Showing posts with label Manufacture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manufacture. Show all posts

Boeing drops 767-200ER and 767-400ER, launches 767-2CFX in latest pricing update

by Vinay Bhaskara

A 767-300F - Image Credit: Boeing
American aircraft manufacturer Boeing has released its latest aircraft pricing update, and there were several changes made. Firstly, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has dropped the 767-200ER and 767-400ER variants from its 767 product line. These aircraft can no longer be purchased by customers, though if a sizable enough order comes through for Boeing, they could easily re-start production, unlike the 757, whose production line has been retooled for the 737.

The 767-200ER was among the first 767 aircraft offered by Boeing, launching in 1982, the year its standard range cousin, the 767-200, entered service. Ethiopian Airlines was the launch customer for the type in December 1982. Over the years, the smaller 767-200ER was rapidly eclipsed by the larger 767-300 variant, which became the dominant variant in the overall program with 807 ordered (out of 1108 program wide) as of the June Boeing orders and deliveries (also O&D) spreadsheet. Overall, 121 767-200ERs were ordered and delivered, and 39 remain in passenger service. American Airlines is the largest operator with 12 in its fleet used on premium transcontinental routes within the US, though these aircraft will be retired quickly as American takes delivery of their replacement; the Airbus A321.

The 767-400ER was a bit more of an oddball, with only 2 operators (Delta Air Lines, and Continental Airlines - now United Airlines) ordering a total of 38 aircraft. Delta currently has 21 767-400ERs in its fleet, though some of these aircraft may be eventually replaced with the carrier's recent order for 10 additional Airbus A330-300s, while United has 16 frames remaining. The 767-400ER was designed to compete with the aforementioned A330-300, but largely failed to do so, with the A330-300 having won 635 orders over the course of its lifetime.

The 767 program itself had a seemingly bleak future as recently as 3 years ago, with orders slowing to a crawl (primarily existing 767 operators such as ANA and LAN ordering the 767-300ER as interim lift due to the 787 delays). But in February 2011, Boeing won a landmark aerial refueling tanker deal from the United States Air Force, worth nearly $30 billion over the contract's lifetime, with a design based around the 767 called the KC-46A. This made it possible for Boeing to extend the life cycle of the commercial variants of the 767, winning further orders, most notably for 46 767-300Fs from FedEx in 2011-12.

Interestingly, the commercial version of the KC-46A, the 767-2CFX has been added to the pricing table, though no price has been set for the aircraft yet. The table with updated prices from Boeing can be seen below. Interestingly, despite Lufthansa's order for 34 777X family (777-9) aircraft announced today, the type has not yet been formally launched. In all likelihood, formal launch will occur at this years Dubai Air Show, alongside a massive order from Emirates.


Aircraft
Price ($ million)
737

737-700
76.0
737-800
90.5
737-900ER
96.1
737 MAX 7
85.1
737 MAX 8
103.7
737 MAX 9
109.9
747

747-8i
356.9
747-8F
357.5
767

767-300ER
185.8
767-300F
188.0
767-2CFX
TBD
777

777-200ER
261.5
777-200LR
296.0
777-300ER
320.2
777F
300.5
787

787-8
211.8
787-9
249.5
787-10
288.7
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Harbin Composite Manufacturing Centre delivers 1st major A350 part

By BA Staff

Harbin Hafei Airbus Composite Manufacturing Centre (HMC), a joint venture between Airbus and its Chinese partners, has started to deliver elevators for the Airbus A350 XWB programme. A ceremony was held today in Harbin for the delivery of the first ship set of elevators. The elevators manufactured at HMC are delivered to Spain-based Aernnova Aerospace (ANN), who will deliver them to the Airbus plant in Getafe, Spain, where they will be integrated into the A350 XWB horizontal tail plane. ANN is a major supplier of aerostructures to Airbus.

Based on a contract signed by HMC and ANN in 2010, HMC is responsible for manufacturing and assembling the complete set of carbon fibre elevators (an elevator is a movable control surface in the horizontal tail plane that makes the aircraft pitch up or down to increase or reduce its flight altitude).

