Boeing Prioritizes Certification of Four Models and Production Ramp-Up, Turkish 600 Planes Order Faces Further Delay, and More
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Boeing Prioritizes Certification of Four Models and Production Ramp-Up
Boeing is focusing on the certification of four aircraft models, namely the 737 MAX 7, 737 MAX 10, 777-9, and 777-8F, as well as increasing production rates on the 737 MAX and 787.
Boeing president Dave Calhoun dismissed the idea of competing with a potential Airbus A220-500, expressing a preference for developing a smaller aircraft with electric propulsion.
The company is also investing in innovative projects like the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator program with NASA, aimed at reducing fuel consumption by up to 30%, and the Wisk Gen6, an autonomous eVTOL aiming for FAA certification. source
Southwest Airlines CEO Foresees Three-Year Pilot Shortage
Southwest Airlines' CEO, Bob Jordan, predicts an industry-wide pilot shortage will continue for three years due to difficulties in training new aviators.
Currently, Southwest cannot utilize about 40 aircraft due to the shortage. This problem extends industry-wide, with the U.S. estimated to be short of 10,000 pilots.
Jordan also discussed the difficulties posed by Boeing's aircraft delivery delays, which have led Southwest to adjust its capacity growth plans. Southwest, one of Boeing's major customers, now expects 70 deliveries of the 737-8 jet in 2023, down from the planned 90. source
Vietjet Wins Best Ultra Low-Cost Airline Honors for Fifth Year
Vietjet has been recognized as the 'Best Low-Cost Airline Onboard Hospitality for 2023' and the 'Best Ultra Low-Cost Airline 2023' for the fifth consecutive year by AirlineRatings.
The awards acknowledge the airline's efforts in diversifying aviation products, including the newly launched SkyBoss Business class with its premium offerings.
Vietjet also received a seven-star safety rating, the highest global ranking. These accolades support Vietjet's commitment to excellent in-flight hospitality and innovative services. source
China Southern Plans $2.46bn Fundraise for 50 A320neo Jets
China Southern Airlines plans to raise up to $2.46 billion through a private placement of shares to help it acquire fifty A320neo aircraft, as per its filing with the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
Around $1.72 billion will go towards the new twinjets, with the rest serving as supplementary working capital. Additionally, the airline seeks to raise $408 million more in Hong Kong for general operations.
The raised funds will help China Southern expand its fleet, improve its liquidity position following pandemic-related pressures, and enhance its competitiveness, particularly in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. source
DCA Runway Can't Handle More Flights, Warns Airports Authority
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is urging Congress to reject proposals to add up to 28 new flights at Reagan National Airport (DCA) due to heavy congestion on its single main runway.
DCA, the smallest of the three major airports serving Washington, D.C., is currently the most heavily utilized in the U.S., averaging 819 daily takeoffs and landings.
Increasing flights would lead to more delays, congestion, and strain on airport facilities, according to Airports Authority CEO Jack Potter. source
Virgin Atlantic to Resume London-Dubai Flights after Four-Year Break
After a four-year pause, Virgin Atlantic is set to relaunch its service between London-Heathrow Airport and Dubai. The airline will operate the route four times a week from October through March, starting October 28, 2023, using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
This decision comes in response to anticipated pent-up demand for premium travel and is part of the airline's broader route network growth strategy, which includes new services to the Maldives, Turks and Caicos, and Las Vegas from Manchester Airport. source
Air Canada Faces Second System-Wide Technical Glitch in a Week
Air Canada passengers experienced substantial flight delays and cancellations due to a technical issue affecting the airline's communication system with its aircraft.
This incident marks the second system-wide technical issue in a week, causing significant disruption to the airline's operations, with 55% of scheduled flights delayed and numerous cancellations reported.
While the airline has initiated a recovery process, customers are warned to anticipate potential delays and disruptions. Air Canada confirmed it is currently upgrading its communication system and is working closely with the manufacturer to ensure future stability. source
Lufthansa's A380 Takes to the Skies After Three-Year Break
Lufthansa has reinstated its Airbus A380 flights after a three-year hiatus, signaling a rebound in air travel demand. The German carrier conducted its first long-haul A380 flight from Munich to Boston on June 1, 2023.
The airline had retired its A380 fleet in 2020 due to a sharp drop in air travel brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resumption of A380 flights, alongside other wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A340s and Boeing 747s, is indicative of Lufthansa's confidence in the industry's recovery. source
Turkish Airlines' Mega Order of 600 Planes Faces Further Delay
Turkish Airlines' planned order of 600 aircraft, potentially one of the largest in history, is taking longer than expected to finalize. The airline is still determining the aircraft mix and engine types it requires to support its strategy of doubling passenger numbers over the next decade.
The order may not be evenly split between Boeing and Airbus, as the airline seeks 400 narrowbody and 200 long-haul aircraft.
The announcement, initially expected at the Paris Air Show in mid-June, may be further delayed. source
China’s Comac Takes Flight but Boeing and Airbus Maintain Grip
China marked a significant step in its aviation industry with the first commercial flight of a large passenger jet made domestically, the C919, made by state-run Comac.
The jet, currently the only C919 being used commercially, transported around 130 passengers from Shanghai to Beijing for China Eastern Airlines.
However, despite this achievement, China still faces robust competition from aviation giants, Boeing and Airbus. Boeing's CEO, Dave Calhoun, praised the C919 but noted it would take significant time for China to meet domestic demand.
Comac aims to produce 150 C919 planes annually, aiming to satisfy China's growing domestic flight demand. source
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