Latest news with #A321neos
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
United Airlines Quietly Adds 40 New Aircraft From Boeing Rival
Earlier this week, an order for 40 A321neos jets emerged while being listed by Airbus for an undisclosed customer. The order form was published on May 10, 2025, but it wasn't until two days later that the customer for the jets was revealed. United Airlines strengthened its commitment to Airbus A321neo aircraft with the additional order of 40 more planes. As pointed out by Simple Flying, United already has an aircraft order of more than 150 A321neos and A321XLRs and currently flies more than 35 A321neos. The airline's affinity for the aircraft comes amid delays in the Boeing 737 MAX 10 program. In early 2024, United announced it was 'in the market' for the type after removing the Boeing 737-10 from its plan. Just a few months later, CEO Scott Kirby admitted it was more bullish on the Boeing aircraft while citing progress from the aircraft manufacturer, but that clearly didn't stop United from making a major move for 40 new A321neos jets. Amid a backlog of the aircraft type, though, United will only start receiving jets from the newest order after 2030. However, the carrier previously signed an agreement for 60 A321neos in October 2023, building on earlier orders for 50 A321XLRs and 70 A321neos. While United is making a big push for Airbus aircraft, the manufacturer only makes up 20% of the airline's fleet of more than 960 aircraft, with Boeing accounting for the majority of its future total orders. The Airbus, however, scores well with customers. 'It's the first time in a really long time that we took an Airbus, and this airplane right here [A321neo] is our highest-scoring customer service satisfaction airplane that we have in our system," United Airlines' Chief Global Operations Officer, Toby Enqvist, said in a in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Star
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Middle Eastern airlines are stockpiling aircraft parts to ease tariff pain
Plane maintenance is expensive so having a stockpile of aircraft parts makes good sense. — Pixabay Qatar Airways said it can withstand the shocks from higher tariffs thanks to its stockpile of aircraft spares that might otherwise be harder to source. The company has built up sufficient inventory, and while there will likely be an impact on air-freight goods stemming from higher import charges, Qatar Airways will 'absorb and adapt with any changes', chief executive officer Badr Al-Meer said in an interview in Doha, Qatar. Passenger demand is also sufficiently robust to keep ticket prices steady, he said. 'If I tell you tariffs are not impacting us, I will not be honest with you,' Al-Meer told Bloomberg TV. 'Of course, it will have an impact on our supply chain ... on our cargo operation.' The CEO's comments underpin the tough situation that airlines and planemakers face after US president Donald Trump unveiled tariffs with most of the country's trading partners. Airlines are already grappling with higher prices for spare parts and face the spectre of tariffs on new aircraft. Travel demand is meanwhile weakening in the US and elsewhere, as passengers absorb the financial hit in the form of rising consumer prices and slumping stock portfolios. Al-Meer said the airline continues to enjoy strong sales on its US routes despite the uncertainty stoked by Trump's policies, with the trend set to continue in coming months. That sentiment has been echoed by Emirates, the world's largest long-haul airline, which also said that it has not experienced a slowdown. Conversely, carriers including Virgin Atlantic Airways have said that they've noticed some drop-off on routes across the Atlantic. American Airlines recently withdrew its full-year earnings outlook, saying that unease about the economy is making it difficult to forecast how the year will play out. Al-Meer said that even if costs rise for Qatar Airways, it won't pass these on in the form of higher ticket prices to customers. The carrier already faces additional costs due to a diverse fleet that includes both Boeing and Airbus aircraft, adding complexity in areas like maintenance or training. Al-Meer hinted at a possible focus on just the Airbus A320-family aircraft for the single-aisle fleet, meaning that the Boeing 737 planes on lease would be phased out. Bloomberg reported in December that the airline was considering dropping a Boeing narrowbody order that it had placed at a time when it was stuck in a dispute with Airbus that briefly deprived it of its A320 purchase agreement. Now that the airline has mended ties with the European planemaker, it plans to focus on one type of narrowbody, and Al-Meer said 'you know where our narrowbody strategy is going' as he pointed to the existing order of almost 60 A321neos from Airbus. The carrier is also working on a large widebody purchase that it plans to