Airbus signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chinese air traffic management authorities on air traffic management cooperation.
According to the MoU signed by Airbus and the Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB) under the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Airbus will assist ATMB with the introduction and implementation of new ATM technologies and best practices in China, and will share its experience in Europe with ATMB for the development of future ATM systems in China. The MoU is signed by Wang Liya, Director General of CAAC ATMB and Eric Stefanello, Senior Vice President of Airbus in charge of air traffic management.
Within the MoU framework, Airbus will support ATMB in advanced R&D, the validation and deployment of new ATM technologies, and training. Airbus will also act as a coordinator in terms of extended expertise from some of the ATM players, including Quovadis, Cassidian and German air navigation service provider Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS).
Airbus will support ATMB in 16 potential areas of cooperation identified by ATMB, including R&D, concept and technology validation, support to deployment, airspace design and training. As the first step, five concrete projects have been selected and agreed by both parties to be implemented for the 2010-2012 period, which will pave the way for the long-term cooperation between the two sides.
“CAAC is making efforts to build modernised ATM systems, which will help to improve air transport efficiency in China and contribute to the global air transport industry. The cooperation between CAAC ATMB and Airbus will help us draw on the experience of other regions to develop our future ATM systems, which will be more integrated with global systems,” said WANG Liya, Director General of CAAC ATMB.
“With the MoU, Airbus has expanded its cooperation with China’s civil aviation into a new area. Global interoperability of air traffic management systems, in particular between the future ATM system in China and SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) is key for the air transport industry, and strengthening cooperation between Europe and China will support global interoperability,” said Laurence Barron, President of Airbus China.
A modernised ATM system will bring benefits in terms of operational efficiency and eco-efficiency by reducing flight delays, saving aircraft fuel consumption and reducing CO2 emissions .
Source: www.airbus.com
Friday, December 17, 2010
Avalon announces order for eight A320s
Avolon, the aircraft leasing group, today announces a firm order for eight A320 aircraft from Airbus. The eight A320 aircraft will be equipped with the new fuel-saving Sharklets option. Avolon will make an engine selection for the aircraft in the near future.
Airbus launched its new “Sharklet” large wingtip devices, specially designed to enhance the eco-efficiency and payload-range performance of the A320 Family. Offered as a forward-fit option, Sharklets are expected to result in at least 3.5 percent lower fuel burn over longer sectors. The A320 will be the first model fitted with Sharklets, which will be delivered around the end of 2012, to be followed by the other A320 Family models from 2013.
Airbus aircraft share a unique cockpit and operational commonality, allowing airlines to use the same pool of pilots, cabin crews and maintenance engineers, bringing operational flexibility and resulting in significant cost savings.
The A320 Family is recognized as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. With over 6,700 aircraft sold, and more than 4,400 aircraft delivered to some 310 customers and operators worldwide, it is the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. With 99.7 per cent reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft.
Airbus launched its new “Sharklet” large wingtip devices, specially designed to enhance the eco-efficiency and payload-range performance of the A320 Family. Offered as a forward-fit option, Sharklets are expected to result in at least 3.5 percent lower fuel burn over longer sectors. The A320 will be the first model fitted with Sharklets, which will be delivered around the end of 2012, to be followed by the other A320 Family models from 2013.
Airbus aircraft share a unique cockpit and operational commonality, allowing airlines to use the same pool of pilots, cabin crews and maintenance engineers, bringing operational flexibility and resulting in significant cost savings.
The A320 Family is recognized as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. With over 6,700 aircraft sold, and more than 4,400 aircraft delivered to some 310 customers and operators worldwide, it is the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. With 99.7 per cent reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft.
Source: www.airbus.com
The production-line #3
In the absence of big Airbus news I decided to post another Production topic.
Big thanks to www.scramble.nl member Shunn31!
Big thanks to www.scramble.nl member Shunn31!
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| Hainan Airlines - A330-300 - F-WWKE - MSN 1178 |
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| Air Arabia - A320-200 - F-WWDK - MSN 4524 |
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| Lufthansa - A380-800 - F-WWSG - MSN 070 First Flight |
Monday, December 13, 2010
Airbus foresees demand for nearly 26,000 aircraft in the next 20 years
Almost 26,000 new passenger and freighter aircraft valued at US$3.2 trillion will be needed between 2010 and 2029, to satisfy demand according to Airbus’ Global Market Forecast (GMF). This demand is primarily driven by replacement of aircraft for newer more eco-efficient models in mature markets, dynamic growth in new emerging markets, low-cost carriers particularly in Asia, further market liberalisation and capacity growth on existing routes.
The 2010 GMF forecasts 900 additional new passenger aircraft deliveries over the 2009 GMF reflecting a slightly higher growth rate of 4.8% compared to 4.7% in 2009. These aircraft will mainly be in the single aisle sector in which the A320 Family competes.
