Airbus received orders of five A350F, three A330neo from STARLUX and 20 A330neo from VietJet at Singapore Airshow.
Here’s the recap of orders and announcements at the Singapore Airshow Day 2 and Day 3.
STARLUX Orders A350F and A330neo
Taiwan’s STARLUX Airlines has ordered five Airbus A350F freighters and three additional A330neo aircraft at the Singapore Airshow.
With an existing all-Airbus passenger fleet of the A350-900, A330neo, and A321neo, STARLUX expects to leverage the advanced capabilities of these aircraft for both passenger and cargo operations.
STARLUX will become the first Taiwanese airline to operate the A350F widebody freighter, marking the airline’s entry into the air cargo market.
“STARLUX Airlines has continuously nurtured the cargo market since its inception, capitalizing on the strategic advantages offered by Taiwan’s geographical location. Additionally, the three new A330neos will strengthen our fleet advantage and provide greater flexibility for passenger operations.”
STARLUX CEO Glenn Chai
The incremental order for the A330neo will boost its A330neo fleet from four to seven. STARLUX’s A330neo features a premium two-class cabin comprising 28 Business Class seats and 269 Economy Class seats.
According to Airbus, the Asia-Pacific region is quite popular for its widebody aircraft, with nearly 900 aircraft already in service and more on the way.
Airbus reported that the A350 Family has received over 1,200 orders from 57 global customers, including leading cargo airlines, while the A330neo Family steadily gains momentum with nearly 300 firm orders from 28 customers.
Thai Airways to Lease A350, B787 and A321neo
Following the order for Boeing 787 Dreamliners on the first day, Thai Airways has signed lease agreements with AerCap to lease four A350-900, three B787-9, and 10 A321neos.
The agreement includes leasing three Boeing 787-9s for delivery between 2024 and 2025. Of the four A350 aircraft, two have already been delivered with the remaining 2 A350s scheduled for delivery in the first and second quarter of 2024, respectively.
Moreover, the ten A321neos are slated for delivery between 2025 and 2026. The decision to procure these aircraft was made in 2023 as part of Thai Airways’ short-term fleet development strategy.
“AerCap is very pleased to announce this significant transaction with Thai Airways and to support them with both their widebody and narrowbody fleet modernization plan as they emerge from a very challenging period.
Peter Anderson, Chief Commercial Officer, AerCap
VietJet To Order 20 Airbus A330neo
VietJet Air has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for the purchase of 20 A330-900 widebodies on Day 3 of the Singapore Airshow.
When finalised, this will be Vietjet’s first-ever widebody order, reflecting the airline’s ambitious growth plans and commitment to enhancing its operational capabilities.
Firstly, the A330neos will facilitate the replacement of the carrier’s existing fleet of leased A330-300s, thereby ensuring fleet modernization and operational efficiency. Secondly, they will be deployed on Vietjet’s expanding long-range routes as well as high-capacity regional services
“We are excited to work with Vietjet on the next phase of the carrier’s expansion. The A330neo will enable the airline to achieve the lowest possible operating costs per seat and to continue to offer its customers the best possible value wherever they fly. It will also be the perfect complement to the A321XLRs already on order with the airline, as it spreads its wings to more far-flung destinations.”
Christian Scherer, CEO of the Commercial Aircraft Business of Airbus
Cebu Pacific Air and Fly91 Order ATR Turboprops
Cebu Pacific Air ordered two ATR 72-600s on Day 2 of the airshow. Cebu Pacific was the launch customer for the High-Density ATR ‘-600’ cabin.
As a part of its fleet renewal program, Cebu Pacific Air had ordered 16 ATR 72-600 from ATR at the Paris Air Show in 2015. This deal included options to acquire an additional 10 ATR 72-600.
Cebu Pacific currently operates a fleet of one ATR 72-500 and 14 ATR 72-600 turboprops.
“Cebu Pacific Air expanded its fleet, adding 2 more ATRs this year for a total of 18 turboprops. This further demonstrates Cebu’s dedication to connecting more destinations in the Philippines in an affordable and low-emission way.”
ATR Spokesperson.
Moreover, start-up regional airline Fly91 also ordered two ATR 72-600s. The new Indian regional airline aims to connect communities and unlock new opportunities for growth and development.
Fly91 plans to launch air services on unserved or underserved routes across India, with two ATR 72-600.
Engine Orders Power Up the Show
Several engine manufacturers secured significant deals at the Singapore Airshow.
Pratt & Whitney landed an order from Cebu Pacific Air to power their Airbus A321XLRs and A320nes that were ordered at the 2019 Paris Air Show.
Moreover, CFM International secured an order from lessor CALC for LEAP-1A engines to power dozens of Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft.
Additionally, JetSMART Airlines placed a follow-on order with Pratt & Whitney for GTF engines to power as many as 35 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, including the long-range A321XLR.
Feature Image via Airbus