24 Nov 2024
Lufthansa taps China Market E-Commerce Growth
Air China signs COMAC C929 framework agreement
COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) announced at China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, that Air China signed an framework agreement for its C929 widebody jet. The exact number of aircraft ordered and delivery timelines were withheld. The C929, renamed in 2023 from the CR929 following the withdrawal of Russia from the joint development project, is designed to seat 280 to 400 passengers and has a range of 12,000 km, competing with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.
Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific Secure JV Agreement Extension
Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific in an press released welcomed, the New Zealand Associate Minister of Transport’s decision to reauthorise their joint venture alliance for an additional five years. This approval provides the New Zealand regulatory sign-off necessary to allow both airlines to continue offering enhanced travel options and connectivity between New Zealand and Hong Kong, along with access to a wider global network. Cathay Pacific Regional General Manager Southwest Pacific, Frosti Lau stated “We have continued to increase our frequency in New Zealand and are proud to work with Air New Zealand to bring greater choices to both the local market as well as Hong Kong and the surrounding region. Hong Kong is not only an incredibly diverse destination for travellers, but it is a gateway to connect New Zealanders to other cities in the lively Greater Bay Area as well as the rest of the world. Through this alliance, Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand are making travel for business or leisure seamless and high quality across the two airlines.”
BOC Aviation Leases Six Airbus A321neo’s to Turkish Airlines
BOC Aviation announced the placement of six Airbus A321NEO aircraft with Turkish Airlines, with the six aircraft to be delivered in 2027. BOC Aviation CEO & MD, Steven Townend stated “Turkish Airlines is one of our longest standing customers and this transaction is testimony to the breadth of that relationship. There is strong demand for these latest technology aircraft from our orderbook and that will underpin our growth in the next few years.”
EFW and HNA Aviation Group sign A330P2F conversions cooperation agreement
Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW) and HNA Aviation Group announced the signing of an MOU which covers a strategic cooperation framework agreement for A330P2F conversions. Under the agreement, EFW will support Grand China Aircraft Maintenance Services (GCAM), a subsidiary of HNA Aviation Group, with A330P2F conversions and in the setting up of A330P2F capabilities at the latter’s aerospace facility in Meilan International Airport, Haikou. EFW and HNA Aviation Group will commence their collaboration by converting an initial batch of A330 aircraft from HNA Aviation Group’s A330 fleet. The first conversion is scheduled to take place at EFW’s conversion facility in Shanghai in the first half of 2025 with an option to continue with a second aircraft in the second half.
HNA Aviation Group Chairman Ding Yongzheng stated “The rapid recovery of the global aviation logistics market and the booming development of cross-border e-commerce business, the demand for long-range wide-body freighters is increasing. HNA Aviation Group has been operating the A330 fleet on a large scale for many years, with a solid operational foundation. The cooperation with EFW is a cornerstone in achieving mutual benefits, bringing new opportunities and added value to the aviation market.”
HK Express Adds 10th Airbus A321neo
HK Express Airways (HK Express) announced the arrival of its 10th Airbus 321neo aircraft registered B-KKJ, seating 236 passengers. HK Express currently has a fleet of 39 aircraft, including six Airbus A320ceo, 10 A320neo, 13 A321ceo and 10 A321neo. HK Express CEO Jeanette Mao said "As HK Express continues to introduce new routes, we are thrilled to welcome our 10th Airbus A321neo aircraft, marking a significant step towards the goal of growing our fleet to 40 aircraft. Since receiving our first A321neo aircraft in March last year, we have added 10 A321neo aircraft in just over a year and a half. With the rapid expansion of our fleet and the launches of new routes, HK Express will increase its weekly flights to over 800."
Lufthansa taps China Market E-Commerce Growth
Lufthansa Cargo announced it signed Cooperation agreements signed with Shanghai Airport Authority, Air China Cargo and China Postal Express & Logistics Co., Ltd. The carrier stated “The booming Chinese e-commerce sector and the increasing importance of cross-border trade from China provide additional growth opportunities in the airfreight industry.” Lufthansa Cargo entered the Chinese market in the late 1990s and opened a freight service connecting Shanghai and Frankfurt in 1997. Since then, it has successively opened multiple cargo flight points in Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Taipei. In 2024 it has added one new route to Frankfurt from Zhengzhou and Shenzhen respectively.
Image Credit: Kiefer via Creative Commons
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