CFM Engines To Power New easyJet Planes

It was in December last year when British low-cost airline easyJet announced a firm order for 157 Airbus jets. However, there was no word on who would supply the engines for the aircraft, which would be delivered between FY2029 and FY2034.

We now have an answer. easyJet confirms that it has chosen CFM as the engine supplier. The Cincinnati-headquartered company will provide 314 LEAP-1A engines to power the 56 A320neo and 101 A321neo jets. The agreement also includes spare engines and secured pricing for 200 engines for the 100 purchase rights.

easyJet and CFM have done business with each other since 1995. In fact, the airline’s entire fleet is powered by CFM engines. Per their maker, the new-generation LEAP family powerplants provide a 15-20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption while emitting less CO2 and noise.

Check Out The 2024 Oakley Lunar New Year Collection

Inspired by the Wood Dragon, the Chinese Zodiac of 2024, Oakley has devised the 2024 Lunar New Year Collection. The eyewear maker says the dragon, the only mythical entity in the Chinese Zodiac, exudes certain qualities, such as enthusiasm, confidence and authority. And the four-piece collection it has launched tries to capture those traits.

The 2024 Oakley Lunar New Year Collection comprises two eyewear styles – Holbrook and Sutro. Both have Prizm 24K lenses and a custom micro bag donning a hand-drawn dragon logo. The logo is also found on the lenses. Rounding off the collection are the Line Miner Goggles with Prizm Snow Torch, a geometrical pattern on the strap, and the MOD1 helmet, featuring hand-drawn dragon logos on the temples.

The collection is available at select Oakley stores and on the brand’s official website.

Also Read: Oakley Signs Eyewear Deal With Fortnite

Alfa Romeo Reports 30% Growth In 2023

Italy’s Alfa Romeo had a great 2023. The annual sales figures suggest that the brand grew by 30 per cent over the previous year. In Europe, it sold 46 per cent more vehicles than in 2022. Similarly, when comparing the performance in the ‘India Asia Pacific’ region, Alfa Romeo grew by 7 per cent.

The most robust zonal performance came from the Middle East and Africa markets. There, Alfa Romeo posted a growth of 74 per cent. In the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region, the brand grew by 5 per cent. Within that region, the UAE was the best-performing market, with a 24 per cent year-on-year increase in sales.

Alfa Romeo aims for a strategic expansion in the Gulf region.

Air India’s First A350 Enters Service

It was in February last year when Air India and Airbus confirmed a deal for 250 aircraft. While the majority of the order comprised single-aisle jets from the A320 family, the agreement covered 40 A350 widebody jets. Of them, the first Airbus A350-900, in Air India’s new livery, was delivered in December 2023. Although intended for long-haul routes, that aircraft has entered commercial service in India.

Air India’s and India’s first Airbus A350-900 will currently operate on domestic routes to ensure that the crew is familiarised and all the regulatory compliances are met. The locations it will serve include Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

Barring Tuesdays, on which it will fly between Bengaluru and Delhi only, the A350-900 will serve passengers from Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The aircraft, powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, has 316 seats: 28 private Business suites with full-flat beds, 24 Premium Economy seats and 264 Economy seats.

Besides the deal mentioned above with Airbus, Air India has also ordered up to 290 jets from Boeing.