Let’s head back to Dubai as we go through the happenings on the third day of Dubai Air Show 3.
Welcome to your Daily Digest.
As usual, we’ll go by manufacture names.
Airbus
The orders keep rolling in for Airbus, who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jazeera Airways, the Kuwait-based carrier, for 20 A320neos and eight A321neos.
The MoU was signed by Rohit Ramachandran, Jazeera Airways Chief Executive Officer and Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International.
In Quotes
Marwan Boodai, Chairman Jazeera Airways said,
“Jazeera Airways is pleased to extend its long-term relationship with Airbus further with this significant new order. We will effectively double our current fleet size to 35 aircraft by 2026. The airline has pulled out of the pandemic strongly in Q3 with a return to profitability. We have exciting expansion plans ahead, which will further boost our contribution to the Kuwait economy and in particular the travel sector.”
Rohit Ramachandran, CEO of Jazeera Airways added,
“By taking both A320neo and A321 neo options we will have great flexibility to extend our network to medium and longer haul destinations from Kuwait, offering passengers more choice to travel and enjoy popular destinations as much as underserved ones”.
Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, and Head of Airbus International said
“We are proud to extend our partnership with Jazeera Airways through this latest agreement which will add an additional 28 Airbus aircraft to its all Airbus fleet”
“The A320neo Family is without doubt the best platform to support Jazeera Airways’ growth plans. This is the perfect illustration of how Airbus helps escort the growth of its successful customers.”
Moving on, the Akwa Ibom state government-owned airline in Nigeria, Ibom Air has signed a firm order for ten A220s.
Ibom Air currently operates two A220s. The airline flies to Uyo, Abuja, Calabar, Enugu, Lagos, and Port Harcourt. The purchase of the new A220s will enable the airline to continue on its growth path, offering new routes across not just Nigeria, but to the West African region and Africa at large.
Mfon Udom, CEO of Ibom.
“It gives me great pleasure to be here to announce Ibom Air’s order for 10 Airbus A220s”,
“As an organization, we at Ibom Air are delighted with the steep growth we have achieved in just over two and a half years since we commenced operations, a growth chiefly driven by the massive embrace of our product and brand by the Nigerian domestic flying public. The addition of the A220 to our fleet will support our growth strategy and boost operational efficiency. It will also offer our passengers more space and enhanced cabin experience, as a value add for choosing us.”
Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Mr. Udom Emmanuel said:
“The A220 will allow us to increase the number of annual passengers through Akwa Ibom Airport, in Uyo, thus bringing more first-time visitors and business travelers to the region. These efforts reflect our commitment to supporting local commerce and making a positive contribution to socio-economic growth in Akwa Ibom state and Nigeria.”
Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International.
“We are thrilled to add Ibom Air as a new Airbus customer. The A220 is ideally suited to Nigeria’s aviation needs, providing operational flexibility to grow the business by responding to demand for increased passenger services. Through this investment, Ibom Air is underscoring its ambition for regional and in due course, international connectivity and operational efficiency.”,
ATR Aircraft
ATR has finalised the sale of three ATR 72-600 aircraft to Central African airline Afrijet who will use the aircraft to replace part of its ATR 72-500 fleet.
From the second aircraft onwards, these ATR 72-600 will be equipped with the latest generation P&WC engine, the PW127XT-M, which delivers increased efficiency and burns less fuel.
Afrijet initially started with pre-owned ATR aircraft and then moved to a leased ATR 72-600 in 2020. This direct acquisition of brand new aircraft will increase the -600 fleet size to four ATR 72-600, allowing the opening of new routes and increasing frequency.
In Quotes
Afrijet CEO, Mark Gaffajoli, remarked:
“To be effective in Africa an aircraft has to be cost-efficient, reliable and operationally versatile. We need these new ATR aircraft, as creating connectivity in the Gulf of Guinea is vital for the boom in trade and community intergration in the CEMAC zone. As an operator in Equatorial Africa, home of the second largest forest in the world, we are proud to be preparing to invest in a device with a low carbon footprint and a controlled and predictable ecological impact.”
Stefano Bortoli, CEO of ATR, said:
“Afrijet continues to trust ATR with its business and we are always proud to see an airline move from a legacy ATR fleet, to introducing the latest generation aircraft and then ultimately purchasing a new fleet. Being in the position to do this during such challenging times really shows that Afrijet has an excellent strategy and business model that they are delivering very well. It also shows that the ATR is the perfect aircraft with which to deliver regional connectivity in Africa.”
And an extra launch customer – with ATR signed a Letter of Intent with Toki Air, a new regional commercial airline in Japan that will operate out of Niigata airport. The cooperation with ATR will help Toki Air to achieve its higher purpose of revitalising the city of Niigata, by increasing mobility within and between surrounding regions.
