Airbus Eyes LOT Polish Airlines Deal for 84 Aircraft, and More

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Airbus Targets LOT Polish Airlines Deal with 84 Aircraft Regional Fleet Proposal

Airbus has officially entered a bid to supply 84 A220 aircraft to LOT Polish Airlines as part of a major fleet modernization initiative focused on regional routes throughout Central Europe.

The proposal, confirmed by Airbus Vice President Benoit de Saint-Exupery, includes both A220-100 and A220-300 variants to replace LOT's aging Embraer fleet.

This tender represents a competitive face-off between Airbus and Embraer, with LOT expected to make a decision within the coming months.

Key Points

• The bid responds to a tender initiated in March 2024 by Poland's Ministry of State Assets

• LOT currently operates 50 regional jets, mostly Embraer models (E170s, E175s, E190s, and E195s) with many approaching 20 years of service

• If selected, deliveries could begin in 2026-2027 and continue through 2030

• The A220-100 seats 100-135 passengers while the A220-300 accommodates 120-160, both offering ranges exceeding 6,200 kilometers

• LOT would need to invest in pilot training and new maintenance infrastructure, as they currently operate no Airbus aircraft

• Boeing is notably absent from this regional jet competition, lacking a competitive product in this market segment

What It Means

This tender represents a pivotal strategic decision for LOT Polish Airlines, potentially shifting away from its longstanding relationship with Embraer.

If Airbus secures this 84-aircraft deal, it would mark its entry into LOT's fleet while delivering substantial fuel efficiency improvements and increased passenger capacity on regional routes.

The outcome could significantly strengthen Airbus's position in the regional jet market.

Other Key Aviation Industry Updates for Today 👇

2. Joby and Virgin Partner to Bring eVTOL Air Taxi Network to the UK

Joby Aviation and Virgin Atlantic announced a partnership to launch electric air taxi services across the UK.

The zero-emission aircraft will initially connect Virgin's hubs at Heathrow and Manchester Airport to surrounding cities.

Joby's eVTOL can carry four passengers at speeds up to 200 mph for journeys up to 100 miles, potentially turning 80-minute car rides into 8-minute flights.

The partnership builds on Joby's existing agreement with Delta Air Lines, which owns 49% of Virgin Atlantic.

3. Virginia Emergency Landing Ends Safely for American Eagle Passengers

American Eagle Flight 5852, operated by Piedmont Airlines, made an emergency landing in Richmond, Virginia yesterday due to a possible maintenance issue.

The Embraer E145 aircraft departed Newport News at 11:50 a.m. and landed safely in Richmond around 1 p.m.

All 47 passengers and three crew members were unharmed.

The aircraft was taken out of service for inspection, and passengers were rebooked on alternative flights to Charlotte.

4. Malaysia Airlines Partners with Thales for A330neo Avionics Support

Thales and Malaysia Airlines signed a long-term service agreement today for avionics components on Malaysia Airlines' fleet of 20 A330neo aircraft.

The deal covers repair management and spare parts availability, with stock located at the airline's main hub and Thales' Singapore repair center.

This follows their 2024 partnership when Malaysia Airlines selected Thales' Flight Management and Surveillance systems.

The agreement aims to enhance operational efficiency and reduce maintenance costs while ensuring high-quality repair services.

5. Merger-Bound Korean Air Adds Leased A330 to Fleet

Korean Air has leased an Airbus A330-200 from China Aircraft Leasing Company (CALC) to address capacity needs amid ongoing delivery delays of new aircraft.

This move comes as Korean Air finalizes its merger with Asiana Airlines, approved by the European Commission in late 2024.

The A330-200, will help maintain Korean Air's operational capacity while waiting for its ordered A350 and A321neo aircraft, part of the carrier's fleet expansion plan for the next decade.

6. Former 787 Program Leader Named Boeing Safety Chief

Boeing appointed Don Ruhmann as its new Chief Aerospace Safety Officer, effective immediately. Ruhmann, who joined Boeing in 1989, previously served as vice president of Airplane Development at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

He replaces Mike Delaney, who is retiring after nearly 40 years with the company.

Reporting directly to CEO Kelly Ortberg, Ruhmann will focus on enhancing Boeing's safety culture, advancing its Safety Management System, and collaborating with regulators as the company works to rebuild trust following recent safety incidents.

7. Alaska and Frontier Airlines Boost OKC's Seasonal Flight Network

OKC Will Rogers International Airport announced two new seasonal direct flights.

Alaska Airlines will add a second nonstop service to Seattle from July 16 to August 19. Frontier Airlines will offer thrice-weekly nonstop flights to Atlanta from May 22 to August 17.

Seattle is a busy market for OKC, while the Atlanta route expands low-fare carrier options alongside Frontier's existing nonstops to Denver, Las Vegas, and Orlando.

8. Spirit Airlines Expands Milwaukee Service with West Coast and East Coast Connections

Spirit Airlines is adding nonstop flights from Milwaukee to Los Angeles, Nashville, and Baltimore starting in May 2025.

The Los Angeles route begins May 8, while the Nashville and Baltimore services are part of Spirit's major network expansion of 40 new routes announced earlier this month.

These additions complement Spirit's existing Milwaukee service to destinations like Orlando, Las Vegas, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale.

The expansion comes as Spirit emerges from bankruptcy restructuring while still growing its domestic network.

9. US Air Force Awards GE Aerospace $5 Billion for Fighter Jet Engines

GE Aerospace secured a $5 billion contract from the US Air Force for F110-GE-129 engines powering F-15 and F-16 fighter jets.

The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity agreement supports foreign military sales to allies, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Bulgaria.

The contract runs through December 2030 and includes spare engines, accessories, and modernized engine monitoring systems.

With over 11 million flight hours and 40 years of continuous production, the F110 engine delivers high performance and reliability for military operations worldwide.

10. Army Black Hawks to Receive $80 Million Avionics Upgrade from Collins

Collins Aerospace, an RTX subsidiary, secured an $80 million contract today to upgrade U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopters with advanced avionics.

The modernization features Mosarc, Collins' Modular Open Systems Approach-compliant technology, enabling real-time avionics updates on the battlefield.

This open architecture system will streamline future upgrades, reduce maintenance costs, and improve interoperability for joint operations.

The work will be conducted in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Huntsville, Alabama, with the goal of creating commonality across the Army's current and future aircraft fleet.