Articles by Matt Griffin
Starlux places order for 10 additional Airbus A350-1000
On day three of the 2025 Paris Air Show, Taiwanese carrier Starlux has placed an order for an additional 10 Airbus A35-1000s, bringing the carrier’s order book to 18 of the type, the first of which is still yet to be delivered. Since starting operations in 2020, Starlux now operates a fleet of five Airbus A330-900, ten A350-900 and 13 A321neos. The airline also has five Airbus A350F freighters on order, which is expected to enter commercial service with launch customer Singapore Airlines in 2026.
SkyWest orders 60 Embraer E175s
North American regional airline SkyWest has placed an order for 60 Embraer E175 aircraft, with options for an extra 50. SkyWest is the world’s largest operator of the Embraer E175, with a total of 263 of the type in service. SkyWest operates these aircraft for the regional subsidiaries of the legacy US carriers, such as Delta Connection, American Eagle, Unites Express and Alaska Airlines.
EgyptAir increases Airbus A350 order
On day three of the 2025 Paris Air Show, Egyptian flag carrier EgyptAir has increased its order for the Airbus A530-900 from ten to 16. EgyptAir currently operates a varied fleet of aircraft, with the A350 set to further diversify the fleet. Its long-haul fleet consists of ten Airbus A330ceo (six A330-200 and Four A330-300), six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and five Boeing 777-300ERs. Its narrow-body fleet is made up of seven A320neos and seven A321neos.
VietJet places order for 100 Airbus A321neo
Hanoi based low-cost-carrier VietJet has placed an order with Airbus for 100 A321neo aircraft, with options for an additional 50. A few weeks ago the airline also ordered 40 Airbus A330-900, which are set to replace the seven A330-300s which currently serve its longer haul operations. VietJet also already operates the A321neo with roughly 25 in service, with others parked due to issues with the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G GTF engines. It also operates 17 A320ceo aircraft.
LOT Polish Airlines orders 40 Airbus A220
On the opening day of the 2025 Paris Air Show, Polish flag carrier, LOT Polish Airlines has placed a historic order for 40 Airbus A220, with future options for another 44. This is the first time in the airline’s history that it has placed an order with European manufacturer Airbus and will operate an Airbus aircraft beyond a wet lease. The order is split between the two variants of the A220, with 20 of each of the smaller A220-100 and larger A220-300, with deliveries are set to begin from 2027.
ANA finalises order for Embraer E190-E2 and Airbus A321neo family
On day one of the 2025 Paris Air Show, Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) has finalised an order with Embraer for 15 E190-E2s with options for five more. It has also ordered 27 Airbus A321neo and A321XLR aircraft. The orders were initially announced as part of ANA’s fleet renewal program in February, but it was not yet finalised. With regards to the Embraer E190-E2, ANA will be the first Japanese operator of the Embraer E2 family when deliveries begin in 2028.
Riyadh Air orders 25 Airbus A350-1000
Saudi Arabian new starter airline Riyadh Air has placed an order with Airbus for 25 of its flagship A350-1000 airliners, with options for an additional 25. It currently has a Boeing 787-9 on display at the 2025 Paris Air Show, where this order was announced. The airline also has orders for 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 60 Airbus A321neos. It will be the first Saudi Arabian operator for the Airbus A350 family, however at this time we don’t know when to expect deliveries to commence.
Qatar Airways orders 160 Boeing widebody aircraft
Qatar Airways has placed an order for 160 widebody Boeing airliners, with options for an additional 50, in a ceremony witnessed by the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and President of the United States Donald Trump. The order is made up of 30 Boeing 777-9 and 130 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Qatar Airways already has orders for 60 Boeing 777-9, which will be the largest passenger jet available when it enters service in what is forecast to be at some time in 2026 with launch customer Lufthansa.
IAG orders 71 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing
International Airlines Group (IAG) has announced orders for 71 long-haul airliners from both Boeing and Airbus. IAG is the parent group of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling and Level. The group stated that the order consists of 32 Boeing 787-10 for British Airways, which will bring the airline’s fleet up to 50 of the type once deliveries are complete, with options for a further ten.
airBaltic orders 10 more Airbus A220-300
Latvian flag carrier airBaltic has placed an incremental order for ten additional Airbus A220-300 (formerly Bombardier CS300) aircraft, confirming previous purchase options. The order takes the European airline’s total of the aircraft type to 90. It is the largest operator of the Airbus A220 in Europe, and the third largest worldwide after Delta Airlines and JetBlue – each of which have orders for 100 of the aircraft.
