Airbus have recently announced the launch date of their new A32O NEO (New Engine Option). The company says this will provide a stop gap whilst they build a brand new short-haul aircraft which will be developed over the next 15 years.
Airbus A320 NEO
So why does Airbus feel that the airline industry need for a new single-aisle aircraft?
According to to John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer – Customers, the ever increasing price of oil makes the choosing the A320 NEO an obvious decision. As the name of the aircraft suggests the body of the aircraft will not change. Instead the A320 NEO aircraft will be fitted with the new CFM International and Pratt & Whitney advanced turbo fan engine. The new engine will be able to deliver up to 15% on fuel burn.
Some airlines, like Ryan Air, are asking why not go all out and develop an airframe that could deliver even greater fuel savings? Leahy argues the point that this would be far too expensive and given the needs of the current market it would be a missed opportunity not to offer the A320 NEO to the market.
Another uncertainty for Airbus is the fact that the engine will only arrive on the market by about 2015. It’s quite likely that by 2020 Boeing would have developed a new model of aircraft which would make the A320 NEO a far less attractive proposition. This might be the case, but then this is always the case in the airline industry. For example Boeing is currently improving the 737NB series which will offer an efficiency gain of 2%. Only time will tell if the A320 NEO will be a success. Find out more about how to hire a private jet.
If it is not a major engine failure then it’s something else that continuously brings the A380 into the news. This time an Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft has been damaged by a catering truck collapsing on to the right wing.
The aircraft (A6-EDE) had been parked up at gate 173 at Toronto airport. The catering truck’s scissor lift was reported to have collapsed at 19:44 on 7th December whist it was servicing the upper deck. The aircraft was being serviced for its return flight to Dubai.
Emirates A380 aircraft wing damaged
Transport Canada investigators state, in an incident filing, that the aircraft was being prepared for a return service to Dubai and that the catering truck was servicing the upper deck at the time.
According to the filed report to the Transport Canada investigators the truck body collapsed on the leading edge of the starboard wing and wing root. The aircraft has now been taken out of service whist the damage is investigated.
Filipinos don’t need much of an excuse to get up and dance or sing. This has now been taken to new heights by the Philippines budget airline, Cebu Pacific, which have just introduced a new dance version of their safety demonstration. In the video you can see cabin crew dancing down the aisle to the music of Lady Gaga.
One worry on our mind is the distraction that these beauties could have on people’s ability to pay attention to the safety message. Moreover, should they not have done this safety briefing prior to takeoff rather than in-flight?
China’s Commercial Aircraft Corporation, COMAC, has plans to become one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers and take on the existing leaders, Boaing and Airbus.
China's new c919 could threaten Boeing and Airbus
At the Zhuahai Air Show on Novermber 16 2010 the Commercial Aircraft Corporation launched its new C919 aircraft. The full sized prototype looked like other typical wide bodied aircraft. It will be the first large wide body commercial airliner in the country. Thus far the company boasts pre-orders of 100 for the C919 aircraft. Among those ordering the aircraft are: Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, CDB Leasing and the US-based GECAS.
Inside China's new C919
The C919 is aimed to compete with the like of the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320. In its economy layout the aircraft has the capacity of 168 seats. With a mixed business and economy section the configuration allows for 156 seats. It is estimated that the C919 will make its maiden flight in 2014 and deliveries are expected to arrive in 2016.
Qantas is continuing to ground its A380 fleet for a further 72 hours after it found oil leaks in some engines that were above the standard thresholds of the aircraft. The oil leaks may explain why one of its A380s threw a blade which resulted in the catastrophic failure of the number two engine and resulted in engine shrapnel tearing two holes in the wing.
Passengers that were to fly on the A380s are to be put on other Qantas aircraft. The aircraft operator has also rented a further plane from its “One World” alliance partner, British Airways.
