18 AIRLINER WORLD JUNE 2018
News Review • A s i a / P a c i fi c
More MAXs for
Jet Airways
INDIAN CARRIER Jet Airways has
concluded a deal to purchase a fur-
ther 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The
deal, which is valued at $8.7bn, adds
to the 75 MAXs – later adjusted to 54
jets – ordered at the Dubai Airshow
on November 9, 2015, although the
airline hasn’t indicated which variant
of the single-aisle jet it has selected.
This latest order will support Jet
Airways’ plans for expansion of both
its international and domestic net-
work. It is scheduled to take delivery
of its first 737 MAX (from the original
order) later this year.
Vinay Dube, CEO, Jet Airways, said:
“Our new order for an additional 75
737 MAX aircraft will allow us to
deliver a differentiated and world-
class customer experience to our
guests. This additional purchase re-
emphasises our trust and confidence
in Boeing and also reaffirms our
commitment to operate extremely
modern, reliable and fuel-efficient
airliners in our fleet. This latest deal
underscores our commitment to
the growth and sustainability of the
Indian aviation market.”New Seats for AirAsia
MALAYSIA-BASED AirAsia has become
the launch customer for Mirus Aircraft
Seating’s new Hawk slimline aircraft
seat. The high-performance Economy
Class seat is made from carbon fibre,
aluminium and leather upholstery that
the airline reports “combines aircraft
cabin innovation with the best of motor
racing engineering”. The seat is also
lighter than the one it is replacing and
is expected to help AirAsia reduce fuel
consumption by more than 15,400 gal
(70,000lit) as well as lowering CO²
emissions by 200 tonnes per aircraft
every year.
Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group CEO,
said: “Lots of great work has gone into
the Hawk. Not only is this premium seat
more comfortable and boasts more
legroom, but it also weighs less, which
is good for our guests, our bottom
line and the environment as well.
And this is just the beginning, more
innovations are on the way, including a
personal electronic device-holder and
high power 2A USB port so our guests
can stay powered and connected as
they enjoy our inflight content. It really
will be a true step-change in low-cost
carrier passenger experience.”
The new Hawk seat is assembled at
Mirus Aircraft Seating’s state-of-the-art
automotive-style production facility
in Hingham, Norfolk and draws on
Formula 1 engineering expertise.
(Photo Mirus Aircraft Seating)Lion Air
Completes the
Family
JAKARTA, INDONESIA-BASED Lion Air
Group has further extended its
commitment to the Boeing 737 MAX
by placing a firm order for 50 MAX 10s.
The deal, valued at $6.24bn, is the
largest incremental order to date for
the largest member of the MAX family,
and brings the airline group’s total
orders for the type to 251.Edward Sirait, president director of
the Lion Air Group, said: “We are very
excited to be a launch customer of the
latest version of the 737. This
aeroplane delivers a new level of fuel
efficiency and operating economics
and fits in perfectly with our fleet of
modern aircraft. We are proud to
continue our tradition of innovation atLion Air as we again lead the way with
new aeroplane technology.”
The Lion Air Group was the first airline
in the world to put the 737 MAX 8 and
MAX 9 into service and with the arrival
of its first MAX 10, scheduled for 2020,
this will enable it to maximise fleet
commonality and flexibility.
(Photo Boeing)Vietnam Airlines, the SkyTeam global alliance member, has taken delivery of its 12th Airbus A350-900 painted in the airline group’s distinctive silver and blue livery. The carrier says the special
paint scheme is also part of its ongoing efforts to provide a new flying experience for passengers and to accomplish its goal of becoming the largest airline in the Asia Pacific region (see AIRLINER
WORLD, March 2018). The aircraft, VN-A897 (c/n 197) was put into service on April 15 on the Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City route. The last two A350-900s from its current order for 14 are due to be
delivered next year. AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/T LAURENTPromoting the Alliance