announce in coming weeks, according to the CEO. The deal would further solidify the Middle East as a major source of business for the two planemakers, as airlines expand and renew their fleets and locations like how Saudi Arabia spends billions to transform into tourism destinations. Qatar Airways is now the second-largest airline in the region behind Emirates, and the company has built its long-range fleet around the Boeing 777 and 787 models, as well as the Airbus A350 and older A330 aircraft. The airline has also ordered Boeing's new 777X model, though that aircraft is long-delayed and won't enter service with Qatar before next year. Given the delay, Qatar plans to put its upgraded Q-Suite business-class suite on board its A350s rather than wait for the Boeing planes to arrive, Al-Meer said. It's a strategy also deployed by other carriers that have touched up the cabins of existing aircraft to make up for the wait for new planes. – Bloomberg
Zawya
28-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar Airways is stockpiling aircraft parts to ease tariff pain
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Airways said it can withstand the shocks from higher tariffs thanks to its stockpile of aircraft spares that might otherwise be harder to source. The company has built up sufficient inventory, and while there will likely be an impact on air-freight goods stemming from higher import charges, Qatar Airways will 'absorb and adapt with any changes,' Chief Executive Officer Badr Al-Meer said in an interview in Doha. Passenger demand is also sufficiently robust to keep ticket prices steady, he said. 'If I tell you tariffs are not impacting us, I will not be honest with you,' Al-Meer told Bloomberg TV. 'Of course, it will have an impact on our supply chain, on our cargo operation.' The CEO's comments underpin the tough situation that airlines and planemakers face after President Donald Trump unveiled tariffs with most US trading partners. Airlines are already grappling with higher prices for spare parts and face the specter of tariffs on new aircraft. Travel demand is meanwhile weakening in the US and elsewhere, as passengers absorb the financial hit in the form of rising consumer prices and slumping stock portfolios. Al-Meer said the airline continues to enjoy strong sales on its US routes despite the uncertainty stoked by Trump's policies, with the trend set to continue in coming months. That sentiment has been echoed by Emirates, the world's largest long-haul airline, which also said this week that it's not experienced a slowdown. Conversely, carriers including Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. have said that they've noticed some drop-off on routes across the Atlantic. American Airlines Group Inc. on Thursday withdrew its full-year earnings outlook, saying that unease about the economy is making it difficult to forecast how the year will play out. Al-Meer said that even if costs rise for Qatar Airways, it won't pass these on in form of higher ticket prices to customers. The carrier already faces additional costs due to a diverse fleet that includes both Boeing Co. and Airbus SE aircraft, adding complexity in areas like maintenance or training. Al-Meer hinted at a possible focus on just Airbus A320-family aircraft for the single-aisle fleet, meaning that the Boeing 737 planes on lease would be phased out. Bloomberg reported in December that the airline was considering dropping a Boeing narrowbody order that it had placed at a time when it was stuck in a dispute with Airbus that briefly deprived it of its A320 purchase agreement. Now that the airline has mended ties with the European planemaker, it plans to focus on one type of narrowbody, and Al-Meer said 'you know where our narrowbody strategy is going' as he pointed to the existing order of almost 60 A321neos from Airbus. The carrier is also working on a large widebody purchase that it plans to announce in coming weeks, according to the CEO. The deal would further solidify the Middle East as a major source of business for the two planemakers, as airlines expand and renew their fleets and locations like Saudi Arabia spend billions to transform into tourism destinations. Qatar Airways is now the second-largest airline in the region behind Emirates, and the company has built its long-range fleet around the Boeing 777 and 787 models, as well as the Airbus A350 and older A330 aircraft. The airline has also ordered Boeing's new 777X model, though that aircraft is long-delayed and won't enter service with Qatar before next year. Given the delay, Qatar plans to put its upgraded Q-Suite business-class suite on board its A350s rather than wait for the Boeing planes to arrive, Al-Meer said. It's a strategy also deployed by other carriers that have touched up the cabins of existing aircraft to make up for the wait for new planes. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( The Peninsula Newspaper
