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Airbus in Alabama: A220 Production Begins

Airbus has started manufacturing the first A220s at its Mobile, Alabama-based final assembly line. Work began on August 5 and followed the return of the first group of technicians who had undergone on-the-job training at Mirabel, Québec, Canada, where the A220 programme and primary assembly line are located.

The company first revealed plans to establish a second final assembly line at Mobile in October 2017, with construction on a new production hangar and other support buildings starting earlier this year. Airbus said it will be producing the first few A220s in the same buildings as it uses for the A320 Family aircraft while also utilising recently completed support hangars. The first US produced A220 – a -300 for Delta Air Lines – is scheduled for delivery during the third quarter of next year, and by the middle of the next decade, the facility will be producing between 40 and 50 A220s per year.

After completing their training in Mirabel, the initial group of technicians has started work on the first A220 final assembly in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo Airbus)

Jeffrey Knittel, Airbus Americas chairman and chief executive office, remarked: “The expansion of our commercial aircraft production in Mobile to a second product line – with 400 additional jobs to support it – further solidifies Airbus’ standing as a truly global aircraft manufacturer, and confirms without a doubt that it is also an important part of America’s manufacturing landscape. With Mobile, and our production network in Asia, Canada and Europe, we have strategically created a worldwide industrial base to better serve our customers.”

Airbus explained the A220 is the only purpose-built aircraft for the 100-150 seat market. With the very latest aerodynamics, use of advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney PW15000G geared turbofan engines the jet is already achieving at least a 20% lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation types. With orders for 551 examples by the end of June 2019, the manufacturer believes it has the credentials to win a lion’s share of the 100-150 seat market, estimated to represent 7,000 aircraft, over the next 20 years.

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Performance Improvements for the A220 Family

Airbus has revealed performance improvements to its latest single-aisle aircraft – the A220 Family. Starting from the second half of 2020, the aircraft’s maximum take-off weight (MTOW) is being increased by 5,000lb (2,268kg) to 2.3 tonnes. This will improve the aircraft’s range capabilities to 3,350nm (6,204km) for the A220-300 and 3,400nm (6,297km) for the A220-100, around 450nm (833km) more than is currently available.

This has been achieved by enhancing existing structural and systems margins as well as current fuel volume capacity. The increased range will allow customer airlines to tap into new routes that were not possible before, such as connecting key cities in Western Europe with the Middle East or from Southeast Asia to Australia.

Rob Dewar, head of engineering and customer support for the A220, commented: “Since its entry into service close to three years ago, the A220 has already proven that it is meeting or beating its initial performance targets, bringing more flexibility and revenue potential to customers. Today, Airbus is reinforcing its confidence in the A220 platform and further enhancing its capabilities to meet upcoming market requirements.”

Airbus says that, with an order book of more than 530 aircraft to date, the A220 has all the credentials to win the lion’s share of the 100 to 150-seat market, estimated to represent 7,000 aircraft over the next 20 years.

 

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Boeing Unveils BBJ 777X

Seattle-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing, announced it is launching a new business jet model based on the 777X.

Like its airliner counterpart, the BBJ 777X will be offered to customers in a -8, or -9 configuration with the -8 boasting the longest range of 11,645nm (21,570 km). The BBJ 777-9 which features a larger cabin, will still be able to offer a range of 11,000nm (20,370 km). Unveiled at the biennial Middle East Business Aviation Association Show (MEBAA) in Dubai, the BBJ 777X becomes the third widebody aircraft in current production, joining the 787 and 747-8.

Greg Laxton, head of Boeing Business Jets said the BBJ 777X will, “redefine ultra-long range VIP travel”, adding: “Our most exclusive customers want to travel with the best space and comfort and fly directly to their destination, the new BBJ 777X will be able to do this like no other aeroplane before it.”

Boeing Business Jets was launched in 1996 and since then has delivered 234 aircraft out of 260 orders. In October, Boeing delivered its first BBJ MAX aircraft to a customer, with 20 more on order.

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Royal Air Maroc to Join oneworld

Moroccan flag carrier Royal Air Maroc is set to join oneworld and become the first African carrier with full membership in the alliance. The announcement was made just weeks before the global airline group celebrates its 20th anniversary. The airline is expected to be implemented into the alliance in mid-2020 with its regional subsidiary, Royal Air Maroc Express, joining as an affiliate member at the same time.

Abdelhamid Addou, CEO, Royal Air Maroc, said: “We are excited and honoured to have been invited to become oneworld’s wings of Africa. This undoubtedly represents one of the most significant landmarks in our airline’s 60-year history and on our journey to establish Royal Air Maroc as the leading airline of Africa.”

While South Africa’s Comair has been an affiliate member since the alliance’s launch in February 1999, Royal Air Maroc will be the first full member from Africa. Its schedule will add 34 new destinations and 21 countries to the oneworld map, taking the alliance’s network to 1,069 airports in 178 countries.

Oneworld governing board chairman Alan Joyce, group CEO of Qantas, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Royal Air Maroc to the alliance. Africa is the last major region where oneworld does not have a full member airline – and has one of the fastest predicted air travel growth rates over the next few decades.”

The carrier currently operates 55 aircraft to 94 destinations in 49 countries across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North and South America, including many oneworld hubs from its base at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca.

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Out of Africa

Embraer’s E190-E2 demonstrator has completed an extensive tour of Africa.

