Tag Archives: #oem

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Embraer’s order backlog reaches $26.3 billion

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Embraer has reported that its organization-wide backlog reached US$26.3 billion in 4Q24. The value is the largest ever recorded by the company in its history, and more than 40% higher year-on-year and 16% higher quarter-on-quarter.

Embraer delivered 75 aircraft in the last quarter of the year, 27% more than the 59 aircraft in the previous quarter, and equal to the number in the same period a year ago. Meanwhile, the company delivered a total of 206 aircraft in 2024 – a 14% increase compared to the 181 aircraft in 2023.

In Commercial Aviation, the backlog reached US$10.2 billion in 4Q24 – 15% higher year-on-year but 8% lower quarter-on-quarter – because of the seasonally strong period of aircraft deliveries. The business unit delivered 31 new aircraft in the last quarter of 2024 and 73 in the full year (at the ceiling of revised estimates of 70-73 for the year and within the original estimates of 72-80). Consequently, Commercial Aviation finished 2024 with a strong 1.6 book-to-bill ratio based on financial values[2].

Luxair formalized an order for 2 E195-E2s, which will complement the airline’s fleet of larger aircraft already requested. By exercising 2 secured options on its 2023 firm order for 4 aircraft, Luxair now has a total of 6 E195-E2 jets requested. Thus, Embraer currently has 179 firm orders for the E2 Jets family and 164 for the E1-175 Jet aircraft.

In Executive Aviation, the backlog soared to US$ 7.4 billion in 4Q24 – 70% higher year-on-year and 67% higher quarter-on-quarter – and a new all-time high for the business unit supported by a marquee contract with Flexjet. The deal includes 182 firm orders for Phenom 300E, Praetor 500, and Praetor 600 aircraft with deliveries from 2026 to 2030, and up to 30 additional Praetor options.

The division delivered 44 jets in the last quarter of 2024, and a total of 130 for the year (at the midpoint of the original guidance for 2024, and a 14-year high). Consequently, Executive Aviation finished 2024 with an industry leading 2.7 book-to-bill ratio based on financial values.

The mid and super-mid-sized Praetor 500 and Praetor 600 represented half of the segment deliveries (22 jets) during the quarter, supported by the solid thrust forward of the aircraft family. Meanwhile, the Phenom 300, the best-selling aircraft in its category for 12 consecutive years worldwide, was the top performer (19 jets) over the period.

It is important to highlight the progress observed in the company’s production levelling initiative in 2024. Management managed to reduce how deliveries were skewed towards Q4 and better distribute them throughout the quarters. In 2024, Q4 deliveries accounted for 34% of the yearly total while that number was 45% on average for the previous five years. The company achieved significant results during the year and expects additional gains supported by supply chain improvements in the near future.

In Services & Support, the backlog rose to US$4.6 billion in 4Q24 – 50% higher year-on-year and more than 30% higher quarter-on-quarter – propped by long-term contracts with Flexjet in Executive Aviation, and Air Serbia, LOT Polish Airlines and CommuteAir in Commercial Aviation. These contracts for the latter group are for the Pool and Part Exchange Plus Programs whose objectives are to support these companies’ fleet of E-Jets with a wide range of repair components, services and customized inventory. Additionally, contributions from spares/exchange parts, technical publications, technical services, training, and modifications have played a key role in this result. Services & Support finished 2024 with an industry leading 1.9 book-to-bill ratio based on financial values[4].

In Defence & Security, the backlog climbed to US$4.2 billion in 4Q24 – 67% higher year-on-year and 15% higher quarter-on-quarter – supported by new orders for the C-390 Millennium and the A-29 Super Tucano. Embraer currently has 32 firm orders for our military transport and 17 for our light attack aircraft. Meanwhile, Defence & Security continued to ramp up production with the delivery of 3 new C-390 Millennium jets in 2024 versus 2 in 2023. Consequently, the business unit finished 2024 with an industry leading 3.3 book-to-bill ratio based on financial values[5].