Arabian Business
25-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Qatar Airways says tariff impact manageable with aircraft spares stockpile
Qatar Airways said it can weather the impact of higher tariffs thanks to a stockpile of aircraft spare parts, though it acknowledges challenges to its supply chain and cargo operations, the airline's chief executive told Bloomberg on Friday. The Gulf carrier has built up sufficient inventory to mitigate potential disruptions, and robust passenger demand will allow the airline to maintain current ticket prices despite economic pressures, Chief Executive Officer Badr Al-Meer said. 'If I tell you tariffs are not impacting us, I will not be honest with you,' Al-Meer told Bloomberg Television. 'Of course, it will have an impact on our supply chain, on our cargo operation.' His comments highlight the difficult conditions facing airlines and aircraft manufacturers following President Donald Trump's introduction of tariffs with most US trading partners. The aviation industry is already contending with higher spare parts prices and potential tariffs on new aircraft, while some markets face weakening travel demand. Qatar Airways: Strong US sales Despite these challenges, Qatar Airways continues to see strong sales on its US routes, with the trend expected to continue in coming months, according to Al-Meer. Emirates, the world's largest long-haul airline, expressed similar sentiments this week. This contrasts with carriers such as Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd., which has reported some decline in transatlantic routes. American Airlines Group Inc. on Thursday withdrew its full-year earnings outlook, citing economic uncertainty. Al-Meer said Qatar Airways would absorb any cost increases rather than passing them on to customers through higher ticket prices. The airline already faces additional expenses due to operating a diverse fleet of both Boeing Co. and Airbus SE aircraft. The CEO indicated a possible shift toward an all-Airbus narrowbody fleet, suggesting that Boeing 737 planes currently on lease would eventually be phased out. Bloomberg reported in December that the airline was considering dropping a Boeing narrowbody order placed during a dispute with Airbus. With relations with the European planemaker now improved, Al-Meer pointed to Qatar Airways' existing order of nearly 60 A321neos from Airbus when discussing future narrowbody strategy. The carrier is also preparing to announce a major widebody aircraft purchase in the coming weeks, further cementing the Middle East's position as a key market for aircraft manufacturers. Qatar Airways, now the second-largest airline in the region behind Emirates, has built its long-range fleet around Boeing 777 and 787 models, as well as Airbus A350 and older A330 aircraft. The airline has ordered Boeing's new 777X model, though that aircraft is delayed and not expected to enter service with Qatar before next year.
Zawya
16-04-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
Flyadeal announces sustainability drive and enhanced customer experience with new fleet
Installation On 51 New Airbus A320neo And A321neos From 2026 Heavy Duty Yet Lightweight Carpets Selected Using New Technology Hamburg, GERMANY – flyadeal, Saudia Arabia's fast growing low-cost airline, has announced a string of agreements focused on enhanced sustainability and customer experience covering seating, in-seat power and furnishings on its new fleet of Airbus A320neo family aircraft due to be delivered from 2026. The airline has chosen lighter, ergonomical seats, power units that provide faster USB type-C charging ports, and heavy duty lightweight interior décor including carpets and curtains using latest technology for its order of 51 narrowbody aircraft. The new-look interiors will result in significantly less weight per aircraft compared with the current A320 fleet. It will ensure reduced fuel-burn and carbon emissions with the cost savings passed onto customers through lower fares. flyadeal has selected Italian firm Geven for the new Essenza SE seating; American aerospace electronics company Astronics AES to provide their UltraLite G2 in-seat power supply; and Lantal Textiles, the Swiss-based manufacturer of the airline's new interior furnishings. Agreements were reached at Aircraft Interiors, the airline industry's annual showcase of cabin innovation held in the German city of Hamburg last week where flyadeal management met with counterparts at all three suppliers. Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, said: 'Since flyadeal's landmark order for 51 aircraft last year, our engineering and product development teams have been working tirelessly to evaluate many proposals from suppliers before choosing the best solutions to equip the new fleet. 