According to an agreement signed in 2007 between Airbus and the Chinese government, Airbus agreed to allocate five percent of the A350 XWB airframe to be manufactured in China. The work packages to be carried out by HMC are a significant part of the five per cent. 

Rafael Gonzalez-Ripoli, Airbus' China Chief Operating Officer had this to say about the A350: 
“The delivery of the first ship set of A350 XWB elevators by HMC is an important milestone in our long-term partnership with the Chinese aviation industry. The A350 XWB has taken to the sky and the programme is progressing on track. The Chinese have every reason to be proud of the contribution they are making to the A350 XWB."
Geng Ruguang, Executive Vice President of AVIC, the parent company of the majority shareholding Chinese partners of the HMC, said: 
“It’s inspiring for the Chinese aviation industry to be involved in the development and production of the A350 XWB, which is the world’s most advanced and most efficient aircraft, and to become an integrated part of Airbus’ global supply chain. The delivery of the first A350 XWB elevator demonstrates one more step forward of HMC towards its set target. The development of HMC will also constitute a pulling force for the relevant local industries.”
Pedro Fuente, Chief Operating Officer of ANN, said: 
“We at Aernnova are really satisfied with the very effective teamwork model developed together with the Harbin Manufacturing Centre to industrialize and progressively transfer the A350 XWB Elevators. We are impressed by the fast growing capabilities we are seeing every day. Clearly these are great pillars for a long term collaboration and mutual success.”


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WestJet orders 65 Boeing 737 MAX

by Vinay Bhaskara
Image Credit: Boeing


Canadian low cost carrier (LCC) WestJet announced today that it has signed a letter of intent (LoI) to purchase 65 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft (40 737 MAX 8 and 25 737 MAX 7) from Boeing, in a deal worth $6.3 billion at list prices.

Deliveries of the 737 MAX will commence from September of 2017, and the order marks a net addition of 50 frames to WestJet's order book, as 15 of the orders have been converted from existing WestJet orders for the Boeing 737NG. WestJet currently operates a fleet of 107 aircraft (103 Boeing 737 NG and 4 Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprops operated for regional subsidiary WestJet Encore), with 123 more on order (65x 737 MAX, 42x remaining 737 NG, and 16 more Q400s for Encore).

WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky had this to say about the order
We are proud to continue our long-standing relationship with Boeing and are thrilled that we will be among the first North American airlines to fly the new 737 MAX in its first year of commercial operation. This pending order reinforces our strategy of maintaining the flexibility in our fleet plan while enabling us to introduce new fuel-efficient technology and enhance our inflight guest experience... Our strong balance sheet allows us the opportunity to support our low-cost business model and contribute to our profitable growth through the renewal of our fleet with a lower operating cost aircraft. 
Said Brad McMullen, Vice-President of North America Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes:
We are pleased to see that the 737 MAX will continue the tradition of supporting WestJet's vision to be one of the most successful international airlines in the world. The 737 MAX's efficiency, reliability and passenger amenities will be a successful combination with WestJet's famous customer service.
WestJet expects that a definitive purchase agreement will be signed before 30th September 2013.

The order from WestJet marks a victory for Boeing in the ever heated competition with rival Airbus' A320neo, though an expected one (given WestJet's large fleet of 737NGs). The order brings the 737 MAX to a solid 1,602 purchase commitment (1498 firm orders, 104 MoUs). But the MAX still lags behind the A320neo, which has racked up a massive 2,455 purchase commitments to date (2380 firm, 75 MoU - albeit having been offere for a full year longer than the 737 MAX).
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United Airlines applies for San Francisco - Chengdu

by BA staff
A United 787 Dreamliner - Image Credit: United Airlines

Chicago-based full service carrier United Airlines announced today that it has applied with the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for the authority to serve San Francisco - Chengdu, China nonstop from 9th June, 2014.

The proposed flights to Chengdu, China's fourth largest city and home to China's fifth busiest airport by passenger traffic, would be served three times per week using Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner equipment. Subject to government approval, the proposed schedule for the flights is as follows. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, flights will depart San Francisco at 1:35 pm, arriving in Chengdu the following day at 6:50 pm the following day. The return flights from Chengdu will depart at 10:00 am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, arriving back in San Francisco at 8:50 am the same day, in time for connections throughout the United States.

