Over 75,000 visitors were expected over the course of the five-day event in the small British town southeast of London. With Royal Air Force flyovers, and more than 1,200 exhibitors, it’s sure to be a busy week.

Over the next five days, all the events taking place will be covered in daily roundup articles, so be sure to check back each evening. In this article, we take a look at all the events occurring on the first day of the show, as well as a small press conference with executives at Boeing. 

• READ MORE: Boom Unveils Supersonic Overture Flight Deck

Boeing’s Pre-Airshow Press Conference 

At a press conference in London on the day before the show began, Boeing Commercial Aircraft CEO Stephanie Pope shared key details on the company. In response to questions regarding the impact on Boeing’s production, Pope claimed that Boeing had managed to increase production on its 737s and 787s. 

Pope, who recently took the helm of Boeing commercial aircraft due to the resignation of its former leader, claimed that she had key priorities to address when taking leadership. These included culture at the company, production, and quality. 

Korean Air Renews Long-Haul Fleet 

Korean Air announced at a press conference that they were ordering additional long-haul aircraft to its fleet.

The order consisted of 20 Boeing 777-9s, and 20 Boeing 787-10s, with a further 10 Boeing 787s being optional. Korean Air CEO Walter Cho claimed that these additional aircraft tied in nicely with the Airbus A350-1000s ordered earlier this year.

When questioned on when the aircraft would be delivered, Cho said Korean Air was looking at 2028 as the first delivery slot.

Japan Airlines Orders More Boeing 787s

Japan Airlines has announced that it will procure an additional 10 Boeing 787-9s, with the first set to arrive in 2028 going through to 2031.

This is a finalization of the order announced in March of this year. Once the order is finalized, it will bring JAL’s order total to 10 Boeing 787s and 21 Boeing 737 Max.

Drukair Plans to Add 5 Airbus Jets

In one of the first A321XLR orders of the airshow, Bhutan flag carrier Drukair announced a revolutionary short-haul order for the airline. The full breakdown consists of three Airbus A320neos and two Airbus A321XLRs. 

The airline’s current Airbus fleet consists of four Airbus A320 family aircraft: three Airbus A319s and an A320ceo. The new aircraft will be revolutionary for the small Bhutani carrier, allowing it to reach destinations farther away, such as the Middle East or northeastern Asia.

• READ MORE: Embraer Inks A-29 Super Tucano Deal

“[We’re] thrilled to embark on this new chapter in Drukair’s history, which dovetails perfectly with the development of the Gelephu Mindfulness City and work to expand the Gelephu Airport [VQGP],” Drukair CEO Tandi Wangchuk said. “Our investment in these state-of-the-art aircraft underscores our dedication to supporting Bhutan’s vision of holistic and mindful development.”

Qatar Airways Touts Upgraded Qsuite Product

Qatar Airways revealed its “QSuite next-gen” product, an upgrade to its current business-class product featured on its Boeing 777s and Airbus A350s. The new features include moveable 4K OLED Panasonic Astrova IFE screens, the first to be featured on board an airline’s cabin.

The seats in the cabin are also wider now, and the ability to socialize in so-called “Quad suites” (four seats grouped together) still remains at the heart of its product. The new seats will be featured on Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777-9s, which are on order and set to first arrive in 2025. 

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

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The captain of the Coast Guard aircraft—the only member of the six person crew who survived, told investigators he had been cleared onto the runway. 

However, according to LiveATC.net and transcripts of tower communications released by Japanese authorities, the last communication between the tower and the Coast Guard aircraft was for the de Havilland Canada DHC-8 to repeat the instructions “taxi to holding point.” The aircraft was supposed to hold until given a clearance to enter the active runway.

The Japanese Transport Ministry—Japan’s civil aviation authority and version of the FAA—released a transcript of the controller communications approximately 4 minutes and 25 seconds before the accident. There is no clear takeoff clearance given to the Coast Guard aircraft, although the approaching jet was advised there was a departing aircraft as the jet approached Runway 34R and was cleared to land. The JAL pilot reads back the instructions.

The accident happened just before 6 p.m. local time. It was dark, and security video of the event shot from the terminal shows the lights of the JAL on approach, but the smaller aircraft cannot be seen from the camera angle. An explosion and a fireball followed by the larger aircraft skidding down the runway on a bed of flames were the first indications that there had been an accident.

• READ MORE: Japan Airlines A350 and Earthquake Relief Dash 8 Collide on Runway

Passengers aboard the jet reported feeling a bump, as if the aircraft struck something, and then the aircraft filled with smoke. All 367 passengers and 12 crew aboard JAL flight were safely evacuated and able to run to safety.

JAL Flight 516 was a domestic flight from Sapporo and slated to land at 5:47 p.m. local time. The Japanese Coast Guard aircraft was bound for an airbase in Niigata to take part in relief efforts stemming from the 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck the island nation on New Year’s Day, killing 48 and heavily damaging homes, commercial buildings, and infrastructure.

About the Airport

Haneda Airport, sometimes referred to as Tokyo International Airport, covers 3,716 acres and is located next to Tokyo Bay. The facility has four runways, Runway 16R/34L and 16L/34R, Runway 5/23, and Runway 4/22. The accident happened on Runway 34R. As part of the investigation, authorities are expected to scrutinize runway layout, markings, lighting, and signage.

The airport was established in the 1930s and militarized during World War II. At the end of the war, it became a U.S. Air Force Base. In 1952 the U.S. returned part of the property back to Japan, and it became the site for Tokyo International Airport. The airport is served by both international and domestic carriers.

