Saturday, June 11, 2011
AviTrader Daily Aviation News Alert
This is an overview of all articles linked within the selected daily newsletter.
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Exclases Russia signs contract for five AW139 helicopters
May 17, 2013
HeliVert, a joint venture between Russian Helicopters and AgustaWestland, signed a contract with Exclases Russia for the supply of five AW139 helicopters, which will be assembled at the HeliVert plant in Tomilino near Moscow. This contract, which includes a mix of five VIP and utility-configured helicopters, follows the first contract signed between HeliVert and Exclases Russia for Russian-built AW139 helicopters which includes an AW139 that is scheduled to be delivered in June. This purchase further expands the presence of the AW139 model in Russia where over 20 have been ordered so far and almost 50 across the CIS countries.
Cambridge Airport seeks branded FBO to enhance business aviation offering
June 9, 2011
As a further demonstration of its commitment to enhance its service offering to business aviation clients, Cambridge Airport is seeking a branded Fixed Base Operator (FBO) to operate from its state-of-the-art facility. The tender process opened on 3 June with twelve tender letters issued, which have already generated expressions of interest from six companies. The closing date for tenders is 24 June with Cambridge management expected to make a selection by October ahead of the NBAA conference in Las Vegas.
The stylish new FBO offers extensive business facilities, board room options, VIP hospitality and excellent crew rest facilities. Cambridge Airport is unique among London serving airports in having a 24/7 capability with no slot restrictions, and in its location just 10 miles north of London airspace, enables North American originating flights to avoid crowded skies around London Heathrow.
The new FBO will take over from Marshall Business Aviation, which will become the brand for business aviation maintenance provision at Cambridge Airport. These latest initiatives form part of a developing commercial strategy for Cambridge Airport which under a new brand is attracting a growing number of business aviation operators.
Icelandair extends repair relationship with Bombardier Aerospace
June 9, 2011
Gama Aviation endorsed with Wyvern safety approval across all of its regions
June 9, 2011
Gama Aviation, the international business aviation services company, headquartered at Farnborough Airport, UK, has achieved Wyvern approval across all of its affiliated operating bases – in Europe, the Americas and the Middle East, thus demonstrating a continued commitment to aviation safety. Wyvern’s globally recognised seal of aviation safety excellence, ‘The Wyvern Standard’ is the leading quality audit standard developed in conjunction with the most sophisticated and demanding corporate flight departments in the world.
As a Wyvern approved operator, Gama maintains strict safety programmes which Wyvern audits annually and monitors throughout the year. The rigorous on-site safety audit evaluated Gama against a set of enhanced safety criterion that far exceeds the regulatory requirements for air charter, flight operations and maintenance.
Jet Aviation appoints new VP and general manager in Geneva
June 9, 2011
Jet Aviation announced the appointment of David Ricklin as the new vice president and general manager of the company’s maintenance and FBO facility in Geneva. In this new leadership role, Ricklin is responsible for overseeing business operations and expanding the service portfolio. He reports directly to Christof Späth, Jet Aviation’s senior vice president MRO & FBO services for EMEA & Asia. Ricklin joined Jet Aviation Basel’s Supply Chain Management in November 1997. In 2006, he moved to Geneva to accept his promotion to director of purchasing and logistics; at this time, he was also appointed deputy managing director of Jet Aviation Geneva. He is a business, marketing and economics graduate of the regional business center (C.R.E.S.A.) in Alsace.
LAN Airlines monthly statistics report for May 2011
June 9, 2011
LAN Airlines S.A. and its subsidiaries reported its preliminary monthly traffic statistics for May 2011. System passenger traffic increased 19.6% as capacity rose 14.2%. As a result, the Company’s load factor for the month increased 3.5 points to 77.7%. International passenger traffic accounted for approximately 70% of total passenger traffic. Starting in January 2011, these figures include AIRES’ domestic and international operations.
SAS Group reports traffic increase of 7%
June 9, 2011
SAS Group’s May 2011 traffic increased by 7% during May and capacity increased 10.2% compared to the same period in 2010. The passenger load factor decreased by 2.2 p.p. to 73.4%. SAS Group carried 2.6 million passengers in May, up 13.5%.
IAG reports improved traffic for May
June 9, 2011
IAG released that May 2011 traffic rose by 14.1% versus May 2010, capacity was up 7.3% and the load factor was up 4.7% to 78.1% compared to the same period in 2011.
Finnair’s load factor down in May
June 9, 2011
In May 2011, Finnair traffic rose by 7.4% compared with May 2010, while capacity grew by 9.2%. The load factor for the month was down 2.6 p.p. to 60% compared to May 2010.
Norwegian reports strong passenger growth
June 9, 2011
Norwegian’s passenger growth continues in May, as close to 1.4 million passengers flew with the airline. This is an increase of 16% compared to the same period previous year. Traffic for May improved by 13% and capacity was up 14% compated to May 2010. The load factor was 76 %, down 1 p.p.
