Airbus today announced that TAM Airlines, Brazil’s largest airline has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 32 Airbus A320 aircraft, comprising 22 A320neo and 10 A320 Family aircraft. The order makes TAM the launch customer for the A320neo in Latin America. The A320neo, available from 2016, offers new more efficient engines (CFM International LEAP-X and the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G) and large wing tip devices called Sharklets, which together, deliver significant fuel savings of up to 15 percent, representing up to 3,600 tonnes CO2 annually per aircraft. In addition, the A320neo provides a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and significantly reduced engine noise. Airbus fleet operating in Latin America has doubled in the last five years. With more than 550 aircraft sold and a record backlog of more than 250 aircraft to be delivered to its Latin American customers, today nearly 370 Airbus aircraft are flying with 21 Latin American ...

Boeing today announced that they delivered the 300th 737-800 for Europe’s largest low-fare carrier, Ryanair. The airline will take delivery of 37 of these aircraft during 2011 and is the world’s largest operator of the 737-800. Ryanair took delivery of its first 737-800 in 1999. Ryanair’s Chief Executive Michael O’Leary said, “We are proud to take delivery of our 300th brand new Boeing 737 aircraft. The total value of the Ryanair fleet is now over $18 billion. We are proud to operate the youngest, greenest and most fuel-efficient fleet of any major European airline. This aircraft will help us to grow to 78 million passengers this year as we continue to lower fares and guarantee no fuel surcharges, which is why so many passengers are switching to Ryanair – the world’s favorite airline.” … Wait a minute, did he say “the world’s favorite airline”??? Ya, sure … Source: Boeing

Virgin Galactic signed a contract with the Southwest Research Institute to fly scientists into space (over 100 kilometers or 328,000 feet above the Earth), enabling valuable microgravity, biology, climate and astronomy research. This is the first such agreement ever! As part of the contract, SwRI has made full deposits for two researchers to fly on Virgin Galactic’s spacecraft, with the intent to make similar arrangements for an additional six seats for a total value of $1.6m. As well as flying its own researchers, who will carry scientific experiments developed by its in-house technical staff, SwRI also aims to assist American researchers who do not have direct spaceflight experience to develop and fly their payloads and personnel on suborbital missions. Commenting on the agreement, George Whitesides, President and CEO of Virgin Galactic said: “This agreement signals the enormous scientific potential of the Virgin spaceflight system. Virgin Galactic will be able to ...

In early February Airbus Military’s second development A400M aircraft – referred to as “Grizzly 2” – conducted several cold weather tests in northern Sweden. The test focus was on the new-generation airlifter’s powerplants. The team experienced temperatures down to -21ºC and successfully achieved all the planned test points. The A400M was accompanied by an Airbus A340-300 carrying support equipment and the personnel team. These tests followed preliminary cold weather work in Hamburg last December and will be followed by further tests in more extreme temperatures this winter and next.

Last week, the first Bell 429 helicopter was delivered to a customer in the Middle East. The customer, Strong Aviation, is headquartered in Kuwait City and will utilize the helicopter for VIP missions in the area. The Bell 429 was chosen for its impressive performance capabilities, especially in the extreme climate of the Middle East. “The Bell 429′s outstanding hot-and-high performance along with its expansive cabin, were key features for us,” said Capt. Salem Safar, Aviation Manager,Strong Aviation. “The 429 is quite simply the newest generation of helicopters. It is so advanced it does the pilot’s work for him. And when it came to customer care, Bell Helicopter surpassed our expectations.” The Bell 429 is the world’s newest light twin-engine helicopter and has been designed, built and certified to the most stringent airworthiness standards. It is the only helicopter that was designed using the Maintenance Steering Group 3 (MSG-3) process ...

Skymark Airlines, Japan’s third largest airline, signed a contract for four A380s with Airbus, firming up a Memorandum of Understanding announced in November 2010. At the signing ceremony Skymark Airlines President said, “We believe that the A380, the world’s most cost-efficient, modern and environmentally friendly aircraft with cutting-edge technologies, will provide us with a strong competitive advantage and safe operation. We will become the very first Japanese airline to offer our passengers a unique and new experience of flying – more space, more comfort and a quieter cabin. With the four-engined A380, we are free from ETOPS constraints and can provide flexible operations.” “We are pleased to welcome Skymark as our newest and first Japanese A380 customer,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO. “The A380 is the most eco-efficient solution to allow Japan’s air traffic to grow in a capacity constrained environment.” Today, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, and Air France ...