BluesMobile
Handed Over
JetBlue has taken delivery of the first
aircraft built at Airbus’ new manufacturing
facility in Mobile, Alabama.
The A321-231 registered N965JT
(c/n 6512) and named BluesMobile,
was handed over to the airline during a
ceremony on April 25.
“I am immensely proud to be here
to participate in this first delivery from
Mobile,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief
Operating Officer – Customers, during
the event. “Going from breaking ground
on this facility three years ago to handing
over the first Alabama-produced A
today is an amazing accomplishment.”
Nine other A320 Family aircraft are
currently in production at the Mobile
plant, which will begin transitioning to
New Engine Option (NEO) derivatives
late next year.Belgian Beauties
Brussels Airlines has painted two Airbus A320s in special liveries. Surrealist artist René Magritte
is celebrated via the scheme on OO-SNC while the Belgian national football team, nicknamed the
Red Devils, is the subject of the eye-catching livery on OO-SNA. Richard VandervordAn aerial image showing Dublin Airport’s proposed second runway. daaNew Runway for Dublin
http://www.aviation-news.co.uk 9Firefighting 747 Update
Global SuperTanker Services hopes to
have an amended Supplemental Type
Certificate (STC) for its Boeing 747-446,
Tanker #944, approved by the Federal
Aviation Administration ahead of this
summer’s fire season.The former Japan Airlines aircraft was
used by Evergreen Airlines in the aerial
firefighting role, but following the latter
company’s bankruptcy, the aircraft –
including the retardant systems, patents and
STC – were purchased by Colorado Springs-based Global SuperTanker Services. The
aircraft was delivered in January, registered
N744ST (c/n 25308) and named Spirit of
John Muir. It has a 74,200 lit (19,600 US
gal) capacity, making it the largest aerial
firefighting aircraft in the world.IN BRIEF
Rapidly expanding private jet operator ZETTA JET
has exercised options on two Bombardier Global
6000s. The Singapore-based firm operates a fleet of
six Global family aircraft and so now has a total of
four firm orders outstanding and two further options.
Czech aerospace firm AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES has
signed a memorandum of understanding with China
Aviation Supplies Holding Company for the delivery
of 20 L 410 UVP-E20s over the next five years. The
$126m deal will see the aircraft delivered to Xinjiang
General Purpose Airline, with the first five due to be
handed over later this year.
Boeing has handed over AIR FRANCE’S 70th 777,
F-GZNU (c/n 61701). The SkyTeam carrier, the launch
customer for both the 777-300ER and 777F, took
delivery of its first 777-200ER in March 1998. The
latest 777-300ER is the final aircraft from Air France’s
current order for the type.
THOMAS COOK AIRLINES will start flights from
London Luton Airport next summer. The airline
will fly once-weekly services from the Bedfordshire
airport to Palma (Monday), Ibiza (Friday), Mahon
(Saturday) and Corfu (Sunday).
Paris Orly-based all-business class carrier
OPENSKIES plans to add four Boeing 767s to
its fleet. The first of the aircraft, which are being
transferred from parent British Airways, is planned to
enter service in August.
Low-cost carrier RYANAIR reached a significant
milestone when it took delivery of its 400th Next-
Generation 737-800. The jet, EI-FRC (c/n 62690), was
handed over on March 31.Dublin Airport is progressing with plans to
build a second runway. Planning permission
was granted for the new North Runway in
August 2007, but work was put on hold as
the economic downturn took effect and
passenger numbers fell. However, a record
25 million passengers used the airport last
year and it has recorded double-digit growthin the opening two months of this year,
putting the €320m project back on the table.
The 10,200ft (3,110m) runway will be
built 1 mile (1.6km) north of the existing one
and is expected to be operational in 2020.
Enabling works are due to start later this
year with construction expected to begin in
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