Through this LoI, ATR and Toki Air are engaging in consultations to add ATR 42 aircraft to the airline’s fleet and introduce the ATR 42-600S variant – for STOL, Short Take-Off and Landing. This new version of the ATR 42-600, currently under development, will offer take-off and landing capabilities on runways as short as 800 meters with 40 passengers on board in standard flight conditions. First deliveries are expected for the beginning of 2025.
Toki Air has already signed a lease agreement for two ATR 72-600 that will start operating in 2022.
Toki Air and ATR have been working closely together on identifying the best routes for the aircraft and developing an airline business model
In addition to Niigata airport, Toki Air will also operate to and from Sado Airport, located on Sado Island, off the coast of Niigata. The main challenge is to take off and land on its short runway, which measures only 890 meters – for which the ATR 42-600S would be a perfect fit. The purchase of ATR 42-600S would make Toki Air the first Japanese airline to operate this type of aircraft, positioning them as pioneers in the regional aviation network in Japan.
Stefano Bortoli, ATR Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“The ATR 42-600S version is a vital tool to expand the horizons of many remote communities around the world, and it is particularly true in Japan. Air routes constitute an essential part of the archipelago’s domestic travel and transportation and we know how difficult it is to ensure these links in a sustainable way. With the ATR 42-600S, we strongly believe we can offer the right solution to Japan’s requirements, now and in the future.”
Boeing
A big order and some other orders of note.
Boeing and Akasa Air, a brand of SNV Aviation, today announced the new Indian carrier has ordered 72 737 MAX aircraft to build its fleet.
The order is valued at nearly $9 billion at list prices.
Akasa Air’s order includes two variants from the 737 MAX family, the 737-8 and the high-capacity 737-8-200.
In Quotes
Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube said,
“We are delighted to partner with Boeing for our first airplane order and thank them for their trust and confidence in Akasa Air’s business plan and leadership team. We believe that the new 737 MAX airplane will support our aim of running not just a cost-efficient, reliable and affordable airline, but also an environmentally friendly company with the youngest and greenest fleet in the Indian skies.”
“India is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world with an unparalleled potential. We are already witnessing a strong recovery in air travel, and we see decades of growth ahead of us. Akasa Air’s core purpose is to help power India’s growth engine and democratize air travel by creating an inclusive environment for all Indians regardless of their socio-economic or cultural backgrounds.“
Stan Deal, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO.
“We are honored that Akasa Air, an innovative airline focused on customer experience and environmental sustainability, has placed its trust in the 737 family to drive affordable passenger service in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation regions,”
“The 737 MAX, with its optimized performance, flexibility and capability, is the perfect airplane to establish Akasa Air in the Indian market and ensure it effectively grows its network.”
Onto another order – this time a little smaller, with Boeing and the United Republic of Tanzania today announced an order for a 787-8 Dreamliner, a 767-300 Freighter and two 737 MAX jets at the 2021 Dubai Airshow. The aircraft will be operated by Air Tanzania, the national flag carrier of Tanzania, to expand service from the country to new markets across Africa, Asia and Europe.
The order, valued at more than $726 million at list prices, was previously unidentified on the Boeing Orders and Deliveries website.
Based in Dar es Salaam, the carrier will expand its current fleet of 787s, leveraging the new 737s for its regional network and the 767 Freighter to capitalize on Africa’s burgeoning cargo demand.
Finally, Boeing Capital Corporation and Sky One FZE today announced a sales agreement for three 777-300 airplanes at the Dubai Airshow.
The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Sky One FZE is a privately-held aircraft leasing company based in the United Arab Emirates. Sky One FZE has a diverse business portfolio, namely dry and wet leasing, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul services, pilot training, operations, Air Operator’s Certificate management as well as spares and logistics. The firm has a strong focus on growing airlines in Africa, the Commonwealth of Independent States and India.
In Quotes
Air Tanzania CEO Ladislaus Matindi.
“Our flagship 787 Dreamliner is popular with our passengers, providing unrivalled in-flight comfort and ultra-efficiency for our long-haul growth,” said
” Adding to our 787 fleet, the introduction of the 737 MAX and 767 Freighter will give Air Tanzania exceptional capability and flexibility to meet passenger and cargo demand within Africa and beyond.”
Ihssane Mounir, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales & Marketing.
“Africa is the third fastest-growing region worldwide for air travel, and Air Tanzania is well-positioned to increase connectivity and expand tourism throughout Tanzania,”
“We are honored that Air Tanzania has chosen Boeing for its fleet modernization program by adding an additional 787 and introducing the 737 MAX and the 767 Freighter into its expanding network.”
Interiors
Emirates announces an expansion of its Premium Economy product.
The Recaro PL3530, dressed for Emirates aboard the A380 – Image, Emirates
And finally…
An Airbus helicopter with a Vegan Leather Interior has been released. Here’s a picture.
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