The majority investor of Avianca and Gol Airlines, Abra Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024. The MoU involves five A350-900s to strengthen long-distance flight operations and increase capacity. The idea is to provide better connectivity from Latin America to the rest of the world.

The Airbus A350 can accommodate 300 to 410 passengers, depending on the configuration. With its aerodynamic design, lightweight materials, and new-gen engines, the aircraft can fly up to 9,700 nautical miles nonstop. Compared to the previous-gen jet, the A350 offers a 25 per cent reduction in fuel consumption, operating costs and CO2 emissions. Airbus also claims a 50 per cent reduction in noise.

Airbus has sold more than 1,300 aircraft in Latin America and the Caribbean. The European manufacturer has a leading market share of in-service passenger jets, with 800 already in operation and the remaining 500 are yet to be delivered.

Also Read: Farnborough Airshow: flynas Intends To Buy 90 More Airbus Jets

At the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, flynas and Airbus inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 90 more aircraft. The low-cost carrier from Saudi Arabia has shown interest to purchase 75 A320neo family aeroplanes and 15 A330-900s. This is in addition to the airline’s order for Airbus narrowbody jets, a deal the duo cracked during last year’s Paris Air Show.

The additional aircraft order with the European manufacturer will help the carrier strengthen its regional and international routes. Per the paperwork, the A330-900 will feature a two-class configuration, offering seating capacity for 400 passengers. The aircraft comes packed with two new-gen Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, new wings and several aerodynamic enhancements. As a result, it delivers a 25 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to its predecessor. The Airbus A330-900 offers a range of 8,150 nautical miles (15,094 km), plenty for those long routes.

Also Read: Farnborough Airshow: Airbus Announces New Deal With Berniq Airways

Just look at that aircraft! You’ve got fun and playful characters like the Looney Toons and Tom & Jerry painted on one side and heroes from DC Comics – Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman – on the other. So, why has Etihad done this to a mammoth Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner? That’s because the UAE’s national carrier partnered with Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. For the latter, it is the most prominent collaboration to date.

The partnership isn’t limited to a specially painted commercial widebody jet. It runs deeper than that. For instance, travellers aged up to 10 years on long Etihad flights will be recipients of the new Warner Bros. World Kids Pack. The kit has enough stuff to keep the kids entertained throughout the flight. Infants, on the other hand, will get a DC Super Hero-themed blanket. At the same time, juniors will receive goodies like a branded backpack, Super Hero cape, water bottle and activity kit.

Another highlight of this partnership can be found at the Zayed International Airport. A dedicated children’s section with a Warner Bros. World theme will soon be added to the Etihad Lounge. Kids won’t complain there, will they?

Also Read: Etihad And Batik Air Malaysia Are Now Codeshare Partners

To strengthen its presence in the Northeastern part of India further, Air India Express has announced flights to Agartala, the capital of Tripura. These daily services will begin on September 1, 2024.

The airline will link Agartala directly with Kolkata and Guwahati. The flight for Guwahati from Agartala leaves at 10:20 and lands at 11:20. The return leg starts at 11:50 and arrives at 12:45. The daily service from Kolkata to Agartala departs at 07:50 and lands at 08:50. After a half-an-hour wait, the return flight to Kolkata leaves at 09:20 and arrives in Agartala at 10:25.

Passengers from Agartala can also fly to India’s capital, Delhi, with one stopover in Guwahati. From Delhi, travellers can catch the 07:20 flight and arrive in Agartala at 11:20. Those planning a trip the other way can board the 11:50 Air India Express flight from Agartala. That, after a stopover, arrives in Delhi at 16:05.

In addition, Air India Express connects Agartala with several other destinations with one stop via 14 weekly flights. The list includes Bhubaneshwar, Bengaluru, Kochi, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Chennai. Similarly, passengers find more Air India Express connections from Guwahati and Kolkata.

Papua New Guinea’s national carrier, Air Niugini, and Pratt & Whitney have finalised an engine deal. The GTF engines in the equation will power 11 Airbus A220 aircraft for the airline. In addition to that, the duo have inked agreements for support services with a 12-year EngineWise Comprehensive package. As a result of this transaction, Air Niugini became a first-time GTF customer.

Air Niugini has its hub in its country’s capital – Port Moresby. Besides boasting an expansive domestic network, the airline serves passengers for international destinations across Australia, Asia, and the Pacific.

