LE BOURGET, France, June 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing’s new aircraft and innovative technologies attracted thousands of customers, partners, government officials and media at the 2011 Paris Air Show.

“The excitement and enthusiasm for the products and technologies Boeing showcased at the show have validated our belief in the strength of what is the world’s newest and most innovative family of commercial airplanes,” said Charlie Miller, vice president, International Communications. “We also highlighted the breadth and depth of our defense business and we met with literally thousands of our key customers, partners and suppliers.”

The show saw the international debut of Boeing’s newest commercial aircraft models – the 747-8 Intercontinental and 747-8 Freighter – together with the appearance of the innovative 787 Dreamliner.

The new 747-8 Freighter flew to Le Bourget with all four engines powered by a fuel blend containing 15 percent camelina-based biofuel, achieving the world’s first transatlantic crossing of a commercial jetliner with biofuels.

And Boeing and American Airlines announced that the airline will be the launch partner for the ecoDemonstrator Program, a Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft that will be used to flight test emerging technologies and accelerate their market readiness.

Other Boeing highlights at the show included the presence of an Air Berlin 737-700 with the new Boeing Sky Interior; a Qatar Airways Boeing 777-200LR, the world’s longest-range passenger jetliner; a C-17 Globemaster III military airlifter; an F-15E Strike Eagle multi-role fighter jet, and a CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter.

As evidence of the market’s continuing recovery, airline and leasing company customers announced orders and commitments for 142 airplanes representing models from across the Boeing family – Next-Generation 737, 767, 777, 787 and the 747-8. Combined, the orders and commitments are valued at more than $22 billion – a powerful validation of the demand for Boeing’s fuel-efficient and market-leading products.

LE BOURGET, France, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and UTair Aviation, Russia announced an agreement today at the Paris Air Show for the purchase of 40 Next-Generation Boeing 737 airplanes, comprised of seven 737-900ERs and 33 737-800s.
UTair is one of the largest Boeing operators in Russia with a fleet of over 30 Boeing airplanes. In 2011, UTair became the first operator in Russia and Eastern Europe to fly new Boeing 737-800s with the enhanced Boeing Sky Interior. By the end of this year, UTair will increase its Boeing 737-800 fleet to nine airplanes.

“Our decision to further expand our Next-Generation Boeing 737 fleet is based on its high efficiency,” said Andrey Martirosov, UTair CEO. “These airplanes meet today’s commercial needs of the airline by their value-for-money and availability of early delivery positions”.
“UTair’s choice of the Next-Generation 737 shows its confidence in the Boeing single-aisle product family, which features incredible economics and operational capability,” said Marty Bentrott, vice president of Sales for Russia, Central Asia and Middle East, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We are very proud of our relationship with the new Next-Generation 737 operator.”

Boeing’s 737 Next-Generation airplanes will help UTair deliver an unmatched level of service for passengers and dramatically reduce operating costs, fuel costs and environmental impact.

Boeing looks forward to finalizing the agreement with UTair.

June 28, 2011 — China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS) and ICBC Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (ICBC Leasing) have signed agreements with Airbus for a total of 88 A320 Family aircraft.

CAS’s General Terms Agreement (GTA) with Airbus for 88 A320 Family aircraft was signed today in Berlin by Li Hai, President of CAS and Tom Enders, President and CEO of Airbus.

In the frame of this GTA, ICBC Leasing signed a purchase agreement with Airbus for 42 A320 Family aircraft. The agreement was signed by Li Xiaopeng, Senior Executive Vice President of ICBC and Chairman of ICBC Leasing, and Tom Enders. This is the first order that ICBC Leasing has placed directly with an aircraft manufacturer. So far ICBC has 68 aircraft in its portfolio. ICBC Leasing is a subsidiary of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the world’s largest bank by market capitalization.

“Since the first A320 Family aircraft was introduced in China in 1995, the Airbus single aisle programme has played an important role in supporting the fast Chinese civil aviation growth. The A320’s high reliability and low operational cost have made them very popular among Chinese airlines. The outstanding eco-efficient performance of the Airbus A320 Family will contribute significantly to the sustainable development of Chinese civil aviation,” said Li Hai, President of CAS.

