Latest news with #AirbusA350‑900
Tatler Asia
23-07-2025
- Business
- Tatler Asia
Delta to resume non-stop service between LAX and Hong Kong in 2026
Delta is bringing back nonstop LAX–Hong Kong flights in 2026, re-entering a highly competitive trans-Pacific route After an eight-year hiatus, Delta Air Lines is gearing up to resume non-stop flights to Hong Kong, marking a major expansion of its Pacific strategy. Beginning June 2026, Delta will operate daily flights between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) aboard its flagship Airbus A350‑900 aircraft. Read more: Airline rules for power banks—what you need to know Delta last offered direct service to Hong Kong in 2018 from its Seattle hub—a route it discontinued amid challenging market dynamics. It also previously flew from Detroit to Hong Kong until 2012 and briefly between Tokyo-Narita and Hong Kong until 2016. The carrier has clarified that this new run will originate from LAX, not Seattle. Delta's decision comes as trans-Pacific travel continues to rebound. According to the US International Trade Administration, international passenger traffic between the US and Asia reached 2.61 million in December 2024—an 11.7 per cent year-on-year increase, though still about 22 per cent below pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Industry-wide, Asia-Pacific carriers saw the strongest global recovery in 2024. Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows international traffic by Asia-Pacific airlines rose 26 per cent year-on-year—leading all regions—but remained about 9 per cent shy of 2019 volumes. See also: 7 ways to minimise your carbon footprint for sustainable travel that doesn't feel like a compromise Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) also continues its recovery. In 2024, it handled approximately 53 million passengers, up 34 per cent from 2023 but still trailing its 2019 peak of 71.5 million. It ranked as the ninth-busiest airport globally for international traffic last year, underscoring its role as a major Asian hub regaining its footing after extended pandemic-related closures. With demand steadily rising and airlines reintroducing capacity, analysts expect US–Asia air travel to return to near pre-Covid levels by 2026—just in time for Delta's relaunch.
Arabian Post
19-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Egyptair Boosts Fleet with Six More A350-900 Jets
Egyptair has confirmed an order for six additional Airbus A350‑900 wide‑body aircraft, increasing its total commitment to 16 for the type. Chairman and Chief Executive Captain Ahmed Adel said the deal will enable the carrier to meet escalating passenger demand and support an ambitious global expansion set for completion over the next five years. The announcement, made at the Paris Air Show on 18 June 2025, follows the airline's earlier acquisition of ten A350‑900s at the Dubai Air Show in 2023. Egyptair's increasing reliance on the A350 underscores its focus on modernising its international fleet with fuel-efficient, long‑range aircraft. A vital component of the airline's strategy is sustainability. Powered by Rolls‑Royce Trent XWB engines, the A350‑900 consumes approximately 25 percent less fuel than older wide‑body models and emits proportionally fewer CO₂ emissions. Its Airspace cabin offers passengers enhanced comfort with wider seats, higher ceilings, and ambient lighting, all of which align with growing expectations for premium long-haul travel. ADVERTISEMENT Adel highlighted the broader impact of this investment, stating it will 'contribute to Egypt's broader efforts to promote more sustainable air transport'. Airbus Executive Vice‑President Sales Benoît de Saint-Exupéry added that the second A350 order is testament to the aircraft's value as a cornerstone in the carrier's growth and decarbonisation plan. The A350‑900, certified to operate with up to 50 percent sustainable aviation fuel and targeted to be 100 percent SAF‑capable by 2030, provides a critical tool for airlines pushing to lower their carbon footprints. Industry analysts note that global demand for newer, more efficient wide‑body aircraft remains strong, with Airbus reducing supply‑chain headwinds by around 40 percent in early 2025. With over 1,390 A350s on order across 60 airlines as of May 2025, the A350 program has become integral to carriers renewing their long‑haul fleets. Cairo International Airport will serve as the operational base for Egyptair's A350 deployment. The aircraft's 9,700‑nautical‑mile range unlocks new nonstop routes to North America and Asia, while improving efficiency on existing services. This expansion mirrors trends among global carriers embracing larger, eco‑efficient aircraft to meet both strategic growth objectives and environmental targets. The airline's current long‑haul fleet includes Airbus A330‑200s, A330‑300s, Boeing 777‑300ERs and 787‑9 Dreamliners. The staged introduction of the new A350s, expected to begin later this year, will gradually transform Egyptair's fleet mix. As the Paris Air Show concludes, Airbus has secured multiple major orders including freighter deals with MNG Airlines and continuing negotiations with other carriers such as AirAsia, signalling a robust market for next‑generation aircraft as airlines seek both growth and sustainability.
Arabian Post
17-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Emirates Unveils Sleek A350 at Le Bourget
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Emirates returned to the Paris Airshow at Le Bourget to introduce its new Airbus A350‑900, showcasing its most advanced cabin design and reinforcing ties with French aerospace. The jet, featuring three cabin classes and upgraded passenger amenities, reflects the carrier's strategy to modernise its long-haul fleet. The A350‑900 on display is configured in a three‑class layout with 32 next‑generation lie‑flat seats in Business Class, 21 Premium Economy seats, and 259 Economy seats. Cabin highlights include increased headroom, wider aisles, electric window blinds across all classes, cinematic 4K inflight entertainment, wireless charging, and high‑speed Wi‑Fi. ADVERTISEMENT Emirates has taken delivery of seven A350s so far, with 58 remaining on order—bringing its total to around 65 aircraft. The first commercial flight occurred on 3 January 2025, from Dubai to Edinburgh. Further services began in January and February to Ahmedabad, Bahrain, Bologna, Colombo, Kuwait City, Lyon and Mumbai. Emirates President Sir Tim Clark and French industry partners celebrated the aircraft's introduction, which highlights the airline's investment in France's aerospace sector. Since 1985, Emirates has purchased more than €114 billion worth of Airbus aircraft and components, supporting firms such as Safran, Thales and Michelin. At the show, Emirates announced a €896 million deal with Safran for next‑generation seats and a €322 million investment in Thales's AVANT Up entertainment system for the A350. This debut coincides with a renewed emphasis on sustainable aviation. The A350 is powered by fuel‑efficient Rolls‑Royce engines, enabling a range of 7,700 miles and emitting lower CO₂ per seat compared to previous generations. Emirates is retrofitting older 777 and A380 aircraft with premium economy seats and renewing its fleet as delivery delays with Boeing's 777X persist. Highlighting its global network impact, Emirates became the first airline to deploy the long‑range A350‑900ULR on the Adelaide–Dubai route, enabling flights over 14,000 km and more than 15 hours nonstop from December 1, 2025. Adelaide Airport anticipates a boost of A$62 million in annual tourism revenue from the service. Emirates operates 21 weekly flights to Paris—three via A380—plus a daily A350 to Lyon and a daily A380 service to Nice Côte d'Azur. By end‑2025, the A350 is expected to serve at least 17 destinations. Its versatility allows deployment on both long‑haul and shorter routes, offering lie‑flat seats and premium amenities even on regional legs.
