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

Aircraft lessor Avolon made an announcement at the ongoing Farnborough International Airshow 2024. It is regarding an order of 310 new engines to power its 155 Airbus A320neo family aircraft in the order book. Of them, 160 engines will be supplied by Pratt & Whitney (GTF). The remaining 150 will come from CFM International. Besides those firm orders, Avolon has kept the option open to purchase an additional 310 engines.

The latest order is the single largest from Avolon ever. At current list prices, the deal is valued at over USD 5 billion. The new engines, which promise at least a 15 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and lowered noise levels, will help the lessor achieve its target of having over 75 per cent of its fleet with the most modern and fuel-efficient engines by the end of 2025.

Avolon currently has 115 Airbus A320neo family aeroplanes, comprising delivered and managed fleet. Of them, 39 feature Pratt & Whitney engines, and 76 have CFM International engines. Last year, the lessor placed an order for 100 Airbus A321neo jets. Its order book comprises 279 A320neo family aircraft.

At the ongoing Farnborough Airshow 2024, Airbus bagged a firm order for seven A330neo (A330-900) aircraft from UK-based carrier Virgin Atlantic. The order was announced aboard the carrier’s A330neo, named “Ruby Rebel”, and registered as GB-VSRB after founder Richard Branson to celebrate the airline’s 40th anniversary. The new deal takes Virgin Atlantic’s commitment for the A330neo to 19 aircraft.

The Airbus A330-900 is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, capable of delivering a maximum range of up to 7,200 nautical miles (13,300 km) without stopping. By the end of June 2024, Airbus had received 1,798 firm orders for its A330 family aircraft from more than 130 operators globally. The list includes 319 orders for the A330neo from 30 operators.

Also Read: Farnborough Airshow: Airbus Gets An Order From Drukair

Poland’s flag carrier, LOT Polish Airlines, has announced that it is ready to add a third destination in the Iberian Peninsula. Following direct services to Madrid and Barcelona, the airline will start operating direct flights to Lisbon from Warsaw. This route goes live on February 3, 2025. Travellers can still use the LOT Polish Airlines’ codeshare agreement with TAP Portugal.

To begin with, the carrier will operate five weekly flights between Warsaw and Lisbon on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. The flight frequency will increase to daily from February 24, 2025.

A Boeing 737 Max will serve passengers on the newly announced route. The outbound flight from the Polish capital will depart at 10:15, while the return leg from the Portuguese capital will leave at 14:25. The flight duration for each sector will be more than four hours.

Also Read: LOT Polish Airlines To Restart Warsaw-Larnaca Flights This Year

France-headquartered VoltAero may have found Southeast Asia’s launch customer for its electric-hybrid Cassio aircraft. At the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, the aircraft manufacturer signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Global Sky regarding pre-ordering 15 Cassio hybrid-electric aeroplanes.

Global Sky is a firm that acquires, leases and sells aircraft. The company boasts an exhaustive inventory of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft and offers other services, such as aircraft management, financing, and technical support.

VoltAero has devised three variants of the Cassio aeroplane, all offering a maximum range of 1,200km. The Cassio 330 can carry up to 5 passengers at cruising speeds of up to 333kmph. The Cassio 480 derivative can ferry six people at up to 370kmph. Lastly, the Cassio 600 offers seating for up to 12 people and can clock maximum cruising speeds of up to 470kmph.

Furthermore, the aircraft’s modularity means it can be configured to serve other sectors, such as Medevac and Cargo.

Also Read: Farnborough Airshow: Pratt & Whitney Signs Big Engine Deal With Cebu Pacific

At the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, Cebu Pacific held an official ceremony for the 152 aircraft order it signed with Airbus earlier this month. The deal, estimated at USD 24 billion, comprises a firm order for 102 A321neos plus purchase rights for 50 A320neo family aircraft. The airline confirmed that Pratt & Whitney GTF engines will power the future jets.

It isn’t the first time Cebu Pacific has chosen Pratt & Whitney GTF engines to power its aircraft. The first deal the two parties struck was in 2012. Here’s what Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney, said about the new agreement:

This latest order demonstrates the growing opportunities for aviation in the Philippines and the larger Asia Pacific region. Our GTF engine will power this growth while delivering industry-leading fuel efficiency and sustainability benefits for single-aisle aircraft. Cebu Pacific’s order attests to the value it provides.

Also Read: Farnborough Airshow: Airbus Gets An Order From Drukair

NOTE: The image has been sourced directly from Airbus’ official media centre.

Boeing continues to put on a strong show at the Farnborough International Airshow. It has signed an agreement with Japan Airlines (JAL) for up to 20 787-9 Dreamliners. The paperwork mentions an even split between a firm order and optional. The latest deal will add to JAL’s current fleet, which has over 50 787-9s.

The Boeing 787-9 has helped JAL serve busy long-haul routes, linking Tokyo with San Diego, Boston and Bengaluru. The aircraft can fly up to 7,565 nautical miles (14,010 km) nonstop, offering the most range among the 787 Dreamliner family.

Since the Boeing 787 went into revenue service, it has helped airlines open more than 400 direct routes globally. The American aircraft manufacturer has received over 1,900 orders for the 787 family aircraft from 87 operators, with the majority being repeat customers.

In addition to the ten firm 787-9s from the latest deal, JAL’s order book with Boeing includes 21 737 Max jets.

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