“After a thorough assessment and study of the market, we have decided to place our very first order with Airbus for its A320 Family. This strategic decision to start with the A320 Family aircraft will help our customers to develop their business in the most profitable and sustainable way,” said Li Xiaopeng, Chairman of ICBC Leasing.

“We are delighted to receive a new order from our long-lasting customer CAS, and also the very first order from ICBC Leasing. These aircraft will contribute to the growth and success of China’s aviation sector, and we are proud to be their partner,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO.

By the end of May 2011, there were some 575 A320 Family aircraft in operation with 13 Chinese airlines.

Largest-Ever Order Consolidates A320 Family’s Market Leading Position

June 23, 2011 — AirAsia, the largest low cost airline in the Asia-Pacific region, has placed a firm order with Airbus for 200 A320neo aircraft. The contract, announced at the Paris Air Show today, is the largest order ever placed for the A320 Family and makes AirAsia the biggest airline customer for the Airbus single aisle product line worldwide. AirAsia announced that its A320neo aircraft will be powered by CFM International’s new LEAP-X engines.

Altogether, AirAsia has now placed firm orders for 375 A320 Family aircraft, with 89 already in service on the carrier’s fast-growing pan-Asian network. In addition, the carrier’s long haul affiliate AirAsia X is also an all-Airbus customer having placed orders for 38 widebody aircraft.

“With this historic deal AirAsia has secured its future with the ability to meet the huge growth potential offered by the Asian market,” said Tan Sri Dr Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia. “Our decision to be one of the launch customers for the A320neo will ensure that we remain at the forefront of our business, with one of the world’s youngest and most modern fleets.”

“Thanks to the incredible entrepreneurial spirit of Tony Fernandes and the energy of his team, Air Asia has established itself as one of the fastest-growing, most innovative and respected airlines in the business,” said Tom Enders, President and Chief Executive Officer, Airbus. “This landmark deal is the strongest endorsement yet of our decision to invest in the development of the A320neo and further consolidates the market-leading position of the Airbus single aisle product line.”

Incorporating new engines and large wing tip devices called sharklets, the A320neo will deliver fuel savings of 15 percent and additional range capability of 500 nautical miles (950 kilometers), or the ability to carry two tonnes more payload at a given range. For the environment, the fuel savings translate into some 3,600 tonnes less CO2 per aircraft per year. In addition, the A320neo will provide a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise. The A320neo will have over 95% airframe commonality with the existing models, enabling it to fit seamlessly into existing A320 Family fleets.

The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Over 7,000 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,700 delivered to more than 330 customers and operators worldwide.

Fleet Expansion With World’s Most Efficient Single Aisle Aircraft

June 23, 2011 — India’s GoAir, ‘The Fly Smart Airline”, has selected the A320neo for its long term fleet expansion plans with a firm order for 72 aircraft. The agreement was signed at the 49th Le Bourget Airshow.

Airbus delivered GoAir’s first A320 in 2007 from its original order of 20 A320s placed in 2006. The airline currently operates 10 A320s with an average age of two years which makes it the youngest airline fleet in India. It’ll take delivery of the other 10 aircraft over the next two years.

“Today we have shown our commitment to the growth of our airline and to our loyal customers. The combined order for 92 Airbus aircraft (20 A320s and 72 A320neo) reinforces our longstanding partnership with the leading manufacturer and the leading aircraft the market has to offer,” said Jeh Wadia, Managing Director, Go Airlines.

“We are delighted with GoAir’s endorsement of our A320neo. As an established operator of the A320, GoAir clearly recognises the benefits and productivity gains of being able to operate A320s and A320neo harmoniously in a single fleet,” said Tom Enders, President and Chief Executive Officer, Airbus.

Over 7,000 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,700 delivered to more than 330 customers and operators worldwide. 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.

The A320neo, available from 2015, incorporates new more efficient engines and large wing tip devices called “Sharklets” delivering significant fuel savings of 15 percent, which is equivalent to 1.4 million litres of fuel per aircraft per year, or the consumption of 1,000 mid sized cars. This saves 3,600 tonnes of CO2 annually per aircraft. In addition, the A320neo provides a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise.

