ILFC selects 100 A320neo Family aircraft

The world’s premier aircraft leasing company, ILFC, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 100 A320neo Family aircraft, comprising 75 A320neo and 25 A321neo types. ILFC becomes the first customer for the A321neo, the largest member of the A320neo Family. In a separate agreement, Pratt & Whitney has been selected by ILFC to power at least 60 A320neo Family aircraft.

The A320neo incorporates new more efficient engines and large wing tip devices called, "Sharklets" which together deliver up to 15 percent in fuel savings. This represents some 3,600 tonnes less CO2 per aircraft, per year. In addition, the A320neo provides a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise.
In parallel with this order for the A320neo, ILFC will terminate its purchase agreement for ten A380s. “With 104 wide bodies on order and fewer than a dozen single aisles it makes perfect sense to rebalance our order book and position ILFC strategically on the fuel-efficient neo ,” said Henri Courpron, ILFC Chief Executive Officer.

“We are delighted to welcome ILFC as the first lessor to order the A320neo,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “As an evolution of the highly successful A320, offering the latest in fuel saving technologies, the A320neo is a natural choice for ILFC. Indeed the A320 Family will continue to be a great asset for both lessors and airlines for the decades to come.”

“The A380 is a long term programme. Over the next twenty years we see a market of over 1,300 passenger aircraft in the very large aircraft segment. The A380 continues to win new customers and many are coming back with repeat orders.” Mr. Leahy added. “This year we’ve already won two new A380 customers and there are more queuing up.”

The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Almost 7,000 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been ordered and over 4,500 delivered to more than 320 customers and operators worldwide. The A320neo will have over 95 percent airframe commonality with the existing models making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tonnes more payload. Engines offered on the A320neo are CFM International’s LEAP-X and Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G.

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Advanced all-weather system enhances Sikorsky S-92(R) helicopter’s search and rescue capabilities

ORLANDO, Florida - Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced at the Heli-Expo trade show today that the Federal Aviation Administration has approved an advanced and highly integrated, all-weather operating system that enhances the S-92® helicopter's already proven search and rescue (SAR) capabilities. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).


The approval follows previous certification of the system in 2007 by the European Aviation Safety Agency, which is the regulatory agency for the European Union, and now allows S-92 SAR operators in the U.S. to use the technology as well. Also, since Transport Canada generally accepts FAA policy, approval for use by S-92 SAR operators in Canada is expected to follow.

The Search and Rescue Automatic Flight Control System (SAR AFCS) integrates weather radar, thermal imaging and search sensors to provide the ability for a search and rescue crew to fly to a geographic waypoint, engage the automatic hover feature, and focus on bringing survivors safely onboard using the aircraft's rescue hoist. The system enables automatic search patterns, lock-on capability once the target is located, and steady hover control for the rescue – all functions that greatly reduce crew workload and increase the likelihood of successful rescues in challenging weather conditions.

"The S-92 helicopter has distinguished itself as the premier search and rescue aircraft while operating the past several years for the U.K. Maritime Coastguard Agency," said Carey Bond, president of Sikorsky Global Helicopters. "This system increases the margin of safety and success in performing the more difficult rescues that are complicated by tempestuous weather. Sikorsky has a long legacy of providing life-saving rotorcraft technology, and we remain committed to continually doing so."

In addition to search and rescue, S-92 helicopters perform a variety of transportation missions for VIPs including Heads of State, offshore oil and gas crews, utility and airline passengers. The worldwide fleet of 132 S-92 helicopters has accumulated more than 295,000 flight hours since deliveries began in 2004.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. Sikorsky Global Helicopters, a Sikorsky company, develops and produces civil certified helicopters and their derivatives. Its portfolio includes the S-76®, S-92® and H-92™ helicopters as well as the S-300C™, S-300 CBi™, S-333™ and S-434™ light helicopters. Also part of Sikorsky Global helicopters is Associated Aircraft Group (AAG), a provider of charter and fractional ownership services.

United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems.

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Boeing, Air China Sign Agreement for 747-8 Intercontinentals. Air China to become first Chinese customer for Boeing's newest jumbo jet

HONG KONG, March 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Air China today signed an agreement for the purchase of five 747-8 Intercontinental jetliners. Air China is the first Chinese carrier to contract the passenger version of the new, fuel-efficient 747-8.  

The agreement requires Chinese government approval, at which time it will be posted to the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website.

"Air China has been operating 747s since the 1980s," said He Li, vice president of Air China. "The new, high capacity Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental will deliver exceptional economics and a great flying experience to our customers."  