'With staff from across the business also sharing their feedback in the seat selection process, central to our decision has been weight, durability, sustainability and product features without compromising on passenger comfort, yet maintaining cost competitiveness and, more importantly, elevating the customer experience.' Alberto Veneruso, Geven Managing Director, added: 'The Essenza SE seat for flyadeal is a testament to Geven's dedication to efficiency and smart design. This collaboration with flyadeal reflects our shared vision of delivering cost-effective, high-performance solutions that enhance both airline operations and passenger experience. 'Designed with airline performance and passenger comfort in mind, its lightweight structure, minimalist, elegant and durable Italian design ensures easy maintenance and an enhanced travel experience, making it a perfect fit for cost-conscious airlines like flyadeal.' Ahmed Bakadam, flyadeal Director of Maintenance and Engineering, explained: 'Technology plays an increasingly crucial role in today's business environment that demands sustainable solutions to deliver cost-saving and reliable products which are fit for purpose. 'Working with our new partners, flyadeal's next generation aircraft being inducted into the fleet will support Saudi Arabia's vision to build the aviation sector where sustainability is at the heart of every area of operations across the industry.' The Essenza SE seat by Geven is designed to maximise comfort and space efficiency featuring a high backrest, cushion, larger lightweight meal tray and integrated type-C power charging ports that collectively keep weight, cost and maintenance at a minimum. The new fleet will feature 186 seats on the A320neos and 240 seats across the A321neos, all in a 3 – 3 configuration. flyadeal has opted for Astronics' UltraLite G2 units which can each support charging outlets on up to 18 seats with a 60W type-C power supply – more than double the current offering. The technology behind Lantal Textiles' carpets ensures a 25 per cent weight reduction; waste, water and chemical cuts by up to 80 per cent, using digital rather than conventional colour dyeing. With a five-year delivery schedule of 12 A320neos and 39 bigger A321neos due to begin in mid-2026, the airline is preparing for the next phase of expansion that will see its fleet more than triple to over 100 aircraft by 2030. Just seven years old, flyadeal currently operates 38 A320s. Since inception in 2017, flyadeal has been catapulted into the region's fastest growing airline with a fleet serving over 30 seasonal and year-round destinations in Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Europe, North Africa and South Asia. Over the next few months, aside from scheduled operations which represent the backbone of flyadeal's business, the airline will expand its year-round Umrah services to destinations beyond the Middle East and central Asia. About flyadeal On 23 September 2017, National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, flyadeal began operations with its historic maiden flight from Jeddah to Riyadh. A pioneer and innovator, flyadeal was the first regional low-cost airline to be launched only across digital distribution channels. Being the sister airline of full-service national carrier Saudia — both under the umbrella ownership of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation (Saudia Group) — flyadeal was created for the price-conscious and tech-savvy consumer in mind in a market where 80 per cent of the Saudi population is aged less than 40 years and has at least two mobile phones. flyadeal aims to stimulate travel, tourism and trade with its affordable, value for money everyday fares catering to leisure, religious, family and business travellers. Simplicity is key with an all-Economy Class cabin across flyadeal's narrowbody fleet. With the Kingdom undergoing dramatic transformation through its Vision 2030 economic diversification drive, aviation and tourism are among the many sectors earmarked for dynamic growth. Today, flyadeal is one of the youngest and fastest growing low-cost airlines in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Middle East, recognised for excellence in on-time performance that is consistently above the global industry average. flyadeal operates a young fleet of Airbus A320 narrowbody aircraft flying from bases in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam to destinations across Saudi Arabia with a growing international footprint in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. The airline has flown over 33 million passengers since its inaugural flight. In May 2024, flyadeal placed its biggest ever order for 51 aircraft – 12 A320neos and 39 larger A321neos – with a delivery schedule beginning in 2026. By 2030, flyadeal plans to operate hundreds of routes that will see its fleet and network triple in number to over 100 aircraft and destinations, respectively. flyadeal's aggressive expansion drive makes the rapidly growing airline one of the country's most desirable companies to work for.
