Iraqi Airways takes delivery of first Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Boeing and Iraqi Airways announced the delivery of the airline’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner with a special event in Baghdad to welcome the flag-carrier’s super-efficient widebody jet. The Iraqi flag carrier has taken the first of 10 787s on order, to profitably grow its long-haul network and connect Iraq to more international destinations. The delivery of Iraqi Airways’ first 787 follows delivery of four Boeing 737 MAX airplanes since February. The airline has ordered a total of six 737-8s and 10 737-10s, providing its single-aisle fleet with more capability across its regional and medium-haul routes. Iraqi Airways currently serves more than 50 destinations from Baghdad and is expanding and renewing its fleet to support the anticipated increase in international business and leisure travel to and from the country. Iraq is seeing increased stability and economic growth, with the country’s annual gross domestic product growth rate expected to reach 7% by the end of 2023. With global air traffic rebounding, Middle Eastern airlines are seeing more than a 40% traffic increase compared to last year. The 787-8 Dreamliner can fly 248 passengers up to 7,305 nautical miles (13,530 km) in a typical two-class configuration. Using 25% less fuel and creating 25% fewer emissions than the airplanes it replaces, the 787 family has reduced more than 141 billion pounds of carbon emissions since entering service in 2011.
India’s Akasa Air orders four 737-8s: Boeing and Akasa Air announced an order for four additional 737-8 jets. Akasa Air, which launched operations in 2022 with its first 737-8, has rapidly grown its market share and fleet to 19 airplanes across 16 destinations to support the fast-growing market in India. With the order of four additional aircraft, the Indian carrier’s order book comprises 76 jets, which include 23 737-8s and 53 high-capacity 737-8-200 airplanes. The Indian carrier is operating 19 737-8s today with high-capacity 737-8-200 airplanes on order. As passenger traffic rises above pre-pandemic levels in India, the versatile 737-8 is supporting Akasa Air’s growth strategy and domestic network and positions the airline for future regional expansion. “This follow-on order by Akasa demonstrates the market-leading capabilities of the 737 MAX in the world’s fastest-growing commercial aviation market,” said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “The efficiency and range of the 737-8 support Akasa Air’s plan to expand domestic and regional networks.”
Luxair selects Boeing 737-7 to grow single-aisle fleet: Luxair and Boeing announced at the Paris Air Show 2023 that the airline has selected the 737-7 as it continues its single-aisle growth strategy. In selecting the 737-7 Luxair will become the European launch customer for the airplane with an agreement to purchase four jets. Since March 2023, Luxair has placed orders for four 737-8. With the announcement of the selection, the airline’s commitment for four 737-7s will bring the airline’s firm orders for the 737 to eight. Luxair will also initially lease two 737-8, due summer 2023, before taking direct delivery of its first 737-8. “We continue to invest in Luxair’s growth and this agreement for four Boeing 737-7 is an extra step towards securing a long-term future for our national airline. This type of aircraft is a perfect match for Luxair and will meet the requirements of the market. Seating 160 passengers, the 737-7 will offer flexibility across the Luxair destination network while significantly reducing fuel consumption. This will help us get even closer to our commitment to sustainable flights, while demonstrating once again our support to the promise of “Net-Zero carbon emissions by 2050″ submitted by IATA,” said Gilles Feith, Luxair CEO.
Boeing, Avolon announce order for 40 737 MAX jets: Boeing and Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, announced an order for 40 737 MAX airplanes at the Paris Air Show. “Today’s announcement reaffirms our long-standing partnership with Boeing and our support for their 737 MAX program. We are confident in the long-term demand from our customers for the 737 MAX, and this order extends our delivery pipeline out to 2030,” said Andy Cronin, CEO, Avolon. “The transitioning of the global fleet to more fuel-efficient new-technology aircraft is a priority for our industry, and we are looking to play a leading role by supporting airlines achieving their sustainability objectives.” The 737 MAX will provide Avolon’s customers with greater flexibility across their network, while reducing fuel use and emissions by 20% compared to the airplanes they replace. On average each airplane will save up to 8 million pounds of CO2 annually compared to airplanes it replaces. “This order demonstrates the popularity of the 737-8 among the leasing community and the demand they are seeing from their customers for this airplane model,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Avolon has a long-standing relationship with the 737 MAX program and took delivery of the 1,000th 737 MAX last year. We look forward to building on this strong relationship with a key leasing partner as they grow their Boeing portfolio of airplanes.” This order was previously unidentified on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website.
Air Algérie orders eight Boeing 737 MAX jets, commits to converted freighters: Boeing and Air Algérie confirmed an order for eight fuel-efficient 737-9 jets at the Paris Air Show. The Algerian flag carrier also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for two 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF) to meet increasing cargo demand in the region. “This order will contribute to the development of the Air Algérie fleet,” said Yacine Benslimane, general manager of Air Algérie. “This acquisition is part of Air Algérie’s fleet extension strategy through the purchase of new aircraft.” Air Algérie operates a single-aisle fleet of more than 30 737-500, 737-600 and 737-800 jets. Adding the 737-9 allows the airline to carry more passengers, increasing profitability within its network. With added capacity and increased profitability, the 737-9 is designed to serve 193 passengers in a two-class configuration with a range of 3,300 nautical miles. The 737-800BCF carries more payload (up to 23.9 tonnes) and offers more range (2,025 nautical miles) than previous standard-body freighters. Global customers have placed more than 250 orders and commitments for the 737-800 BCF.
China Airlines announces order for eight 787 Dreamliners: Boeing and China Airlines finalised an order for eight 787-9 Dreamliners at the 2023 Paris Air Show. This firm order, which was previously posted to Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website as unidentified, follows the airline’s first-ever order for 16 787-9s announced last year. China Airlines also becomes the newest 787-10 customer as it converts six 787-9s to the 787-10, the largest member of the 787 family, to add flexibility and capacity on its regional network as passenger demand continues to rise above pre-pandemic levels. With this order, the carrier will introduce 24 super-efficient 787s over the next several years, strengthening the airline’s existing global network. The 787 enables China Airlines to reduce fuel use and emissions by 20%, which will support the airline to meet its sustainability goals.