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Airbus shuts down Beluga fleet amid rising challenges

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In a bold move marking the international aviation industry, Airbus has announced the termination of its Airbus Beluga Transport subsidiary, marking the end of service of the iconic Beluga aircraft. This decision has led to the suspension of all flights and the loss of 75 jobs. Thus, the termination of the unique whale-like shape aircraft’ s operations has changed the aviation landscape.

Unique whale-like shape and considerable challenges

Airbus has suspended all flight operations of its subsidiary Airbus Beluga and will shut down the unit returning the A300-600ST Belugas to the AOC of Airbus Transport International (ATI). The last flights took place on January 17, 2025. It was also operated  by F-GSTB  from Bordeaux Mérignac to Toulouse Blagnac.

The Airbus Beluga, which is popular for its big volume capacity and unique whale-like shape has been a vital addition to the  Airbus fleet since its appearance in 1995. Initially, it was designed to transfer large aircraft parts between manufacturing sites across Europe.  Particularly, it was wide enough to transfer two full-size super-puma helicopters.  It also started replacing its first generation of planes with the more advanced version Beluga XLs based on the A330 in 2019. In 2022, the latter repurposed the previous jets launching AiBT with four planes offering to transport oversized cargo for customers in aerospace, energy, aid sectors and military.

However,  the company has faced significant obstacles in managing the Beluga fleet. The Airbus company stated that there has been a significant shift in particular areas towards using maritime transport despite the increasing  demand for global air freight. Nonetheless, that was not the main reason for shutting the unique Airbus Beluga Transport business. Specifically, a spokesperson stated:

“AiBT is not ending operations because of changes in the air freight market. The main challenge was the significant operational difficulties” since the plane demanded specially trained teams and loading equipment.

Airbus decision for the Beluga business

The fleet’s manufacturer did not disclose the reasons behind the operator’s termination. Though, he mentioned the main cause was the economic factor. The medium and long-term future of the aircraft also remains uncertain.  The extend to which ATI will be operating the Beluga depends on the future planning. Notably, the company’s spokesperson mentioned:

We confirm that the decision has been taken to terminate the Airbus Beluga Transport business for outsized cargo missions. All flights operated by the BelugaST fleet are suspended as of now. The closure project has just started and it is too early to predict a completion date. One of our main priorities during this time is to support our employees during the social process

As Airbus closes this chapter of its fleet one wonders: How will the shut down of the iconic Beluga influence the global aviation sector?


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ATR Aircraft Now Certified for Starlink High-Speed Internet

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ATR, the global leader in regional aircraft manufacturing, has achieved a significant milestone with the certification of Starlink high-speed internet for its ATR 72 aircraft by EASA.

This development brings a new level of connectivity to regional air travel, ensuring passengers can enjoy a seamless internet experience akin to their home networks while in the skies.

The Starlink system, engineered by SpaceX, leverages a low-Earth orbit satellite constellation to provide broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, gaming, video calls, and more. This revolutionary technology has been successfully tested on ATR’s 72-600 aircraft, paving the way for its retrofit availability on ATR 72-500 and 72-600 models through a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) developed by PMV Engineering.

Air New Zealand Takes the Lead

Air New Zealand is set to be the launch customer for Starlink-equipped ATR aircraft, with plans to introduce the service on its domestic routes in 2025. According to Nikhil Ravishankar, Chief Digital Officer at Air New Zealand, “maintaining seamless internet connectivity will transform the travel experience for customers.” This innovative move aligns with the airline’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance passenger satisfaction.

Enhanced Travel and Safety Features

In addition to providing passengers with unmatched internet connectivity, the system offers benefits for flight operations. Pilots will gain access to real-time aviation weather services, enabling safer and more informed decision-making during flights. The compact antenna design, optimized for the ATR’s aerodynamic profile, ensures minimal impact on the aircraft’s performance.

Global Impact on Regional Air Travel

The introduction of Starlink on ATR aircraft is expected to generate strong interest across global markets, including Europe, the United States, Asia-Pacific, and Japan, where the demand for in-flight connectivity continues to rise. As part of its HighLine collection, ATR also offers complementary high-end cabin solutions, including USB sockets at every seat and in-flight entertainment systems, creating a fully connected cabin experience.

