EasyJet founder to launch low-cost airline in Africa

A new budget airline backed by easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou will soon take to the African skies, promising to bring low-cost flights to millions of people in the continent.

Dubbed Fastjet, the no-frills carrier is expected to launch in three to four months, aiming to cash in on Africa's robust economic growth and a growing appetite for travel by its burgeoning middle class.

The move comes after Haji-Ioannou's easyGroup teamed up earlier this month with pan-African conglomerate Lonrho to create the low-cost carrier. Lonhro, owner of budget airline Fly540, has agreed to sell its aviation business to investment firm Rubicon Diversified Investments, in which easyGroup will hold a 5% stake.

The new business will start operations using Lonrho existing network in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Angola, before expanding to more markets in the future.

"These four countries are currently experiencing great GDP growth, along with oil and gas discoveries and developments," says Ed Winter, chief executive of Fastjet.

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou has joined forces with Lonhro to launch Fastjet
• The low-cost airline will operate from Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Angola
• Low prices will democratize air travel in Africa, say Fastjet executives
• Challenges include airport infrastructure

More A320s hit the market after Air Australia ceases operations

The collapse of Air Australia last week has left six CFM56-5A3-powered Airbus A320s available for purchase or lease in the market.

Air Australia operated six A320s that that were manufactured between 1991 and 1993. The carrier was also due to receive a new A320 from AerCap in April.

According to Flightglobal's Ascend online database, there are 2,767 A320s currently in service with an estimated 130 aircraft now in storage.

The CFM56-5A powered population accounts for 325 aircraft and 44 of them, or 18%, in storage.

Of the 99 V2500-A1 engine powered fleet, an estimated 24 aircraft are in storage, or 24% of the population.

Another 23 stored A320s have CFM56-5B engines out of a 1,268 aircraft population. There are also 39 V2527-A5-powered aircraft in storage out of a total fleet 1,075 units.

Air Australia is the sixth A320 operator to stop operations since March 2011.

Narrowbodies make mark in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia has become an increasingly lucrative market for narrowbody aircraft, with the growth of low-cost travel and relaxation of regulations helping to drive orders throughout the region - and fuelling fears of overcapacity.

Most of the existing fleet in Southeast Asia consists of widebodies, and several of the legacy airlines have continued to place orders to replace their ageing aircraft and reduce costs. However, narrowbody aircraft will account for the majority of deliveries in the coming years, analysis of Flightglobal's ACAS database reveals. Many of the major carriers in the region already have large backlogs of orders for both Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s, including the re-engined options that became available to order last year. And a handful of orders could be made this year, including one or two at the 2012 Singapore Airshow.

Airbus reports 2011 aircraft orders and deliveries

 Airbus beat Boeing in 2011, delivering 534 commercial aircraft and booking 1,419 net orders. Most of the orders were for the A320neo (new engine option).


Airbus (Toulouse, France) announced on Jan. 17 that it delivered 534 commercial aircraft to 88 customers (10 new) and booked 1,419 net orders in 2011, making it the most successful year in the company’s history, and the 10th in a row with a production increase.

The 534 deliveries beat the previous record set in 2010 by 24 aircraft. Deliveries include a new record for 421 single-aisle aircraft (401 in 2010), 87 A330 Family (87 in 2010) and 26 A380s (18 in 2010). December was a record month for the A380, with four deliveries in a single month. Airbus Military also delivered a record number of 29 aircraft (20 light and medium military and transport aircraft — C212, CN235 and C295, three P-3 conversion aircraft and 6 A330 MRTTs).

Firmed A320 deals lift Airbus's January orders

Despite expectations of a slower sales year, Airbus nevertheless logged more than 90 orders for January 2012, notably following the firming of tentative agreements by AviancaTaca and Spirit Airlines.

AviancaTaca signed for 51 A320-family jets, including 33 re-engined airframes. The 51 include 27 A319s, 20 A320s and four A321s, meaning that the carrier group will be taking at least some re-engined A319neos or A321neos.

Start-up Tibet Airlines has placed orders for three more A319s, which will give it a total of eight of the type. Air Namibia has also ordered a pair.

US carrier Spirit Airlines firmed its order for 30 baseline A320s on 27 January, having previously signed for 45 A320neos on 29 December last year.