News
Airbus names A330neo Airspace launch customer, GoAir prepares for A320neo
April 8th 2016
TAP Portugal will be the A330neo's launch operator, Airbus announced this week at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, where the manufacturer is displaying its Airspace cabin mock-up for the first time (click here for details). Read More » “We have two things to announce. We will be the first airline to fly the new A330 neo and, secondly, we are going to be flying with the new Airspace cabin. We see this as next step in the development of TAP Portugal,” said the carrier’s CCO, Trey Urbahn.
TAP has 14 A330-900neos on order. The first frame is slated for delivery before year-end 2017. The re-engined wide-body is proving popular with Asia-Pacific carriers and lessors, following orders from Garuda Indonesia (14 -900neos), AirAsia X (55 -900neos), Hawaiian Airlines (six -800neos), TransAsia Airways (four -800neos), as well as Air Lease Corporation (25 -900neos), CIT Leasing (15 -900neos), and Avolon (15 -900neos).
As potential replacements for the A330-200 and A330-300, respectively, the -800neo will seat 257 passengers in a standard three-class configuration, and up to 406 in a high-density configuration, while the -900neo will seat 287 people in a three-class configuration, and up to 440 in a high-density configuration. Both variants will feature Rolls-Royce Trent 7000s, as well as aerodynamic improvements.
In separate events, Airbus has rolled out the first U.S.-built American Airlines A321 of the paint shop at its Mobile facility. Staying in the U.S., Delta Air Lines last week became the first carrier to take delivery of an A320 Family aircraft with the new "pivoting" overhead stowage compartments. Delta’s first A321 allows 60% more roll-on carry-on bags to be stored, compared to the traditional "fixed" bin option.
Furthermore, the Toulouse-based manufacturer this week said it will redesign the A380’s rear staircase so as to potentially accommodate up to 14 additional passengers, as well as two-and-a-half extra catering trolleys. However, the exact layout remains up to individual airline specifications.
Meanwhile, Indian budget carrier GoAir plans to take delivery of its first of 72-on-order A320neos next month, subject to it being convinced that the performance issues with the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G geared turbofans (GTFs) have been resolved. The LCC told ATW it was concerned “about the start-up restrictions currently imposed on GTF-powered A320neos”.
Lufthansa became the A320neo’s surprise launch customer in December after Qatar Airways rejected delivery, owing to said performance deficiencies.
At Boeing, the U.S. manufacturer this week unveiled its new “Tourist Class Seating” in collaboration with LIFT by EnCore, available for all new B737NGs and B737MAXs, or as a retrofit for existing frames. Boeing says the seat will be the first “specifically designed to complement the 737 Boeing Sky Interior,” adding the new design “is optimized spatially, structurally and aesthetically for the Boeing Sky Interior,” and has been “ergonomically optimized and designed for maintainability and reliability, ensuring long-term comfort and reduced cost of ownership.”
Boeing last week said it is planning to cut up to 4,000 jobs from its commercial aircraft division by second-quarter 2016 as part of a cost reduction drive aimed at saving up to $1 billion.