Cathay Paciplaces order for 30 Airbus A330neo
Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific has ordered 30 Airbus A330-900neo airliners as part of its fleet modernisation, with options for a further 30. The airline operates a fleet of 43 legacy Airbus A330-300 aircraft, which it plans to use the A330-900 to replace . The type is typically used on the airline’s high capacity regional network as well as some longer haul routes, along with the Boeing 777-300 of which it was the launch customer.
Flynas signs commitment for 75 Airbus A320neo and 15 A330neo
Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier Flynas has placed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus for the purchase of 75 additional A320neo aircraft and 15 A330-900. The airline operates an all-Airbus fleet of 13 A320ceo, four A330-300 and has ordered 120 A320neo, of which 52 have been delivered. Flynas also has an order for ten A321XLR, which are yet to be built, following the type’s EASA certification on 19th July.
Virgin Atlantic on final approach for fleet modernisation with new Airbus order
British carrier Virgin Atlantic is on pace to complete its fleet modernisation is the coming years. The airline wants to operate an all-widebody fleet of new generation aircraft by 2028 and has placed an order for seven more Airbus A330-900neo. Virgin Atlantic already had orders for twelve A330-900neos, of which five have so far been delivered. They are being operated alongside ten previous-generation A330-300 and twelve A350-1000.
Qatar Airways orders 20 more Boeing 777-9
Qatar Airways has placed an order for 20 additional Boeing 777-9 airliners on day two of the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow. The Qatari flag carrier already had 40 Boeing 777-9 on order, in addition to 34 Boeing 777-8F freighters, of which the airline is the launch customer. Announced in 2014, the Boeing 777X program was originally scheduled to enter commercial service in 2020, but has been delayed significantly, beyond its revised 2025 entry-to service.
Japan Airlines firms up order for 21 Airbus A350 and 11 A321neo
On the second day of the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow, Japan Airlines has finalised an order with Airbus for 21 A350-900 and eleven A321neos, which was first announced in March of 2024. Japan Airlines already operates 15 A350-900 from an initial order of 19, which was the first time the airline has operated an Airbus Aircraft since the A300 was retired in 2011.
Japan Airlines orders up to 20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners
Japanese flag carrier Japan Airlines has announced an order with Boeing for ten 787-9 Dreamliners with options for ten more. Japan Airlines currently operates 45 Boeing 787 aircraft, with 23 of the smallest -8 variant and 22 of the middle-of-family sized -9. Yuki Nakagawa, Executive Officer and Senior Vice President of Procurement at Japan Airlines said that deliveries are expected from between 2028 and 2031.
Korean Air orders 10 Boeing 777-9 and 10 787-10
On the first day of the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow, South Korea’s flag carrier Korean Air has announced firm orders with Boeing for 20 Boeing 777-9 and 20 787-10s, with options for a further 10 of the following. The airline already operates 14 Boeing 787-9s, and 25 of the previous generation Boeing 777-300ER. Additionally, Korean air is starting to receive its first of 20 787-10s that were originally ordered at the Paris Airshow in 2019.
Inside Novespace’s Zero G Airbus A310 for parabolic flights
Novespace is a subsidiary of CNES (Centre national d’études spatiales), the French national space agency, which operates the aircraft for research agencies from all over the world, with the majority of studies being conducted through CNES, the German Space Agency (DLR – Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt) and ESA (European Space Agency). It operates parabolic flights to simulate microgravity – Zero G.
Mexicana de Aviación orders 20 Embraer E2 family aircraft
Mexican airline Mexicana de Aviación has placed an order with Embraer for 20 aircraft, consisting of ten each of the E190 E2 and E195 E2. The state-owned low-cost-carrier was reprised in June 2023 after originally ceasing operations in 2010. It is better known simply as Mexicana, and currently operates a fleet of three Boeing 737-800 to 20 destinations. Mexicana will be the first Mexican operator of the Embraer E2 family of aircraft when deliveries begin in 2025.
