Latest news with #AirbusA330s
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Darbhanga runway to expand for international operation: Official
Patna: Darbhanga airport is expected to become the first international airport of Bihar within the next two years. Once the required infrastructure is developed, this airport will become eligible for the operation of wide-body aircraft. Sources said at present this airport functions with a makeshift terminal, while the foundation stone for a permanent terminal was laid last year. The new terminal is slated to be ready by Dec next year. "This will be a major infrastructure development, especially in the civil aviation sector in the state," said chief secretary Amrit Lal Meena. Nilesh Ramchandra Deore, special secretary in the cabinet secretariat (with additional charge as director of civil aviation, Bihar), said work on infrastructure development of this airport has been prioritised. A key upgrade in progress is the extension of Darbhanga's runway to support larger, long-haul planes. At present, the runway is about 2,743 metres (9,000 feet) long, which is sufficient for narrow-body jets but short of typical requirements for heavy wide-body aircraft. International aviation norms generally call for a runway of around 3,200 metres or more for wide-body operations. To meet this, the govt is extending the runway to approximately 3,660-3,700 metres. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It? Memory Health Learn More Undo This longer runway will enable Darbhanga to handle large aircraft (even up to Boeing 777s or Airbus A330s) and is aligned with international standards for safety and performance. Expanding the runway requires substantial land acquisition. The AAI, in an Oct 2024 communication, requested 90 acres of additional land to facilitate extending the runway to 12,000 feet. The Bihar cabinet has since approved this request: around 90 acres will be acquired at a cost of Rs 245 crore to support the runway expansion.
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Cebu Pacific becomes PH's first carrier with 100-strong fleet
Gokongwei-led budget carrier Cebu Pacific on Friday announced its latest historic milestone as it becomes the first local carrier to operate a 100-strong fleet after receiving the delivery of its latest aircraft — a brand new A330neo. 'Reaching 100 aircraft is more than a milestone — it reflects our unwavering commitment to make air travel accessible to more Filipinos,' said Xander Lao, Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer. 'With a larger fleet, we're able to operate more efficiently, enhance connectivity across the country and the region, and pass on the benefits of scale through even lower fares,' said Lao. The airline's 100-aircraft milestone came amidst increasing demand for air travel. In June alone, Cebu Pacific said it flew a total of 2.2 million passengers, up 7.9% from the same month last year. From January to June 2025, the airline said it has flown 13.9 million passengers, up 21% from 11.5 million in the first half of 2024. Cebu Pacific said the latest A330neo aircraft is also the 12th aircraft of its kind to join its fleet, reinforcing the airline's position as the largest A330neo operator in the Asia-Pacific. The 459-seater aircraft, which arrived in Manila from Airbus' facility in Toulouse, France, is the second of four A330neos expected to join Cebu Pacific's fleet this year — the first of which arrived on March 28. The airline is expecting a total of seven aircraft to be delivered in 2025. Cebu Pacific's fleet is diversified with a mix of 12 Airbus A330s, 40 Airbus A320s, 26 Airbus A321s, and 22 ATR turboprop aircraft. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Canada's Air Transat joins world's greenest airlines in global emissions ranking
Canadian airline Air Transat has been ranked among the world's most emissions-efficient major carriers, according to a global report released this month by aviation analytics firm Cirium . The Montreal-based airline placed 15th in Cirium's ranking of the top 20 airlines with the lowest flight emissions intensity and was the only Canadian carrier to make the list. Air Transat, known primarily for its transatlantic leisure flights, has gradually modernized its fleet and adopted measures to improve efficiency, including route optimization and fuel-saving practices. The airline operates a mix of Airbus A330s and A321neos, aircraft known for their lower fuel burn compared to older models. The global leader was Hungary's Wizz Air with an emissions intensity of 53.9 grams of CO₂ per ASK, followed by the US-based Frontier Airlines (54.4 g) and Turkey's Pegasus Airlines (57.1 g). Cirium said it analyzed 100 of the world's largest airlines, using granular operational data such as aircraft type, fuel burn, passenger load, and real flight tracking. Live Events How is emission measured? The report measured emissions intensity in grams of carbon dioxide (CO₂) per available seat kilometer (ASK), a standard aviation metric that reflects how much CO₂ is emitted per seat per kilometer flown. Air Transat recorded an emissions rate of 61.5 grams of CO₂ per ASK. Cirium stated that the ranking accounted for factors such as aircraft fuel efficiency , seating density, and flight route optimization. 