FleetWatch

Fleet Plan News: Gulfstream International receives first Saab, becomes Silver

Fleetwatch Administrator — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:12:28 GMT

Florida-based Gulfstream International Airlines announced its rebranding as Silver Airways on 15 December 2011 with the arrival of its first Saab 340B+. The 34-seat aircraft (reg N437XJ, serial 340B-437) was the first of six which are to be purchased from Saab Aircraft Leasing.

Prior to the rebranding, the company known as Gulfstream International Airlines dated back only to May 2011, when Chicago-based investment firm Victory Park Capital Advisors acquired certain assets, including 23 Beech 1900Ds and rights to the Gulfstream International Airlines brand, from the former Gulfstream International, which had filed for bankruptcy in November 2010.

Silver Airways will deploy the Saabs on routes between Florida and the Bahamas. One unconfirmed report suggests that the airline plans to acquire up to 24 Saab 340B+s over the next two years. The Beech 1900D fleet will continue to be deployed in Silver Airways' other markets, which include operations under the Essential Air Services programme from its Fort Lauderdale main base and second Florida hub at Tampa, as well as hubs at Billings, Montana and Cleveland, Ohio. Beech 1900D operations include services as United Express and the airline also operates certain routes between Florida and the Caribbean under a codeshare agreement with COPA Airlines of Panama. Services as Continental Connection were operated until their rebranding on 30 November 2011, as United Express, reflecting the merger between the two US majors under the United brand.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: EAT receives first A300-600(F)

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:19:40 GMT

Leipzig-based European Air Transport (EAT) received the first of 13 planned former Japan Air Lines Airbus A300-622Rs (reg D-AEAO, serial 711) on 5 November 2011, following the aircraft's freighter conversion at EADS EFW in Dresden. Operated for DHL, the fleet is being supplied by Florida-based GA Telesis.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: Peach takes first A320

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 07:39:23 GMT

Japan's first full-service, dedicated low cost carrier took delivery at Osaka’s Kansai International Airport on 9 November 2011 of its first Airbus A320-214 (reg JA801P, serial 4887). The CFM56-5B4/3 powered, 180-seat aircraft is the first of 10 to be acquired on operating lease from GECAS. Established in February 2011 as a joint venture between ANA All Nippon Airways and Hong Kong-based First Eastern Investment Group, Peach plans to launch domestic services from Osaka on 1 March 2012. International services to destinations in China, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand are expected before the end of 2012.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: Cathay Pacific receives first 747-8F

Fleetwatch Administrator — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:36:41 GMT

The Hong Kong based carrier took delivery of the aircraft (reg B-LJE, serial 39242) on 31 October 2011. Cathay Pacific has 10 more General Electric GEnx-2B67 powered 747-8F's on order and plans to use the type to replace its current fleet of eight Boeing 747-400BCF converted freighters. The aircraft is actually the fifth in sequence for the carrier, which includes reg B-LJA / serial 39238, B-LJB / 39239, B-LJC / 39240 and B-LJD / 39241. Six of the remaining aircraft were expected to be delivered in 2012 and the final two in 2014, although one press report suggests that all four of the above aircraft will now be delivered before the end of 2011. With the arrival of the first Boeing 747-8F, the airline will shortly be operating a fleet of 21 wide-body freighters serving more than 40 destinations. Cathay also carries cargo in the belly holds of its passenger aircraft, connecting to some 150 destinations around the world.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: Tropical Air receives first ATR42

Fleetwatch Administrator — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 23:33:57 GMT

The Zanzibar based airline launched operations in 1999 with a single light aircraft, later offering charter flights, aerial surveys and helicopter flights. The company introduced scheduled domestic passenger services in 2011 with the Cessna Grand Caravan. The ATR42, a 2003-vintage series -300 aircraft (reg 5H-AMI, serial 0151) was previously operated by Hemus Air, on lease from ATR Asset Management.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: Nok Air to add 737-800s, more ATRs

Fleetwatch Administrator — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:01:57 GMT

