Latest news with #AirbusA350s
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Air India to cut overseas flights on wide-body aircraft by 15% at least till mid-July
Representative Image NEW DELHI: Air India will reduce its international services on wide-body aircraft by 15% with immediate effect "at least" till mid-July, reports Saurabh Sinha. AI operates about 70 international flights daily on its wide-body fleet. Multiple factors, including airspace closures, have increased flying times to and from the west and enhanced checks on Boeing 787s since AI 171 crash last Thursday have reduced twin aisle availability. The math was worked out thus: AI operated 462 flights on its wide-body fleet of Boeing 787s, B777s & Airbus A350s between June 2 and 17 while canceling 83 flights in that period. Which means 15.2% of the 545 flights that were to be operated were cancelled inconveniencing passengers. Taking that ratio and aligning schedules to actual capacity to mount flights, AI has cut wide body flights by 15%. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Explained: Why Qatar Airways cancelled its Major Boeing order and returned to Airbus
Up: Boeing 737 MAX 10/ Down: Qatar Airways A321neo/ Photo: Qatar Airways, Boeing In late May 2025, Qatar Airways made the strategic decision to cancel its order for 25 Boeing 737 MAX 10s, a move confirmed by CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer in an interview with Bloomberg. a move that not only ends its short-lived venture into the type but also reshapes the airline's entire narrowbody strategy. The order, which also included options for 25 more, was placed during the 2022 Farnborough Airshow, a time when the airline's relationship with Airbus was at an all-time low, the deal was positioned as a solution for the airline's regional network, with Boeing Commercial Airplanes' then-CEO Stan Deal praising the aircraft as "ideally suited for Qatar Airways' regional network." But two years later, delays in the 737 MAX 10's certification, which has pushed its expected entry into commercial service to 2026 at the earliest, have forced the airline to reconsider. Qatar Airways is not alone in facing these setbacks, major carriers like United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines are also waiting, with growing frustration. In fact, United's Chief Commercial Officer, Andrew Nocella, told Reuters that the 737 MAX 10 isn't expected to arrive before 2027 or even 2028, and the airline is now hesitant to convert any MAX 9 orders into MAX 10s. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDs ด้วยค่าสเปรดที่ต่ำที่สุด IC Markets สมัคร Undo 'We want to see the aircraft certified before we make the firm commitment,' Nocella said. Qatar Airways, meanwhile, opted to walk away entirely. A Falling Out, and Reconciliation With Airbus Qatar's move to order the 737 MAX 10s in 2022 wasn't born purely of performance metrics, it was a response to an escalating legal and commercial dispute with Airbus. That year, Qatar Airways grounded all 29 of its Airbus A350s, citing what it described as "accelerated surface degradation" of the aircraft's painted fuselage. In response, the airline filed a lawsuit seeking $600 million in damages from Airbus and publicly challenged the safety and airworthiness of the A350 fleet. Airbus, while acknowledging cosmetic and surface issues, insisted the aircraft were structurally safe and continued deliveries to other customers. During this high-profile conflict: Qatar Airways cancelled its remaining order for 23 Airbus A350s. The airline also cancelled a separate order for 50 Airbus A321neos, a fleet critical to its short-haul operations. At the peak of the fallout, the Boeing 737 MAX 10 was pulled in to fill that gap, offering Qatar Airways an alternative narrowbody solution as it severed ties, temporarily, with Airbus. But in early 2023, the feud reached a resolution. Both parties issued a joint statement announcing that the matter had been settled amicably: "Qatar Airways and Airbus are pleased to have reached an amicable and mutually agreeable settlement in relation to their legal dispute over A350 surface degradation and the grounding of A350 aircraft. A repair project is now underway and both parties look forward to getting these aircraft safely back in the air." Following this, Qatar reinstated the order for 50 A321neos, and Airbus resumed delivery plans for the grounded A350s. The settlement not only restored fleet development plans but reset the tone of the Qatar-Airbus relationship. Why Airbus Is Back In, And Boeing Narrowbodies Are Out Qatar Airways' Chief Executive Officer Badr Mohammed Al Meer, in an interview with Bloomberg , confirmed the airline had