Market Intelligence: -Airline Aircraft Orders

Air Canada Places Order for 5 Additional A220s

Mirabel, Canada – Air Canada, the national carrier of Canada, has signed a firm order with Airbus for five more latest generation single-aisle A220-300s on the fifth anniversary since taking delivery of its first A220 in December 2019. This follows an initial order in 2016 for 45 A220-300s and a reorder in 2022 for 15 more. Including this latest reorder, Air Canada’s total firm orders for the A220-300 stands at 65 aircraft.

John Di Bert, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Air Canada said: “The A220 has delivered on its promises for Air Canada in its five years in service. It has allowed us to open new routes and better serve existing routes with an aircraft that has the right economics to support our profitable growth strategy. It is also very popular with customers. We are pleased to add an additional five of these aircraft, built in Mirabel, Quebec, right up the road from our Montreal headquarters and to further support Canada’s aerospace sector.”

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales Commercial Aircraft at Airbus said: “This is Air Canada’s third order for the A220 in a few years. We are committed to working closely with the flag carrier as we support its fleet renewal programme. The A220 is the most efficient aircraft in its size category, offering superior comfort with a spacious cabin and the range to fly numerous destinations on the carrier’s network.”

Air Canada was the A220-300 launch operator in North America in January 2020 and has since operated its A220 fleet to more than 70 destinations. The A220 is assembled in Mirabel, Quebec, being an essential part of the renowned Canadian aerospace sector.

Combining the longest range, lowest fuel consumption and widest cabin in its class, the A220 is the most modern airliner in its size category, carrying between 100 to 150 passengers on flights of up to 3,600 nautical miles (6,700 km).

The aircraft is powered by Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation GTF engines and offers a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions per seat. As with all Airbus aircraft, the A220 is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus aims for all its aircraft to be capable of operating with up to 100% SAF by 2030.

As of the end of November 2024, Air Canada’s fleet is made of 134 Airbus aircraft, including the A320 Family aircraft, the A330 Family aircraft and the A220-300 aircraft. Air Canada has an order for 26 A321XLRs.

As at the end of November 2024, Airbus had received close to 900 orders from 32 customers for the A220, of which almost 380 have been delivered. The A220 is already in successful service with 23 operators worldwide. The fleet is currently flying on more than 1,500 routes and more than 460 destinations across the globe, confirming its leading position in the small single-aisle market.

Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus

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Boeing Resumes Aircraft Production for 737, 767, and 777/777X Programs in December 2024

Seattle, USA – Boeing has announced the resumption of production for its 737, 767, and 777/777X aircraft programs at its factories in the Pacific Northwest. The company implemented a thorough restart process emphasizing safety, training, and operational efficiency.

  • Boeing utilized its Safety Management System to ensure a safe and orderly factory restart.
  • Manufacturing teams were updated on training and certifications to maintain compliance with safety and quality standards.
  • Inventory levels were optimized to enable smooth production operations.
  • Boeing will continue to monitor production health indicators to ensure on-time delivery of aircraft to customers.

Statements:

  • “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Team Boeing, we have now resumed production across our 737, 767, and 777/777X airplane programs,” said Stephanie Pope, President & CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We have taken time to ensure all manufacturing teammates are current on training and certifications, while positioning inventory at the optimal levels for smooth production.”

Source: Stephanie Pope (Boeing)
Photo Credit: Stephanie Pope (Boeing)

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Irish Airline, Aer Lingus, Takes Delivery of its First Airbus A321XLR Aircraft

Ireland – Ireland’s national carrier Aer Lingus has taken delivery of its first of six A321XLR aircraft. The airline becomes the second in the world to operate the A321XLR as well as the second in the International Airlines Group (IAG).

Powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines, the aircraft took off from the Airbus production site in Hamburg, Germany, on 18 December to Aer Lingus’ home base at Dublin airport, Ireland.

The Aer Lingus A321XLR is configured with 184 seats in a two-class layout featuring 16 full-flat Business Class and 168 Economy Class seats. It is the first aircraft in the Aer Lingus fleet to offer passengers and cabin crew the enhanced comfort of Airbus’ Airspace Cabin, featuring XL overhead bins with 60% more storage space compared to previous generation aircraft. In addition, in-seat connectivity is available to all passengers while the latest lighting system enhances the overall passenger experience.

The aircraft will enable Aer Lingus to operate new routes beyond the US East Coast and Canada, with destinations including Nashville and Indianapolis.

The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step of the A320neo Family, responding to market needs for more range and payload, creating even more value for the airlines. It will deliver an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700nm, some 15% more range than the A321LR and 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous generation competitor aircraft, as well as reduced NOx emissions and noise. So far, Airbus has secured more than 500 orders for the type.

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A321XLR aircraft is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100% SAF capable by 2030.

Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus

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Turkey’s Pegasus Airlines Places a Firm Order for 100 737-10 Jets and Options for up to 100 More

  • The airline will expand network with efficient 737 MAX and advance long-term sustainability goals
  • Agreement includes firm order for 100 737-10 jets and options for up to 100 more

Istanbul, Turkey – Boeing and Pegasus Airlines announced Türkiye’s leading low-cost carrier will grow and modernize its single-aisle fleet with an order for up to 200 737 MAX airplanes. The airline’s purchase includes a firm order for 100 737-10 jets – plus options for 100 more.

The largest model in the 737 MAX family, the 737-10 can carry as many as 230 passengers with a range of up to 5,740 km (3,100 nautical miles), while reducing fuel use and emissions by 20% compared to the airplanes it replaces. The airplane’s efficiency and flexibility will enable Pegasus Airlines to serve more passengers on more routes with the lowest cost per seat of any single-aisle airplane.

