Boeing and Airbus Book Record Orders

Boeing announced that it had booked orders for a record 1,002 jetliners in 2005, finally beating Airbus in a race the European company owned since 2000. 

Airbus Chief Executive Gustav Humbert is expected to report later this week that the company also had a record year for orders, even if its total didn't quite match Boeing -- and that it delivered more jetliners than Boeing for the third year in a row.  Boeing delivered 290 planes in 2005. Officials at Airbus said they expected 2005 deliveries to total 370.

New Aircraft Orders Worldwide

The commercial airline industry continues to be strong, with new orders for aircraft increasing.

Rayanair adds nine B-737s to orderbook.  The deal is valued at $500 million USD.  Ryanair operates 92 Boeing 737s and with this new order now has 239 737s on firm order, with an additional 179 options.

Caribbean Aircraft Leasing (Caribbean Star or Caribbean Sun Airlines) have ordered three Bombardier Q300 aircraft.

Austrian regional Styrian Spirit has signed a deal with Bombarider for a CRJ900, making the airline the first in Europe to operate the largest CRJ family member.  The aircraft will have 88 and be equipeed with the Enhanced Performance Package (EPP).   Styrian Spirit began operations in March 2003.

Carpatair Buys F100s

Romania-based Carpatair has added Fokker 100s to its fleet.  The aircraft will be Carpatair's first jet aircraft, and they will complement its Saab 340 and Saab 2000 turboprops.  Initially the F100s will fly from the airline's hub in Timisoara to Germany and Italy, but starting this summer, they will be used to launch new routes to London, France, Spain and Dublin, Ireland. 

Another 22 CRJ 700s for SkyWest

SkyWest has announced plans to purchase 22 Bombardier CRJ700s.  The contract converts 18 existing SkyWest CRJ200 aircraft on backlog, which was assumed by SkyWest as part of the Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) takeover, plus the addition of four new orders.

SkyWest also retains a firm order for 15 CRJ700 on Bombardier's backlog from a previous transaction.

In addition, the 80 options for CRJ700s already announced were reaffirmed as part of this agreement.  The current combined fleets of SkyWest-owned airlines include 229 CRJ200 and 72 CRJ700 aircraft.

New Hong Kong Carrier to Fly Long-Haul Routes

The airline industry is still going strong, both U.S. and international.

A new start-up budget airline is beginning operations out of Hong Kong. 

Oasis Hong Kong Airlines will keep expenses low by flying long-distance only and maximizing flying hours of wide-body aircraft with low per-passenger costs.  Tickets are priced 40-50% lower on average than full-service airlines, according to CEO Stephen Miller.  The airline seeks to attract a new market of long-distance passengers flying from Hong Kong to London Gatwick Airport. 

The airline plans its fleet of leased B-747-400 aircraft to expand to 25.