Tag: AIRBUS

Pratt & Whitney Begins Test of GTF on A320neo

FlightGlobal reports, “Airbus and Pratt & Whitney have started development flight testing of a more efficient PW1100G geared turbofan – known as the GTF Advantage engine – on an A320neo aircraft.” Pratt & Whitney said, “This early flight-test campaign will continue to mature the engine by testing it in a variety of environments, including hot and cold weather and operation from high-altitude airports.” On the GTF, Pratt & Whitney President of Commercial Engines Rick Deurloo said, “[The GTF Advantage engine] enhances aircraft capability by increasing thrust and protects durability by running cooler. For airlines, this means new revenue opportunities and better operating economics. Our revolutionary geared-fan architecture is the foundation for more sustainable aviation technologies in the decades ahead, and the GTF Advantage engine is the next step in that journey.”
Full Story (FlightGlobal)

Air India Prepares for One of the Largest Deals in Aviation History

Bloomberg reported that Air India Ltd. may order 300 “Airbus SE’s A320neo family jets or Boeing Co.’s 737 Max models, or a mix of both.” This would be “one of the largest orders in commercial aviation history as the formerly state-run airline looks to overhaul its fleet under new ownership.” While a “deal for 300 737 Max-10 jets could be worth $40.5 billion at sticker prices,” the production and “delivery of 300 planes would likely take years or even more than a decade.”
Full Story (Bloomberg – Subscription Publication)

Delta, Airbus Partner on Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft Development

Reuters reports that Delta Air Lines plans to help Airbus in its effort to develop a hydrogen-powered passenger aircraft. Delta highlighted that the partnership does not entail any financial investment on its part. Airbus research and technology VP Amanda Simpson stated that the company has plans to produce a small “ZEROe” passenger aircraft powered by hydrogen to enter service in 2035 and get feedback from customers while the next aircraft is being developed. The carrier said the partnership would also advocate for a decarbonized future in aviation, including hydrogen pathways, with key stakeholders. The Boeing Company has been more skeptical about commercial prospects for hydrogen-powered air transport by 2035, putting the greater public focus on SAF.
Full Story (Reuters)

Airbus CEO: Hydrogen Aircraft “Ultimate Solution” to Environmental Issues

CNBC reports Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said aviation could “potentially face significant hurdles if we don’t manage to decarbonize at the right pace.” Airbus is focusing on “ensuring planes burned less fuel” and emitted less carbon dioxide. Faury said, “We need to see the SAF industry moving forwards, being developed, being grown to serve airlines and to be able to use that capacity of 50% of SAF. We’ll go to 100% by the end of the decade.”
Full Story (CNBC)

Airbus Introduces Beluga Cargo Fleet

Aviation International News reports that Airbus “is launching its own cargo airline operation to capitalize on rising air freight demand and the ability of its Beluga transporters to carry super-sized loads.” By 2024, “the new Airbus Beluga Transport service will use five of the A300-600-based BelugaST widebodies for ad hoc charters carrying large, heavy items for industries including, aerospace, energy, and maritime, as well as conducting military and humanitarian missions.” Airbus Beluga Transport conducted its first charter flight in December, “flying an unspecified large rotorcraft from Airbus Helicopters’ manufacturing plant at Marignane in the south of France to an undisclosed customer in Kobe, Japan.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)