Lessor Sees Irresistible Demand For The Fuel Efficient neo

June 22, 2011 —
ALAFCO, the Kuwait-based international Aviation Lease and Finance Company, has signed an agreement for 30 Airbus A320neo aircraft. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the 49th Paris airshow in Le Bourget. It follows the placing of an earlier firm order for six A350-900 aircraft.

ALAFCO already ordered 26 A320s of which 25 have been delivered. Including this order, it shall then take ALAFCO’s total order for Airbus single aisle aircraft to 56.

“The A320neo is proving to be a very popular aircraft due to its economics and low fuel burn,” said Abulqasim Abdulghaffar Redha, ALAFCO Executive Vice President. “We anticipate strong demand from leasing customers and we look forward to helping them meet their requirements.”

“We’re taking neo orders from all corners of the world, from both airlines and leasing companies because we’ve hit a sweet spot in the market. An aircraft which offers a 15% reduction in fuel burn is proving to be irresistible,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer Customers.

Over 7,000 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,700 delivered to more than 330 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 tonnes of C02 per aircraft per year, the amount of C02 absorbed by 240,000 mature trees. The A320neo NOx emissions are 50% below CAEP/6 and this aircraft also has considerably smaller noise footprint.

Benchmark order for single aircraft

June 22, 2011 — India’s largest low-cost carrier, IndiGo has firmed up its historic order for 180 airbus single aisle aircraft. The firming up of the order for 150 A320neo and 30 A320 follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier in January.

The order makes IndiGo one of the A320neo launch customers. Engine selection will be announced by the airline at a later date. Today’s order for 180 aircraft is on top of a firm order for 100 A320s placed June 2005. Out of the 2005 order, 44 aircraft have already been delivered.

“Our order with Airbus will further establish IndiGo as a leading carrier in the Indian market, and one that continues to offer low fares and high service. Our existing order for 100 A320s and the order announced today will help meet India’s growing flying market, in the most cost efficient and environmentally responsible way possible,” said Aditya Ghosh, IndiGo’s President.

“This record order for our A320neo will enable IndiGo to achieve the maximum benefit from India’s projected strong passenger traffic growth over the coming years. Today’s agreement is clear endorsement of our A320neo and we thank Rakesh Gangwal and Rahul Bhatia for their confidence and commitment to Airbus,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO.

Over 7,000 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,700 delivered to more than 330 customers and operators worldwide. 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.

The A320neo, available from 2015, incorporates new more efficient engines and large wing tip devices called “Sharklets” delivering significant fuel savings of 15 percent, which is equivalent to 1.4 million litres of fuel per aircraft per year, or the consumption of 1,000 mid sized cars. This saves 3,600 tonnes of CO2 annually per aircraft. In addition, the A320neo provides a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise.

June 22, 2011 — A strong endorsement of the newest evolution in the Airbus fleet came today with the announcement of a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) for 40 A320 New Engine Option (A320neo) aircraft and 40 A319neo aircraft from Republic Airways Holdings, Inc., the parent company of U.S.-based Frontier Airlines.

The commitment from Republic, announced today at the Paris Air Show, makes the company a launch customer for the A319neo. Republic subsidiary Frontier currently operates 58 Airbus A318, A319 and A320 aircraft.

Republic has selected CFM International’s LEAP-X engine for all 80 of their new A320neo and A319neo aircraft. The aircraft also feature large wingtip devices known as Sharklets. Together, the Sharklets and LEAP-X engines will result in a 15 percent fuel burn reduction, corresponding to an annual carbon dioxide reduction of 3,600 metric tons per aircraft.

This order is a reflection of the strong and mutually beneficial partnership Frontier and Airbus have enjoyed over the past decade,” said Bryan Bedford, chairman, president and CEO of Republic Airways. “The addition of these state-of-the-art, fuel-efficient aircraft to our fleet will be a major factor in Frontier maintaining its position as an industry cost leader and will allow Frontier to continue to offer travelers low fares despite persistently high fuel prices.”