Out of the almost 26,000 additional passenger and freighter aircraft needed, around 25,000 will be passenger aircraft valued at over US$2.9 trillion. Of these additional passenger aircraft, 10,000 will replace older less eco-efficient aircraft and some 15,000 will be for growth. Taking into account today’s passenger fleet of over 14,000 aircraft, the world passenger fleet will rise to some 29,000 aircraft by 2029.
“The recovery is stronger than predicted and reinforces both the resilience of the sector to downturns and that people want and need to fly,” says John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer Customers. “The single aisle sector is particularly strong, and our A320neo meets this future demand by providing our customers with the latest innovations and technologies whilst maintaining maximum commonality. Our entire product range is very well positioned to meet the economic and environmental needs for sustainable growth for the decades ahead.”
In passenger traffic volume, domestic US leads the world in total RPK’s (11.3%) followed by domestic China (8.4%), Intra European (7.2%), then US to Western European routes (5.9%).
In passenger traffic growth terms, emerging economies are leading the recovery. Domestic Indian traffic growth (9.2%) is the fastest of any major market and the third fastest growth overall, after traffic between the Middle East and South America, and between North Africa and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Seven out of the top 20 fastest growth flows connect China (PRC) to the rest of the world.
“Airlines in Asia Pacific including China and India will carry one third (33%) of the passenger traffic by 2029, making it the largest region, overtaking Europe (25%) and North America (20%),” said Chris Emerson, Head of Product Strategy and Market Forecast.
Aircraft are getting bigger as airlines capitalise on the benefits of larger aircraft to absorb traffic growth, minimize airport congestion, reduce costs and to increase eco-efficiency.
Freight traffic is recovering at an even faster rate (5.9%) than passenger traffic growth. In 2010, freight traffic is expected to rebound closer to 18% before leveling off at more typical growth levels by the end of 2011. Combined with fleet renewal, this translates to a demand for around 2,980 freighters. While some 870 will be new aircraft valued at US$211 billion, 2,110 will be converted from passenger aircraft.
Demand for Very Large Aircraft (VLA) passenger and freighter aircraft like the A380, is more than 1,700 valued at over US$570 billion (this represents 18% by value and 7% by units). Of these, some 1,320 will connect the world’s increasing number of ‘mega’ cities.
In the twin-aisle aircraft segment (seating from 250 to 400 passengers), some 6,240 new passenger and freighter aircraft will be delivered in the next 20 years, valued at some US$1,340 billion (representing 42% by value and 24% by units). Of these, 4,330 aircraft will be small twin-aisle (250 to 300 seater) and about 1,910 intermediate twin aisles (350 to 400 seats). These segments are covered by the A330/A340 family. From 2013, the A350XWB family will cover the entire spectrum of twin aisle market requirements.
In the single-aisle segment, almost 17,900 aircraft worth some US$1,274 billion (40% by value, or 69% units), will be delivered in the next 20 years. This is an increase over previous forecasts due to the accelerating demand for single aisle aircraft particularly in Asia Pacific, the emergence of low-cost carriers and increased route liberalisation.
The 2010 GMF forecasts 900 additional new passenger aircraft deliveries over the 2009 GMF reflecting a slightly higher growth rate of 4.8% compared to 4.7% in 2009. These aircraft will mainly be in the single aisle sector in which the A320 Family competes.
Out of the almost 26,000 additional passenger and freighter aircraft needed, around 25,000 will be passenger aircraft valued at over US$2.9 trillion. Of these additional passenger aircraft, 10,000 will replace older less eco-efficient aircraft and some 15,000 will be for growth. Taking into account today’s passenger fleet of over 14,000 aircraft, the world passenger fleet will rise to some 29,000 aircraft by 2029.
“The recovery is stronger than predicted and reinforces both the resilience of the sector to downturns and that people want and need to fly,” says John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer Customers. “The single aisle sector is particularly strong, and our A320neo meets this future demand by providing our customers with the latest innovations and technologies whilst maintaining maximum commonality. Our entire product range is very well positioned to meet the economic and environmental needs for sustainable growth for the decades ahead.”
In passenger traffic volume, domestic US leads the world in total RPK’s (11.3%) followed by domestic China (8.4%), Intra European (7.2%), then US to Western European routes (5.9%).
In passenger traffic growth terms, emerging economies are leading the recovery. Domestic Indian traffic growth (9.2%) is the fastest of any major market and the third fastest growth overall, after traffic between the Middle East and South America, and between North Africa and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Seven out of the top 20 fastest growth flows connect China (PRC) to the rest of the world.
“Airlines in Asia Pacific including China and India will carry one third (33%) of the passenger traffic by 2029, making it the largest region, overtaking Europe (25%) and North America (20%),” said Chris Emerson, Head of Product Strategy and Market Forecast.