Chengdu becomes the eighth trans-Pacific destination served by United at San Francisco - already the single largest US carrier trans-Pacific gateway. Chengdu and San Francisco have strong business links owing to Chengdu's status as China's electronics manufacturing hub, and San Francisco's status as the world's largest technology business hub through nearby Silicon Valley. Chengdu also offers United the potential for connections throughout Central, Southern, and Western China via Star Alliance partner Air China, for whom Chengdu is the second largest hub. 
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Sukhoi delivers its first Superjet to Gazpromavia

Image Credit: Sukhoi
by BA.com Staff

Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi Civil Aircraft delivered its first Sukhoi Superjet as an SSJ100 LR to Gazpromavia Airlines.

The first SSJ100 LR for Gazpromavia (MSN 95033) was presented during a delivery ceremony at the  International Aviation & Space Salon MAKS Airshow in Moscow. The Gazpromavia SSJ100 LR features an all-economy class configuration with 90 seats.

Gazpromavia is the launch customer for the SSJ100 LR, which offers several improvements over the basic Superjet 100.  It has a 4578 km (2470 nm) range, plus an increased take-off weight up to 49.45 tons with a strengthened wing and SaM146 engines featuring a 5% increased thrust performance over the base model.

The aircraft will initially be used from Gazpromavia's hub at Vnukovo Airport near Moscow on domestic routes to Sovetsky and Beloyarsky. Gazpromavia operates a fleet of 21 aircraft with a mix of Russian and Western built air-frames (4x Tupolev TU-154, 4x Yakolev Yak-40, 6x Yakolev Yak-42, 4x Dassault Falcon 900, 3x Boeing 737-700). It serves 18 destinations (4 international, 14 domestic) from its Vnkuovo.

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Airbus's new US A320 final assembly facility is ready to take shape

Airbus has made marked progress on the construction of its new final assembly line (FAL) in the US at Mobile, Alabama. Find out more details below.

27th August 2013

Approximately 85 per cent of the more than 2,100 pilings of the final assembly line hangar and service building at the new Brookley Aeroplex site have been driven into the earth, providing a foundation that ensures the buildings and hangars   will be strong and resistant – capable of withstanding conditions that include hurricane-strength winds.  Following the completion of this activity, steelwork is planned to begin next month – during which the buildings’ frame, skin and roof will be constructed. 

“That’s when we will see this impressive new facility start to reach to the sky,” said Paul Gaskell, Airbus’ Deputy Project Leader and Head of the Project Management Office. 

In another construction milestone at Brookley Aeroplex, an 84-inch-diameter rainwater outflow drain – which is to carry away excess water gathered at the site, including from its new taxiways and ramp areas – was completed this month. 

Almost half of the construction and design contracts have been placed to date, involving many local companies selected by the Alabama-based Hoar Program Management – which is overseeing the construction for Airbus. The remaining contracts for internal outfitting of buildings, power systems, infrastructure, associated structures, landscaping and other tasks will be awarded by early next year.
For its latest A320 Family final assembly line, Airbus is voluntarily adhering to LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) standards that lower the facility’s environmental impact throughout its lifecycle. As an example of the steps to meet LEED compliance, material from a previously-existing taxiway currently under dismantlement at the Brookley Aeroplex airport site is being broken up for reuse at the new Airbus facility. 

The Mobile final assembly line will become Airbus’ fourth location worldwide where the popular A320 single-aisle family jetliners are built.  It is to join operations at Toulouse, France and Hamburg, Germany in Europe, as well as Tianjin, China. 

At full production rate, the U.S. site will employ as many as 1,000 high-skilled workers at the assembly line and associated facilities.

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Airbus and Aerolia celebrate 500th ship-set from Irkut Corporation at MAKS

Airbus and Aerolia earlier today at the MAKS air show in Moscow celebrated the delivery of the 500th ship-set of the nose landing gear bay for the Airbus A320 family of aircraft. Find out more details below.

