Korean Air plans major upshift in operations after big aircraft order

 

Korean Air is planning major increases in its services after announcing ts largest-ever order of new aircraft.

The airline has this week ordered 103 planes from Boeing in a deal that travel news hub Travel Mole reports is worth about $US36 billion.

The order includes narrow and wide bodies with Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 777 and 737 jet aircraft.

Boeing’s commercial planes chief, Stephanie Pope, called it a "landmark agreement".

Korean Air will buy 50 Boeing 737-10 jets and 45 787 and 777 long-range jets.

The airline has also ordered eight 777-8 Freighter cargo jets.

Boeing says the order will provide work for about 135,000 people across the US.

Korean Air has placed orders for more than 150 planes with Boeing so far this year.

Asian airlines place major aircraft order

Two leading Asian air carriers have confirmed big aircraft orders over the past week, signalling growing confidence in the sector.

Japan Airlines has signed deals with both Airbus and Boeing to refresh its long-haul fleet,

Travel Mole reports.

JAL is ordering 21 Airbus A350-900 jets and 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

It also ordered 11 Airbus A321neos - a very uncomfortable plane for anything other than short-haul flights. It is a new aircraft model for the airline.

The airline will deploy most of the new A350s on international routes.

Deliveries for the A350s and the Dreamliners are expected to begin in 2027, while JAL will start receiving the Airbus A321neos in 2028.

National flag carrier Korean Air, meanwhile, has ordered 33 Airbus A350s, comprising 27 of the largest version of the aircraft - the A350-1000 and six A350-900s.

These will refresh its long-haul fleet as it gradually retires older jets including Boeing 777s.

 

Lufthansa makes major investment in new aircraft

German airline Lufthansa is extremely confident about the future of the aviation industry, making a major investment in new planes.

The Lufthansa Group has announced the order of 80 new "highly efficient" short- and medium-haul aircraft and agreed on a further 120 purchasing options.

Lufthansa has signed for the purchase of 40 Boeing 737-8 MAX with 60 purchasing options; the purchase of 40 Airbus A220-300s for Lufthansa City Airlines and 20 purchasing options as well as purchasing options for 40 aircraft from the Airbus A320 group. 

Deliveries will be made from 2026 to 2032 with the cost of the firm orders totalling around $US9 billion. 

"With this aircraft order, we are accelerating the largest fleet modernisation in our company's history," said Dr Detlef Kayser, member of the executive board, fleet and technology: 

This increases our order list of around 200 aircraft to 280 – plus an additional 120 purchasing options for further state-of-the-art short- and medium-haul aircraft. 

"We are pleased that both Airbus and Boeing were able to convince us on all commercial and technological aspects. 

"In addition to this, the decision for the Boeing 737-8 MAX will also give us more flexibility for the procurement of short- and medium-haul aircraft in the future. The new ultra-modern aircraft offer our guests additional comfort. They are also quieter, more economical, more efficient, and emit up to 30 percent less CO2 than their predecessor models. 

"The order demonstrates our airlines' future viability and ability to invest, and it shows that we are living up to our responsibility to reduce our carbon emissions."

With a current fleet of more than 700 commercial aircraft, the Lufthansa Group says it is pursuing "a long-term fleet strategy focused on cost efficiency and reducing emissions". 

See https://www.lufthansa.com/

Virgin Australia ushers in new aviation era

Today marks the start of a new era for Virgin Australia, which has taken delivery of its first new, fuel-efficient Boeing 737-8 aircraft in Seattle.

The new MAX family aircraft are fitted out with next generation seats which include device holders and in-seat power, and are 40% quieter and at least 15%more fuel efficient per flight compared to the 737-800 NG fleet, the airline said in a statement.

The acquisition came on the same day as Virgin’s inaugural Cairns-Tokyo (Haneda) service, which will operate using the 737-8 aircraft from the end of July.

VH-8IA is one of 33 MAX family aircraft that will join the Virgin Australia fleet over the next five years.

Virgin Australia Chief Operations Officer Stuart Aggs said the new MAX family aircraft are a critical part of the airline’s transformation.

“These new aircraft will allow us to grow capacity and support more efficient jet services,” he said.

“And, importantly, they will reduce emissions by at least 15% per flight compared to the 737-800 NG fleet, supporting our commitment to targeting net zero emissions by 2050.

“While our approach to decarbonisation is multi-faceted, fleet modernisation is a critical part of progressing our sustainability ambitions and represents a significant opportunity to reduce our emissions intensity in the near term.

“We expect our fleet renewal program, combined with other fuel efficiency initiatives, to support over 80%of our 2030 interim target to reduce Virgin Australia’s carbon emission intensity by 22%.”

Virgin Australia invests in the future

Virgin Australia Group this week announced announced the imminent arrival of four additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

The Boeing aircraft are in addition to another four MAX 8 aircraft announced in April 2022, and will reduce emissions by 15% per flight, the airline said in a press release.

First delivery of the additional Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft is expected in 2023.

Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said the announcement demonstrates the airline’s commitment to the Australian aviation market and to sustainably grow its fleet for long-term success.

“The future of Virgin Australia is bright and we have highlighted our commitment to maintain strong competition for Australians who want to travel and experience great value," she said.

"It also underscores our confidence in our underlying performance and commitment to Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“Despite the challenges faced by our industry, demand for travel remains strong and we’re responding with a focus on the long-term by increasing the efficiency and sustainability of our fleet with four additional Boeing MAX 8s joining our fleet from 2023."