Ryanair reports load factor of 82% for May
June 9, 2011
Ryanair’s traffic increased 11% in May 2011 and the laod factor was up 1 p.p. to 82% compared to the previous year.
Final assembly of first Malaysia Airlines A380 starts
June 9, 2011
On June 7th, the first A380 for Malaysia Airlines (MAS) entered the Airbus Final Assembly Line in Toulouse for the final production phase. The final assembly process of an A380 is made up of five main phases. At the first station, front, central, and aft fuselages, wings, Horizontal and Vertical Tail Plane (HTP and VTP) are assembled. The aircraft is then moved to the second station where general tests on electric/hydraulic systems, mobile parts and landing gears are carried out while engines are also installed. During the third phase, final ground and first engines tests take place in dedicated facilities outside of the main building. Finally, the aircraft is ready for its first flight to Hamburg, Germany, where the A380 will receive its cabin and will be painted to MAS livery. Malaysia Airlines has six A380s on order with deliveries due to begin in 2012.
Embraer wins Super Tucano deal from Indonesian Air Force
June 9, 2011
Embraer’s sale of eight Super Tucano light attack and advanced training turboprops to the Indonesian Air Force is now in effect. The Company won a bidding competition held by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, in November 2010. Since then, several administrative phases have been completed, culminating in the finished contract, which includes ground support stations and an integrated logistics package. Deliveries begin in 2012.
Ameco Beijing signs LDG overhaul contract with Asiana Airlines
June 10, 2011
Ameco Beijing and Asiana Airlines recently signed a 5-year contract on Boeing 737CL’s landing gear overhaul. It’s the second landing gear overhaul customer from South Korea after Ameco’s contract with Eastar Jet this year. Ameco Beijing started cooperation with Asiana Airlines in 1991. It already performed painting, overhaul and modification on over 30 aircraft of the airline. Asiana Airlines, the second biggest airline in South Korea, operates 70 aircraft covering Boeing and Airbus types.
NORDAM announces organizational changes
June 10, 2011
Bill Peacher, Chief Executive Officer of NORDAM, announced that he would step down from his current position at NORDAM’s mid-year board meeting. He plans to continue to serve on the Company’s Board and will act as a financial consultant to the Company. “This is in accordance with NORDAM’s long-term succession plan to return the leadership of the Company to a member of the Siegfried family,” Peacher said. Meredith Siegfried, currently NORDAM’s President, is expected to be elected CEO at the Company’s July Board Meeting.
Michael Hazelton joins Jackson Square Aviation
June 10, 2011
Jackson Square Aviation has hired Michael Hazelton to establish the firm’s Singapore office with an emphasis on new aircraft origination and capital markets activities. JSA continues to expand its corporate platform with offices in key areas throughout the world. Within his new role Michael will focus on marketing efforts in Asia/Pacific as well as enhancing JSA’s capital raising efforts.
AerCap announces amendment to revolving debt facility
June 10, 2011
AerCap Holdings N.V. has completed an amendment to its revolving debt facility. The $775 million non-recourse facility, arranged by UBS Securities LLC, was originally put in place during April 2006 and has now been amended to allow for an additional two year revolving period with a three year term-out period, extending the transaction to June 2016. The facility continues to allow for the acquisition of a range of aircraft types, and provides AerCap committed financing and significant flexibility to purchase aircraft. In addition to UBS, this transaction includes several new and significant lenders for AerCap – Credit Suisse AG, Citibank N.A., Nomura Global Financial Products Inc. and Scotiabank Capital.
Small Planet Airlines becomes certified Italian operator
June 10, 2011
European leisure charter carrier Small Planet Airlines further expands its activity in Italy by receiving the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (Ente Nazionale per l’Aviazione Civile). The AOC, along with the Air Operator License, will allow the carrier to operate flights from Italy to destinations outside the EU. This summer Small Planet Airlines will serve Italian tourists with three Boeing 737-300 aircraft: two based in Milan Malpensa and one in Rome Fiumicino, which will be flying with Italian crews under the Italian AOC. The second aircraft shall be added to the AOC starting the winter season of 2011.
Boeing opens new South Carolina 787 Final Assembly building
June 10, 2011
Elected officials and representatives from numerous community and business groups, suppliers and subcontractors joined more than 1,000 Boeing employees at its North Charleston, S.C., facility for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the new 787 Dreamliner Final Assembly building. The new Final Assembly building features 642,720 square feet (59,711 m2) of covered space, roughly the equivalent of 10.5 football fields. More than 18,000 tons (16,329 mt) of steel and one million cubic feet (28,316.8 m3) of concrete were used in its construction. At full production rate, the South Carolina Final Assembly facility will produce three 787 Dreamliners per month. Final assembly of the first South Carolina-built 787 Dreamliner is expected to begin next month.