The Thai low-cost carrier, in which largest shareholder Thai Airways International recently increased its stake to 49%, will shortly introduce the first three of seven planned, 189-seat, Boeing 737-800s. Two aircraft (reg HS-DBA, serial 33813 and HS-DBB/ 33814) are former Ryanair machines that are being leased from RBS Aviation Capital. The third (HS-DBC/ 28386) is a former Air Europa aircraft, leased from SBL Alpha Ltd. (a subsidiary of Sumitomo Bank). The carrier already operates 10 Boeing 737-400s, but after wet-leasing two Boeing 737-800s from UK carrier XL Airways between October 2007 and April 2008, it took the decision to replace its entire fleet of 737Classics with leased Next Generation aircraft. In November 2010, the carrier received board approval to acquire on lease seven Boeing 737-800s and four more ATR-72-200s. Two more ATRs are expected to be delivered before the end of 2011 and the remaining two in 2012.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: New Aircraft Deferrals

Fleetwatch Administrator — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:14:07 GMT

We continue to monitor aircraft deferrals data. This was first reported in Fleet Orders & Gossip Shop issue 324 in December 2009. The first chart below shows the number of aircraft deferred by month. The second uses Flightglobal's new measure to log "deferral months" by month. The deferral months are quantified as the number of aircraft deferred by the length of time of the deferral in months. For example in February 2008 jetBlue Airways deferred 16 Airbus A320s due for delivery in 2010-2011 to 2012-2013. This equates to 16 x 24 months = 384. Similarly, advancement months are quantified as the number of aircraft brought forward by the length of time of advancement in months.

Reported deferral activity since the 19 May 2011 seems to have slowed again with the only notable activity occurring in August 2011. The reason for the lack of activity could be that confidence has started to return in the industry and airlines are looking to purchase aircraft and renew aging fleets. jetBlue Airways (United States) has again adjusted its delivery schedule by deferring eight Airbus A320-200s from 2014 and 2015 to 2017. Qantas (Australia) reviewed its fleet plans and has delayed its last six Airbus A380-800s from 2014 to 2018 to coincide with the planned retirement of its last six Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: Cargolux accepts first 747-8F

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:59:31 GMT

After rejecting delivery of its first two Boeing 747-8Fs on 16 September 2011, Cargolux finally took delivery of first Boeing 747-8F (reg LX-VCB, serial 35806) on 12 October 2011. Although it had also cited performance deficiencies, the carrier has now resolved the contractual issues with both Boeing and GE Aviation, makers of the aircraft's GEnx-2B67 engines, which had caused the month long stand-off with the manufacturers. The aircraft was the first of 13 on order, with the second delivery thought to be imminent. The original delivery schedule, which is thought to be otherwise unaffected, calls for a third 747-8F to arrive in 2012 and then three each year through 2013-2015, followed by the last aircraft in 2016.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: China Southern receives first A380

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:31:34 GMT

China's largest airline took delivery of the first of five on order Airbus A380s (reg B-6136, serial 0031) on 14 October 2011. The Rolls-Royce Trent 970-84 powered aircraft is configured for 506 passengers, with 8 First Class seats, 70 seats in Business Class and 428 in Economy Class. The aircraft was scheduled to enter service, initially operating domestic routes connecting Peking with Guangzhou and Shanghai from 17 October 2011. International services, initially to New York and Paris are expected to follow. China Southern expects to receive its second A380 before the end of 2011 and the remaining three in 2012.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: Sriwijaya Air to acquire 737-500s

