First 737 with more efficient engines delivered
Boeing has delivered the first 737 fitted with the new standard CFM56-7BE engines with the handover of a 737-800 to China Southern Airlines last week. The CFM56-7BE engine configuration features modified high and low pressure turbines to improve fuel consumption and reduce maintenance costs, and is a key element of Boeing’s 737 performance improvement package,
GECAS takes 400th Boeing
Leasing company GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) has taken delivery of its 400th Boeing aircraft, a 737-800 which will be operated by China’s Xiamen Airlines. GECAS has ordered a total of 485 Boeing airliners to date, placing its first order with the US manufacturer, for two 767-300ERs, in August 1995.
USAF chooses Nellis as second F-35 base
The USAF has confirmed Nellis AFB in Las Vegas will be the home of its F-35 operational test and evaluation (OT) unit and will also receive a number of F-35As for the weapons school (WA) there. Following the May release of an environmental impact statement (EIS) into basing the new jets at Nellis, the USAF’s
UK looks to swap an F-35B for an F-35C
With the UK’s decision last year to switch its preferred model of F-35 from the STOVL F-35B to the more conventional but carrier capable F-35C, the UK MoD is looking to swap the sole F-35B it has funded to date with an F-35C. The swap, which the Pentagon has reportedly described as “mutually beneficial” and
Boeing to re-engine 737, pushes new narrowbody back
Boeing has apparently backed down on its plans to replace the current 737NG with a New Small Airplane (NSA) from 2019, and instead will follow Airbus’s lead and build a re-engined 737’RE’ to fulfil part of American Airlines’ large narrow body requirement and looming orders from other US major carriers. American announced overnight Australian time
American Airlines has become the launch customer for a re-engined 737 powered by the CFM LEAP-X engine as part of a massive narrowbody airliner buy for up to 460 aircraft, including 130 A320neos, split between Boeing and Airbus. The orders and commitments, announced at American’s Dallas Fort Worth headquarters on July 20, comprise firm orders