28th August 2013

Airbus and Aerolia celebrate the delivery of the 500th ship-set of the nose landing gear bay for the A320 Family. The event took place at the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS-2013 with the participation of Christopher Buckley, Executive Vice-president Sales Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific, Oleg Demchenko, President of Irkut Corporation and Raphael Duflos, AEROLIA Chief Procurement Officer.

Airbus started its partnership with Irkut Corporation in 2004 by signing an agreement for components supply as part of the strategic industrial partnership for the A320 programme. Irkut received major work packages which included the supply of keel beam, flap track and the nose landing gear bay for the A320 Family. The first ship-set of the nose-landing gear bay was delivered first to Airbus in 2007 then to Aerolia from 2009 when the company took over the production for Airbus of the nose landing gear bay. Ever since Irkut has been gradually increasing the production rates of this very complex component and is currently supplying 12 ship-sets per month.

“For over 20 years of cooperation with the Russian industry Airbus has developed a unique cooperation programme, which includes all stages of aircraft development processes: from R&T and design to materials supply and component manufacturing”, said Christopher Buckley, Executive Vice-president Sales. “Now every third A320 Family aircraft has components produced in Russia. We are committed to develop a trustworthy and long-term partnership with Irkut”.

“Producing A320 Family components for Airbus, the leading aircraft manufacturer, guided us towards playing a key role in international industrial cooperation. During our long term partnership, Irkut Corporation demonstrated to produce to a high level of quality components, fully in line with international standards,” said Oleg Demchenko, President of Irkut Corporation.

“Since 2007 Irkut delivered on time and quality the nose landing gear bay for the Airbus Single Aisle Programme. As a strategic partner, Aerolia wanted to further strengthen the business with Irkut by increasing the required quantity of the nose landing gear bays and involving Irkut in new work-packages. Today we are celebrating this major event of 500 ship-sets produced in six years. In the next three years, Irkut will deliver the same quantity of ship-sets, this is a clear evidence of our growing partnership”, highlighted Raphael Duflos, AEROLIA Chief Procurement Officer.
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Airbus and VSMPO-AVISMA to reinforce partnership

Airbus and VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of an end-to-end strategic collaboration. Find more details below.

27th August 2013

Airbus and VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of an end-to-end strategic collaboration, which covers development, processing and recycling of titanium material utilised for all Airbus aircraft programmes. The contract was signed at the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS-2013 by Olivier Cauquil, Airbus Senior VP Materials and Parts Procurement and Mikhail Voevodin, General Director VSMPO-AVISMA.

Within the scope of the agreement, VSMPO-AVISMA and Airbus will jointly explore the development of new alloys and processes. Both companies have setup a working group that will seek to enhance the alloys portfolio according to Airbus’ needs. VSMPO-AVISMA and Airbus have also agreed to engage Aerospace Dynamics Inc., a worldwide renowned machinist for the development of rough machining at VSMPO’s facilities, extending the scope of VSMPO’s activities for Airbus to higher value added products. In the frame of the discussion, parties are analysing different cooperation setups such as a corporate Joint Venture, amongst others. In addition, the companies have engaged the qualification of VSMPO-AVISMA for the manufacturing of titanium tubes for aircraft applications to further extend Airbus’ product portfolio and covers the study of collection and recycling of titanium scrap, which would set-up a fully integrated industrial process.

Mikhail Voevodin, President and CEO of VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation, said: “The history of Airbus and VSMPO collaboration extends back over 20 years and is characterized by continuous expansion of business relations gradually moving from simple titanium semi-finished products to more complex items. This agreement is a new milestone in our cooperation – it is not only support of Airbus production needs, but also joint development of advanced materials, alloys and processes for the current and potential projects of Airbus”.

“This agreement represents a major milestone in VSMPO’s and Airbus growing relationship since the initial contract signed in 2009. Airbus is very proud to engage with VSMPO into this new phase, confirming our commitment to support the development of VSMPO not only on the supply of raw material, but also as a high value added products supplier and key R&D partner. This step is significant for Airbus and is also the best recognition of VSMPO’s performance and reliability in their 80th year of successful operations”, explained Klaus Richter, Executive Vice President Airbus Procurement and EADS Corporate Sourcing.