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:30:38 GMT

The fast-growing Indonesian carrier intends to lease up to 12 Boeing 737-500s from April 2012, as interim lift, pending the arrival of its first Next Generation 737-800s. The airline began modernising its all Boeing 737-200 fleet with the arrival of the first Boeing 737-300 in July 2007. The carrier still has 14 737-200s, together with 12 737-300s and 6 737-400s. Fleet expansion plans have really taken off since April 2010, when it announced negotiations with Boeing for up to 20 Boeing 737-800s. Although it reported signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in October 2010, covering firm orders for 10 737-800s and options for a further 10, Boeing has never listed the order. Sriwijaya had however stated its intention to "lease purchase" the 737-800s, and although it may be entirely coincidental, the only announced order for this number of 737-800s since that date by a lessor was from AerCap, in December 2010. Although it had hoped to receive its first 737-800s in 2012, Sriwijaya, like AerCap, is now expecting its first aircraft in 2014. In June 2011 the airline also converted an earlier Letter of Intent (LoI) with Embraer into a firm order for 20 ERJ-190-100LRs. The ERJ’s are scheduled for delivery between 2012 and 2015. While continuing to expand domestically, Sriwijaya is looking to use new equipment and the 737-800s in particular to expand its international network, with new destinations planned in Australia and China.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: Tame takes first ATR42-500

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 09:23:45 GMT

Quito-based Tame Linea Aerea del Ecuador, the commercial arm of the Ecuadorian Air Force, took delivery of its first turboprop powered aircraft, in the form of ATR42-500 (reg HC-CLT, serial 844) in Toulouse on 5 October 2011. The aircraft was the first of three new Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M powered aircraft ordered directly from the manufacturer on 22 June 2011. The second aircraft (serial 849) is scheduled for delivery in November 2011 and the third (serial 854) is expected in February 2012. The new ATRs will complete a fleet renewal process which started with the arrival of the carrier's only other active owned aircraft, two Embraer E-170LRs, in March 2006. Since then, Tame has also received four leased Airbus single-aisle aircraft (three A320s and one A319) and two leased Embraer E-190ARs.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: REDjet to double fleet

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:19:39 GMT

The Barbados based start-up Caribbean low-cost carrier REDjet, which launched services in May 2011, has announced plans to acquire two more former American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-82s. The announcement came together with an apology to customers for suffering 13 flight cancellations and 15 disruptions during August. The problems began when the carrier was unable to obtain permission in time to bring in additional aircraft on wet-lease as cover when one of its aircraft underwent scheduled maintenance. The airline was then briefly grounded when the one remaining MD-82 developed a hydraulic system fault. The airline has now concluded a lease deal to receive a third MD-82 in December 2011 and a fourth during the first quarter of 2012. REDjet also reports that it has entered into a wet-lease agreement with an unspecified US airline whereby it now has five aircraft on standby, whenever the carrier may need them.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: CAA receives first of two Fokker 100s

Fleetwatch Administrator — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:50:23 GMT

CAA - Compagnie Africaine d'Aviation of the Democratic Republic of Congo received the first of two planned Fokker 100s (current reg PH-ABW, serial 11493) on lease from Amsterdam-based lessor France Aircraft Finance on 27 September 2011. The Rolls-Royce Tay 650-15 powered, 1995 vintage aircraft is configured for 105 all economy class seats. A likely candidate for CAA's second aircraft is a sistership (reg F-GPXD, serial 11494), which is currently in storage following return off lease from Brit Air. In January 2011, CAA launched African international routes with a weekly service to Entebbe, Uganda. The carrier's website outlines ambitious plans for the launch of further international services, to Addis-Ababa, Johannesburg, Lagos, Libreville, Luanda, Nairobi and Pointe Noire, all before the end of 2011. To facilitate its expansion, and in addition to the two F100s, CAA has recently taken delivery of its second leased 180-seat Airbus A320. The carrier also announced plans, earlier in 2011 to add a single Shorts 360 this year. The rest of the fleet comprises three Fokker 50s and a single McDonnell Douglas MD-82.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: Somon Air takes first 737-900ER

Fleetwatch Administrator — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:38:01 GMT

