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Scramble 469
hawks while Hubei Sky-Blue International Aviation Academy
ordered thirteen of them. The company has signed purchase
agreements with end-users, and there are solid prospects for
the thirteen units of Skyhawks to be purchased in 2018. In the
next five years the company plans to purchase an additional
fifty Skyhawks and some Citation business jets.
Zunum Aero
Zunum
On 22 May 2018 American business jet operator Jetsuite
announced to be the launch customer for the Zunum jet. On
their launching order the maximum number is set at 100 air-
planes. The Zunum is a concept in development, aiming to be
the first hybrid electrical business jet, capable to transport
up to twelve passengers across a 700 miles (1,100km) radius,
allowing flights between New York and Chicago, Seattle and
San Jose and so on. Reaching up to FL250 this dual E-fan
driven platform can cruise with an average speed of 340 mph
(540 km/h) and can take-off and land at 2,200ft (670m) long
runways. Next to a small load of regular fuel the wings of the
Zunum will house modular battery stations enabling hybrid
flight, faster travelling times and much cheaper costs. The
first flights and start of the certification process are sched-
uled for 2019 with Type Certificate Approval by the FAA in
2022. In order to reach their goals and developments Zunum
is supported by Boeing and JetBlue. The later also has bonds
with Jetsuite, currently operating a mixed charter fleet con-
sisting of Embraer 500/505, ERJ135/Legacy jets out of Califor-
nia and recently gained a new minority stake holder in the
shape of Qatar Airways.
Next to the Zunum jet programme Zunum Aero also works
on a business model for Boeing, containing an hybrid airliner
capable of transporting 75 passengers.
Airliner News
Europe
Albania
Start-up Air Albania is nearing its first flight and is now plan-
ning to operate the A320 instead of the B737-400. It hopes
to start flying at the end of next month with flights out of
Tirana to Istanbul, London and Rome-Fiumicino. After that
the airline wants to expand to Athens, Barcelona, Brussels,
Milan-Malpensa and Munich. Air Albania also has more ambi-
tious plans to lease several A330s for use on flights to New
York-JFK.
Austria
The Lufthansa Group has decided to halt the widebody fleet
renewal of Austrian Airlines as the airline isn’t making
enough money to make such a large investment profitable.
Denmark
After ordering fifty A320neos, SAS is now planning to look
at its regional fleet, especially the gap between its largest
regional plane, the CRJ900 and the A320neo. No timeframe
has, however, been given when the new strategy should be
in place.
Germany
The Lufthansa Group did some shopping and ordered two
B777Fs for Lufthansa Cargo and twelve A320s for Lufthansa.
Six of these will be A320neos. The six non-neos will be used to
mitigate the effects of the delayed A320neo-deliveries.
Italy
The new government of Italy has decided to halt the sale of
Alitalia. The government now wants to restart the airline so
that the country can keep a “competitive national carrier”.
Luxembourg
Cargolux will expand its fleet with two more used B747-400Fs
next year. The country’s other carrier, Luxair, is planning to
add one extra B737 to its fleet.
Norway
Wideroe is studying the possibilities for which plane they will
order as a replacement for their twenty-two DHC-8-100s and
three -200s. They are planning to start the replacement in
2025 as the fleet’s lifespan will end in 2030.
Portugal
As euroAtlantic Airways has taken delivery of their first
of three former Hainan Airlines B767-300ERs, the airline
announced that they are looking at new planes to replace
its current fleet of widebodies. Under consideration are
Boeings, but also Airbuses, despite the airline being an all
Boeing-airline.
Russia
The GTLK leasing company has signed a deal with Red Wings
to lease them six CS300s. The planes will be delivered next
French Bee is the low-cost, long-haul daughter of Air Caraibes parent Grouppe Dubreuil. French Bee operates alongside Air Caraibes, targeting
growth leisure markets and offering passengers, whether in travelling in premium economy or economy class, state of the art Wi-Fi and video
services. It operates from Paris-Orly to destinations in the French Overseas territories and Holiday destinations in the Americas, Caribbean and
Indian Ocean. It will start services from Orly to San Francisco and Papeete (Thahiti) later this year. The airine was formerly known as French
Blue, but after a protest from JetBlue Airlines of the United States, Grouppe Dubreuil agreed to change French Blue’s name to French Bee, effec-
tive 6 February 2018. Airbus A330-300 F-HPUJ is seen here at its homebase Paris-Orly sporting the new titles. (11 May 2018, Walter Heukensfeld)
