If you require privacy, flexibility and quick travel times, you could use Emirates’ latest offering. The Dubai-based airline has introduced an on-demand regional charter service, specifically for those seeking shorter trips in the GCC from Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). The flying workhorse is a Phenom 100 twin-engine aircraft capable of flying to various destinations inside and outside the Emirates network. The list includes KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and the UAE. The four-seater flight will also offer refreshments, while each passenger can carry up to 15kg of one medium-sized bag. And that’s in addition to a carry-on handbag. In Dubai, users can expect Emirates Chauffeur Drive Services, VIP clearance at customs and immigration and short pre-flight waiting periods.

A new A320 Family final assembly line (FAL), owned and operated by Airbus, has begun operations. Installed in the former A380 “Jean-Luc Lagardère” assembly building in Toulouse, France, the new FAL went live in 2022, delivering the first fuselage sections. However, it is expected to roll out its first fully assembled A321 by the end of 2023. The new facility will help Airbus ramp up the production rate of the A320 Family aircraft to 75 per month in 2026. And, of course, it will play a crucial role in meeting the demand for the A321. Presently, this aeroplane accounts for around 60 per cent of the total A320 Family backlog.

Iceland’s leading carrier, Icelandair, has become the latest Airbus customer. The Keflavik-based airline has placed a firm order for 13 A321XLR aeroplanes. In addition, the company is also mulling over to lease four Airbus A321LRs. The A321XLR (Xtra Long Range) will help Icelandair to strengthen and expand operations. The new aircraft should also deliver better economics and meet sustainability targets. The first of the A321XLRs should be with Icelandair in 2029. However, the carrier has secured the lease of new A321LR aircraft with its long-term partner SMBC Aviation Capital Limited. 

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has potentially bagged another big order for the A321neo aircraft. It has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier Viva Aerobus to supply 90 units of the aeroplane mentioned above. The MoU brings the airline’s order book to 170 A320 family planes. Not only will the expanded fleet help the carrier strengthen its domestic reach, but it will also bolster its international growth. The A321neo, which, according to the agreement signed, has been ordered in the 240-seater configuration, is the largest member of Airbus’ A320 family. Also, it boasts new-gen engines and Sharklets, which collectively result in a 50 per cent reduction in noise and more than 20 per cent fuel savings compared to the previous-gen single-aisle aircraft. In 2013, Viva Aerobus placed an order for 32 aeroplanes from the A320 family, followed by an order for 25 A321neos in 2018. Presently, the airline operates 74 A320 family planes.

If you aren’t aware, the seventh movie from the Mission Impossible franchise is releasing soon. And several scenes were shot at the newly opened Midfield Terminal at the Abu Dhabi International Airport. To commemorate the bond, Tom Cruise landed in the UAE capital aboard the maiden flight to the Midfield Terminal. The Hollywood star also unveiled a custom livery on an Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner featuring the movie’s theme. A similar decoration has been appointed on the said terminal’s structure, with one of the scenes being shot on the building’s 315-metre roof. As the official airline of the upcoming film, the MI-decked airliner will fly to destinations worldwide. The scenes filmed at the new terminal needed 21 days of prep work and 7 days of filming, with 762 cast, crew and suppliers. As far as the movie is concerned, that’ll release on July 13, 2023. And those watching it will also see the Midfield Terminal’s interior for the first time.

India’s newest airline Akasa Air has ordered four additional Boeing 737-8 jets at the Paris Air Show. The carrier began operations last year and currently has 19 planes (737-8s) across 16 destinations to support its domestic market. With the new order in place, the airline’s order book with Boeing extends to 76, comprising 23 737-8s and 53 737-8-200 aircraft. The strengthened fleet will help the freshest Indian carrier cater to rising passenger traffic in its home country.

At the Paris Air Show 2023, Boeing bagged an order from Air Lease Corporation (ALC). The latter will purchase two 787 Dreamliners from the American aircraft manufacturer. ALC’s first purchase for a 787-9 was in 2010. Its current portfolio comprises 787-9 and 787-10 widebody jets. Boeing says that in the last six months, it has received more than 250 orders and commitments for aeroplanes from the 787 family.

After placing an order for 40 Boeing 737 MAXs at the Paris Air Show, aircraft leasing company Avolon has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus to buy 20 A330neo aircraft. The company has chosen the A330-900 widebody aeroplane. Avolon currently has 616 Airbus jets, including those owned, managed and committed. The count includes 55 A330neos, 208 A320ceos, 51 A330ceos and 12 A350s. 

Earlier this year, news popped up that with the Tata Group back as the owner, Air India intends to purchase over 500 aircraft to rejuvenate. Well, there’s confirmation from the Indian airline that it has placed an order to buy 250 aeroplanes from Airbus and 290 jets from Boeing. With the European brand, Air India has inked a deal to buy 140 A320neos, 70 A321neos, 34 A350-1000s and 6 A350-900s. The agreement also includes maintenance solutions from Airbus. Another takeaway is that Air India will become the first carrier in the country to have an A350 in its fleet, and the first A350-900 will be delivered before 2023 comes to a close. The purchase agreement with Boeing goes like this – 190 737 MAXs, 20 787 Dreamliners and 10 777X aircraft with options for 50 737 MAXs and 20 787 Dreamliners.