Welcome

Welcome to Flight Insight’s fortnightly Aircraft finance newsletter.

In this issue we feature news on Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways expansion plans, and news on Arik Air’s expansion in long-haul operations. The data and analysis section focuses on Airbus and Boeing’s first quarter sales performance including details of their deliveries and orders.

This newsletter is compiled by Flight Insight, Flight’s newly created research team, and brings together the latest headlines from across Airline Business and Flight International, as well as data and analysis from our leading online services ATI and ACAS.

For comments and suggestions on content for future editions of this newsletter, please email me at: Antonio.Panariello@flightglobal.com

Headlines: Fleet plans and deals

Arik Air reveals long-haul ambition
Nigerian carrier orders Boeing widebodies to support expansion this year to London Heathrow and the USA.

Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways seeks more A320s
Kuwait-base low-cost carrier Jazeera Airways is looking to accelerate Airbus A320 deliveries and increase its order to support rapid network expansion.

Israir A320 deal marks first Airbus sale to Israel
Airbus has finally made a breakthrough into the Israeli market after Tel Aviv-based carrier Israir signed a deal to acquire three Airbus A320s.

Lufthansa order tied by scope restrictions
Lufthansa is unlikely to take a decision on the placement of its new regional aircraft in the near-term because of historical scope restrictions, which cap its regional carriers' aircraft size at 70 seats.

Headlines: Programme watch

Ryanair set to switch on OnAir service
Carrier to leapfrog others planning trials on individual aircraft with proposal to retrofit entire Boeing fleet.

Gulf axes aircraft and budget carrier as finances go critical
New head warns of inevitable job losses as it drops 767s and opts for all-Airbus fleet.

Embraer may hike Phenom price again
Rapid progress in past two months as fuselage and wings of first prototype come together and engines fit checked.

Jet Airways reivents Air Sahara
India's Jet Airways is to run newly acquired Air Sahara as a separate operation and rebrand it as "Jetlite".

Research: Special reports

Flight International special report: Brazil hits a new high
Thanks to Embraer, Brazil has become a major player in aerospace. In this special feature, we examine the challenges facing the country's champion as a new chief executive takes over from the iconic Mauricio Botelho. We also look at the growth of Brazil's SMEs and the airline sector after Varig's demise.

Airline Business special report: Aircraft & Engines
Our poll reveals carriers want a new narrowbody sooner rather than later. We find the A350 is finally giving an alternative to the 787, and while widebody demand is strong, doubts remain about the market.