Aerospace Diary

With a highly dispersed population, a wide range of airport facility capabilities, lots of short-haul routes and cash-strapped passengers, Asia could be seen as a problem area for airline operators. But one class of aircraft – the turboprop – is proving that all these hurdles can be overcome to offer a viable business mode l. By Neelam Mathews AS ASIAN SKIES OPEN  AND MORE secondary airports with short runways are developed, the need for propeller driven turboprops is being recognised. With low buy-in and maintenance costs, high usage rates, low running costs and small-airfield landing capability, turboprops look like the perfect solution to Asia’s dispersed yet large population. They offer convenience, tested technology and environmental acceptance, which all  make them perfect for Asia’s scattered and airport-sparse environment. John  Moore, Head of  Sales for ATR Regional Aircraft asserts that turboprop aircraft are in ...

FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW  »  JULY 10, 2012 by    NEELAM MATHEWS July 10, 2012, 12:40 PM Pratt  &  Whitney had a strong start at the Farnborough International airshow Monday, when its  PW1100G  geared turbofan engines  were selected by two budget Asian carriers–India’s IndiGo and Cebu Pacific Air of the Philippines–to power the Airbus A320neo family aircraft they have on order. Indigo’s deal represents one of the largest orders in U.S.  engine maker’s history, said the  OEM . The  U.S.  engine manufacturer also announced that Norwegian Air Shuttle signed a memorandum of understanding to power 50 Airbus A320neos with PW1100Gs, with first delivery scheduled for 2016. With its fleet of 57 new Airbus A320s, Indigo is already India’s largest budget carrier (and its only profit-making one). Its agreement for 150 Airbus A320neos includes 300 firm orders for engines, with additional op...

  Posted by- Neelam Mathews Aug 8, 2011 Budget airlines are buying big in Asia. Cebu Pacific of the Philippines has finalised a firm order with Airbus for the purchase of 30 A321neo aircraft.  The contract firms up a previously announced MOU signed in June.  With this latest purchase agreement the fast-growing carrier has increased its total firm orders for the A320 Family to 71, of which 16 have already been delivered. The airline currently operates 25 A320 Family aircraft, including the 16 purchased from Airbus and nine leased aircraft. Cebu Pacific plans to configure its A321neo fleet with 220 seats in a single class layout and will fly the aircraft across its expanding pan-Asian network. This currently includes 34 domestic and 16 international destinations, including Osaka, Seoul (Incheon), Beijing, Jakarta, Bangkok and Singapore. The airline will make a decision on its engine selection for the aircraft at a later date. "The A321neo will enable us to increase c...