Airlines

Qantas finalizes incremental order for nine A220s

The Qantas Group of Australia has completed a further order for nine Airbus A220-300s, raising the company’s total backlog for the single-aisle model to 29 aircraft. Initially, Qantas chose the A220 as part of a significant fleet replacement strategy that was unveiled in May 2022 and that also included orders for the A321XLR and A350-1000. In February of this year, the carrier revealed its plans to acquire more A220s.

Delta Air Lines raises its firm order for A220 aircraft to 107.(Opens in a new browser tab)

At the end of the year, Qantas will receive its first A220, which it will use mostly on its extensive domestic route network. The A220 can travel further than other aircraft in its size category while also offering a step-change decrease in fuel consumption and emissions through its combination of cutting-edge technologies and a bigger, quieter cabin for added comfort.

In its size range, the A220 airliner is the most advanced. It has been specifically created for the 100-150 seat class and has a maximum range of 3,450 nautical miles or 6,400 km. The A220 offers exceptional comfort to passengers by having the largest cabin, seats, and windows in its class.

Spirit Airlines finalizes order for 100 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft(Opens in a new browser tab)

The newest Pratt & Whitney GTF engines power the aircraft. The A220 is already capable of running on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which is already possible with all Airbus aeroplanes. By the year 2030, Airbus wants all of its aircraft to be 100% SAF-capable.

Nearly 800 A220 orders have been placed with Airbus from 30 different clients, and 265 have already been shipped. Currently, 16 airlines throughout the world are using the A220.

Airlines

Air India Express Aircraft Engine Part Falls Outside Delhi Airport; DGCA Orders Probe

Air India Express flight skids off runway while landing at Kochi airport

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an inquiry following reports that metal fragments were discovered at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after an Air India Express flight made an emergency landing on Monday evening.

The emergency landing was prompted by a detected engine fault, but fortunately, the landing was executed safely without any injuries to the passengers.

The situation began when crew members of the Air India Express flight reported an engine issue, leading to the emergency landing. The DGCA has confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway and has directed that the aircraft undergo a comprehensive safety inspection.

Air India Initiates Construction of MRO Facility at Bengaluru Airport

The discovery of metal debris outside the airport has raised concerns, prompting the DGCA to probe whether these fragments are linked to the aircraft involved in the emergency landing. Authorities are particularly focused on whether the metal pieces, which were found near the airport, originated from the same Air India Express flight that experienced engine trouble.

While preliminary assessments suggest that the debris could be a broken blade from an aircraft engine, the exact source remains unconfirmed. The airline has yet to verify if the metal fragments are from their aircraft.

Airbus Beluga to Deliver Spare Parts for Stranded British Airways A350

The Delhi Police, working in conjunction with the DGCA, have initiated their own investigation to determine the origin of the metal pieces. A technical team is set to analyze whether the fragments are associated with the aircraft in question. As the investigation continues, a case has been filed with the airport authority to address the matter.