The Dushanbe, Tajikistan-based carrier took delivery of the first of two new Boeing 737-900ERs (reg P4-TAJ, serial 40888) on 27 September 2011. The aircraft was the first in central Asia to be fitted with Boeing's latest Sky Interior. Somon Air launched operations in February 2008, using a single leased Boeing 737-800. A second was added in March 2009 and a third in the spring of 2010, wet-leased from a Czech ACMI and charter specialist Travel Service. The two 737-900ERs were purchased directly from Boeing by company owner, Somon Capital Bank. Somon Air links the capital, Dushanbe with the second city, Khujand, as well as Moscow, St. Petersburg and several other major Russian cities. Scheduled international flights also serve Almaty, Dubai, Frankfurt, Istanbul and Urumqi, while an extensive charter operation includes an annual programme linking Tajik and Russian cities with Jeddah for the Hajj pilgrimage.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Airline Start-Ups: Smartair receives first Q400s

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 08:26:17 GMT

The Egyptian start-up airline has taken delivery of its first two Bombardier DHC-8-402Qs (reg SU-SMH, serial 4367 on 16 September 2011 and SU-SMI / 4368 on 22 September 2011). The carrier has also taken options with Bombardier on three more aircraft. Smartair is the new commercial airline arm of Smart Aviation, a corporate jet charter and air ambulance specialist, established in 2007. The Pratt and Whitney Canada PW150A powered Q400s will be used to complement Smart Aviation's corporate aircraft activities throughout the Middle East, operating from Cairo International Airport. The aircraft are expected to operate scheduled and charter services to domestic destinations including Aswan and Sharm el-Sheikh, as well as other domestic and regional destinations not currently served by other airlines.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: Alitalia receives first ERJ-190

Fleetwatch Administrator — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:49:14 GMT

The Italian flag-carrier took delivery on 21 September 2011 of the first of 20 new Embraer E-Jets. The aircraft (reg EI-RNA, serial 19000470) was the first of five GE CF34-10 powered ERJ-190s and 15 GE CF34-8 powered ERJ-175s ordered through a $543 million (€400 million) leasing deal with Air Lease Corporation signed in March 2011. The second and third E-190s (EI-RNB/ 19000473 and EI-RNC/ 19000503) are expected in October 2011 and December 2011, respectively. The first two E-170s (EI-RDA/ 17000330 and EI-RDB/ 17000331) are expected in October and November 2011, respectively. All 20 E-jets are scheduled for delivery by the end of August 2012.

Alitalia's Express division has operated six Embraer E-170s since 2004. Following the CAI takeover in November 2008, Alitalia regional and domestic flights have been operated by both Alitalia Express and by Alitalia Cityliner (the former Air One Cityliner) with a fleet of 10 Bombardier CRJ900s. Conflicting reports suggest both that all 16 of these aircraft will be progressively replaced in service by the new E-jets, and that the six E-170s will be retained. The new E-jets are configured in all economy layouts for 100 passengers in the E-190s and 88 passengers in the E-175s. The E-jets will be used on Alitalia’s domestic and intra-European point-to-point networks, operating from seven airports: Rome Fiumicino, Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa, Turin, Venice, Naples, and Catania. Alitalia's joint maintenance agreement for E-jets signed in September 2010 with Air France Industries and Embraer is expected to be extended to cover the new E-175s and E-190s.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: Fly540 Ghana receives first aircraft

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:55:11 GMT

The carrier based at what will be Fly540's west African hub took delivery in Toulouse on 14 September 2011 of its first aircraft, a Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M powered ATR72-500 (reg 9G-FLY, serial 949). The aircraft is configured in two classes, with 12 First Class and 54 Economy Class seats. Fly540 Ghana is awaiting its Ghanaian Air Operators Certificate (AOC) but is still planning to launch services from its Accra base before the end of 2011. Since creating its first Fly540 operation in Kenya in June 2005, Lonrho Africa, a subsidiary of UK-based investment and mining conglomerate Lonrho PLC, has established new Fly540 joint venture passenger operations in Angola and Tanzania and a cargo operation in Uganda, as well as a Business Jets division. In addition to Ghana, Fly540 is currently planning to launch another subsidiary in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as part of its master plan to create an international standard, punctual and reliable network to connect Africa, East to West and North to South.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: Rwandair receives first Next Generation 737

