Aerospace

Lufthansa orders 22 latest-generation long-haul aircraft with list price of $7.5 billion

Orders placed for ten Airbus A350-1000s, five Airbus A350-900s, and seven Boeing 787-9s
Fleet modernization further accelerated / substantial contribution to achieving 2030 carbon emission goals
Lufthansa Group and Airbus strengthen cooperation on sustainability and future technologies
Lufthansa Group to take delivery of 108 latest-generation long-haul aircraft over the next few years
Six older aircraft types to be withdrawn in the medium term including the four-engined Boeing 747-400, Airbus A340-600 and Airbus A340-300

The Lufthansa Group is purchasing more state-of-the-art long-haul aircraft. The Group Executive Board has resolved to order

ten Airbus A350-1000 passenger aircraft
five Airbus A350-900 passenger aircraft
seven Boeing 787-9 ‘Dreamliner’ passenger aircraft

The orders were approved today by the Supervisory Board of the parent company Deutsche Lufthansa AG. The aircraft concerned will be delivered to the Lufthansa Group from the mid-2020s onwards. Based on list prices, the order is worth a total of about 7.5 billion US dollars and is in line with Group’s mid-term financial planning.

With today’s orders included, the Lufthansa Group will take delivery of 108 state-of-the-art long-haul aircraft such as the Airbus A350-1000, the Airbus A350-900, the Boeing 787-9, and the Boeing 777-9 over the next few years. In doing so, the Group will operate the quietest, most profitable, and most economical long-haul aircraft that are currently in service. On average the new aircraft consume just 2.5 liters of fuel per passenger per 100 kilometers – some 30 percent less than their predecessor aircraft types.

The new long-haul aircraft will also replace older aircraft types. In the medium-term future, six such sub fleets will be taken out of service: the four-engined Boeing 747-400s, Airbus A340-600s and Airbus A340-300s and the two-engined Boeing 777-200s, Boeing 767-300s and Airbus A330-200s. This will reduce the quadjet contingent within the Lufthansa Group fleet to under 15 percent: prior to the pandemic, quad jets made up some 50 percent of the groupwide aircraft fleet.

The Airbus A350-1000

The Airbus A350-1000 will be a new addition to the Lufthansa Group fleet. The aircraft is 73.8 meters long and offers some 15 percent more capacity than the Airbus A350-900. The ten A350-1000s on order should primarily be deployed in premium-heavy markets. Therefore all these aircraft will be equipped with a First Class cabin.

The Airbus A350-900

Lufthansa already operates 21 of these aircraft with sizeable success. With the five aircraft ordered today, the Lufthansa Group will now take delivery of 33 further transports of this long-haul aircraft type.

The Boeing 787-9

Three Boeing 787-9s are presently in Lufthansa Group service. With today’s order included, 36 further Boeing 787-9s will join the Group fleet over the next few years.

Related Topics:a350 airbus Boeing Lufthanasa

Dawal

He is an aviation journalist and the founder of Jetline Marvel. Dawal gained a comprehensive understanding of the commercial aviation industry. He has worked in a range of roles for more than 9 years in the aviation and aerospace industry. He has written more than 1700 articles in the aerospace industry. When he was 19 years old, he received a national award for his general innovations and holds the patent. He completed two postgraduate degrees simultaneously, one in Aerospace and the other in Management. Additionally, he authored nearly six textbooks on aviation and aerospace tailored for students in various educational institutions. jetlinem4(at)gmail.com

Aerospace

Indigo will soon launch Air Taxi Service in India

Image:Archer Aviation

InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent brand of IndiGo, is set to revolutionize travel in India with its upcoming air taxi service.

Scheduled for a potential launch in 2026, this innovative venture promises a seamless journey for passengers between two bustling hubs. Delhi and Gurgaon in Haryana. The forthcoming service is projected to revolutionize the daily commute, offering passengers a swift aerial journey covering the distance in a mere 7 minutes.

