New Caledonia-based Aircalin has signed to buy two Airbus A320neo and two A330-900 wide-body aircraft. The airline, which flies three to four times a week between Noumea and Auckland, will use the new A320neo on the route. Aircalin will use the A330neo, to boost services to Japan and the possible opening of new routes such as to China. "As part of our plan to boost tourism to New Caledonia, Aircalin has made a strategic decision to renew its complete fleet with the A320neo and the A330neo to grow routes and connect New Caledonia to the region," said the airline's CE Didier Tappero. "The new aircraft would burn less fuel and lower operational costs and offer our loyal passengers the highest standards in cabin comfort." Christopher Buckley, Airbus executive VP, Europe, Africa and Pacific said the company was "delighted" that Aircalin had ordered the A330neo and A320neo family aircraft to grow tourist traffic to New Caledonia. The A330neo was the most cost-efficient in its size category, offering a reduction in fuel burn of 14% per seat, an increase in non-stop flying range of up to 4000 nautical miles, Aibus said. Buckley said the growing tourism market in New Caledonia could open an opportunity to sell another A330 to the airline. The new A330 would add another 40 seats per plane. The A320 is the world's best-selling single aisle plane with more than 12,500 orders since launch and more than 7000 aircraft delivered to some 400 customers and operators worldwide.<br/>
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China’s Juneyao Airlines has ordered 10 Boeing 787-9s, a company source confirmed to ATW exclusively on Monday. The aircraft will be used to facilitate the Shanghai-based carrier’s rapid expansion. Deliveries of the first three aircraft are scheduled for 2018. Many Chinese carriers—including China Southern, Air China, China Eastern, Hainan Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Ruili Airlines and Donghai Airlines—are using 787-9s to explore the intercontinental market. Juneyao Airlines, which was launched in September 2006, operates 56 Airbus A320 family aircraft on more than 80 domestic and international routes to Southeast and Northeast Asian countries—such as Japan, Korea and Thailand—with annual passenger boardings of more than 10 million. Juneyao chairman Wang Junjin said at the end of last year the company was considering opening long-haul intercontinental routes for the long term. In February, the carrier applied to the Civil Aviation Administration of China to open long-haul intercontinental routes.<br/>
International Airfinance Corp Ltd is seeking to raise at least $1b to buy 18 Airbus Group planes that will be leased to Saudi Arabian Airlines, according to three people with knowledge of the plan. IAFC is exploring options including 12-year amortising loans to pay for 10 A330-300 jets and eight A320 narrow-bodies due for delivery in 2017, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. It’s also considering the sale of bonds or its first sukuk next year. A spokeswoman for IAFC did not respond to calls and an email seeking comment. An airline spokesman didn’t respond to an email requesting comments. Saudia, as the carrier is known, is taking delivery of a combined total of 30 Airbus and Boeing aircraft next year. It had ordered 20 A330 regional planes and 30 A320s at the Paris Airshow last year as part of plans to nearly double the fleet to 200 by 2020. The carrier is boosting orders to meet increasing demand for domestic travel and expanding its international route network as competition at home intensifies.<br/>