The Paris Air Show’s muted aircraft-order expectations and preoccupation with the Boeing 737 MAX’s struggles took unexpected turns late June 18 with the stunning announcement of a tentative deal between Boeing and International Airlines Group (IAG) for 200 of the beleaguered model—easily the largest order of the show’s first two days.
Amazon is adding 15 more Boeing 737-800 freighters to its network following a deal with GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), paving the way to expand its fleet to at least 70 aircraft, including 20 GECAS-provided 737s.
Korean Air is to add 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners to its fleet, with a commitment to purchase ten 787-10s and ten additional 787-9s; it will also lease ten 787-10s from Air Lease Corporation.
Regional aircraft lessor Nordic Aviation Capital has signed a $2 billion letter of intent (LoI) to take 35 more ATRs turboprops, along with 35 options and purchase rights on a further 35 aircraft.
Indian airline IndiGo has flipped its preferred engine supplier, ordering CFM LEAP-1A engines to power 280 Airbus A320neo-family aircraft it has on order—aircraft that will fly alongside IndiGo’s Pratt & Whitney PW1000G geared turbofan (GTF) Airbus narrowbodies.
Boeing will perform another 10 Boeing 737-800 freight conversions for GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) and is considering cargo markets for other programs, including the potential new midmarket aircraft (NMA) and Boeing 787.
Wichita, Kansas-based aerostructures giant Spirit AeroSystems on June 17 unveiled new production methods for carbon fiber composite materials that the Tier 1 supplier said will enable lower costs and higher production volumes for future aircraft components.
Boeing is leaning towards offering the larger of the two proposed new midmarket airplane (NMA) variants first for delivery in 2025 as it nears closing the business case and obtaining board permission for formal authority to offer later this year.
A federal judge in northern Texas has issued a temporary restraining order instructing the unions representing American Airlines’ mechanics to end their support for an alleged work slowdown that the Dallas/Fort Worth-based carrier claims has resulted in hundreds of flight cancellations since February.
Qantas has confirmed plans to launch two new U.S. routes following the approval of its joint venture with American Airlines, and more transpacific routes may be added by the partners.
Lufthansa Group issued a profit warning for full-year 2019 claiming its strength in long-haul was only partially offsetting pressure on yields in the group’s European short-haul business.
UK long-haul specialist Virgin Atlantic is to acquire 14 Airbus A330-900s, with a further six on option, in a move that CEO Shai Weiss said positioned the London-based carrier for future growth.
Russia’s CIS-wide Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) has posted a preliminary report on the crash of an Aeroflot Sukhoi SuperJet 100-95 (SSJ 100) at Moscow Sheremetyevo airport May 5.
Boeing is revising the 777X test plan to maximize ground evaluations as it attempts to compensate for a lengthy delay to first flight following the recent discovery of a durability issue on the aircraft’s General Electric GE9X engines.
Despite continuing U.S.-China trade tensions and other underlying macro threats to the global economy, Boeing has issued its most positive commercial market outlook yet with a forecast that calls for the delivery of 44,040 new aircraft valued at more than $6.8 trillion over the next 20 years.
Airbus launched the long-expected A321XLR on the opening day of the Paris Air Show and expects airlines to operate “hundreds” of the aircraft over time as new secondary long-haul markets are developed.
Air Lease Corporation (ALC) placed an order for 50 Airbus A220-300s on the opening day of the Paris Air Show, providing the program with a welcome boost in confidence by a key player.
Qantas and GE Aviation are expanding GE’s FlightPulse flight analytics app to give pilots actionable information based on historical flight data that they can use to optimize individual flights.
Boeing’s return-to-service plan for the 737 MAX will focus on treating each aircraft as if it’s just been delivered, with the manufacturer reiterating that the model’s safe return as its top priority.
As the 53rd Paris Air Show opens, industry remains in the dark about when the Boeing 737 MAX fleet will be cleared to fly again. But there are signs that Boeing is nearing the next key milestones on an increasingly emerging path to get the grounded fleet airborne.