“Boeing aircraft have been an integral part of our operations since Pegasus entered the aviation industry in 1990,” said Güliz Öztürk, CEO of Pegasus Airlines. “We are pleased to be expanding our fleet with the new Boeing 737-10 model aircraft. We continue to invest in our fleet in line with our growth targets in Türkiye and globally, and to expand our network by launching new routes.”

Ozturk added: “Within the scope of our agreement with Boeing, we have ordered a total of 200 Boeing 737-10 aircraft. The first 100 aircraft are firm orders and we will be evaluating converting the remaining 100 aircraft options into firm orders in the coming years, based on market conditions and the needs of our fleet.”

Pegasus Airlines launched operations with the Boeing 737 Classic nearly 35 years ago. The 737-10 will complement the airline’s fleet of Next-Generation 737s by providing operational commonality and flexibility to meet growing travel demand.

“We have been a proud partner of Pegasus Airlines since their inception and we are excited to welcome them as the newest 737 MAX customer,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We appreciate their trust in the Boeing team and we look forward to delivering on the 737-10 and its promise of greater efficiency, versatility and reliability.”

As low-cost carriers continue to boost regional growth and connectivity, the 737-10 will support Pegasus Airlines in reaching new markets across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa. Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook forecasts European and Central Asian operators will take delivery of nearly 7,900 single-aisle airplanes over the next 20 years.

“When considered within the scope of Boeing’s National Aerospace Initiative launched with the Turkish government in 2017, our order will also open new doors and create production and exports opportunities both for Turkish manufacturers and for the wider aviation industry,” said Öztürk.

Pegasus Airlines’ purchase of 100 737-10 jets will bring the total orders of the 737 MAX variant to more than 1,200 jets.

About Pegasus Airlines
Incorporated in 1990, Pegasus was acquired by ESAS Holding in 2005 and launched as a scheduled low-cost carrier. As one of the region’s leading low-cost airlines, Pegasus believes that everyone has the right to fly and offers its guests the opportunity to travel with low fares and young aircraft through its low-cost model. In 2018, Pegasus adopted the motto Your Digital Airline and carries its guests to 144 destinations, with 35 in Türkiye and 109 on its international network, in 53 countries. Pegasus operates connecting flights between Türkiye and Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia through its point to point and connecting flights through Türkiye. Pegasus offers digital technologies and unique innovations that enhance the guest experience and makes comprehensive efforts for a cleaner, more equal, and harmonious future together, with the mission of Moving Towards a Sustainable Future.

About Boeing
As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures, and services commercial airplanes, defense products, and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability, and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity.

Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Boeing

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Regional Aircraft Manufacturer, Deutsche Aircraft, Appoints Nico Neumann as Co-CEO

Germany – Deutsche Aircraft, a leading regional aircraft manufacturer, has announced the appointment of Nico Neumann as Co-CEO alongside current CEO, Dave Jackson. Neumann will guide Deutsche Aircraft through its next phase, delivering the D328eco® aircraft to market by 2027. This role is part of a managed transition, with Neumann set to assume full CEO responsibilities for the Deutsche Aircraft-operated businesses in Munich and Leipzig by mid-2025. Dave Jackson will continue to support Neumann and the growing team, remaining as CEO of the parent company, Deutsche Aircraft Group.

Nico Neumann will assume the role of Co-CEO from 1 January 2025 and will relinquish his current position of Chief Operating Officer. Over the past 18 years, Neumann has held various operational positions within the Deutsche Aircraft and 328 Support Services, including Vice President of Operations and Programmes. In this capacity, he was responsible for developing the aircraft production programme and lead the supply chain team, as well as being a key point of contact with the German government. He was also part of the core team that identified and selected the location for the Final Assembly Line for the D328eco in Leipzig.

Neumann established a strong foundation in the aviation sector as a B2 certified engineer at 328 Support Services. He subsequently advanced to leadership roles, including Head of Avionics & Electric as well as Director of Production & Maintenance, where he successfully supervised numerous VIP modifications and maintenance programs for the global Dornier 328 fleet.

Dave Jackson has for over 18 years been CEO and Managing Director of 328SSG/Deutsche Aircraft. His leadership since 2006 has ensured the business turnaround of the company and continuous and safe operation of the worldwide Dornier 328 fleet, maintaining the company’s position as a leading regional aircraft OEM. Prior to his role at Deutsche Aircraft, he had over 20 years’ experience in the automotive and aviation sectors, specializing in business turnarounds, restructuring and development, including acquisitions, as well as sales, service, and logistics, in airframe and engine maintenance, component manufacturing, as well as regional airline ownership.

During this transition, Nico will work closely with newly appointed COO, Olaf Lawrenz, to ensure the smooth handover of responsibilities. Olaf brings a wealth of experience from companies like Airbus and Asco Industries, where he was VP Supply Chain, leading the Final Assembly Lines, Flight lines and Delivery Centres for the Airbus A320 in Hamburg. His expertise will be crucial in driving Deutsche Aircraft’s continued growth and success.

“This is an exciting time for Deutsche Aircraft,” said Dave Jackson, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft. “I am confident that with Nico’s leadership, experience and commitment to our values, the team will continue to reach new heights on our journey, towards aircraft entry into service.”

“I am thrilled to step into the role of Co-CEO and steer Deutsche Aircraft through this next phase of industrialization as we build towards our future.  I look forward to the collaboration with Olaf and the entire team,” said Nico Neumann, Co-CEO of Deutsche Aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft remains committed to developing the next-generation turboprop aircraft, the D328eco, with its first flight scheduled for Q4 2025. The construction of the FAL at Leipzig/Halle Airport is well underway and scheduled to become operational around the same time.

Source: Deutsche Aircraft
Photo Credit: Deutsche Aircraft

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