Ethiopian Airlines orders eight Boeing 777-9X
Ethiopian flag carrier Ethiopian Airlines has placed an order for eight Boeing 777-9X airliners with options for an additional 12. Ethiopian Airlines will be the first African operator of Boeing’s flagship. It currently operates four of the aircraft’s direct predecessor, the 777-300ER, and six smaller 777-200LR. The rest of the airline’s long haul fleet consists of nine 787-9s, 18 Boeing 787-8s and 20 Airbus A350-900s. It also operates ten Boeing 777F freighters.
American Airlines orders 260 Airbus, Boeing and Embraer aircraft
North American legacy carrier, American Airlines has placed an order with the three largest commercial aircraft manufacturers for 260 jets, making it the airline’s largest order for a decade. American Airlines’ order consists of 85 Airbus A321neo, 115 Boeing 737 Max 10 and 90 Embraer E175 regional jets. The order with Airbus brings the airline’s total number of A321neo orders to 219 aircraft, while the order with Boeing for the 737 Max 10 is American’s first order of the type.
STARLUX orders Airbus A350F and more A330-900
Taiwan based airline STARLUX has placed an order at the Singapore Airshow for five Airbus A350F freighters and an additional three Airbus A330-900 airliners. STARLUX, which commenced operations in January 2020, operates a fleet of only the latest generation Airbus aircraft to 23 international destinations. With four Airbus A330-900s already in service, the order for an additional three will take the carriers total to seven, which will operate alongside 14 A350-900s and 13 A321neo airliners.
Breeze Airways confirms order for 10 additional Airbus A220
US low cost carrier, Breeze Airways has disclosed orders for ten additional Airbus A220-300 aircraft, bringing its total orders for the type to 90. The airline currently operates 21 Airbus A220-300s, ten Embraer E190s and six E195s. With the addition of the ten extra A220s, Breeze will be the world’s third largest operator of the aircraft (after Delta Air Lines and JetBlue) and plans to transition to be an all A220 operator by the end of 2024.
Delta orders 20 Airbus A350-1000
US legacy carrier, Delta Air Lines has placed an order for 20 Airbus A350-1000 passenger jets. The type will be the largest aircraft the airline operates when it enters service, although delivery dates have not been announced. This adds to Delta’s order of 44 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, the smaller variant of the type, which are currently in the delivery phase with 28 aircraft having been delivered at the time of writing.
EVA Air orders 18 Airbus A350-1000 and 15 A321neo
Taiwanese airline, EVA Air has placed an order with Airbus for 18 of its largest offering, the A350-1000 and 15 A321neo medium-haul aircraft. The airline currently operates 18 Airbus A321ceo narrow-body jets, which will be replaced by the newer generation A321neos. The A350-1000, which can seat up to 410 passengers, will become the airline’s flagship aircraft, replacing some of the carriers oldest Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which were first delivered to in 2006.
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 depressurises, FAA issues Emergency Airworthy Directive
Alaska Airlines flight AS1282, operated by a three-month-old Boeing 737 Max 9 suffered an explosive depressurisation shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon (PDX), whilst bound for Ontario International (ONT) in Los Angeles on Friday 5th January. The aircraft was climbing through approximately 16,000 feet when a plugged emergency exit blew out from the port side of the fuselage just aft of the wing.
Japan Airlines Airbus A350 collides with Dash 8 at Tokyo Haneda
A Japan Airlines Airbus A350-900 has collided with a Japanese Coast Guard DeHavilland Dash 8-300 on the runway whilst landing at Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND). The A350 was operating flight JL516 from Sapporo to Tokyo when it appears to have collided with the Dash 8 at high speed after touching down on runway 34R at Haneda. Video footage has been circulated on social media which shows the impact and the A350 continuing to slow along the runway whilst on fire.
Turkish Airlines places order with Airbus for 220 aircraft
Turkish flag carrier, Turkish Airlines has placed an order with Airbus for a total of 220 passenger and freighter aircraft. The order consists of 150 Airbus A321neo, 50 A350-900 and 15 A350-1000. Additionally, an order of five A350F freighters has also been included. According to Airbus, this will take the carrier’s fleet of Airbus aircraft to a staggering 504 jets.
Emirates orders 15 additional Airbus A350-900
On the fourth day of the 2023 Dubai Airshow, Emirates Airline has ordered an additional 15 Airbus A350-900 airliners. This takes the Dubai based airline’s order to 65 of the type, the first of which is due to arrive in mid-2024. There has been a lot of talk over the course of the Dubai Airshow regarding Emirates’ position on the larger variant of the A350: the -1000.
