It’s Wednesday, and the third day of the Paris Air Show has been and gone – which means its time to wrap up who’s been buying what.
First up, it’s Boeing who can keep the Boeing 747-8 production line open for a bit longer with a memorandum of understanding with Volga-Dnepr for 20 of the cargo version of the 747-8F.
Volga-Dnepr Group Boeing 747-8F in Air Bridge Cargo colours, Image (c) The Boeing Company
(In fact, it’s amazing airlines are still ordering the 747-8 still…).
As well as the sale, it is also proposed that Volga-Dnepr will supply Antonov AN-124-100s into the logistical fleet supplying Boeing – giving it access to a very large airlift operation.
Ethiopian Airlines will be adding to their Boeing 787 fleet, with an order for six Boeing 787-8s to join the fleet.
Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787-8. Rendering, The Boeing Company
Interestingly – according to Airways News it seems these aircraft will come from the “Terrible Teens” set of Boeing 787 aircraft that were assembled and build early on in the Boeing 787 construction programme. These aircraft have been re-worked – but are still heavier than the current production 787s, resulting in a 1000 nautical mile penalty compared to other 787s.
Meanwhile, over in the Airbus tent, Synergy Aviation Group (owner of Avianca) is to sign up for 62 Airbus A320neo aircraft via a memorandum of understanding.
The 62 aircraft will be used for Avianca Brazil.
Avianca Airbus A320neo – Rendering, Airbus
Vietjet is to add to its Airbus A321 fleet with an order for six additional A321s (A321ceo’s – using the current engine).
Vietjet Airbus A321 – Image, Airbus
Meanwhile, there’s intrigue with an order for 60 A321neo aircraft – with Airbus not choosing to disclose the purchaser. Instead Airbus say:
An Asia-based airline has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 60 A320neo Family aircraft at the Paris Airshow
Still, it gives me an excuse to run this image. Airbus A320neo in flight – Image, Airbus.
Make of that what you will.
Finally from Airbus was the news that they will be partnering with ST Aerospace and Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) to create the Airbus A320/A321 Passenger to Freight variant from used A320s/A321s.
Airbus A321P2F/A320P2F in flight – Rendering, Airbus
There have been attempts to start an Airbus A320 Passenger to Freight programme before – but this came to nothing. Plans this time call for the A320P2F, with eleven main-deck container positions, will be capable of carrying 21 metric tonnes of payload over 2,100nm, while the A321P2F with 14 main-deck positions will be able to carry up to 27 tonnes over 1,900nm.
Airbus state the first A321P2F will be delivered in 2018.
And that’s really it… except an interesting Tweet from the Wall Street Journal
EXCLUSIVE: Airbus confirms discussions with customers over double-stretch A350-1100 http://t.co/lLAa81Y4sq #PAS15 (w/ @r_wall)
— Jon Ostrower (@jonostrower) June 17, 2015
The A350-1100? It could be closer than we imagine….
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