Collaboration Driving Innovation

This achievement highlights ATR’s dedication to meeting evolving passenger expectations while staying ahead of industry trends. Daniel Cuchet, Senior Vice-President Engineering at ATR, emphasized the company’s vision of excellence and innovation: “Starlink opens up a new era for ATR, offering unparalleled levels of comfort and passenger experience in the regional market.”

As ATR operators worldwide prepare to adopt this transformative technology, the future of regional air travel promises to be more connected and convenient than ever.


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2024 – Who won the battle of the OEMs?

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2024 was a year of recovery for aircraft OEMs who all continued their post-pandemic recovery but for Boeing in particular there was also the recovery from several years of very high-profile production problems with their 737 Max and 787 range.

The 2024 Farnborough Airshow threw up some decent orders which boosted sales and several record-breaking orders throughout the year, making it a healthy year for the aircraft manufacturing industry but who did best?

Airbus

Airbus has cemented its position of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer in recent years with its best-selling A320neo range proving popular across the globe so what do the 2024 results show us for the Toulouse, France based OEM.

Highlights for Airbus included orders for 100 aircraft order from Air India, 70 aircraft from Cebu Pacific and a 31 aircraft order from Japan Airlines.

Airbus is vital to the UK economy with the wings being made at Airbus’ Broughton North Wales facility.

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Boeing

Boeing has had a tough year with ongoing production problems affecting its 737 Max and 787 product lines. This was compounded in Washington State by a 5 week strike by Boeing employees which saw production grind to a halt and a massive revenue loss by the OEM.

That being said though, Boeing did achieve a substantial amount of orders for its 737 Max, 787 and 777X product lines despite the latter having its delivery date pushed back by another year.

Highlights for Boeing included a 200 aircraft order from Pegasus Airlines and a 35 aircraft order from ACG.

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Embraer

The Brazilian OEM will never compete with Airbus and Boeing for numbers but its E-Jet range has proved popular with regional and short-haul airlines and its deliveries went up 14% compared to 2023.

Highlights for 2024 include Virgin Australia signing for eight E190-E2 jets.

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Airbus Marks Strong November Performance with 84 Aircraft Deliveries

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Airbus has turned in a strong performance for November, with 84 aircraft deliveries made to 24 customers, and 30 further orders secured.

Airbus demonstrated remarkable resilience in November 2024, successfully delivering 84 aircraft to airlines across the global market. This achievement highlights the company’s ongoing dedication to meeting the aviation industry’s increasing demand for modern, fuel-efficient aircraft.

The month’s deliveries showed a diverse portfolio, featuring a mix of single-aisle and wide-body aircraft. The A320neo family and the A350 series dominated the delivery lineup for the month.

Moreover, the company continued to secure new orders, with a further 30 orders obtained from undisclosed customers.

Key Highlights from November 2024


Total Deliveries: 84 aircraft delivered to 24 customers. 

Notable Deliveries: A mix of single-aisle and wide-body aircraft, including popular models like the A320neo family and the A350.

Notable deliveries for November were Malaysia Airlines A330neo and Icelandair’s first A321LR. Two airlines – Emirates and Ethiopian – received their first A350 widebody aircraft.

Strong Order Book: Airbus continues to secure new orders, taking a further 30 aircraft orders from undisclosed buyers. This breaks down as: 10 A321neo, 15 A330-900 and 5 A350-900 aircraft.

Analyzing Airbus’ November Performance


Airbus’ strong November performance can be attributed to several factors:Robust Demand for Fuel-Efficient Aircraft: Airlines are increasingly seeking fuel-efficient aircraft to reduce operating costs and environmental impact. Airbus’ modern fleet, including the A320neo and A350 families, aligns well with this demand.  Effective Supply Chain Management: Despite ongoing global supply chain challenges, Airbus has demonstrated its ability to manage its supply chain effectively, ensuring timely deliveries.Strong Aftermarket Business: Airbus’ commitment to providing comprehensive aftermarket services, including maintenance, repair, and overhaul, contributes to its overall business performance.

