VietJetAir to firm up order for Airbus jets - sources

Photo Credit: VietJet Air

Jan 28 (Reuters) - Low-cost Vietnam airline, VietJetAir, is set to firm up part of a $9 billion order for up to 92 Airbus aircraft and will announce this at the Singapore Airshow in February, sources familiar with the situation said.

In September, VietJetAir and Airbus agreed a provisional order for the mostly A320 planes, but the deal did not show up in the order book of Airbus in its 2013 data.
"They are very close to a deal and this will be one of the big orders at the airshow," said one source.
A firm order is seen as a strong indication of future revenue for airplane manufacturers and triggers a deposit from airlines. Airlines mainly pay for aircraft when they take delivery and usually win significant discounts for large orders.

The latest deal worth $9 billion at list prices, includes firm orders for 62 medium-haul jets as well as options for 30 more. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity as the matter is not public.
VietJetAir company officials could not be reached by Reuters on Tuesday, the start of the new year holidays in the country.
An Airbus spokesman in Singapore said: "We don't comment on discussions that may or may not be taking place with customers or reports of potential announcements."


Reuters

Bombardier Delays CSeries Launch

Bombardier is delaying the entry into service of its CSeries aircraft until the second half of 2015, after discovering that the flight test phase will require more time than originally anticipated. 

The delay will eliminate the Canadian airframe manufacturer's original plans for a CS100 introduction in September, about a year after its maiden flight occurred Sept. 16, 2013. Under the new launch schedule, the CS100 will be introduced in late 2015, followed by the CS300 entry into service about six months later. 

Photo, courtesy of Bombardier 

“While the process has taken more time than we had expected, our suppliers are aligned with the program’s schedule and together we will continue to work closely to move the program steadily forward. With the first flight of Flight Test Vehicle 2 (FTV2) successfully completed on Jan. 3, 2014, the CSeries aircraft program will continue to gain traction over the coming months," said Mike Arcamone, president of Bombardier.

Bombardier is looking to use the CSeries family to compete in the 100- to 149-seat market, which is currently dominated by the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. The company's projected improvements in operating costs have influenced both Boeing and Airbus to introduce improved versions of those aircraft, including the A320neo and the 737 MAX. 

Source

AirAsia to add 20 A320s in 2012

Low-cost carrier AirAsia will add 20 Airbus A320s to its fleet this year as it looks to raise capacity and launch operations at two regional associate airlines in Japan and the Philippines.
Seventeen of the aircraft will come from the group's backlog with Airbus, said chief executive Tony Fernandes, with the remainder leased in.

The group will take the first three A320s in the first quarter, with one each for its Malaysian, Thai and Philippine operations, said the group in its full-year financial statement.
AirAsia Thailand's fleet will grow by a total of two aircraft in the first half, with the new aircraft used to launch five new routes and increase frequencies on "other strongly performing sectors".

Its Indonesian associate airline, AirAsia Indonesia, will launch three new domestic services - Bandung-Surabaya, Surabaya-Denpasar and Jakarta-Semarang - in the first quarter of 2012.
"These new routes form part of the IAA strategy to re-enter the Indonesian domestic market which has high growth potential given the rapidly rising incomes of the Indonesian middle classes," it said.
Frequencies will also rise on the existing routes from Jakarta to Denpasar and Penang. Two further routes will be launched from Malaysia to Semarang in Indonesia and Surat Thani in Thailand.

Operations will begin at its Philippine associate in March or April, said the carrier, following the grant of its operator's licence, with AirAsia Japan to follow in the second half of 2012. The latter represents "a significant [low-cost carrier] opportunity" given the low penetration of low-cost carriers in the market, said Fernandes.

"Our proven track record and strong brand of low fares shall pave the way for exponential growth in both markets," he said.
Forward bookings for the three operational airlines show passenger demand "remains positive". January load factors fell slightly in Thailand and Indonesia, against the same period a year earlier, while Malaysia showed a load factor increase.

Average fares were higher in all three countries, it added.
AirAsia Thailand and AirAsia Indonesia remain on course for their IPOs this year, said Fernandes.

Flight Global

ALAFCO orders additional 35 A320neo

I guess after all, Boeing isn't the only one bagging up new aircraft orders... 

ALAFCO Aviation Lease And Finance Company, the Kuwait-based international aircraft leasing company, has finalized a purchase order for 35 A320neo Family aircraft bringing its total backlog for the type to 85.

The firm contract is an increase of the previous agreement signed at the 2011 Dubai Airshow for 50 A320neo aircraft.

“After a full analysis, we concluded that the A320neo will continue to be in strong demand, therefore, we are seizing the opportunity to secure an additional 35 aircraft to meet the future requirements of our customers.  The A320neo is the market’s favourite single-aisle aircraft family,” said Ahmad A. Alzabin, ALAFCO Chairman & CEO. “The significant fuel burn savings it offers, combined with the operational reliability and cost effectiveness of the A320 Family, make it an absolute “must have” in our portfolio.” 

“Higher fuel prices means airlines require fuel efficient aircraft and with the A320neo offering a 15 per cent fuel burn reduction, it is the ideal investment. The A320neo reduces operating costs whilst enabling airlines to offer the best cabin comfort levels,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. “This significant order from ALFACO confirms that the neo ticks all the right boxes and is clearly the best product on the market.”

Over 8,300 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and some 5,000 delivered to more than 350 customers and operators worldwide reaffirming its position as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. The A320neo has over 95 percent airframe commonality making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tonnes more payload at a given range.

The A320neo is a new engine option for the A320 Family entering into service from 2015 and incorporates latest generation engines and large "Sharklet" wing tip devices, which together will deliver 15 percent in fuel savings. This reduction in fuel burn is equivalent to 1.4m litres of fuel – the consumption of 1,000 mid size cars.  This saves 3,600 metric tonnes of C02 per aircraft per year, the amount absorbed by 240,000 mature trees. The A320neo NOx emissions are 50% below CAEP/6 and this aircraft also has considerably a smaller noise footprint.    

Airbus