'Under our methodology, carriers flying newer, fuel-efficient aircraft with higher-density configurations naturally perform better,' the report said. The rankings were based on flight-by-flight emissions data for 2023, collected and analyzed using Cirium's new EmeraldSky platform. The methodology was independently reviewed by the consulting firm PwC. Aviation accounts for roughly 2–3 percent of global carbon emissions , and the industry is under increasing pressure to lower its environmental impact. Experts say such rankings are key to providing transparency for passengers and investors. Cirium's full report provides a benchmark for emissions performance across the commercial airline industry and is intended to inform future policy, investment, and consumer choices. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Taiwan's China Airlines postpones retirement of older planes due to Boeing 787 delays
Taiwan 's China Airlines is postponing the retirement of some of its older aircraft due to delays in getting Boeing 787-9 jets that may result in compensation payments from the planemaker, the carrier's newly appointed chairman said. Taiwan's oldest airline , established in 1959, is in the midst of a fleet renewal, last year splitting an order for new long-haul aircraft worth almost $12 billion at list prices between Boeing and European rival Airbus. China Airlines has also ordered 24 Boeing 787s for regional and some longer-distance routes, including 18 787-9s and six of the stretched 787-10 variant. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Chi phí cấy ghép răng là bao nhiêu vào năm 2025 (kiểm tra giá) Cấy ghép răng | Quảng cáo tìm kiếm Tìm hiểu thêm Undo But Chairman George Kao said China Airlines' fleet renewal plan to replace ageing Airbus A330s and Boeing 737-800s with 787-9s and A321neos was being hit by delays in getting new aircraft delivered, especially the 787-9s. "We are at present being greatly impacted. Some aircraft that were scheduled to be phased out, or handed back at the end of their lease, as some are leased, will remain and have their leases extended," he told Reuters in an interview at the airline's headquarters in Taoyuan, home to Taiwan's main international airport. Live Events Boeing has not given China Airlines an exact timeframe for the 787-9 delays, though it has said deliveries will "basically" start from the end of 2025, added Kao, a pilot by training who started out as a flight attendant and became chairman in March. "This is written into the contract," he said, when asked whether China Airlines would seek compensation. "For example, if it's in the supply chain , the responsibility is Boeing's, and Boeing has to provide some compensation. But if it's not, then there is no compensation. It's all recorded in the contract." Boeing did not respond to a request for comment. Other airlines are facing similar issues. International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General Willie Walsh, whose group represents airlines globally, this month called predictions of aircraft delivery delays throughout this decade "off-the-chart unacceptable". Still, Kao was upbeat about expansion plans, pointing to the more fuel-efficient 777-9s and A350-1000s ordered last year that will enable more capacity to be added to routes like New York and London, and a new third terminal at Taoyuan airport, the first section of which is expected to open later this year. He signalled further aircraft additions ahead for subsidiary Mandarin Airlines , which flies almost exclusively domestic routes with ATR-72 turboprops and is getting a revamp to focus on regional routes from southern and central Taiwan with new jet aircraft. "I can talk about this with aircraft lessors," he said, without disclosing the jet models it could add. "We have this plan, to let Mandarin Airlines grow up." China Airlines faces competition at home not only from long-established rival EVA Air but also rapidly growing Starlux Airlines, which last week placed an order for 10 more A350s. Kao said while the Taiwan market itself was small, transit traffic, which all three airlines are focusing on, meant supporting three full-service airlines was not an issue. Seoul's Incheon airport is too big, meaning passengers can get lost, Tokyo's landing fees are too expensive and Hong Kong has "political issues", whereas Taoyuan airport's new terminal will greatly improve the travel experience, he said. "Our passengers are not all Taiwanese; many are transit. Because Taiwan's location, connecting the Pacific to all of Asia, is really very convenient."
