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martes, 13 de enero de 2015

Innovation in motion: Airbus’ A330 increased maximum takeoff weight version completes its first flight

The newest evolution in Airbus' market-leading widebody jetliner product line – the A330 with an increased 242-tonne maximum takeoff weight capability – is another step closer to entering service later this year after its successful maiden flight.

Taking off from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport today, the A330-300 variant carried out an airborne evaluation that concluded with its return to the southwestern France location – which is home to Airbus headquarters and the A330 final assembly line.

During the flight, a five-person crew – comprised of Captain Thierry Bourges and First Officer Jean-Louis Rabilloud, along with flight test engineers Joan Andre and Gert Wunderlich and test flight engineer Alain Pourchet– checked the jetliner's flight control system and validated its flight envelope. This activity kicked off the increased takeoff weight A330-300's flight test campaign, which is to involve some 15 total hours aloft to confirm its new aerodynamic package and performance.

The increased maximum takeoff weight A330 results from Airbus' focus on incremental innovation, and will further increase the cost-effectiveness and versatility for its popular twin-engine A330 product line. Operators will benefit from these jetliners' additional range and fuel-burn reduction, resulting from a combination of improved engine performance and the aircraft's enhanced aerodynamics.

The 242-tonne A330-300 maximum takeoff weight variant launch customer is U.S.-based Delta Air Lines, which is scheduled to take delivery of its first aircraft in the second quarter of this year. The shorter-fuselage A330-200 in the 242-tonne configuration is planned to enter commercial service in early 2016.

In addition to Delta Air Lines, eleven customers worldwide have already selected this option since the launch in November 2012.

Airbus' latest A330 variant is the basis for the A330neo (new engine option) version – which will incorporate new Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 powerplants and aerodynamic improvements to provide unmatched operating economics, along with the latest in cabin technology.

Boeing Reports Fourth-Quarter Deliveries

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced today deliveries across its commercial and defense operations for the fourth quarter of 2014.

Major program deliveries during the fourth quarter, including a delivery under operating lease (which is identified by parentheses), were as follows:

Major Programs	4th Quarter 2014		Year-to-Date 2014

Commercial Airplanes Programs
737 Next Generation	126		485
747	7	(1)	19	(3)
767	3		6
777	24		99
787	35		114
Total	195		723

Defense, Space & Security Programs
AEW&C	-		3
Apache (New Builds)	15		45
Chinook (New Builds)	8		54
C-17	-		7
C-40	1		1
F-15	4		14
F/A-18E/F and EA-18G	8		44
P-8	5		11
Satellites (Government & Commercial)	2		5

Silk Way West, Three 747-8 Freighters; Air New Zealand, Two 787-9; Qatar Airways Four 777 Freighters

Boeing Statement on Silk Way West Commitment for Three 747-8 Freighters

Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Azerbaijan-based airline Silk Way West announced that the two companies are finalizing terms and working toward a purchase agreement for three 747-8 Freighter airplanes.

When finalized, the contract will be valued at more than $1.1 billion at current list prices. The order will be posted on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website once all contingencies are cleared.

"Silk Way Group is a longstanding customer and operator of Boeing's products and services," said Marty Bentrott, vice president, Middle East, Russia and Central Asia Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We value our partnership with Silk Way West and are grateful for their enduring confidence in Boeing and the 747-8 Freighter."

Silk Way West is an enterprise of the Silk Way Group, which includes 23 companies working in the aviation industry and related services. The airline currently operates seven Boeing airplanes, including two 767-300 Freighters, three 747-400 Freighters and two 747-8 Freighters.

The 747-8 Freighter has no competitors, providing cargo operators the lowest operating costs and best economics of any large freighter airplane while providing enhanced environmental performance. The 747-8 Freighter offers 16 percent more revenue cargo volume than the 747-400, while keeping its iconic nose door

Boeing, Air New Zealand Finalize Order for Two 787-9 Dreamliners
New Dreamliners provide 787-9 launch customer growth, network flexibility

Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Air New Zealand have finalized an order for two additional 787-9 Dreamliners, valued at $514 million at current list prices. The order, booked in 2014, comes six months after Air New Zealand celebrated the first 787-9 delivery in July.

"The entry into service program has gone very smoothly and we've been incredibly pleased with the aircraft's performance," said Christopher Luxon, chief executive officer, Air New Zealand. "These new 787-9 Dreamliners will provide us with additional flexibility as we move forward with our growth plans."

This order will eventually increase the airline's fleet to a total of 12 787-9s, which will operate alongside 15 777-200ERs (Extended Range) and 777-300ERs.

"Air New Zealand was the first airline in the world to take delivery of a 787-9 and one of the first to recognize the synergies of operating both the 787 and 777. The order shows their confidence in our long-haul products," said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president, Asia Pacific and India Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "With its new aircraft and superior passenger experience, it is no surprise Air New Zealand was voted Airline of the Year by Airlineratings.com for the second year in a row."

