27 Aug 2018

China Aviation Industry Newsletter 27 August

Air China takes delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 Air China has taken delivery of its first A350-900 in. The national flag carrier is the first Chinese mainland customer to order and take ownership of the world’s newest and most efficient twin-engine widebody aircraft. Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, Air China’s A350-900 aircraft features a comfortable three-class cabin layout of 312 seats: 32 business, 24 premium economy and 256 economy. The airline will initially operate the new aircraft on its domestic routes, followed by flights to international destinations. Ameco Provides A350-900 Line Maintenance for Air China Ameco started line maintenance service on Airbus A350-900 aircraft for Air China. This is the first Airbus A350-900 delivered to a mainland Chinese carrier. Ameco has been approved by CAAC to provide Airbus A350-900 for Air China with line maintenance and scheduled check services. Ameco started line maintenance service on Airbus A350-900 aircraft for Air China. This is the first Airbus A350-900 delivered to a mainland Chinese carrier. Ameco has been approved by CAAC to provide Airbus A350-900 for Air China with line maintenance and scheduled check services. BOC Aviation Purchases 8 A330Neo Aircraft From Airbus For Lease To Lion Air Group BOC Aviation announced 23 August that it has purchased eight new Airbus A330NEO family aircraft from Airbus. All eight aircraft are scheduled for delivery to Lion Air Group of airlines in 2019 and 2020, and Lion Air will have the option to acquire four of the aircraft at delivery. Robert Martin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BOC Aviation said “We are delighted to partner with Lion Air Group once again as we commit to deliver the latest technology Airbus twin-aisle aircraft, commencing next year. This transaction takes the number of Airbus A330NEO family aircraft in our orderbook to 10, with all of these scheduled for delivery between now and the end of 2020 to airline customers.” CALC to Increase Fleet by Two Airbus A321-200s CALC has officially made a statement that it will be adding two new Airbus A321-200s to its fleet. The lessor now signed an agreement with Sichuan Airlines, a Chinese regional airline headquartered on the grounds of Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, for the purchase and leaseback of two Airbus A321-200s. The aircraft’s delivery scheduled shows that both planes are to be added to the company’s fleet by the end of 2018, opening new doors for expansion and development. China Southern Airlines receives first 787-9 in three class layout China Southern Airlines via its official Weibo account, announced its recently delivered Boeing 787-9 aircraft is the first of the type to be configured in a three class layout with 28 business, 28 premium economy and 220 economy class seats. Guangzhou Eyes Deeper Ties with Europe for a Global Aviation Hub The 24th World Route Development Forum will kick off in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on September 15th. Themed with "Gathering Guangzhou to Connect the World", the international civil aviation community's "Olympics" and "World Expo" this time looks forward to better cooperation and greater progress in the international aviation industry with a leading force in the field. The advantage of Guangzhou being an aviation hub is increasingly clear. For now, the Baiyun International Airport has opened over 300 air routes, 157 of which are international, and offered flights to 220 destinations across the world. As of July 2018, there are 8 destinations in America, 11 in Europe, 5 in Africa, 8 in Oceania and 54 in Asia (including Hong Kong and Taiwan), which covers major aviation hub cities in Europe and America. Hainan Airline Launches New Service Between Shenzhen and Zurich Hainan Airlines announced the formal launch of service between Shenzhen and Zurich. The service is the first non-stop flight connecting China’s Guangzhou-Shenzhen area with Switzerland, and is also the airline’s 7th intercontinental flight originating from Shenzhen. Hainan Airlines spokesman said: “The non-stop Shenzhen-Zurich service will bring more convenience to passengers traveling on business and for leisure, further promoting the development of the economies, cultures and tourism of the two countries, while offering more opportunities for collaboration between companies in European countries and in China.” Japan Airlines and China Eastern Airlines Aim to Apply for Joint Business Agreement Japan Airlines (JAL) and China Eastern Airlines (China Eastern) today signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue a joint business agreement, with an aim to improve customer convenience and enhance the quality of services provided by both carriers. To strengthen the partnership, JAL and China Eastern have signed on to apply and implement a joint business agreement within FY2019. The agreement plans to include JALs domestic network featuring over 50 cities in Japan and over 80 on Chinas domestic routes operated by China Eastern. Xiamen Airlease: Purchase and Lease Back of 28 Aircraft with China Eastern Airlines Xiamen Airlease, registered as Xiamen Aircraft Leasing Co., an aircraft leasing company incorporated in the Xiamen Free Trade Zone, announced 23 August that it has successfully concluded a purchase and lease back agreement with China Eastern Airlines, consisting of 17 A320, 10 B737-700 and 1 B737-800 Aircraft. Acumen Aviation © 27 August All Rights Reserved.