Tianjin A320 line meets delivery target
The Chinese A320 Family final assembly line at Tianjin met its target of delivering 11 aircraft in 2009, Airbus has announced. The first Chinese assembled Airbus was an A320 handed over to Sichuan Airlines via Dragon Aviation Leasing in June 2009. Since then five further A320s and five A319s assembled at Tianjin have been delivered
Lion Air takes four 737-900ERs
Indonesian low cost carrier Lion Air took delivery of four Boeing 737-900ERs earlier in December, providing a rare opportunity to photograph three of the four aircraft together at Boeing’s 737 Customer Delivery Center at Boeing Field in Seattle. Lion Air was the 737-900ER launch customer, and currently has no fewer than 178 of the type
LAN orders Airbuses, Air Austral Boeings
Both Airbus and Boeing announced orders for their single aisle airliners on December 23. Chile’s LAN Airlines placed a firm order for the purchase of 30 Airbus Family A320 aircraft, taking its total Airbus orders to over 100. “This investment ensures the company’s future growth and reaffirms LAN’s commitment to the development of commercial aviation
Rex blames “predatory practices” for Mackay-Townsville withdrawal
Regional Express announced on December 24 that it is quiting its Mackay to Townsville route from January 1 2010, and that it has launched a complaint with the ACCC against competitor QantasLink. Rex launched Mackay-Townsville services on October 1 2009, marking its re-entry to the Queensland market. However, the airline claims that in response to
Boeing buys remaining shares in Global Aeronautica
Boeing announced on December 22 that it has acquired Alenia North America’s 50 per cent stake in Charleston, South Carolina, based 787 supplier Global Aeronautica. The acquisition will see Global Aeronautica, which completes subassembly on the centre sections of the 787 before they enter final assembly, become a wholly owned subsidiary of Boeing Charleston. Boeing
Ryanair ends 737 purchase talks
Ryanair has pulled out of talks with Boeing over a potential order for up to 200 737-800s, blaming Boeing for not offering attractive delivery conditions, although the carrier is not carrying out its threat to cancel aircraft already ordered. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said in a statement issued by the airline on December 18 that