This remarkable efficiency contrasts starkly with the conventional 90-minute drive, underscoring the immense time-saving potential for commuters. The anticipated fare, ranging from Rs 2,000-3,000, makes this innovative mode of transport not only swift but also remarkably competitive in pricing.

At the heart of this ambitious endeavor lies a strategic partnership with Archer Aviation, a pioneer in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft technology. Under this collaboration, Archer will supply 200 state-of-the-art eVTOL aircraft, representing an investment of US$ 1 billion. These cutting-edge aircraft, capable of accommodating up to four passengers alongside the pilot, epitomize the future of sustainable air travel.

Powered by six battery packs, Archer’s eVTOL aircraft boast rapid charging capabilities, enabling a swift turnaround between flights. With a charging time of just 30-40 minutes, these eco-friendly aircraft ensure minimal downtime, maximizing operational efficiency.

Similar services are anticipated to be introduced by the joint venture in Bengaluru and Mumbai as well. Nevertheless, the service rollout period has not yet been made public by the company. Next year, it is anticipated to get its certification. Following this, the company will start the certification procedure with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Aerospace

Which is bigger 777x or 787 aircraft ?

The 777X is a new series of the Boeing 777 family and is designed to be larger and more efficient than its predecessor. It features two variants: the 777-8 and the 777-9, being the larger of the two.

The Boeing 777X emerges as the larger sibling within the Boeing family, representing a significant leap forward in both size and efficiency. Comprising two variants, the 777-8 and the 777-9, the latter takes the crown as the larger of the two. With its expansive fuselage and impressive wingspan, the 777X is tailored for long-range journeys and boasts a substantial passenger capacity.

On the other hand, the Boeing 787, affectionately known as the Dreamliner, occupies a niche in the market as a smaller yet formidable aircraft designed for medium to long-range flights. Its distinguishing feature lies in its composite fuselage, a technological marvel that renders it lighter and more fuel-efficient compared to conventional aluminum counterparts. The Boeing 777X is larger than the Boeing 787 aircraft.

When it comes to passenger capacity, the 777-9 reigns supreme, typically accommodating a sizeable contingent of 400-425 passengers in its standard configuration. In contrast, the 787, with its more modest dimensions, typically carries between 240-290 passengers, depending on the variant and layout.

One of the remarkable innovations introduced with the 777X is its folding wingtips, a feature designed to address the logistical challenges of accommodating such a large aircraft in conventional airport gates. These folding wingtips enable the 777X to retract its wings, allowing it to fit into gates designed for smaller aircraft while still reaping the benefits of an extended wingspan during flight, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and operational flexibility

Aerospace

China Secures Production Certificate for Mass Production of Pilotless eVTOL Aircraft

EHang

The first passenger-carrying pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the world, the EH216-S, has received the Production Certificate for its eVTOL aircraft from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

This is a significant milestone for EHang Holdings Limited, the leading UAM technology platform company in the world. This outstanding accomplishment is another big step towards mass manufacturing for the eVTOL aircraft and the ensuing commercial operations, building on the ground-breaking acquisition of the Type Certificate and the Standard Airworthiness Certificate for the EH216-S.

The PC is a crucial certificate that the aircraft maker receives from the CAAC, the country’s aviation authority. By obtaining this certificate, EHang has demonstrated that it has set up a quality management system for mass production that satisfies the airworthiness regulation standards set forth by the CAAC, and the company has been given permission to continue producing mass quantities.

It is also a strong guarantee of the calibre of the goods made by EHang. Raw materials, supplier management, manufacturing organisation, production quality control, aircraft pre-delivery test, after-sales repair and maintenance, etc. are all included in the mass production quality management system for the EH216-S.

To ensure that every aircraft and its components that roll off the production line strictly adhere to the approved type design and safety requirements, the system sets clear guidelines and documentation for every step in the production procedure. This ensures comprehensive traceability and safety control.