Air China, the flag carrier of the People's Republic of China, will use the airplanes to expand its international routes.

"The technologically advanced 747-8 Intercontinental will deliver improved operating economics, efficiency and environmental performance in support of Air China's continued growth," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales & Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Air China has become one of the fastest growing airlines in the world and today is one of the world's largest carriers.  We're proud to be part of their success and look forward to continuing our long and enduring partnership."

The new 747-8 Intercontinental carries 467 passengers in a three-class configuration. The airplane features a new wing design and an upgraded flight deck. The airplane interior incorporates features from the 787 Dreamliner including a new curved, upswept architecture that will give passengers a greater sense of space and comfort, while adding more room for personal belongings. The architecture will be accentuated by lighting technology that provides smooth transitions for a more restful flight.

Using 787-technology GEnx-2B engines, the airplane will be quieter, produce lower emissions and achieve better fuel economy than any competing jetliner. It also increases cargo volume by 26 percent.

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Boeing Update: Asia Pacific to Account for One-Third of Airplane Deliveries Over Next 20 Years

Growth, fuel prices, aging fleets key factors affecting Asian airlines' airplane decisions; cargo surges

HONG KONG, March 7, 2011 - The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA), China's leading provider of passenger planes, said today that the Asia Pacific region's air traffic growth will exceed the world average by a large margin over the next two decades.

In a media briefing today at Asian Aerospace 2011, Randy Tinseth, vice president of Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said the region's air traffic growth is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 6.8 percent over the next 20 years, compared to the world average of 5.3 percent.

"Asia Pacific will account for one-third (10,320) of new airplane deliveries worldwide over the period," Tinseth said. "This demand is driven by the fact that Asia Pacific will account for 44 percent of travel in 20 years' time, up from around 34 percent today."

"China's air travel growth is even more dramatic, with an 8.6 percent increase over the next two decades," he added. "This is sweet music to an airplane manufacturer's ears."

The rosy outlook is not limited to growth in passenger service. World air cargo traffic will triple over the next 20 years, according to Jim Edgar, regional director of Cargo Marketing for Boeing.

"From now through 2029, we expect world air cargo traffic to grow at an annual rate of 5.9 percent," Edgar said. "Asia will continue to be at the forefront of the air cargo industry. Routes associated with Asia will continue to experience the world's highest growth rates over the next 20 years, at 6.8 percent."

Of local interest and in line with the cargo recovery, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited announced that total annual tonnage for 2010 hit a new handling record of 2.9 million metric tons, an increase of 24.8 percent over 2009.

"China represents 40 percent of the trans-Pacific cargo market, and Hong Kong is a key gateway for air cargo connecting China with the world," Edgar said. "This area stands to benefit greatly from future increases in air cargo traffic."

Tinseth said that rising passenger and cargo traffic is creating pressure for fleet growth. Globally, airlines will need 30,900 new passenger and freighter airplanes through 2030, valued at US $3.6 trillion. 44 percent of these aircraft will replace older, less-efficient airplanes, while 56 percent will account for new aircraft needed to meet air traffic growth. The world fleet is projected to double from 18,890 to 36,300 airplanes total airplanes during this span.

"The near doubling of the world fleet size is an indicator that airlines not only will plan for growth, but will take the economically rational step of modernizing their fleets as a hedge against high and unpredictable oil prices," Tinseth said.

"The global economic recovery is helping airlines rebuild their balance sheets, leading toward a demand for newer, fuel efficient and environmentally progressive airplanes worldwide."

Tinseth said that the biggest demand in the fastest growing markets will be for single-aisle airplanes.

"This demand is driven by three factors: growth in developing and emerging markets, demand from low-cost carriers, and the need to replace an aging fleet," Tinseth said.

The single-aisle, Boeing 737 is the most widely flown jetliner in the world. To keep up with demand, Boeing recently boosted production to a record 31.5 737s per month.

Despite the 737's popularity, Tinseth said Boeing is asking itself, "What comes next?"

"We're spending a lot of time with our customers to understand their needs and preferences for an airplane that will serve the single-aisle market for the next 50 years."

While the company hasn't made a decision on whether it will put a new engine on the 737 or instead develop a successor to the popular plane, Tinseth said customers would like to know what could be done with a new airplane in terms of size, fuel efficiency and reduced carbon footprint and maintenance costs. "So that's where our focus is right now."

Tinseth said if Boeing decides to build a new airplane, it likely would enter into service near the end of the decade.

"We are taking our time making this decision, analyzing all the technological data as well as what customers want," Tinseth said. "We could make an announcement as early this summer."

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