Building on its successful visit to the Farnborough International Airshow the aircraft departed to the African continent in late July, visiting six countries: Algeria, Morocco, Kenya, Ghana, Mauritius and South Africa.  According to the Brazilian manufacturer, at each stop on the tour the aircraft attracted the attention of the local aviation community and the media, while performing demonstration flights to showcase its capabilities.

Raul Villaron, vice president sales Middle East and Africa, said: “The debut of the E190-E2 in Africa is an excellent opportunity for Embraer to show off its ground-breaking aircraft, which sets new standards for airline profitability and comfort levels for passengers.  Some of the airlines we presented to are already E-Jet operators and were eager to more about the E2.”

Over the last ten years Embraer has grown its presence in Africa, moving from a fleet of around 40 predominately turboprop aircraft, to over 150, most of which are jets.  These are operated by more than 50 airlines across the continent.

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Flight Restrictions Tightened

The US and subsequently the UK Governments have introduced additional airline security measures on flights originating in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. Britain’s Minister for Transport, Chris Grayling MP, said in a written statement to the House of Parliament on March 21 he was revising aviation security measures for selected inbound flights to the UK.

“In conjunction with our international partners and the aviation industry, the UK Government keeps aviation security under constant review.  The UK has some of the most robust security measures in the world and we will not hesitate to put in place measures we believe are necessary, effective and proportionate,” he said.

Under the new restrictions electronic devices such as mobile telephones, laptops and tablets larger than 6.3in (16cm) x 3.7in (9.3cm) x 0.6in (1.5cm) will not be allowed in the cabin on flights to the UK from Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Tunisia.  Instead these items must be packed in travellers’ hold luggage.  Passengers have raised concerns that these items could be stolen or damaged.

The ban follows an earlier directive by the Trump Administration to prohibit electronic devices from a passenger’s carry-on luggage on nonstop flights to the US from eight nations.  The indefinite US ban covers ten airports and nine airlines with restrictions applying to travellers from Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Although no specific reason was given for the new ban initially, Reuters quoted US officials as saying it relates to a terror threat uncovered several weeks ago, during a US Navy SEAL raid on a suspected al-Qaeda base in Yemen.  Subsequently, US Department of Homeland Security said the decision was based on this information as well the downing of a MetroJet aircraft over Egypt on October 31, 2015 and the attempt to destroy a Somali-owned Daallo Airlines Airbus A321 on February 2, 2016, after which investigations showed explosives had been smuggled aboard both aircraft.  “We have reason to be concerned about attempts by terrorist groups to circumvent security as they continue to target aviation interests,” US officials said in a statement.

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AirAsia X Heads to the US

Malaysian low-cost long-haul carrier AirAsia X has outlined plans to introduce links to Honolulu.  The four-times weekly service will operate between Kuala Lumpur and Hawaiian capital via Osaka, Japan starting on June 17.

AirAsia X Group CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meranun said: “This is the game-changing destination we have all been waiting for.  By connecting Asean and North Asia to the US with our low fares, we will make it possible for those who could only dream of a vacation across the Pacific to take that trip.  We wish to thank all the relevant authorities and governments for their support in making this a reality.”

The route launch came just two weeks after AirAsia X received clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate services into the US for the first time.  The approval allows the carrier to operate from Malaysia to any US destination.

Meranun added: “This is a major milestone for AirAsia X.  Our expansion up until now has concentrated on Asia, Australasia and the Middle East and we are excited about our first foray into an entirely new market as we look beyond Asia Pacific.  As part of our growth plans, we are also looking to resume our very popular London rotations, and are working towards securing the necessary approvals.”

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Record-Breaking Flight for Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways has launched the world’s longest commercial flight, flying non-stop from the Qatari capital Doha to Auckland, New Zealand.

Qatar Airways’ first flight to New Zealand flies over the city of Auckland on its final approach to the airport. (Qatar Airways)

The inaugural service departed Doha on February 5 and arrived in Auckland early the following day – a significant day for all New Zealanders as it was Waitangi Day, celebrating the 1840 signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document.

Operated by one of the carrier’s Boeing 777-2DZ(LR)s, A7-BBB (c/n 36013), the flight took 16hrs 20mins to complete and covered 9,032 miles (14,535km). After touching down in New Zealand for the first time the aircraft was given a traditional water cannon salute by the Auckland Airport Fire Department.

Travelling on board the flight was Qatar Airways’ Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker who said: “The launch of our new service to Auckland is an important milestone for us as we expand both in the region and globally across our network providing more options and better connections to exciting business destinations in Europe and the Middle East.  Arriving on Waitangi Day and achieving the world’s longest flight for the return record-breaking service makes this an even more momentous occasion for Qatar Airways and provides another accomplishment to celebrate in this our 2oth year of flying the flag internationally for Qatar.”

Auckland is the first New Zealand city served by Qatar Airways.  The new daily flights are operated by the carrier’s 777-200LRs, which are configured in a two-class layout with 42 Business Class and 217 Economy Class seats.

The carried added the Doha-Auckland-Doha daily rotations will also offer 116 tonnes of belly-hold capacity every week to support the growing imports of raw, industrial and consumer materials into New Zealand.  While in Qatar the Hamad International Airport freight terminal, operated by Qatar Airways Cargo, offers ‘QR Fresh’ a seamless temperature-controlled handling and storage solution, to deliver perishable products such as dairy produce, meat and fruits from Auckland into the Middle East and on to major European markets.

Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight touches down on New Zealand’s Waitangi Day in Auckland. (Qatar Airways)