Also Read: Farnborough Airshow: Sky Airline Becomes Pratt & Whitney’s New Customer

To strengthen its regional and international network, Libya’s Berniq Airways placed a firm order for six Airbus A320neo Family aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow. The new single-aisle jets will join the already in-service six A320s in the airline’s fleet.

To date, Airbus has received more than 18,000 orders from more than 300 operators worldwide for the A320 Family aircraft. That makes it the most popular single-aisle turbofan jet globally. Among the variants, the A321neo occupies the top spot for carrying capacity. In other words, it is the largest member of the A320neo Family. Also, the said jet type promises a 50 per cent reduction in noise and at least 20 per cent savings in fuel and CO2 emissions over the previous-gen aircraft, thanks to the new-gen engines and Sharklets.

Also Read: Farnborough Airshow: Airbus And Japan Airlines Sign A 31-Aircraft Deal

Award-winning carrier Qatar Airways extended its order book for the Boeing 777-9 widebody aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024. The airline ordered 20 additional aircraft of the said type, bumping the order book to 60. In addition, the carrier also has 34 Boeing 777-8 Freighters on order. Simple math reveals that the airline will induct 94 777X jets into its fleet.

The 777-9 is the largest member of Boeing’s 777 family. It can seat up to 426 passengers in a typical two-class configuration and fly them nonstop for up to 7,295 nautical miles (13,510 km). Boeing began certification flight testing for 777-9 earlier this month.

Besides the order book for 777X aircraft, Qatar Airways has 12 787 Dreamliners and 25 737 Max jets on order with Boeing.

Also Read: Farnborough Airshow: Boeing Bags First Direct Order From Macquarie AirFinance

Macquarie AirFinance, a company that provides aircraft leasing and financing solutions, has placed its first direct order with Boeing at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024. It is for 20 737-8 narrowbody jets. The order doubles the lessor’s existing 737-8 order book, acquired from ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Co. in 2023.

The Boeing 737-8, which offers reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions by up to 20 per cent compared to the aircraft it replaces, can carry up to 210 passengers, depending on the configuration. Nonstop, the single-aisle twin-engined jet can travel up to 3,500 nautical miles (6,480 km).

Macquarie AirFinance has a portfolio of 236 aircraft leased to 85 airlines across 49 countries. Its order book consists of 86 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus.

Also Read: Farnborough Airshow: Boeing And Luxair Strike Deal For 737s

Chile-based Sky Airline and Pratt & Whitney have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024. Per the agreement, Pratt & Whitney will supply GTF engines for 10 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, with options for 29 Airbus A320neo and A321neo narrowbody jets. As a result, Sky Airline has become a first-time customer of Pratt & Whitney. The engine manufacturer also plans to provide long-term maintenance services via an EngineWise Comprehensive package.

Sky Airline came into existence in 2001. It is a low-cost carrier that operates a fleet of Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft. The airline serves over 40 domestic and international routes in the Americas through its subsidiaries in Chile and Peru.

Also Read: Farnborough Airshow: Avolon Orders 310 Engines For Its New Airbus Jets

NOTE: The image in this article has been sourced directly from Airbus’ official media website.

In March of this year, Japan Airlines (JAL) announced that it would buy 32 aircraft from Airbus. At the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, Airbus and JAL signed an agreement for a firm order of 31 jets – 11 A321neo and 20 A350-900. If you’re wondering, the earlier announcement had 21 A350s planned.

To date, JAL has ordered 52 A350s, 18 of which are already in service. Airbus claims the A350 is the long-range leader in the 300-410-seater space. By the end of June 2024, the aircraft manufacturer had received more than 1,300 firm orders for the A350 family jets from 60 operators globally.

The order for the A321neo represents the airline’s first purchase of Airbus’ single-aisle aircraft type. The said type is the largest member of the A320neo family, offering the broadest cabin of any narrowbody aeroplane in the sky. Compared to previous-generation aircraft, the Airbus A321neo provides a 50 per cent reduction in noise levels and over 20 per cent savings in fuel and CO2 emissions. Airbus has received over 6,400 orders for the A321neo from more than 90 operators worldwide.

Also Read: Farnborough Airshow: Boeing And Japan Airlines Sign Agreement For 787s