Summary 


Despite persistent global supply chain challenges, Airbus has distinguished itself through exceptional supply chain management.

The company’s ability to ensure timely deliveries demonstrates its operational excellence and strategic planning. Additionally, Airbus’ comprehensive aftermarket services, including maintenance, repair, and overhaul support, have been instrumental in bolstering its overall business performance.

Looking forward, Airbus appears well-positioned to capitalize on the aviation industry’s continued recovery from the pandemic.

The manufacturers total 2024 deliveries to date now sits at 643 aircraft deliveries to 82 customers.


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Gulfstream G700 Heads to MEBAA Show with Cert in Hand

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Long-range business jet has accumulated 65 city-pair records

Gulfstream Aerospace will display its G700 flagship at the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association’s upcoming MEBAA trade show, to be held December 10 to 12 in Dubai. While marking a return to the event, the G700 will arrive this time as a fully certified aircraft. Having achieved U.S. certification in late March, the aircraft also has received validation from nine other countries, as well as EASA.

“The G700 continues to exceed customer expectations since entering service in April,” said Scott Neal, senior v-p of worldwide sales for Gulfstream.

Gulfstream believes the aircraft is well suited for the Middle East market, which tends to favor larger, longer-range models. The Gulfstream fleet in the region’s market has topped 120 aircraft, representing 40% growth over the past decade. 

With a maximum range of 7,750 nm and maximum speed of Mach 0.935, the G700 is Gulfstream’s longest-range and fastest model currently on the market, having already racked up more than 65 city-pair speed records. Able to connect Dubai to New York, the G700 can accommodate up to five living areas, seat up to 19 passengers, and sleep up to 13.

The MEBAA display follows Gulfstream’s showing of the G700 earlier this month at the Bahrain International Airshow.


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Airshow China: Airbus signs A350 seating deal with Jiatai

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Seating manufacturer Jiatai Aircraft Equipment Co. and Airbus kicked off Airshow China by signing a cooperation deal on opening day.

The agreement covers Economy Class seats for the A350 New Production Standard (NPS) and will be offered in the airframer’s buyer furnished equipment catalogue.

This cooperation with Airbus is aimed at optimising the seating layout of the A350 enhanced cabin, enabling airlines to choose a cabin configuration with one additional seat per row (1 row of 10 pax of seats), thus significantly increasing the aircraft’s passenger capacity.

Jiatai is part of the AVIC group of companies, which includes Thompson Aero Seating, ACS UK and private jet equipment supplier FACC. It has a history of working with Airbus, having been awarded ‘Premium Supplier’ status in 2023 and 2024. Its seats currently fly on more than 100 airbus aircraft.


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Embraer to attend Airshow China 2024

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The aircraft manufacturers are attending Airshow 2024 in Zhuhai China from 12 – 14 November where it will host the second Embraer Supplier Day.

The Sao Paulo-based company will also use the Airshow to promote supplier cooperation and release the company’s latest market outlook.

Embraer has attended twelve prior airshows. This is the second time they have had their own stand.

Martyn Holmes, Chief Commercial Officer Embraer Commercial Aviation, said:

“We’re continually looking for ways to promote cooperation in China by offering aircraft that improve air service and connecting second and third tier cities to satisfy the ever-growing demand for air travel. The airshow is a great platform to meet with our customers, partners and stakeholders across the region.”

The company will also use the Airshow to announce a series of updates to its E-Class jets, most notably the implementation of the ET2S system, the world’s first fully automated takeoff system. It will also announce improvements to the fuel burn efficiency, range, and optimisation across all E-Class planes.

Embraer’s Continued Expansion into Asia

In more new good news for the manufacturer, the E190-E2 and the E195-E2 have both been cleared for operation by the Chinese Air Authority, the CAAC. The first flight of an E-Class jet was in 2001, with the E170.  The ‘E2’ class was lauched in 2016. With a longer fuselage, improved engines, and longer range, they were designed to compete with the Airbus A220 aircraft.

