In related news International Airlines Group (IAG) today reached a deal to convert 18x Boeing 787 options into firm orders in an order worth $4bn (£2.6bn) to replace some of British Airways long haul Boeing 747 fleet between 2017 and 2021.

IAG are also in talks with Boeing regarding ordering some more Boeing 787’s later in the year for Iberia once it has completed its cost-cutting programme of the Spanish Airline.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/apr/03/iag-boeing-dreamliner-deal

The FAA has approved Boeing’s plan of a a set of fixes to the lithium ion batteries of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Thus clearing the way for the aircraft to resume flights which it said requires it to “conduct extensive testing and analysis”.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21764282

It was confirmed that the Islamabad – Leeds rout will remain operate as a non-stop service when the Boeing 777-200ER start from next month.

I understand that PIA’s Boeing 777’s have the more powerful GE90 engines on them. Their 200ERs have 94K the 200LRs have 110K whilst the larger 300ERs have 115K.

So yes it’ll be tight as LBA’s runway is just 7382ft in length, Landing at typical weight requires around 5000ft so a runway 14 arrival will need to be on the numbers! LDA for runway 14 is only 5912ft where as the LDA for runway 32 is 6286ft, so plenty of room there.

Max weight departures will not happen as it would mean they would be limited on payload and most likely require a tech stop enroute. The good news is that seen as Leeds to Islamabad is nowhere near max range of the Boeing 777 aircraft this shouldn’t be an issue, So it will be able to remain a non-stop service..

Yep full press release now issued by Boeing regarding Southwest Airlines buying 150 brand new Boeing 737 MAX aircarft and 58 extra Next-Gen 737’s

Source: http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2072

Boeing 737 Max Logs First Firm Order From Launch Customer Southwest Airlines.

— Southwest orders 150 737 MAX airplanes and 58 Next-Generation 737s
— Southwest becomes launch customer; scheduled to take first 737 MAX delivery
— Largest firm order in Boeing history

These images are available for editorial use by news media.

DALLAS, Dec. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Southwest Airlines today announced a firm order for 150 fuel-efficient 737 MAX airplanes. Southwest is the first customer to finalize an order for the 737 MAX and becomes the launch customer for the new-engine variant. The Dallas-based carrier also ordered 58 Next-Generation 737s.

The firm order is the largest in Boeing history both in dollar value, nearly $19 billion at list prices, and the number of airplanes. It supports Southwest’s initiative to modernize its all-Boeing fleet, the world’s largest fleet of 737s. As the 737 MAX launch customer, Southwest will take delivery of the first airplane when it enters service in 2017.

“Southwest is a special Boeing customer and has been a true partner in the evolution of the 737,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh. “Throughout our 40-year relationship, our two companies have collaborated to launch the 737-300, 737-500 and the Next-Generation 737-700 – affirming the 737 as the world’s preferred single-aisle airplane. As launch customer for the 737 MAX, Southwest, Boeing and the 737 continue that legacy.”

The 737 MAX is the new-engine variant of the world’s best-selling airplane and builds on the strengths of today’s Next-Generation 737. The new-engine variant, powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines, reduces fuel burn and CO2 emissions by an additional 10-12 percent over today’s most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplane. It will have the lowest operating costs in the single-aisle segment with a 7 percent advantage over tomorrow’s competition.

“Today’s environment demands that we become more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly, and as the launch Customer of the Boeing 737 MAX, we have accomplished both,” said Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and CEO. “We are teaming up with our friends from Boeing to lead the industry in a way that makes both our shareholders and our Customers proud to associate with Southwest Airlines. Today’s announcement will allow us to maintain our position as a low-cost provider in the years ahead.”

This order continues the growing momentum for the 737 MAX. With the Southwest order, the 737 MAX has orders and commitments for more than 900 airplanes from 13 customers, while the Next-Generation 737 family has won orders for more than 6,600 airplanes and Boeing has delivered more than 3,800.

XV101 is the aircraft in question

The Royal Navy’s Type 22 destroyer, HMS York has now also just been re-deployed to International Waters in the Libya area to help out as necessary.

She was out at Sea in the Atlantic Ocean on her way to the Falklands Islands as she only set sail out of Portsmouth on Monday 21st of February.

http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFLDE71O1EQ20110225?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0

Things look like there getting worse now in Libya. Surely there is No chance off getting a civil airliner in to Tripoli to get UK Nationals out as who would want insure the aircraft now?

This has just appeared on the Reuters twitter page.
http://twitter.com/Reuters

Reuters news flash:

Libyan army deploys in “large numbers” in Sabratah, west of Tripoli, after protesters destroy gov’t buildings -Quryna paper

The British Goverment is also looking into chartering several Aircraft to get UK nationals out of Tripoli.

Dose anyone know what this could be C17, C130, L1011 or VC10’s? We most have some RAF transporters down in nearby Cyprus or Gibraltar surly.

Or will they send down something like a Astraeus Airlines Boeing 757 again like they sent to Turkey earlier this month.