Airbus has awarded Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) a contract to produce A320neo cargo doors, which will be manufactured at a new facility in Hyderabad. The airframer says that the deal will help to support the ramp-up of production for its A320 programme. TASL is an existing supplier of Airbus, producing aileron and Sharklet panels for the A320, and a range of panels, spars and stiffeners for the A350. "We have an ongoing relationship with Airbus based on trust and operational excellence, and this new contract win will further bolster our partnership in aerospace manufacturing in India," says TASL managing director and chief executive Sukaran Singh. TASL is a sister company to Air India, which in February signed a letter of intent to order 140 A320neos, 70 A321neos, 34 A350-1000s and six A350-900s. TASL also produces components for Boeing, Pilatus and Sikorsky civilian aircraft.

EVA Air has finalised an order with Boeing for five additional 787-9s that will be powered by General Electric GEnx engines. The airframer announced the order just over two weeks after EVA disclosed that its board had approved the purchase in a Taiwan stock exchange disclosure. The Star Alliance carrier currently operates four 787-9s and six 787-10s. In addition to the latest purchase, it also has a further seven -10s and four -9s from previous orders. "Our 787 fleet has become the foundation of our carbon-neutral growth strategy and we will continue to leverage this airplane's unrivaled efficiency and performance for many years to come," says EVA Air president Clay Sun. "This new order supports our ongoing commitment to operate a more sustainable fleet that will enable us to reduce carbon emissions, while providing our passengers with world-class service." In the 14 March stock exchange disclosure, the airline stated that the 787-9s would be delivered between 2025 and 2027, and will be deployed on European and North American routes.

Cathay Pacific low-cost subsidiary HK Express has taken delivery of the first of 16 on order Airbus A321neos. The Hong Kong-based carrier opted to power the twinjets with CFM International Leap-1A engines and fit them with 236 Recaro SL3710 passenger seats. Recaro highlights that the seat will also be used for a cabin upgrade on HK Express's existing fleet, with a total supply of more than 4,000 seats. HK Express is an all-A320-family operator with a fleet comprising 11 A321ceos, 10 A320neos and five A320ceos, Airbus notes. The carrier's A320ceos and A321ceos are powered by International Aero Engines V2500s, while the A320neos are fitted with Pratt & Whitney PW1100Gs. Cathay Pacific has 10 Leap-powered A321neos and another six on order. Five A320ceos and three A321ceos – all V2500-powered – are listed as being in storage. Apart from these single-aisles, Cathay Pacific operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing widebodies. The 16 A321neo orders for HK Express had originally been scheduled for delivery at now-defunct sister carrier Cathay Dragon, under an order for 32 of the type. Cathay Pacific disclosed the transfer in late 2019 and meantime acquired the remaining 16 A321neo orders for its mainline fleet. Cathay Dragon was dissolved amid the pandemic in 2020. HK Express chief executive Mandy Ng describes the A321neo has having "a game-changing ability to provide more capacity with greater sustainability". She states: "The A321neo is key in our efforts to reduce our impact on the environment." Airbus adapting its production system to produce A321neos from all its single-aisle assembly lines in France, Germany, China and the USA. HK Express's first A321neo was delivered from the airframer's plant in Hamburg.