Eurowings to Switch 40 Airbus to Boeing 737 MAX, and More

Dear readers,

Welcome to AviationOutlook Newsletter, your one-stop source for the most relevant Aviation & Aerospace news briefs and industry insights (minus noise).

Here are the 10 Top Aviation &Aerospace Updates for you today. Let’s get started.

Eurowings Plans A Major Fleet Overhaul with Boeing 737 MAX

Lufthansa Group has allocated 40 Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft to its low-cost subsidiary Eurowings, marking the largest fleet modernization in the airline's 30-year history.

The €5 billion investment will see deliveries starting in 2027 and completed by 2032, replacing the carrier's aging Airbus A319s and older A320 models.

Key Details:

↳ This marks Eurowings' transition from an all-Airbus operator to a mixed-fleet operator

↳ The airline will maintain a mixed fleet strategy, operating both Airbus and Boeing aircraft rather than transitioning completely to Boeing

↳ Eurowings currently operates around 80 Airbus aircraft, including A319s averaging 16 years old and A320s averaging 14 years old

↳ The 737-8 MAX will offer 189 seats, providing 39 more seats than the A319, with significantly longer range capabilities for medium-haul routes

↳ New aircraft will reduce fuel consumption by up to 30% and deliver corresponding CO2 emission reductions compared to current fleet

↳ The modernization includes redesigned cabins with enhanced comfort features and the latest airline standards

↳ The investment also strengthens Eurowings' position as Germany's largest leisure airline and market leader at major airports including Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart, and Cologne/Bonn

What it Means:

This strategic move represents a significant shift in European aviation, as Eurowings transitions from an all-Airbus operator to a mixed fleet operator.

The decision also reflects Lufthansa Group's confidence in Eurowings' future growth.

The increased capacity and improved fuel efficiency will help Eurowings maintain competitive pricing, positioning the airline for success in the 2030s.

Other key Aviation and Aerospace Industry updates for today 👇

Spirit Airlines Secures $300M Financing to Exit Bankruptcy

Spirit Airlines has secured a $300 million senior secured revolving credit facility to stabilize operations post-bankruptcy.

The facility, comprising $275 million in revolving loans and $25 million in incremental credit, will support working capital and corporate needs once Spirit exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Conditions include maintaining liquidity thresholds and asset collateralization.

This funding aligns with Spirit's restructuring strategy to streamline operations, optimize its fleet, and reposition as a premium-leisure airline.

The airline expects to emerge from bankruptcy within Q1 2025.

Australian Startup Koala Airlines Battles Creditor's Legal Action

Australian startup Koala Airlines faces a winding-up application filed by creditor Wealth Creation Pty Ltd.

The Victorian Supreme Court will hear the case on January 22, 2025. Koala Airlines, which aimed to compete with Qantas and Virgin Australia by offering affordable regional air travel, has not yet launched operations.

The application follows financial struggles and mirrors the fate of Bonza, another low-cost carrier that failed in 2024. The court's decision could determine Koala Airlines' future in aviation.

Malaysia Airlines Renews AI Partnership with PROS for Revenue Growth

Malaysia Airlines has extended its partnership with PROS Holdings, renewing the PROS Revenue Management Advantage (RMA) platform.

This AI-powered solution has been pivotal in the airline's post-COVID recovery, enabling advanced demand forecasting and dynamic pricing strategies.

The collaboration has contributed to two consecutive years of profitability and supports Malaysia Airlines' goal of optimizing offers and adapting to market changes.

As an early adopter of PROS technology, the airline continues to leverage AI for strategic growth and competitive positioning.

Hybrid eVTOL Atea Set for 2025 Test Flights by Ascendance

French startup Ascendance Flight Technologies plans to conduct the first flight of its full-scale Atea hybrid-electric eVTOL prototype in 2025.

Designed for regional and inter-city travel, Atea features a hybrid-electric propulsion system, offering a 400 km range and reduced carbon emissions by up to 80%.

The five-seat aircraft aims to support applications like passenger transport, medical services, and cargo logistics.

Ascendance is also advancing its proprietary Sterna propulsion system, targeting sustainable aviation solutions for broader industry use.

KERI Develops Flexible Battery for Aviation and Urban Mobility

Researchers at KERI have developed a flexible lithium-sulfur battery prototype that retains over 85% capacity after 100 charge cycles.

Using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) with oxygen functional groups, the innovation reduces sulfur loss and stabilizes electrodes, addressing challenges in lithium-sulfur battery commercialization.

The lightweight, high-capacity design is suited for aviation and urban air mobility.

This breakthrough marks a significant step toward sustainable, cost-effective batteries, with plans to expand industrial applications and further optimize performance.

ATR 72 Aircraft Certified for Starlink Internet by EASA

ATR, a leading regional aircraft manufacturer, has received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification to equip its ATR 72 turboprop aircraft with SpaceX’s Starlink high-speed internet.

Following successful test flights, Air New Zealand will be the launch customer, introducing Starlink on domestic flights in 2025.

The system, available as a retrofit for ATR 72-500 and 72-600 models, enhances passenger connectivity and pilot access to real-time weather data.

This marks Starlink’s first deployment on short-haul turboprop aircraft.

COMAC Targets 50 C919 Aircraft Production Capacity by 2025

China's COMAC plans to increase the annual production capacity of its C919 single-aisle aircraft to 50 units by 2025, with 30 planes expected to roll off the assembly line this year.

The C919, designed to compete with Airbus and Boeing, has over 1,000 orders, primarily from Chinese airlines.

Since entering service in 2023, it has carried over one million passengers.

COMAC is also progressing on its widebody C929 project, aiming to expand its presence in global aviation markets.

Eve’s Vector ATM System to Power JetSetGo’s eVTOL Operations in India

JetSetGo, a leading Indian private aviation company, has partnered with Eve Air Mobility to implement Eve's Vector Urban Air Traffic Management (ATM) system in India.

This collaboration aims to advance urban air mobility (UAM) by integrating cutting-edge air traffic solutions for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The partnership will focus on promoting UAM, addressing urban congestion and pollution, and fostering sustainable aviation.

Initial projects will begin in Gujarat, with plans for broader expansion across India.

China Reveals Yunxing Supersonic Aircraft for Ultra-Fast Travel

China's Sichuan Lingkong Tianxing Technology has unveiled the Yunxing supersonic aircraft family, designed for speeds up to Mach 4 (3,069 mph).

The aircraft features vertical takeoff and landing capabilities and advanced propulsion using detonation combustion technology.

A prototype recently achieved a successful test flight, marking progress toward commercial use by 2027.

The Yunxing aims to revolutionize air travel, reducing flight times significantly, such as Beijing to New York in under two hours, while addressing challenges like cabin space and high-speed stability.