iscover
An artist's impression of a McDonnell Douglas MD-95 in ValuJet colours. ValuJet's order for 50 MD-95s (plus 50 options) has launched the 100 seat MD-95. Refer text and article on page 48 for further details. (MDC)
Newsdesk – Commercial Aviation
0 comment
Md-95 Launched
The McDonnell Douglas MD-95 100-seat twinjet airliner has finally been launched with an order from US low-cost operator ValuJet for 50 aircraft. The order also represents the first airline contract for the new BMW Rolls-Royce BR715 engine which has also been selected to power the Gulfstream V and Canadair Global Express long-range business jets. ValuJet has placed an option on 50 further MD-95s and the first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in the second half of 1999. ValuJet already operates 40 DC-9-30s and is purchasing eight additional secondhand aircraft – five DC-9s and three MD-80s – to help cope with rapid expansion until the MD-95s start arriving. The Atlanta, Georgia-based operator has more than doubled its revenue in the past year and average load factors have increased from 53% to 73%. Yields have also increased by a healthy margin. MDC is believed to have sold the MD-95s to ValuJet for the low figure of $20m US each, but according to the company, other buyers can’t expect the same deal as the launch customer. The order immediately creates 400 new design and development jobs at MDC’s Long Beach, California plant and a further 1,500 when production begins. First flight is scheduled for the second quarter of 1998. For more information refer to page 48 of this issue. An artist’s impression of a McDonnell Douglas MD-95 in ValuJet colours. ValuJet’s order for 50 MD-95s (plus 50 options) has launched the 100-seat MD-95. Refer text and article on p48 for further details. (MDC)
Rafale Delay Urged
The French Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen Jean Rannou, has advocated abandoning the initial version of the Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
Mhi Shares In Dash 8
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is to become a major risk-sharing partner in the de Havilland Dash 8-400 regional turboprop programme. The company will design and manufacture the aircraft’s wing-to-body fairing, vertical and horizontal tail surfaces, and most of the fuselage. De Havilland will build the cockpit section and wing and will be responsible for final assembly at its Downsview, Ontario plant. Other major contributors to the Dash 8-400 programme include Menasco (undercarriage), Dowty Aerospace (propellers), and Pratt & Whitney Canada (PW150 engines). The first 70-passenger Dash 8-400 is scheduled to fly in late 1997 with certification following a year later.
747-X Closer To Launch
Launch of the stretched Boeing 747-X could occur as early as the first half of next year following November discussions in Seattle between the manufacturer and representatives of the world’s major 747 operators including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and Qantas. Two models are planned at the moment, the 747-600X with space for 550 passengers in a three-class arrangement or 700 all-economy. Ridwan Fatarudin reportedly refused to lease 16 CASA/IPTN CN-235 regional turboprops because they were too expensive and was sacked by the Indonesian Transport Minister as a result.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Australian Aviation a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Australian Aviation as a preferred news source.
