The World of Aviation

There is a particular focus on the ATRs, which was expanded at the Singapore Airshow with the lessor converting two ATR72-600 purchase rights into firm orders, its 44th and 45th orders for the ATR.

Japan Airlines designated Boeing’s support unit Boeing Global Services (BGS) to over-haul two of its 787-8s into a configuration for JAL’s new medium/long-haul hybrid airline Zip Air Tokyo.

Japan Airlines’ order for A350 aircraft was momentous not just for Airbus breaking into a loyal Boeing customer, but also since JAL selected the A350-1000 to succeed its 777-300ER, a market size Boeing has dominated.

Airlines are increasingly seeking to capture back value from aircraft orders, often eyeing side deals involving their growing MRO divisions. So seems to be the case for Korean Air selecting Pratt & Whitney’s GTF to power its A321neo aircraft.

The publicly-owned airline announced at the Singapore Airshow an order for three ATR42-600S aircraft, complementing its existing fleet of ATR72-600s.

Fundamentally, much of Boeing never really wanted to build the 737 MAX, and spent the latter half of the previous decade deciding that what it really wanted to do was build the FSA, the replacement for its nearly 50-year-old 737 programme.