Airlines

Iraqi Airways obtains its first Airbus A220-300 aircraft.

Iraqi Airways, the country’s flag carrier, is one of the first airlines in the Middle East to fly the A220. Iraqi Airways has received the first of five Airbus A220-300 planes from Mirabel, Canada.

The A220-300 of Iraqi Airways has a new and extremely comfortable dual-class cabin that seats 132 passengers, 12 in business class and 120 in economy. The cutting-edge aircraft will be an important element of Iraqi Airways’ fleet renewal and modernization programme, with the aircraft’s remarkable technical, economic, and environmental performance benefiting the company.

The A220 is an excellent aircraft for both regional and long-distance trips, with a 50% lower noise footprint and up to 25% lower fuel burn per seat than previous generation aircraft, as well as roughly 50% lower NOx emissions than industry requirements.

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.