NBC News
30-05-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Caviar and privacy: Airlines' business-class wars are here
DALLAS — Armed with dollops of caviar and handfuls of Bang & Olufsen headphones, U.S. airlines are duking it out for international business-class dominance. There are even differences between seats in the same cabin. Next week, American Airlines plans to start flying its upgraded business-class 'suites' that feature today's premium-class must-have — a sliding door — and other features like a 'trinket tray' and a wireless charging pad. Within the cabins on its subset of Boeing Dreamliners, which American is calling the 787-9P (the P stands for premium), there will be eight 'Preferred' suites that the airline says will have 42% more 'living area.' They'll be first come, first serve with no upcharge, at least for now. United Airlines is hoping to outdo its rivals by putting doors on its Polaris long-haul business class seats; creating a new option at the front of the cabin called 'Polaris Studio,' which has an ottoman (for a visitor); and installing 27-inch 4K screens. The studios are 25% larger than regular suites, United says. It hasn't yet said how much more it will charge for the studios over the standard suites. Having an even-higher tier of seats within long-haul top-tier classes has been catching on. Virgin Atlantic has the 'Retreat Suite' at the front of Upper Class on its Airbus A330s and Lufthansa is offering a two-person suite in its new Allegris first class that can be converted into a double bed. Etihad has a three-room option called 'The Residence' on Airbus A380s, which can cost $20,000 or more for a one-way ticket between New York and Abu Dhabi, though the airline varies how it uses those jets. 'The experience here is a way to give not only our existing customers a wider range of products to pick from,' Andrew Nocella, United's chief commercial officer, told reporters earlier this month. 'We just didn't have something better, and now we do.' American and United took a page from Delta Air Lines, the most profitable U.S. carrier, which already offers suites with sliding doors in its Delta One cabin. The Atlanta-based carrier, in turn, last year opened a dedicated lounge for the highest-tier customers, a move American and United had already made. Betting on business Business-class tickets are costly for many consumers. A ticket aboard American's new suite, leaving Aug. 8 and returning a week later, is going for $5,747 from Philadelphia to London, compared with $867 in standard coach. Getting more customers to pay up for pricier seats is key for an industry with high costs and thin margins. Delta had a 7.6% pretax margin last year, United had 7.3%, while American's was 2.1%, and the broader S&P 500 ′s was 12.8%, according to FactSet data. Airline executives are banking more than ever that consumers will continue to splurge on better travel experiences despite weaker-than-expected demand for lower-priced tickets like domestic coach this year. 'I think it's growing this much because the experience in economy is so bad,' said Robert Mann, who worked at several airlines and is president of aviation consulting firm R.W. Mann & Co. Airlines have been updating their cabins for years and they have become so elaborate that they have slowed down some aircraft deliveries because of supply chain snarls and bottlenecks in regulators' certification. American is using the new suites in a combined, larger business-class for international travel, and getting rid of its first class, for the most part. By many measures, though, including space and amenities, the service is higher end than many 'first class' cabins of the past. 'Really, business [class] is starting to become so similar it was hard to really differentiate, and we want to make sure we offer as many business-class seats as we can,' said Heather Garboden, American's chief customer officer. The name matters. 'A lot of corporations will not permit the purchase of first class, but they will permit business class,' said Mann. Airline executives have been confident about their push to invest billions in the more luxurious cabins, brushing off signs of a possible economic downturn. 'We're at a really uncertain economic time right now and premium demand has remained solid,' Garboden said. Wealthier people 'tend to do OK even in a recession,' Mann noted. The number of premium seats is rising along with the experience. American said by the end of the decade it will increase its lie-flat seats and premium economy seating by 50%. The airline also recently said it will offer free satellite Wi-Fi to its loyalty program members, following Delta and United. United is also growing its cabin with its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners outfitted with eight 'Polaris Studios,' in a 1-2-1 configuration and 56 Polaris business class suites. Currently, the planes only have 48 Polaris seats. It expects to have 30 Dreamliners with the new interior by 2027 but a first flight, between United's San Francisco hub and Singapore, is set for early 2026, the airline said earlier this month. Softer touches The carriers are also trying to raise the bar on the so-called 'soft product' like plush bedding and comforts like noise-cancelling headphones. American announced last month that it won't collect its Bang & Olufsen headphones from Flagship travelers before landing so they can keep watching movies and other entertainment longer. 'Polaris food and beverage offerings are being upgraded at the same time with enhanced meal choices on all new dishware, glassware and fresh white linens,' United's Nocella said. 'We've even added red pepper flakes in addition to salt and pepper so passengers can spice up their meals.' While the top-tier business class is offering higher tech and more high-touch service, the carriers don't have the over-the-top amenities of international airlines. United is planning an amuse bouche of Ossetra caviar for Polaris. Meanwhile, in first class in Emirates , which has larger aircraft with the Airbus A380, travelers have access to showers on board and 'unlimited' caviar service. For some, good service is simpler. 'I could be sitting up front or I can be sitting in the back but if the plane's late, the plane's late,' Mann said.
