, airplanes will be delivered. Icelandair, on the other hand, intends to begin using Airbus aircraft in 2025 and is already in advanced stages of negotiations with regard to four leased Airbus A321LR. Further additions can be expected in the years thereafter. With the acquisition of the Airbus aircraft, Icelandair will complete the replacement of the Boeing 757.

The agreed purchase price of the 13 aircraft is confidential. The financing of the aircraft is yet to be determined but the Company will explore financing options closer to the delivery dates.

The first 13-hour test flight of the A321XLR was successfully accomplished.(Opens in a new browser tab)

The A321XLR and A321LR aircraft are part of the Airbus A320neo Family of narrow-body aircraft that provide excellent range, fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions. The implementation of the aircraft will reduce operating costs, further support Icelandair’s sustainability targets and offer exceptional customer experience through the aircraft design and unique features. The aircraft has around 190 seats in Icelandair’s layout. In comparison, the Boeing 757-200 aircraft has 183, whereas the 737 MAX 8 and the 737 MAX 9 have a passenger capacity of 160 and 178, respectively.

The A321XLR aircraft has a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km), allowing Icelandair to operate it on its long-range destinations with opportunities to enter new markets. The A321LR aircraft has a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km) and will thus be able to service Icelandair’s current route network.

The Boeing 757,767 and 737 MAX aircraft will continue to be important for Icelandair’s operations in the coming years. Icelandair has had a successful relationship with Boeing for decades and the aircraft have been a key to Icelandair’s success in the past. Until 2025, Icelandair will continue to operate a full Boeing fleet but following the first deliveries from Airbus, the Company will operate a mixed fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

Airlines

Qatar Airways Adds Direct Toronto-Amritsar Flights with Stopover in Doha

Qatar Airways has made travel easier for passengers by announcing a new three-weekly non-stop service between Toronto, Canada, and Doha, Qatar, starting on December 11, 2024.

This new route provides seamless connectivity for travelers heading to Amritsar, offering a convenient alternative for the Punjabi diaspora in Toronto who wish to avoid the hassles of transiting through Delhi airport.

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In a joint press release, Anantdeep Singh Dhillon, FlyAmritsar Initiative North America Convener, and Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener, highlighted that this new route addresses the long-standing demand for better travel options to Punjab.

With this service, Amritsar will now have ten weekly flights to Canada via Doha, making the journey simpler and more comfortable for travelers who previously had to deal with long road trips, multiple layovers, and extended check-ins.

Flight Schedule and Connectivity

The qatar air line from Amritsar will depart at 4:10 a.m. (local time) and arrive in Doha at 6:05 a.m. (local time). After a layover of 3 hours and 45 minutes, passengers will board the qatar airways flight from Doha to Toronto at 9:50 a.m. (local time) on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, landing in Toronto the same day at 3:55 p.m. (local time).

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On the return journey, the qatar airlines will depart from Toronto at 8:00 p.m. (local time) and arrive in Doha at 4:30 p.m. (local time) the following day. From there, passengers will catch the connecting flight to Amritsar at 8:40 p.m. (local time), reaching their destination by 2:40 a.m. (local time). The total travel time qatar seatmap for the journey is approximately 20 hours and 10 minutes.

This new route is a significant relief for travelers who have often faced the challenges of long road journeys to Delhi, lengthy layovers, and multiple check-ins. By streamlining the travel process, qatar Airways ensures a smoother and faster journey, enhancing the overall travel experience for passengers traveling between Canada and Punjab.