Air New Zealand is the launch customer of the 787-9 and currently operates three of the aircraft in its fleet. Including today's announcement, the airline now has nine unfilled 787-9s on order.

The 787-9 complements and extends the 787 family, offering airlines the ability to grow routes opened with the 787-8. With the fuselage stretched by 20 feet (6 meters), the 787-9 can fly up to 40 more passengers an additional 450 nautical miles (830 kilometers) with the same exceptional environmental performance – 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than the airplanes it replaces. The 787-9 leverages the visionary design of the 787-8, offering passenger-pleasing features such as large, dimmable windows, large stow bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and a smoother ride.

To date, 58 customers around the world have ordered 1,071 787s.

Boeing, Qatar Airways Finalize Order for Four 777 Freighters

777 Freighters key in airline's growth as major world air cargo operator
Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Qatar Airways have finalized an order for four 777 Freighters, valued at $1.24 billion at current list prices. The airline also has purchase rights for four additional airplanes, which when exercised will bring the combined value to $2.46 billion.

Qatar Airways first announced an intent to order the four 777 Freighters at the 2014 Farnborough Airshow.

"As Qatar Airways develops its cargo route network, we are pleased they have selected the 777 Freighter to be part of this expansion," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner. "We greatly value the long-term partnership Qatar Airways and Boeing have shared over nearly a decade."

Qatar Airways currently operates a fleet of 37 Boeing 777-300ERs (Extended Range) and 777-200LRs (Longer Range), in addition to seven 777 Freighters.

"We aim to make Qatar Airways one of the world's major air cargo players," said His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways. "With its proven track record, long-range capabilities and excellent operational efficiencies, the 777 Freighter will be a key player in enabling Qatar Airways to grow its footprint and economically deliver cargo further, connecting many long-haul destinations from our hub in Doha, especially with the expansion of Doha's new freight terminal."

The 777 Freighter is capable of flying 4,900 nautical miles (9,070 kilometers) with a full payload and general cargo market densities, making it the world's longest-range twin-engine freighter. The airplane's range capability translates into significant savings for cargo operators: fewer stops and associated landing fees, less congestion at transfer hubs, lower cargo handling costs and shorter cargo delivery times.

Boeing is the undisputed air cargo market leader, providing over 90 percent of the total worldwide dedicated freighter capacity.

Global air freight traffic is forecast to grow at an annual rate of 4.7 percent, doubling the cargo traffic over the next 20 years, according to the Boeing World Air Cargo Forecast released in October.

Boeing Delivered All P-8As to U.S. Navy on Schedule and on Cost in 2014

Boeing [NYSE: BA] last month delivered the eighth P-8A Poseidon of 2014, completing all planned deliveries to the U.S. Navy for the year on time and on cost.

That airplane, the 21st overall for the program, flew from Seattle to Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida on Jan. 8. It joined other P-8As being used to train Navy crews.

"Our U.S. Navy and P-8 industry team continues to meet milestone after milestone on this world-class program," said Jimmy Dodd, Boeing Mobility, Surveillance and Engagement vice president and program manager. "We're delivering an aircraft that is providing superior capabilities to the men and women in uniform."

The 'Mad Foxes' of Patrol Squadron (VP) 5 are conducting operational missions during the second overseas deployment of a P-8A Poseidon squadron. Last summer the VP-16 'War Eagles' completed 600 sorties and 3,500 flight hours on the P-8A's maiden deployment.

"We put the Poseidon to the test," said Cmdr. Daniel Papp, VP-16 squadron commanding officer, of the first deployment. "We tested the aircraft, our aircrew, and the logistics tails. Across the board, detachment after detachment, the message was Boeing delivers us a reliable and dependable aircraft, and our crews got on station and knocked it out of the park.

Based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 commercial airplane, the P-8A provides the Navy anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

The Navy plans to purchase the versatile multi-mission aircraft to replace its P-3 Orion fleet. Boeing is currently under contract for 53 P-8As.

Boeing's industry team includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.

Boeing Completes World’s First All-Electric Propulsion Satellites

Two joined satellites, for customers ABS and Eutelsat, will launch next month

Boeing [NYSE: BA] has completed production of the world's first all-electric propulsion satellites as preparations continue to launch the satellites, as a vertically stacked pair, next month.

The Boeing 702SP (small platform) satellites are affordable and lightweight, and provide efficient options for satellite movement. The 702SP is one of three new satellite designs Boeing has introduced in four years, the others being the 702MP and 502 Phoenix.

"We are the first aerospace company to develop this highly efficient and flexible all-electric satellite, and we completed the first two 702SPs less than three years after contract award," said Mark Spiwak, president of Boeing Satellite Systems International. "With more than 210,000 hours of on-orbit experience with electric propulsion, we recognized that this highly efficient, lighter weight propulsion system would translate into cost savings for our customers."

Patented Boeing technology allows two all-electric satellites to be stacked and launched together. The ABS-3A satellite for Bermuda-based ABS and the EUTELSAT 115 West B satellite for Paris-based Eutelsat are scheduled to be launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in February 2015.