Well Day 2 of Farnborough is coming to close, so lets look at what’s hot in the world of Civil Aviation
Flybe goes for 35 E-175’s and options for more, but calls on industry for new designs.
Heading up the megafleet expansions, Flybe is in the mood to order new planes for an expansion.
UK regional carrier Flybe is to order up to 140 Embraer E-Jet’s of which 35 will initially be 35 firm, with options for 65 united, and purchase rights for another 40 jets.
However, Flybe laid down a challenge to the regional jet airframers – in 7 years time they’ll be ordering again, but want to look at combining turboprop and jet performance – could it be an impetus to start looking at Open Rotor designs again?
Interesting times..
LAN close to ordering 50 A320’s.
LAN Airlines has signed a tentative agreement for 50 Airbus A320-family aircraft in a memo of understanding with Airbus. This will be a mix of aircraft, including 10 A321’s
LAN of course OneWorld’s South American partner. In addition, they’ll be removing the A318’s they have in service. So if you’re in South America and want so slightly used A318’s…
Azul diverges from a pure E-Jet Fleet, picks up 20 ATR’s with options for a fleet of 40
Azul who yesterday signed with Embraer for some more E-Jets is going to dip its toes into props for regional services, wit the purchase of 20 ATR 72-600s, with options on a further 20 aircraft.
Deliveries will begin in late 2011, and will make Azul the launch operator of ATR -600 series… and being a launch operator has some benefits on knocking off the list price down a bit…
Udvar-Hazy’s ALC buys a few more planes…
Not one for standing still, Steven Udvar-Hazy’s Air Lease Corporation has signed letters of intent with Embraer and ATR for delivery of regional aircraft.
With Embraer, it once again the E-Jet series that is benefiting with 10 E-190’s with options for 5 more. Even Udvar-Hazy is happy with the economics of these E-Jets, which will be configured in a 106 seats, and marketed as a mainline aircraft (which in an E-190 is very capable of)
Air Lease has also signed for 10 ATR 72-600 series aircraft. A busy two days so far for Air Lease Corporation.
Hong Kong Airlines to go wide….
Hong Kong Airlines are starting their expansion, and have tentatively agreed to purchase 15 Airbus A350s and 10 A330-200 series, in a bid to develop it’s long haul services.
Subject to paperwork, A330-200’s start arriving in 2012.
TRIP to go narrow…
Brazilian TRIP Linhas Aereas is going narrow and large with an order for two Embraer E-190 jets, to add to its fleet of six Embraer E-175s.
The E-190s, which will be configured with 106 seats (a common configuration it seems), and deliveries will beging in 2011
Another day, another lessor…
Another lessor has popped up, called Avolon.
They have committed to buying 12 Boeing 737-800’s for lease from 2012-2014.
There’s going to be a lot of aircraft floating around from 2012 onwards….
787 – First to fly in Europe is….
And finally, who is going to be the first European operator of Boeing’s 787 in Europe? A major flag carrier?
Nope.
Step forward Thomson Airways! (part of the TUI Group)
Yes, the charter carrier will be the first to fly the 787 in Europe (and the UK), beating LOT to the punch – mainly due to the issues with the 787 project itself.
Configuration will be (what I consider) a generous 33″ in economy, with a decision open on a premium product once the UK government has decided how to rip more people off with aviation taxes.
That’s your lot for Day 2. As Day 3 approaches, it’ll be interesting to see what orders are left to be signed…