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According to CNN, the jet and the de Havilland DHC-8 collided shortly after the jet landed around 5 p.m. local time, after dark. Video captured from the terminal shows the jet skidding down the runway on a bed of flames. According to Japan Airlines, all 367 passengers and 12 crewmembers aboard were able to escape.

Japan aviation officials stated there were six people on board the Coast Guard Dash 8, but only one, identified by Japanese media as the commander, survived the initial impact. His condition is not known as this story went to press. The Coast Guard crew was en route to western Japan to deliver earthquake relief supplies in the wake of the 7.6 temblor that killed at least 48 and destroyed communities on New Year’s Day.

The JAL A350, identified as Flight 516, had departed New Chitose Airport (RJCC) in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido and was scheduled to land at Haneda. Passengers on board the jet reported hearing and feeling it hit something on the runway and then the cabin filled with smoke.

The runway was swarmed with fire trucks as the passengers and crew were evacuated from the stricken jet.

As this story was going to press, Shigenori Hiraoka, the director general of the civil aviation bureau at the transport ministry of Japan, could not provide details about the collision or if there had been communication between the aircraft or the aircraft and the control tower prior to impact.

This is a developing story, and FLYING will continue to provide updates.

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The deal for the jet—which is currently in development—was cinched by the airline paying a non-refundable undisclosed deposit on an initial 20 aircraft. The agreement also comes with an option for the purchase of an additional 40 Overtures, each with an estimated $200 million price tag.

• READ MORE: Curious About Boom Supersonic? Here Are Five Things to Know

The move is the latest in commercial airlines putting money into the supersonic civilian aircraft endeavor. Last year, United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL) signed a provisional agreement to buy 15 Overtures. Japan Airlines has also invested at least $10 million towards Overture’s development.

“Looking to the future, supersonic travel will be an important part of our ability to deliver for our customers,” Derek Kerr, American’s chief financial officer, said in a statement. “We are excited about how Boom will shape the future of travel both for our company and our customers.”

Overture is designed to seat 65 to 80 passengers and fly at speeds up to Mach 1.7 over water with a range of 4,250 nm.

• READ MORE: Northrop Grumman and Boom Partner on Special Mission Supersonic Jet

“We believe Overture can help American deepen its competitive advantage on network, loyalty, and overall airline preference through the paradigm-changing benefits of cutting travel times in half,” said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom.

Last month, Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) announced it was teaming up with Boom for a military variant of the Overture.

The military variant, Boom said, would be a supersonic aircraft tailored for quick-reaction capabilities. It would also carry up to 80 passengers for missions that require rapid response, such as delivering medical supplies, or providing emergency medical evacuations. 

The first flight of a sub-scale test article is expected to take place later this year. The first Overture aircraft is expected to roll out in 2025, and begin commercial service with passengers by 2029, Boom said.

FLYING’s Thom Patterson contributed to this report.

The post American Airlines Inks Deal for 20 Boom Supersonic Overture Aircraft appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The company says it will be where Boom manufactures “the world’s fastest and most sustainable supersonic airliner.”

Builders are set to break ground in 2022 and begin production in 2024.

• READ MORE: Five Things to Know about Boom Supersonic

The company says the site, named “The Overture Superfactory,” will be a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, final assembly line, test facility, and customer delivery center for the Overture supersonic airliner. 

The plant will bring approximately 2,400 new local jobs to the area by 2032.

“Selecting the site for Overture manufacturing is a significant step forward in bringing sustainable supersonic air travel to passengers and airlines, with some of the country’s best and brightest aviation talent, key suppliers, and the state of North Carolina’s continued support,” said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, in a statement. 

“Boom is confident that Greensboro will emerge as the world’s supersonic manufacturing hub.”

Why North Carolina?

The choice of Greensboro was partly due to the availability of a strong aerospace workforce, including military veterans. Boom also looked at surrounding areas and found North Carolina offers access to many technical schools which could funnel highly skilled workers to the factory. 

The Piedmont Triad area is also close to many tier-one aerospace suppliers. This will make access to valued aviation resources seamless. Lastly, the close proximity to the East Coast will allow for supersonic flight testing over the Atlantic. 

“It is both poetic and logical that Boom Supersonic would choose the state that’s first in flight for its first manufacturing plant,” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said in a statement. “Like the success of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, this innovative company will succeed by transforming passenger air travel with speed and sustainable energy.”

While the new manufacturing center will be built in Greensboro, the headquarters for Boom Supersonic will remain in Denver, Colorado.

The Overture ‘Superfactory’

In 2022, contractors are expected to begin construction of the “Superfactory,” which will cover approximately 400,000 square feet on a 65-acre campus.

To ensure dedicated top talent, Boom Supersonic plans to create 200 internships through 2032. The internships will be offered to students who attend publicly funded North Carolina universities, community colleges, or technical schools.

The factory is expected to be completed in 2024. The first Overture aircraft is expected to roll out in 2025 with first flights set for 2026. If all goes as planned, Overture could be accepting commercial passengers by 2029.

About the Aircraft

The Overture Supersonic Airliner is designed to carry 65 to 88 passengers on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel. The company says it will fly from New York City to London in three and a half hours. 

Last year, United Airlines (UAL:NASDAQ) became the first U.S. carrier to sign a commercial agreement with Boom, announcing plans to buy 15 of the supersonic airliners, contingent on Boom hitting certain milestones. 

Japan Airlines has also pitched in $10 million for the development of the airliner and with an option to purchase 20.

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