Airliner World

The new thrice-weekly rotation – which marks the African airline’s first foray into the Chinese market – has been described as performing “beyond expectations”. The strong passenger figures are supported by a promising start to the route’s freight traffic, with 235 tonnes of cargo also carried over the same period, according to the airline. Makalo confirmed that increasing trade between China and the African continent has boosted forecasts, stating that the company will “continue to identify further opportunities for expansion. The links are typically flown by Airbus A330-200 examples, with an intermediate stop of approximately 90 minutes at Mumbai/Chhatrapati Shivaji.

Following the retirement of Airbus A330-200, A6-EYE (c/n 688), last November, Etihad Airways has unveiled a new special liveried aircraft celebrating its partnership with Manchester City Football Club. Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, A6-BND (c/n 42373), was delivered to the carrier in a sky-blue variation of the carrier’s colour scheme on October 18. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/4GEwHG3dD9 On the inaugural flight, passengers were met by Omar Berrada, Manchester City’s chief operating officer, representatives from the club’s As we celebrate a decade of this successful partnership, we are proud to see the Manchester City colours grace our runways and skies, as the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner takes flight.

Spirit Airlines and Airbus have agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the Florida-based carrier to acquire up to 100 A320neo Family examples. The company is expected to opt for a mix of A319neo and A320neo, as well as the largest A321neo type as part of the proposed agreement which aims to “meet its future fleet requirements”. The ongoing, enthusiastic spirit the airline demonstrates in our A320neo Family is most rewarding, and we look forward to playing a part in the Spirit team’s continued growth for many, many years to come. Spirit currently operates 138 A320 Family jets and has a further seven A320neos scheduled for delivery from Airbus’ plant in Mobile, Alabama before the end of the year.

Switzerland’s Helvetic Airways has expanded its pool contract, adding seven E190s to the current agreement already supporting four of its aircraft. Additionally, Zambia’s Royal Air Charters signed a new support contract for its recently acquired ERJ145. We are humbled to sign and renew these pool agreements, which are an important endorsement by these key customers in Africa and Europe for the superior quality and scope of Embraer’s portfolio of services. Embraer’s Pool Programme offers full repair coverage for components and parts, airframe maintenance and unlimited access to a stock of components at the company’s distribution centres.