Unfortunately this incident has marred Rolls-Royce’s reputation that was up till now doing very well despite the downturn in the aircraft industry. Since the incident Roll-Royce’s share price has tumbled dramatically.
On 3rd November 2010 there was an incident involving the failure of the number two Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine powering a Qantas A380 flying from Singapore to Australia.
The aircraft made an emergency landing in Singapore after shedding the aft section of the cowling and other engine parts over Indonesia. Photographs of the aircraft show damage to the adjacent wing structure, suggesting that the leading edge was penetrated by uncontained engine debris.
The number two engine appears to have suffered a failure of the high end energy rotating section of the engine. From photographic evidence there is a hole in the lower and upper section of the wing where some type of engine debris has gone through.
Also notable is that when the aircraft arrived at Singapore the aircraft already had its landing gear opened suggesting there was an emergency deployment of the landing gear. The leading edge slats were also not deployed whereas the trailing edge flaps are deployed.
Only further investigation will show what really went wrong. Luckily incidents like this are very rare.
Japanese start-up carrier Fuji Dream Airlines (FDA) has obtained its second Embraer 175 business jet, taking its all Embraer fleet to five.
Fuji Dream Airlines
The Shizuoka-based carrier’s arrangement also contains an option for an additional E175, says Embraer.
“We are honoured that FDA has reaffirmed its confidence in the E-Jets family and ordered another Embraer 175,” says Paulo César de Souza e Silva, Embraer executive VP, aircarrier market.
“The re-order is a sign that our E-Jets have been instrumental in the birth and growth of a new airline, and provided it with an optimal tool to develop new routes, while providing their customers with a reliable and comfortable airplane.”
FDA’s new airplane shall be configured in a single class with 84 seats, says Embraer.
Including the new plane, FDA will also operate five Embraer aircraft: Three E170s and two E175s.
The airliner, that started flights in 2009, has also inked a ten-year commitment with Embraer to manage and assist in all spare parts for its E-Jets.
Gulfstream IV from BIGGIN HILL (EGKB) to TETERBORO (TEB) 01/04/2011 until 01/07/2011
Perpignan (LFMP / PGF) to London Blackbushe (EGLK / BBS) 21 Oct 2010 – 21 Oct 2010
Nice (LFMN / NCE) to London Blackbushe (EGLK / BBS) 21 Oct 2010 – 21 Oct 2010
Palma de Mallorca (LEPA / PMI) to London Blackbushe (EGLK / BBS) – 23 Oct 2010 – 23 Oct 2010
London Blackbushe (EGLK / BBS) to Perpignan (LFMP / PGF) – 31 Oct 2010 – 31 Oct 2010
Flights use Citation IV Mustangs that can carry 4 passengers
Akbar Al Baker, the Qatar Airways chief, has attacked critics of Middle Eastern airliners’ utilization of export finance, and their wish for development.
Qatar Airways
While in the Arab Air Carriers Organization conference in Cairo, Al Baker pointed out how the region’s flight companies were being “heavily criticised” for using low cost finance to expand. But he retorts that carrier chiefs behind such attacks “do not understand the basic principles” of financing to airlines.
Al Baker asserts that the real difference between normal market financing and the “cheaper money” is negligible. He also rejects the notion that the Arab airliners gain anything, at least unfairly – from tax breaks and lower staffing costs.
The European carriers often employ their aircraft for eight or nine hours a day while Middle Eastern operators are utilising theirs for 13-14h, he says. With Europe unwilling to expand its airports, Arab carrier really have to expand to compensate.
Another criticism levelled at the Arab operator is one of environmental responsibility. Al Baker called this “propaganda” and said the operator making the most noise was one of the regions biggest carriers that had higher emissions than Quatar Airways. It seems like much of the criticism aimed at Quatar Airways is likely due to European airliners feeling the pinch because of the recession. Al Baker noted that whilst the “mature airlines” created the hub and spoke model the “Arab airlines have adopted this model, and improved it,” he says.