The agreement will allow Embraer to open a series of after-care and supply centres for customers in China, with Cirium announcing in a recent report that the country will be a regional leader in aircraft investment in the coming decades.

Embraer, and Brazil more generally, have a myriad of cultural and economic ties to China. With increased tension between East and West, the market is open for further investment in both directions.

Those attending Airshow China 2024 can register at Embraer’s stand at H4B1 in Hall 6, with the announcement taking place in room 216 at 10:00 (local time) on 14 November.


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October saw Airbus deliver 62 airliners to 37 customers

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Airbus continued its strong year of aircraft production with 62 airliners being delivered in October to 37 customers around the world.

Continuing the year long trend, Single-aisle airliners such as the A320neo and A220 families dominated deliveries accounting to 56 of the 62 deliveries.

The A321neo was the most popular airliner delivered with 32 of the type going to customers including Jet2, Delta Airlines and easyJet. The A320neo was next in line with 14 deliveries to customers such as Indigo, easyJet and Chine Eastern.

Proving popular in Asia, two A319neos went to China Southern and Tibetan Airlines.

The A220 family saw seven of the -300s go to Air France, Breeze and Delta Airlines amongst others while a sole -100 model went to ITA Airways by way of Air Lease Corp.

Widebody deliveries consisted of two A350s, a -900 for Lufthansa and a -1000 for Japan Airlines with three A330neos going to Corsair, Virgin Atlantic and Delta Airlines and a A330-200 for the Royal Saudi Air Force.


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Archer Aviation gets another big order for its futuristic air taxis

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The startup will bring its electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to Japan.

Archer Aviation, a leading electric flight company based in San Jose, California, is bringing its futuristic air taxis to Japan. The company will sell 100 of its Midnight battery-powered aircraft to Soracle, a joint venture between Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corporation, in a deal valued approximately at $500 million.

Archer says that Soracle plans on deploying its aircraft — which look like a cross between a drone and a helicopter — “in cities where existing ground transportation is constrained by traffic or geographic barriers,” the company said. Still, Archer will need to achieve “certain milestones in advanced aircraft delivery” before Soracle approves pre-delivery payments.

The deal is the latest to buoy Archer’s prospects of launching commercial air taxi services in cities across the world, which is says it plans on doing in the years to come. Midnight is a four-seat aircraft plus one pilot, with a range of up to 100 miles (nearly 160km), though it’s designed for back-to-back flights of 20-50 miles with minimal charge time in between. It can travel at speeds of up to 150mph (241 km/h) on pure battery power. And using tilt rotors, Midnight is designed to take off and land vertically like a helicopter and then transition into forward flight like a plane. 

Archer says it will work with Soracle and the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau to obtain the necessary permissions and certifications. Archer says it has already begun discussions and “intends to formally apply for concurrent type certificate validation from JCAB in the near future.” The company recently received a Part 135 air carrier certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration, which the company will need to operate an on-demand air taxi service. It is currently seeking a type certification for its Midnight air taxi, which means the aircraft meets all the FAA’s design and safety standards.

Archer came out of stealth in spring 2020 after having poached key talent from Wisk (formerly Kitty Hawk) and Airbus’ Vahana project. (Wisk later sued for alleged trade secret theft, which was finally settled late last year.) The company has a $1 billion order from United Airlines for its aircraft and a deal to mass-produce its eVTOL craft with global automaker Stellantis.

Alongside Archer, other electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) companies hope to eventually win full FAA approval. That got a boost just a few weeks ago, when the agency published highly anticipated final regulations for eVTOL vehicles that it says will chart the path for the “air travel of the future.” Archer praised the FAA for “providing clear direction on what is required for the safe operation of eVTOL aircraft in the U.S.”

Air taxis, sometimes misidentified by the mainstream media as “flying cars,” are essentially helicopters without the noisy, polluting gas motors (though they certainly have their own unique noise profile). In addition to Archer, companies like Joby Aviation, Volocopter, and Beta Technologies have claimed they are on the cusp of launching services that will eventually scale up nationwide. But others have floundered; German company Lilium recently said that two of its subsidiaries were insolvent and could cease operations.