Fleetwatch Administrator — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:23:02 GMT

The Rwandan flag carrier took delivery in Seattle of its first ever brand new aircraft on 25 August 2011, in the form of the first of two new Boeing 737-800s (reg 9XR-WF, serial 40892). RwandAir became the first African carrier to take delivery of a Boeing 737 fitted with Boeing's latest Sky Interior, which was configured for 16 Business Class and 138 Economy Class seats. The second aircraft (9XR-WG / 40893) is expected before the end of 2011. Operating from its Kigali hub, RwandAir's fleet includes two leased Boeing 737-500s, two owned Bombardier CRJ200LRs and a wet-leased Bombardier Dash 8-100. The carrier serves most of East Africa’s capital cities with daily flights as well as Brazzaville, Dubai, Johannesburg and Libreville. The company's ambitious fleet plans call for a doubling of the fleet to 12 aircraft over the next five years, and for 18 aircraft to be in service by 2020. Additional Boeing 737s, are expected, as well as the carrier's first examples of both the ATR72 turboprop and Embraer regional jet (of an as yet unspecified model). More surprsingly, the company is also planning to acquire multiple examples of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Further details are eagerly awaited!

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: Major fleet expansion sees Citilink introducing old and new A320s

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 06:47:17 GMT

Garuda Indonesia's domestic low cost subsidiary received the first of at least five used Airbus A320s, an IAE V2527E-A5 powered, former Wizz Air aircraft (serial 839) on lease from AerCap on 17 August 2011. The carrier expects to receive three more A320s, including two more former Wizz Air machines (serials 892 and 1635) on lease from AerCap before the end of this year, and a fifth A320 in February 2012. Citilink is also seeking more used V2500 powered A320s in preparation for the launch of international services in 2012, with planned destinations in Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. On 9 August 2011, parent Garuda Indonesia finalised a deal worth $2.13 billion, to acquire 15 Airbus A320 and 10 A320neo aircraft to replace Citilink's existing ten-strong fleet of Boeing 737-300 and 737-400 Classics. Garuda is yet to specify an engine choice for its sharklet equipped, new build A320s, which will start to arrive in 2014, nor the A320neos (from 2016) but its current search for IAE V2500 powered used A320s could hint at a preference for V2500 power on its new A320s and also perhaps PW1100G powered A320neos. This would, however, represent something of a switch for the carrier, whose entire combined narrowbody fleet consists of over 70 CFM56 powered Boeing 737s of various models.

The new Airbus deal was part of a planned $6.5 billion investment which is to be used primarily to fund a fleet expansion from 85 to 154 aircraft by 2015. A company spokesman also stated that Garuda Indonesia plans to spend $329 million on adding seven more new build aircraft by the end of 2011. These are thought to include its first two of ten planned Boeing 777-300ERs and at least three more Boeing 737-800s (the backlog is10). The carrier also has six more Trent 700 powered Airbus A330-200s on order.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.

Fleet Plan News: Royal Air Maroc Express receives first ATR72-600s

Fleetwatch Administrator — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 06:38:29 GMT

Royal Air Maroc's domestic and regional subsidiary, which was formed in 2009 to take over from Regional Air Lines, has become the first operator for ATR's next generation turboprop, the ATR72-600. The first aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127Ms (reg CN-COE, serial 0960) was delivered on 16 August 2011, and followed three days later by the second (CN-COF / 0958). The aircraft are the first of four ordered by the parent carrier, with two more expected in 2012. Royal Air Maroc has also taken options on two more, and has placed a firm order for two smaller ATR42-600s, for delivery in 2012, all for operation by its Express subsidiary. Both new ATR72-600s were sold to and leased back from BNP Paribas Lease Solutions on delivery.

Why not:

Comment on this latest piece of gossip by simply signing in and leaving your thoughts below (not yet a member, joining takes only a minute).
Read more airline fleet gossip headlines or why not add it to your feedreader.
Find out more about this exclusive group and the benefits of joining. Plus get the latest overview of fleet information from our FleetWatch data service.