Since the 1990s, VSMPO-AVISMA has become a major supplier for Airbus and its parent company EADS and today covers 60% of the group’s titanium needs in semi-finished products or titanium forgings. Based on the strategic and increasing importance of titanium use in every new aircraft programme and in the aeronautic industry as a whole, in April 2009, EADS/Airbus and VSMPO-AVISMA signed the biggest and longest-term frame contract for the supply of titanium for Airbus and other EADS divisions until 2020. VSMPO-AVISMA is currently supplying titanium forgings for all Airbus programmes, including the A320neo, the A350 XWB and the A380.

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PHOTOS: Boeing rolls out the first 787-9 Dreamliner

Image Credit: Boeing

Boeing has completed the first 787-9 Dreamliner and rolled it out of the factory today to the flight line in preparation of the first flight. Find more details below.

24th August 2013

EVERETT, Wash., Aug. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has completed the first 787-9 Dreamliner. The second member of the super-efficient 787 family rolled out of the Everett, Wash., factory today to the flight line, where teams are preparing it to fly later this summer.

At 20 feet (6 m) longer than the 787-8, the 787-9 will extend the 787 family in both capacity and range, carrying 40 more passengers an additional 300 nautical miles (555 km). The 787-9 leverages the visionary design of the 787-8 such as its exceptional environmental performance — 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than similarly sized airplanes — and passenger-pleasing features.

With the second and third airplanes in final assembly, Boeing and the 787-9 are on track. First delivery to launch customer Air New Zealand is set for mid-2014.
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Infographic: Boeing 777 engine manufacturers' shares

by Devesh Agarwal

The Asiana Boeing 777-200ER which crashed at San Francisco International airport was powered by Pratt and Whitney PW4090 series engines.

Three engine manufacturers have offered power plants for the Boeing 777. Pratt and Whitney offered the PW4000 series. Rolls Royce offered its Trent 800 and General Electric offered its GE90 series.

The infographic below shows the share of market each manufacturer has on the 1,113 Boeing 777s delivered till date.

Since the last few years, GE90-115B and GE90-110B are the exclusive engine series for the currently manufactured 777 variants - the 777-300ER, 777-200LR, and the 777F freighter. So eventually it will have a 100% share of the market. Even on the upcoming 777X project, GE is expected to remain the sole source supplier with a new upgraded engine.

Boeing 777 - share of market for engine manufacturers

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Boeing and Bharat Electronics expand partnership in India

Boeing and Navaratna public sector unit Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) are expanding their partnership through a follow-on contract involving the manufacture of sub-assemblies for the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jet.

This contract, for Super Hornet subassemblies, expands work Boeing awarded to BEL in 2011. BEL delivers components for the Super Hornet and P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft; and is a partner with Boeing at the Analysis & Experimentation Centre in Babgalore that opened in 2009.

Through the new contract BEL will produce Super Hornet sub-assemblies including the Ground Power Panel, Helmet Vehicle Interface Stowage and Switch assembly and Cockpit Console Panels. For the F/A-18, BEL also produces a stowage panel for the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System connector cable and an avionics cooling system fan test switch panel with a Night Vision Imaging System-compatible floodlight assembly. For the P-8I it provides the Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) interrogators and Data Link II communications systems.
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Video: Making of Cebu Pacific's first Airbus A320 Sharklet RP-C3272

Philippines, low cost carrier, Cebu Pacific Air took delivery of its first A320 equipped with Sharklets yesterday during a ceremony in Manila. Below is a quick time-lapse video on the making of the aircraft. Hope you enjoy.
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Videos: Making of the Thai Airway's Airbus A380

This set of three time-lapse videos show the making of Thai Airways' Airbus A380 super jumbo from airframe construction to interior fitment.

Part 1, shows the airframe coming together.

Part 2, shows the aircraft getting painted with its great looking livery. Just love that purple silk.

Part 3, shows the interiors being outfitted and also gives us a preview of the first and business class cabins
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