Air France-KLM wants Airbus to help accelerate its fleet renewal plans by providing a larger variant of A220 aircraft that would also have an different engine option than the Pratt & Whitney PW1500G that powers existing models of that type.
Offering an additional engine option would help "drive our interest" in a "stretch" version of that narrowbody type unofficially called the "A220-500", Air France-KLM chief executive Ben Smith says on 20 June during a webinar hosted by the French-American Chamber of Commerce. Around 80% of routes on the airline group's network are long-haul flights, Smith estimates, so more seats and improved fuel efficiency would be ideal for aircraft to replace its A319s, A320ceos and other aging aircraft "in the next four to five years". "We are hoping we can decide on the replacement of our older widebodies in the next couple of months," Smith says, referring also to plans to phase out the airline group's A330s and Boeing 777-200s. Several other carriers including Delta Air Lines and Air Baltic have also expressed interest in a larger A220 aircraft. Referring to demand for such an aircraft, Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury said on 16 February that a stretch version of the A220 is a "matter of when, not if", without firmly committing to an A220-500 programme.

Luxair has ordered four Boeing 737 Max 7s from the airframer to grow its single-aisle fleet. The deal makes the Luxembourgish carrier the European launch customer for the 737-7, the US airframer highlights. Fleets data indicates that the variant has accumulated a combined 159 orders from three North American customers: US carriers Southwest Airlines (124) and Allegiant Air (30), and Canada's WestJet (five). Luxair chief executive Gilles Feith describes the aircraft as "a perfect match" for the airline, adding: "Seating 160 passengers, the 737-7 will offer flexibility across the Luxair destination network while significantly reducing fuel consumption." The airline has also placed orders for four 737 Max 8s since March. It will initially lease two of these aircraft during the summer, before taking its first directly delivered Max 8, Boeing notes. Luxair currently operates a fleet of 19 aircraft, including eight 737s.

Japan Airlines (JAL) has signed an agreement with Shell Aviation to replace fuel uplifted in Los Angeles with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from 2025. "Under the agreement, Shell will supply JAL with SAF volumes equivalent to its current estimated jet fuel uplifts in Los Angeles over the supply period," the carrier says. The SAF to be supplied emits 75% less CO2 than conventional jet fuel when used neat and the associated lifecycle emission reduction from this agreement amounts to more than 47,000t of CO2 on an annual basis, according to the airline. On 2 May, JAL announced its plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and has set a goal to reduce 10% of its CO2 emission compared to the 2019 level by fiscal year 2030. "In line with these goals, as interim targets, JAL intends to replace 1% of its total jet fuel consumption with SAF in fiscal year 2025 and 10% in fiscal year 2030," it adds.