“Frontier’s tagline, ‘a whole different animal,’ is descriptive also of a corporate philosophy that has kept Republic’s airlines at the top of the game with high-technology, high-efficiency aircraft,” said Airbus Chief Operating Officer – Customers John Leahy. “With this deal, Republic is selecting the neo as a strong growth platform for their Frontier subsidiary. We couldn’t agree more that this is a wise decision.”

Airbus is the leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive family of airliners on the market, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats. More than 10,100 Airbus aircraft have been sold to more than 440 customers and operators worldwide, and more than 6,700 have been delivered since the company first entered the market in the early seventies.

Intelligent Cabin Interiors Replace Class System For a Bespoke Flying Experience

June 14, 2011 — Leading aircraft manufacturer Airbus, in advance of the Paris Airshow “Le Bourget”, today invited the passengers of 2050 to discover its Concept Cabin – a whole new flying experience inspired by nature.

Personalised zones replace traditional cabin classes to offer tailored levels of experience. While taking a hop between destinations, according to Airbus, passengers in 2050 could join an interactive conference; enjoy a game of virtual golf; read the kids back home a bedtime story; and recharge in a ‘vitalising seat’ whilst watching the planet spread out beneath their feet.

This latest instalment of The Future by Airbus – a vision of aviation in 2050 – follows last year’s unveiling of the revolutionary Airbus Concept Plane, packed with technologies to reduce fuel burn, emissions, waste and noise. The Airbus Concept Cabin now gives further insight into some of the innovations and technologies that will shape future passenger experiences on board.

The aircraft’s bionic structure mimics the efficiency of bird bone which is optimised to provide strength where needed, and allows for an intelligent cabin wall membrane which controls air temperature and can become transparent to give passengers open panoramic views.
The Concept Cabin has an integrated ‘neural network’ creating an intelligent interface between passenger and plane. It can identify and respond to passenger needs and enables bespoke features such as morphing seats which change to your body shape.

New personalised zones replace the traditional cabin classes in the Airbus Concept Cabin to offer new tailored levels of experience. The “vitalising zone” is all about wellbeing and relaxation allowing you to proactively recharge your batteries with vitamin and antioxidant enriched air, mood lighting, aromatherapy and acupressure treatments whilst taking in the infinite view of the world around you.
There are no limits to the kinds of social scenarios in the centre zone of the concept cabin – the “interactive zone”. The virtual pop up projections in this area can transform you to whichever social scene you want to be in, from holographic gaming to virtual changing rooms for active shoppers.

The “smart tech zone” is tailored towards the more functional oriented passenger with a chameleon style offering, to meet individual needs ranging from a simple to a complete luxury service, but all allowing you to continue life as if on the ground. By offering different levels of experience within each zone, airlines would be able to achieve price differentials and give more people access to the benefits of air travel with minimal environmental impact.

Showcasing the innovative interior design, Charles Champion, Airbus Executive Vice President Engineering, said: “Our research shows that passengers of 2050 will expect a seamless travel experience while also caring for the environment. The Airbus Concept Cabin is designed with that in mind, and shows that the journey can be as much a voyage of discovery as the destination. Whichever flight experience is chosen, the passenger of 2050 will step out of the Airbus Concept Cabin feeling revitalised and enriched.”

More than 90 percent of Airbus’ annual research & development investment of over €2 billion has environmental benefits for current and future aircraft. For example, due to advances in technologies the concept cabin will be 100% recyclable. It will have self-cleaning materials made from sustainable plant fibres which reduce waste and maintenance and will harvest passenger body heat to power cabin features.
Such technologies are already being developed and, while they may not be seen in the exact same manner as in the Airbus Concept Plane and Cabin, some of them could feature in future Airbus aircraft programmes.

Visitors to Le Bourget International Airshow in Paris will also be able to experience the Airbus’ Future of Flight film, a 360 planetarium movie – a vision of the transformations in air transport between now and the middle of the century which not only focuses on aircraft designs and innovations, but also addresses passenger expectations. The movie will be part of the planetarium’s programme at the Musee de l’Air et de l’Espace from 20 – 26 June.

To find out more about the Airbus Concept Cabin and The Future by Airbus visit: www.thefuturebyairbus.com