Jakarta-based Lion Air finalized a firm order for 201 LEAP-1B-powered 737 MAXs and 29 CFM56-7B-powered Next-Generation 737-900ERs (extended range). The agreement, first announced last November in Indonesia, also includes purchase rights for an additional 150 airplanes. With orders for 230 airplanes valued at $22.4bn at list prices, this deal is the largest commercial airplane order ever in
Rolls-Royce has won an order worth $210m, at list prices, from Fiji’s national carrier Air Pacific for Trent 700 engines to power three Airbus A330 aircraft. This is the first time Air Pacific has selected Rolls-Royce engines and the contract includes long-term TotalCare service support.
Eurocopter unveiled its newest helicopter, the EC130 T2, which features enhanced comfort, improved operational performance and increased versatility for this popular member of the company’s lightweight single-engine product line. The EC130 T2 was revealed at the 2012 Heli-Expo exhibition in Dallas, Texas, where Eurocopter also announced seven launch customers for the rotary-wing aircraft covering a
GECAS announced delivery of a leased Boeing 767-300ER to a new customer, MEGA Maldives Airlines to help with the young carrier’s fleet expansion. MEGA Maldives Airlines, which started operations in 2010, currently operates two aircraft on a scheduled and charter basis to Hong Kong and other cities in Asia from its base at Male’ International
Bell Helicopter has selected the GE CT7-2F1 2,000 shp class engine to power its new Bell 525 “Relentless” Super Medium Transport helicopter, unveiled at the annual Heli Expo showcase in Dallas, Texas. Delivery of engines is scheduled to begin in 2013 to meet an aggressive flight-test, certification and production schedule.
Boeing announced that the final phase of wind tunnel testing, a major milestone in airplane development, will begin on the 737 MAX program next week. Testing will begin at QinetiQ’s test facility in Farnborough, England, where engineers will substantiate the forecasted low-speed performance of the 737 MAX on takeoff and landing. A FTSE250 company, QinetiQ uses its
Pratt & Whitney Canada’s (P&WC) PW210S is moving into the production phase of the program. The engine received Transport Canada certification this past October, manufacturing approval and FAA validation this past December – and has since delivered six production engines to launch customer Sikorsky. The PW210S was selected by Sikorsky for the S-76D medium-sized helicopter
Lease Corporation International (LCI), the aviation division of global conglomerate the Libra Group, and AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, have signed an agreement covering the purchase of a fleet of AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters for a new division being set up by the lessor. The related contract, which also includes options, is valued in excess of $400m. Building
AWAS delivered an initial A320-200 passenger aircraft to IndiGo, India’s largest low cost airline. In late 2011 AWAS and IndiGo entered into a purchase and leaseback agreement for four Airbus A320 passenger aircraft that the airline had previously ordered from the manufacturer. The three remaining aircraft will be delivered in the first half of 2012.
Finnair continues to optimize its narrow body fleet and has signed an agreement with Estonian Air for the sublease of four Embraer 170 aircraft. Fleet optimization is part of Finnair’s savings program that targets annual savings of €140m. The sublease period begins in the first quarter of 2012 and ends during 2015.