Aircraft are getting bigger as airlines capitalise on the benefits of larger aircraft to absorb traffic growth, minimize airport congestion, reduce costs and to increase eco-efficiency.
Freight traffic is recovering at an even faster rate (5.9%) than passenger traffic growth. In 2010, freight traffic is expected to rebound closer to 18% before leveling off at more typical growth levels by the end of 2011. Combined with fleet renewal, this translates to a demand for around 2,980 freighters. While some 870 will be new aircraft valued at US$211 billion, 2,110 will be converted from passenger aircraft.
Demand for Very Large Aircraft (VLA) passenger and freighter aircraft like the A380, is more than 1,700 valued at over US$570 billion (this represents 18% by value and 7% by units). Of these, some 1,320 will connect the world’s increasing number of ‘mega’ cities.
In the twin-aisle aircraft segment (seating from 250 to 400 passengers), some 6,240 new passenger and freighter aircraft will be delivered in the next 20 years, valued at some US$1,340 billion (representing 42% by value and 24% by units). Of these, 4,330 aircraft will be small twin-aisle (250 to 300 seater) and about 1,910 intermediate twin aisles (350 to 400 seats). These segments are covered by the A330/A340 family. From 2013, the A350XWB family will cover the entire spectrum of twin aisle market requirements.
In the single-aisle segment, almost 17,900 aircraft worth some US$1,274 billion (40% by value, or 69% units), will be delivered in the next 20 years. This is an increase over previous forecasts due to the accelerating demand for single aisle aircraft particularly in Asia Pacific, the emergence of low-cost carriers and increased route liberalisation.
Airbus presentation in PDF:
Source: www.airbus.com
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The production-line #2
Thanks to Scramble.nl member Shunn31 again some pictures:
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| Capital Airlines Beijing - A320 - F-WWBM - MSN 4513 Delivered December 10, 2010 |
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| Qantas - A330-200 - F-WWKS - MSN 1174 To be delivered (date unk) |
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| Swiss International Airlines - A330-300 - F-WWYQ - MSN 1188 To be deliverd (date unk) |
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| HongKong Airlines - A330-200 - F-WJKF - MSN 1059 |
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Dear Santa,
DEAR SANTA,
Word is, you keep a running list of who’s been naughty and who’s been nice. We salute you for undertaking what is surely a huge and thankless task.
In fact, it’s such a big job that we fear you might overlook certain particularly naughty and nice people. That’s why we’re offering this amicus curiae — an editorial “friend of the court” brief, as it were.
You see, there’s a company known as EADS — the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. — whose folks have been very nice this year, and we’re hoping you’ll reward them accordingly.
Here’s the story. Back in 2008, when they were in partnership with Northrop Grumman, they won a big fat contract to build aerial tankers for the U.S. Air Force. We’re talking $40 billion worth of airplanes.
People on the central Gulf Coast were beyond excited, Santa. The tankers would’ve been assembled in Mobile at a $600 million plant that would have employed about 1,500 people.
But speaking of naughty, along came EADS’ arch rival, the Boeing Co., which convinced the government to cancel the award and hold another round of bidding.
Northrop threw up its corporate hands and pulled out of the competition. Not EADS, though. Armed with the confidence that it has the better plane — remember, the Air Force picked its tanker two years ago — EADS went head to head with Boeing in the new round of bidding.
Now everybody’s waiting nervously to see who wins.
You might think coastal residents would be encouraged by a noted defense analyst’s recent prediction that EADS will get the contract, but the agony and ecstasy of winning and losing in 2008 has kept folks pretty skittish. Plus, they don’t — and shouldn’t — discount the fact that Boeing wields an enormous amount of political influence in Washington.
That’s where you come into the picture, Santa. Now that you know how nice EADS has been this year, and that Boeing has been its usual naughty self, know this, too: EADS’ refueling tanker is bigger than Boeing’s, it holds more fuel, it can fly farther, and pilots rave about its performance.
So when you load your sleigh later this month, how about including a big, brightly wrapped gift-tagged “Merry Christmas to EADS and the Gulf Coast”?
Trust us, Santa. It’s the right thing to do.
Source / copied from: http://blog.al.com/press-register-commentary/2010/12/editorial_its_clear_santa_boei.html
Brazil seeks deal for A330 tankers
Despite earlier messages saying that there would be at least three bidders for the replacement of the current KC-137 (B707) tanker/transport aircraft, but some Brazilian sources are saying that the choice for the A330MRTT could me made before years end.
The air force originally expected Airbus to offer a proposal based on its A330-200-based MRTT design, with Boeing and Israel Aerospace Industries - the latter teamed with Brazil's VEM - to submit offers based on modified 767s. However, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has indicated that a selection will be finalised later this month
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| An A330MRTT being refueled by another A330MRTT |
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