Aviation 12

SpiceJet Receives Boeing 737 MAX

Indian low-cost carrier SpiceJet has taken on its irst Boeing

737 MAX 8 as it moves to expand and standardise its leet. The

aircraft is the irst of up to 205 MAXs the airline has on order; it

currently operates a mixture of 737s including -700, -800 and

-900 variants.

The airline’s chairman and managing director, Ajay Singh,

commented: “These new airplanes will enable us to open new

routes while reducing fuel and engineering costs as well as

emissions. The 737 MAX will dramatically reduce noise pollution

and greenhouse gas emissions. Passengers will beneit from a

large number of premium seats and, for the irst time in India,

broadband internet on board.”

The MAX 8 arrives at a time of strong growth in India’s

commercial aviation market. According to IATA, the country has the

fastest growing domestic airline industry in the world – last year

passenger volumes rose 17.4%, well ahead of second-placed China.

Ihssane Mounir, Boeing’s senior vice president of commercial

sales and marketing, added: “India is a fast growing market for

commercial airplanes and services. The 737 MAX for SpiceJet

is the perfect airplane for this market and it will become a key

ingredient for long-term success, especially as oil prices continues

to put pressure on airlines.

“The market-leading efficiency and reliability of the MAX will pay

immediate dividends for SpiceJet’s commercial operations.”

http://www.aviation-news.co.uk 9

Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras has retired

its sole Airbus A320. The aircraft, PR-AJB

(c/n 1320), operated its inal service – from

Salvador to Campinas – on October 1 before

being returned to its lessor.

The narrowbody jet, acquired in May,

had previously operated for Air 2000 and

Monarch Airlines and was brought in to

provide bridging capacity as the Brazilian

carrier took delivery of its own A320neos.

Its withdrawal came just days after

the airline launched dedicated freighter

operations with its new Azul Cargo offshoot.

The division currently lies to Manaus,

Campinas and Recife using a Boeing 737-

400F, PR-AJZ (formerly N753MA), but plans

to introduce a second such aircraft.

The irst of two 737-400Fs for Azul’s new cargo arm. Both aircraft previously lew for Miami Air
International. AirTeamImages.com/Westley Bencon Rodriguez

Azul Retires A320 and Starts Cargo Operation

Boeing delivered 787-9s to three new
operators in October – Air Tahiti Nui, Eva
Air and Juneyao Airlines. The manufacturer
handed over the irst of four Dreamliners
ordered by Air Tahiti Nui on October 8. One
of two acquired under a lease agreement

• with two others being purchased outright


• it’s the carrier’s inaugural Boeing aircraft,
  and will replace ageing Airbus A340-300s
  on long-range routes to destinations such as
  Tokyo, Paris and Los Angeles.
  Michel Monvoisin, CEO and chairman of
  Air Tahiti Nui, commented: “Our dream has
  inally become reality with the arrival of our
  irst 787-9. The Tahitian Dreamliner will make
  lying to one of the world’s treasures an
  unforgettable experience, as we introduce

new seats and a culturally inspired cabin. As

we celebrate our 20th anniversary this year,

the 787 Dreamliner will guide us towards

another successful 20 years and beyond.”

Taiwanese carrier EVA Air meanwhile

received its initial 787-9 at Boeing’s South

Carolina Delivery Center on October 2. It’s

the irst of 24 Dreamliners for the Taipei-

based airline. In 2015 it ordered 18 of the

787-10 – the carrier is also leasing from

ALC four 787-9s and two more 787-10s.

China’s Juneyao Airlines has also taken

delivery of its debut Dreamliner, enabling

the largely domestic carrier to expand its

international network. The 787-9 is Juneyao’s

irst twin-aisle aircraft, the irst widebody

type to be operated by a privately held airline

in China and the irst Boeing product for the

carrier, which had operated an all-Airbus

leet of 41 A320-200s and 27 A321-200s.

Operating initially between Shanghai

and Hongquiao from October 25, the jet

will begin international routes next year.

The airline has yet to disclose the routes

for its 787-9s, but has previously said it

plans to serve Australia, Europe and North

America. Juneyao Airlines’ chairman, Wang

Junjin, remarked: “This delivery is our

airline’s biggest milestone and marks a

big step toward expanding our network in

China and beyond.”

Juneyao Airlines irst 787-9 Dreamliner on

a test light from Boeing’s Everett plant.

AirTeamImages.com/Dipankar Bhakta

Triple Dreamliner Handover