dropped the MAX 10 order, which also included options for 25 more aircraft. This decision, he revealed, was made in conjunction with a massive new Boeing widebody order that dwarfs the value of the narrowbody deal. Earlier this month, Qatar Airways placed its largest-ever aircraft order, agreeing to purchase 130 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 30 Boeing 777-9s, with options for an additional 50 aircraft, a potential total of 210 widebodies valued at $96 billion. Responding to whether the airline was playing Boeing and Airbus against each other, Al Meer told Bloomberg's Francine Lacqua: 'You know, for the time being, we need to focus on finalizing our agreement with Boeing. As you saw, we are not like other airlines where we split our orders 20 today, 20 next year. Because we are basing our order on a very solid strategy and we decided to go with the 210 aircraft order. However, it doesn't mean that Airbus is out of the game. Our narrowbodies will continue to be Airbus.' In a separate public comment, Al Meer reiterated the airline's direction: 'Our narrowbody [fleet] will continue to be Airbus. We are receiving 50 A321neos starting next year. So our whole narrowbody fleet will be basically operated by Airbus. We continue to receive A350-1000s, and there will always be a chance for another order from Airbus.' What Qatar Airways' Fleet Looks Like Now, And What's Coming As of now, Qatar Airways operates a limited narrowbody fleet consisting of: Current Narrowbody Fleet 27 Airbus A320s Two configurations: Version 1: 12 Business + 120 Economy = 132 seats Version 2: 12 Business + 132 Economy = 144 seats 3 Boeing 737 MAX 8s 8 Business + 168 Economy = 176 seats Several MAX 8s previously operated by Qatar Airways have already been leased to IndiGo for routes between Qatar and India. The remaining three are expected to be phased out soon, aligning with the airline's plan to standardize its narrowbody fleet around Airbus. Airbus Orders in Pipeline 40 Airbus A321neos 10 Airbus A321LRs Deliveries begin in 2026 Current and Future Widebody Fleet Aircraft Type In Fleet On Order Airbus A350-1000 24 18 Boeing 787 41 130 Boeing 777X 0 90 Qatar Airways is already the largest operator of the Airbus A350-1000 globally. The aircraft typically features two configurations: 24 Business + 371 Economy = 395 passengers 46 Business + 182 Economy = Premium-heavy layout In the years ahead, the airline will boast one of the most modern widebody fleets in the world, operating from its hub at Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH). What's Next? More Airbus Orders May Follow While Boeing has secured a record-breaking widebody order, there's speculation that Qatar Airways may also return to Airbus for additional widebodies. Possibilities include: More A350s, to complement the airline's current dominance in that model. Airbus A330-900s, a potential replacement for its aging A330-200s and A330-300s. Qatar Airways' renewed ties with Airbus open the door for future deals, as the airline looks to refine and expand its fleet under a disciplined, long-term strategy. The airline is clearly not chasing diversification for its own sake, it's targeting operational efficiency, flexibility, and strategic alignment with its growth ambitions. As for Boeing, with a growing backlog of 737 MAX 10 orders, the manufacturer now faces intensifying pressure to resolve regulatory hurdles that have kept the aircraft grounded in the certification process. The delays are prompting several major carriers to reconsider their long-term fleet strategies. Qatar Airways is not alone in stepping back from the MAX 10; United Airlines, one of the aircraft's largest customers, has expressed deep concerns over delivery timelines. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Alaska Airlines, all with MAX 10 orders in the pipeline, are also closely watching the certification timeline, with some reportedly exploring alternative options or reconfiguring existing commitments.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IndiGo doubles wide-body aircraft order
N Tired of too many ads? go ad free now EW DELHI: IndiGo doubled its wide body aircraft order by confirming the option for 30 wide body Airbus A350s. Now the airline has 60 A350s on firm order and has an option for 40 more. "We have signed the MoU with Airbus for confirming the option for 30 A350s. Their delivery starts in 2027," airline CEO Pieter Elbers said at the IATA AGM on Sunday. "Delivery of initial 30 A350s ordered last year will begin in 2027 and continue till early part of next decade. Delivery of this next batch (of 350) will start after that and continue into the second half of the next decade," Elbers said.
Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
In bid to go global, IndiGo orders 30 more Airbus planes
Low-cost carrier IndiGo on Sunday said it has confirmed an order for 30 additional Airbus A350 wide-body aircraft, doubling its existing order to a total 60 A350s, along with options for 40 more. 'We have signed the MoU with Airbus for confirming the option for 30 A350s. Their delivery starts in 2027,' IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers at the IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday said. Elbers said that the delivery of the original 30 aircraft, ordered last year, will begin in 2027 and continue into the early 2030s. The additional 30 confirmed aircraft will start arriving after the initial batch and will be delivered into the latter part of the next decade. IndiGo had originally placed the firm order for 30 Airbus A350s in May 2023, with an option for 70 more aircraft at the time. In recent years, the airline ventured into long-haul international operations using wet-leased Boeing 777s from Turkish Airlines- a deal that is now set to conclude within the next three months. To continue offering long-haul services, IndiGo will soon start flying wet-leased Boeing 787s from Norse Atlantic Airways to destinations such as Manchester and Amsterdam. Wet lease is an arrangement that includes renting an aircraft along with a crew, maintenance, and insurance. To enhance connectivity beyond its own network, IndiGo is expanding strategic collaborations. The airline announced a new partnership with Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic, aiming to improve access between India, Europe, and North America. 'IndiGo has embarked on an ambitious journey to become a global airline by 2030. This partnership (with Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic) represents a milestone to pursue commercial synergies, operational excellence and innovation…. We are particularly excited to start our long-haul expansion from this summer and connect with our partners' networks to provide greater access to Europe and North America. This strategic partnership enables a combined customer proposition in the form of comprehensive intercontinental connectivity, seamless experience and great loyalty value,' the CEO said. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian added, 'This agreement is another example of our commitment to making travel more connected, more inclusive and more accessible. Combining our strengths with those of IndiGo, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic, will enable us to offer unparalleled connectivity and convenience, ensuring that our customers enjoy the highest standards of service and reliability across the globe. We look forward to restarting Delta's direct service from the US to India in the near future.' Air France-KLM Group CEO Benjamin Smith echoed the enthusiasm and said 'We are very glad to extend our existing partnership with IndiGo and to do so alongside our partners Delta and Virgin Atlantic. India is a strategic market for Air France-KLM, where we have a strong and historic presence soon to increase. We look forward to welcoming IndiGo customers on our flights and to play an active role in the country's connectivity.' Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss commented: 'In our 25th year of flying to India, we're delighted to build on our Joint Venture with Delta and Air France-KLM, and our successful codeshare with IndiGo, by going further with this partnership. As IndiGo starts long haul operations, we'll connect four of the world's largest economies, enhancing the travel experience for our guests, from greater connectivity and optimised flight times to loyalty benefits.'
The Hindu
01-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
IndiGo doubles its widebody aircraft order
IndiGo on Sunday (June 1, 2025) doubled its order of widebody Airbus A350 aircraft to 60 by converting a part of its purchase rights into a firm order. In April 2024, IndiGo announced its maiden order of 30 Airbus A350s along with purchase rights of additional 70 aircraft. Of the latter, 30 aircraft have been not turned into a firm order. The deliveries from the original order start in 2027 and will go on until early 2030s, following which the deliveries from the latest order will commence, CEO Pieter Elbers said at a press event on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association's Annual General Meeting 2025 The expanded order comes at a time the airline is set to enter the European market with non-stop flights to Manchester and Amsterdam in early July.
