China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS) has signed a General Terms Agreement (GTA) with Airbus for the acquisition of 30 A330 Family aircraft and 100 A320 Family aircraft. The 30 A330s are the firm up of the commitment signed in June 2015. The GTA was signed in Beijing by Li Hai, president and CEO of CAS, and Fabrice Brégier, president and CEO of Airbus, in the presence of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "We are grateful to CAS, one of our longest … [Read more...] about China's state procurement body orders 130 Airbus aircraft
Airbus
Four Chinese airlines ‘allocated’ A330s
Hainan Airlines will receive 20 of the 45 A330s the Chinese government has ordered from Airbus, in return for Airbus setting up an A330 completion centre, according to Chinese media reports. China Aviation Supplies—an agency falling under the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) — that buys aircraft in bulk for China’s commercial airlines, has also allocated 15 of the aircraft to China Eastern (which has 43 A330s already in service), five to Tibet Airlines and five to Sichuan Airlines, … [Read more...] about Four Chinese airlines ‘allocated’ A330s
Finnair’s first A350 XWB makes its maiden flight
The first A350 XWB for Finnair has completed its first flight in Toulouse. The aircraft will now enter the final production phase including further ground checks and flight tests. The aircraft is scheduled for delivery in the coming weeks. Finnair will become the first airline in Europe to operate the A350 XWB and the third operator in the world. Finnair has purchased a total of 19 A350 XWBs and will operate its fleet on premium long haul routes, beginning with services between Helsinki … [Read more...] about Finnair’s first A350 XWB makes its maiden flight
Airbus begins A330neo production
Airbus’ first A330neo is coming to life one year after the programme was launched, with the first 'cutting of metal' underway at its production facilities in Toulouse and Nantes. Machining of the first engine pylon started during the summer at Airbus’ facility in Saint-Eloi (Toulouse), while Airbus’ Plant in Nantes began production of the first A330neo centre wing box. The first A330neo Centre Wing Box rib 1 produced in Nantes uses an innovative Isogrid design with 330 triangular pockets … [Read more...] about Airbus begins A330neo production
Airbus’ next gen A350-1000 takes shape
The wings for Airbus’ first A350-1000 have begun the process of assembly at Broughton, UK. The A350-1000 wing has the same span of the A350-900 that is already in service, but 90 per cent of the parts have been modified and the trailing edge has been extended to resize the wing for the additional payload and range. At 32 metres long by six metres wide, the A350 XWB wing is the largest single part made from carbon fibre composite material in use in civil aviation today. They are designed and … [Read more...] about Airbus’ next gen A350-1000 takes shape
Airbus' next gen A350-1000 takes shape
The wings for Airbus’ first A350-1000 have begun the process of assembly at Broughton, UK. The A350-1000 wing has the same span of the A350-900 that is already in service, but 90 per cent of the parts have been modified and the trailing edge has been extended to resize the wing for the additional payload and range. At 32 metres long by six metres wide, the A350 XWB wing is the largest single part made from carbon fibre composite material in use in civil aviation today. They are designed and … [Read more...] about Airbus' next gen A350-1000 takes shape
