Aircraft orders monthly: Iran Air and Gulf Air with busy start to the year

Agreements for 118 new aircraft for Iran Air
Iran Air has signed an agreement with Airbus for the acquisition of the full range of new Airbus airliners (73 widebodies and 45 single aisle).
This includes pilot and maintenance training and support services to help the entry into service and efficient operations of these new aircraft.
The agreement for 118 new aircraft includes 21 A320ceo family, 24 A320neo family, 27 A330ceo family, 18 A330neo (-900), 16 A350-1000 and 12 A380.
The agreement will allow Iran Air state to begin the process of replacing aircraft that in some cases date to before the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Aviation experts estimate that Iran will need around 500 new planes over the next few years.
Most Iranian-registered planes have been banned from European Union airspace on safety grounds, while continuing sanctions have in any case greatly diminished the market for air transport.

Gulf Air orders 29 A320neo Family aircraft
Gulf Air has announced a firm order of 29 A320neo Family. The new order includes 17 A321neo and 12 A320neo of which 10 A320neo have been confirmed in 2012.
The A320neo Family incorporates latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices, which together deliver more than 15% in fuel savings from day one and 20% by 2020 with further cabin innovations.

Gulf Air announces order conversion at Bahrain Air Show
Gulf Air has converted its 16 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners on order to 787-9s as part of its long-term, twin-aisle fleet strategy and expansion.  The value of the airplanes is $4.2bn at current list prices.
The 787-9 complements and extends the 787 Dreamliner family. With the fuselage stretched by 6m (20ft) over the 787-8, the 787-9 can fly up to 20% more passengers and 23% more cargo farther, yet with the same exceptional environmental performance – 20% less fuel use and 20% fewer emissions than the airplanes they replace.

Air China Finalises Order for Six 777-300ERs
Air China has ordered six 777-300ER (extended range) jetliners. The order is valued at more than $2bn at current list prices and bolsters Air China’s long-haul widebody fleet as it looks to expand its international network.
China’s flag carrier continues to modernize its long-haul fleet to replace aging aircraft and plans to expand its growing network internationally.
Air China currently operates a fleet 174 Boeing airplanes, including nearly all current Boeing production models, including the Next-Generation 737, 747-8 Intercontinental as well as 777-300ERs.
With this new order, Air China will increase its unfilled airplane orders with Boeing to 90 units, which include orders for new 787-9 Dreamliners.

ANA in for three A380s
The ANA Group has ordered three single-aisle A380s to meet increasing traffic demands to and from the country, while also providing a solution for capacity constraints.
With deliveries of the ANA Group’s three widebody A380s beginning in 2019, these aircraft will join the carrier’s single-aisle A320 Family jetliners, which were first ordered in 1987 and subsequently expanded with orders for both the A320ceo (current engine option) and A320neo (new engine option) series.

AEI to convert B737-400 into freighter for aviation fund
US passenger to freighter conversion specialist Aeronautical Engineers Inc (AEI) has signed a contract with an unnamed aviation fund for an 11 pallet position B737- 400SF freighter conversion.
The aircraft, built in 1992 (MSN 26071), is a high gross weight B737-400 and is being converted by Commercial Jet in Miami, Florida.
The conversion commenced modification on January 11 and will be re-delivered to the aviation fund in April of this year.