Ethiopian Airlines commits to 11 additional Airbus A350-900
Ethiopian Airlines has placed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus for an additional eleven A350-900 long-haul aircraft. The order comes the day after the airline also placed an order for more Boeing 737 Max and 787 Dreamliners at the Dubai Airshow 2023. The Ethiopian flag carrier already operates 20 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which is the only Airbus aircraft the carrier flies.
Ethiopian Airlines orders more 737 Max and 787 Dreamliners
Ethiopian flag carrier, Ethiopian Airlines has announced orders with Boeing for eleven 787-9 Dreamliners with options for a further 15, and 20 737 Max 8 jets, with options for 21 more. The airline currently operates 18 787-8 and ten 787-9 wide-body airliners, and 13 single-aisle Boeing 737 Max 8. This order comes as somewhat of a surprise and is quite possibly the biggest PR boost for Boeing over the 737 Max, as Ethiopian was involved the centre of the 737 Max crisis.
SCAT Airlines places order for 7 additional 737 Max 8
SCAT Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8. Photo: © Anna Zvereva Kazakhstani airline, SCAT Airlines has placed an order for seven 737 Max 8 aircraft. The airline already operates three 737-8 and five 737-9, which except for three CRJ-200, comprise an all-Boeing 737 fleet. Alongside the aforementioned 737 Max airframes, SCAT airlines operates five 737-300, a single 737-500, 737-700, and eight 737-800. SCAT Airlines plans to use the aircraft to expand into additional European destinations.
Egyptair orders 10 Airbus A350-900
Egyptian flag carrier, Egyptair opened day two of the 2023 Dubai Airshow with an order announcement for 10 Airbus A350-900. Set to be delivered to the airline from 2025, the latest long-haul airliners will join Egyptair’s diverse long-haul fleet of wide-bodies which is currently comprised of three A330-200, four A330-300, six Boeing 777-300ER and seven Boeing 787-9.
Emirates orders 90 Boeing 777X and 5 Boeing 787
Dubai based Emirates Airline has announced a massive order for Boeing wide-body aircraft, with a total of 90 777X and 5 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Additionally, Emirates announced a revised breakdown of its original order for 30 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, placed during the 2019 Dubai Air Show. The new and revised order, which consists of 55 Boeing 777-9X, 35 777-8X, 20 787-8 and 15 787-10, is worth an estimated $52 billion at list prices.
Royal Jordanian and Royal Air Maroc order more Boeing 787 Dreamliners
Jordanian and Moroccan flag carriers, Royal Jordanian and Royal Air Maroc have announced orders for four and two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, respectively. Royal Jordanian already operates seven of the smaller 787-8 with a previous order for two 787-9 still outstanding for delivery.
Emirates orders 90 Boeing 777X and 35 Boeing 787
Dubai based Emirates Airline has announced a massive order for Boeing wide-body aircraft, with a total of 90 777X and 35 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The order, which consists of 55 Boeing 777-9X, 35 777-8X, 20 787-8 and 15 787-10, is worth an estimated $52 billion at list prices. Emirates has always been enamoured with the largest of aircraft, being the world’s biggest operator of the Airbus A380 by some margin – of which it purchased 123.
SunExpress orders 45 Boeing 737 Max
At the opening day of the 2023 Dubai Airshow, Turkish-German leisure carrier SunExpress has placed an order for 45 Boeing 737 Max aircraft. It also has options for a further 45, for up to 90 total aircraft. The order is comprised of 28 737 Max 8 and 17 larger 737 Max 10 airliners. The Antalya based airline, which has shared ownership in equal parts by Lufthansa Group and Turkish Airlines, currently operates a fleet of 46 Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft and 14 737 Max 8.
Riyadh Air announces second livery
New Saudi Arabian airline, Riyadh Air has announced its second livery on a digital rendition of a Boeing 787-9. The airline was founded in March of 2023 and is destined to be the second state sponsored carrier in Saudi Arabia and has orders for 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
Air Lease Corporation orders 2 Boeing 787-9
Aircraft lessor, Air Lease Corporation (ALC) has ordered an additional two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, adding to its portfolio of ~900 aircraft, which already includes the Boeing 787-9 and 787-10. ALC leases airliners and freighters to more than 118 customer airlines, which operate from more than 63 countries worldwide. The lessor first ordered the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in 2010, with today’s order bringing the total number of the type ordered to 27.
