2019 seems to be a busy year for aeronautics and air transport. New aircraft, increased production rates, and even an electric aircraft should mark the year. Gigantic airports are also expected to be built, notably in Istanbul, Turkey and Beijing, China.
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The first Boeing 777X on the assembly line (source:air cosmos)
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January 1: The world's largest airport opens
Inaugurated on 29 October 2018, the new Istanbul airport will actually come into service in 2019. Turkish Airlines now serves new destinations from the new airport. In China, another airport is expected to open in Beijing, Beijing Daxing Airport, 46 kilometres from downtown Beijing. Starting in 2014, the airport will eventually be able to accommodate 100 million passengers per year.
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| Inside the future Beijing airport (source:fortune) |
Early 2019: first flight of the Boeing 777X
The Boeing 777X, the successor to the 777-300, is expected to take off in the second quarter of 2019. The first aircraft ever produced is still on its assembly line at the Boeing plants in Everette, USA. The aircraft is equipped with General Electric GE9X engines, the largest in the world with a diameter of 3.5 metres, and foldable composite wings to increase its wingspan. All these innovations should enable the 777X to reduce its kerosene consumption.
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| The Boeing 777X will fly for the first time in 2019 (Source:challenges) |
Mid-2019: an A321XLR unveiled?
Airbus is expected to release an improved version of the A321LR. The A321XLR for Extra Long Range (very long range) could be introduced. The aircraft could carry more fuel and travel 1000 miles more than the current A321LR, from 4000 miles (6436 km) to 5000 miles (8045 km) of range. The aircraft could serve distances currently served by Boeing 777s or A330s. Los Angeles, Johannesburg, Seoul, Rio de Janeiro and other cities are becoming accessible, and are in addition to those within the A321LR's range, such as New York, Dubai, Mahé in the Seychelles or Montreal.
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| The Airbus A321XLR could fly in 2019 (Source:aviation geek) |
June: the Boeing 797 presented?
According to rumours, Boeing is about to introduce a new aircraft, the Boeing 797, also known as NMA for New Middle Airplane. One version of the aircraft could carry up to 225 passengers over 5,000 nautical miles (9,200 km). The American aircraft manufacturer could present it at the Paris Air Show in France in June 2019.
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| Boeing 797 project (source:business journal) |
2019: Wifi on more planes
Qantas has announced the expansion of Wi-Fi in its fleet: "Wi-Fi has now been deployed on more than half (42) of the 75 B737s that will be Wi-Fi compatible by the end of 2019," said Qantas spokesman. "One of our A330s is currently equipped with Wi-Fi connection and four more are expected to be completed within the next two months," the spokesperson said. The airline will have five A330 Wi-Fi A330s at its disposal "by the end of the first quarter". The rest of its A330 fleet is expected to be equipped with Wi-Fi during the year as aircraft move into hangars for servicing and maintenance
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| The wifi system on a Qantas aircaraft(source:ausbt) |
Virgin Australia will also begin installing its in-flight Wi-Fi services on its Airbus A330-200 aircraft in February, with the remaining installations to be completed "later this year"."Inflight WiFi is now available on all five Boeing 777s in Virgin Australia, making us the only Australian airline to offer international WiFi," a Virgin spokesman told Finder. When the service is launched, A330s flying in international sectors will also be available in flight Wi-Fi.
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| Inflight wifi on Virgin Australia (source:business travelers) |
Alitalia acquired by Delta and an agreement with Lufthansa signed
According to some rumours, Delta's management and that of the Italian company should meet to discuss a possible acquisition of a stake. In addition, Alitalia could announce an agreement with Lufthansa for its European network.
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| An Alitalia aircraft (source:tourmag) |
2019: New aircraft under development
The Irkut MC-21 is expected to be certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency by the end of 2019. On May 28, 2017, the aircraft made its first flight and is expected to compete with the A320 and Boeing 737 in 2020. With a capacity of 150 to 210 seats, the aircraft uses carbon fibre wings designed by Sukhoi. Comac CR929 is expected to continue its development in 2019. The long-haul aircraft could make its first flight in 2023 at the earliest. Another Chinese manufacturer is also developing a new aircraft. It is Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation. The aircraft manufacturer is expected to introduce the MA700, a turboprop engine for the first time. It should leave its assembly line in mid-2019.
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| The MC-21 on the ground (source:aircosmos) |
During the year 2019: an electric plane?
A 9-seat prototype of Wright Electric's electric aircraft could take off, even if no date has been confirmed. Designed by an American start-up, the prototype could precede larger aircraft. Easyjet is expected to operate a Wright Electric aircraft.
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| The Wright Electric project (source air journal) |
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