Boom Supersonic announces Overture suppliers
Colorado based supersonic airliner start-up, Boom Supersonic, has provided us with some updates to the progress of the Overture project, which the company claims should be ready to enter service in 2029.
Air Algérie orders 8 Boeing 737 MAX
During the second day of the 2023 Paris Airshow, Boeing announced that Air Algérie has firmed up an order for eight Boeing 737 Max 9s and issued a memorandum of understanding for two Boeing 737 BCFs (Boeing Converted Freighters). Earlier in June, Air Algérie placed an order with competing manufacturer, Airbus, for seven wide-body aircraft. Air Algérie currently operates a fleet of 30 Boeing 737 NG aircraft, consisting of 24 -800 variants, four -600s and two -700s.
Flynas orders 30 more Airbus A320neo
On day one of the Paris Airshow at Le Bourget, Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier Flynas has firmed up orders for up to 30 additional Airbus A320neo family aircraft. The airline now has orders for up to 120 A320neo family aircraft, including 10 Airbus A321XLRs; the latest variant of the A320neo family, which is currently in its flight test program, is set for deliveries to commence in 2024.
Air Mauritius orders 3 additional Airbus A350-900s
Mauritanian flag carrier, Air Mauritius has announced its commitment to purchase three additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft, increasing its fleet size to seven of the type. The airline currently operates four A350-900s and three Airbus A330s (two A330-900 and a single A330-200). With the additional wide-body aircraft, Air Mauritius hopes to expand its operations in Europe and South Asia.
Air Algérie orders five A330neo, two A350
Algerian flag carrier, Air Algérie has placed an order for five Airbus A330-900neo and two A350-1000 airliners. The airline’s widebody fleet currently consists of eight previous-generation Airbus A330-200, five of which were delivered in 2005, with an additional three added in 2015. Air Algérie’s narrow body fleet is made up of 28 Boeing 737 NG aircraft and 12 ATR 72.
Lufthansa Group places order for 22 additional Airbus and Boeing aircraft
Lufthansa Group has placed an order for 22 additional long-haul airliners from both Airbus and Boeing. The order consists of an additional five Airbus A350-900s, for a total of 54 aircraft. Furthermore, it has placed an order for ten of the larger Airbus A350-1000, of which are the first of the type to be ordered by Lufthansa. Finally, an additional seven Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners are to be added to the previous order of 32. The order is worth $7.5 billion at list prices.
All domestic US departures grounded due to system failure
On the morning of Wednesday 11th January, all domestic US flights were grounded due to a failure with the system that issues NOTAMs (Notice to Air Missions), the FAA has confirmed. The FAA has grounded all departures until at least 0900am Eastern US time (1400 GMT) whilst it works to fully restore all systems. All flights departing from the US have been grounded, whilst passengers of other flights to the United States have also been warned to expect delays and disruption to their flight status.
Aeroflot Group orders 339 Russian built aircraft
The Russian flag carrier Aeroflot has placed orders for 339 Russian built aircraft, following the sanctions placed on the country after its invasion of Ukraine. It is the airline’s largest single order since the fall of the Soviet Union and a symbolic shift, in a move away from western built types which had increased in popularity amongst Russian carriers.
American Airlines orders 20 Boom Supersonic Overture airliners
The United States carrier, American Airlines has announced that it has placed an order for 20 Boom Supersonic Overture airliners. The order consists of 20 firm orders, with options for an additional 40. The Denver-based startup manufacturer aims to have commercial, supersonic air travel available to the public with the entry-into-service of Overture in 2029. This would be the first time that supersonic passenger transport will have been a reality since the retirement of Concorde in 2003.
IAG orders 37 additional Airbus A320neo family aircraft
International Airlines Group (IAG) has confirmed that it has ordered an additional 37 Airbus A320neo family aircraft. IAG is the Spanish based parent company of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Level and Vueling. Today’s announcement consists of the firming up of 12 previous purchase options, with 25 new firm orders and an additional 50 options.
Cargolux announces Boeing 777-8F freighter for fleet renewal
Luxembourgish Cargo Operator, Cargolux has confirmed it has selected the Boeing 777-8F freighter to replace its fleet of older 747-400 freighters, in an announcement which Boeing confirms closes its time at the 2022 Farnborough International Airshow.
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