Ryanair to acquire 75 new 737 MAXs in all but name, and at a “modest discount”

©Ryanair

Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, is to increase its fleet of 737 MAX jets after placing a new order for 75 of the beleaguered jets at what has been described as a “modest discount” from the list price of US$22 billion. At a news conference in Washington to announce the deal, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary described the 737 Max as “a fabulous aircraft”. Boeing’s chief executive, David Calhoun, said it was “the beginning of the fulfilment of a more robust order book”. However, when announcing the deal, O’Leary’ would only refer to the 737 MAX as the “737 8200”. Read more

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SAS to phase out 21 older, less fuel-efficient aircraft

SAS Airbus A340 ©AirTeamImages

SAS has initiated the process to phase out 21 of its older and less fuel-efficient aircraft at an earlier stage than originally planned, including 15 Boeing 737NG, five Airbus A340 and one Airbus A330 aircraft. The accelerated phase-out will support liquidity through the sales of aircraft and engines, as well as a reduce spend on maintenance and leasing. Together with the agreement with Airbus on deferred deliveries of new aircraft, it will also better align SAS’ fleet with current and expected demand. The accelerated phase-out will also contribute to lower emissions. Over the last 12 months, the carriers total CO2 Read more

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gategroup receives green light to take over LSG’s European business

©Lufthansa Group

In December 2019, Lufthansa Group and gategroup concluded a purchase agreement for the European operations of LSG Group. This accounts for about one third of LSG Group’s total business. gategroup now meets all requirements of the European Commission. Thus, the purchase agreement could now be executed, the so-called “closing” has taken place. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the financial details of the transaction. In addition to the European catering businesses, the purchase agreement also covers the lounge and train business and the retail convenience food brand Evertaste and its European facilities, the equipment business SPIRIANT and the retail Read more

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AAR partners with FTAI to create serviceable engine products

AAR has signed an agreement with Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors (FTAI), to create serviceable engine products, an exclusive seven-year CFM56 used serviceable material (USM) partnership. The partnership will build USM inventory for the global aviation aftermarket and FTAI’s own consumption at The Module Factory™, a dedicated commercial maintenance center focused on modular repair and refurbishment of CFM56-7B and CFM56-5B engines. Through its worldwide network, AAR will manage the teardown, repair, marketing and sales of spare parts from FTAI’s CFM56 engine pool totaling over 200 engines and growing.

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P&W and MTU Maintenance Zhuhai sign PW1100G-JM network agreement

PW1100G testbed ©MTU

Pratt & Whitney will expand its global network of providers that maintain the Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine to include  MTU Maintenance Zhuhai, a joint venture between MTU Aero Engines and China Southern Airlines. MTU Maintenance Zhuhai will provide engine maintenance for PW1100G-JM engines for the Airbus A320neo family of aircraft. The Zhuhai facility will be MTU’s third facility to serve engines with full disassembly, assembly and test capability in the GTF MRO network. The expanding GTF MRO network is comprised of the industry’s leading MRO companies. By the end of 2020, there will be nine active GTF MRO engine Read more

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Israel Aerospace Industries and Gulf Air enter line maintenance agreement

Gulf Air ©AirTeamImages

Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Aviation Group has entered a line maintenance agreement with Bahrain’s airline Gulf Air. Under the contract, the Aviation Group will provide a comprehensive technical response to all of Gulf Air’s airplanes expected to land at the Ben Gurion International Airport, including post- and pre-flight services, daily maintenance, and support for any technical issues. IAI’s Aviation Group provides line maintenance services to some 75% of the airlines that arrive at the Ben Gurion Airport.

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Aeroji launches Beta version of engine aftermarket platform

On Monday, December 07, 2020, Aeroji, the Berlin-based startup, goes live with the Beta version of its marketplace module. Having secured Kellstrom Aerospace, KG Aircraft Rotables, Onur Material Services, LCI.aero, and Aeras Aviation as Beta users, the team of Aeroji is looking to establish strong and long-lasting relationships with the first users in order to acquire further insights and improvement proposals and develop new features in a flexible, creative and collaborative way apace. Apart from starting the interactive development process with professionals from the engine aftermarket domain, Aeroji also looks out for professionals from the broader aviation sector to assess Read more

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APOC Aviation disassembles two CFM56-7B engines

©APOC Aviation disassembles two CFM56-7B-engines

APOC Aviation will be bringing two torn down CFM56-7B engines into stock mid-December.  ESN874488 and ESN888169 have previously been operated and maintained by a leading North American carrier. Both engines are being disassembled in tandem at two of APOC’s chosen teardown facilities in the USA. APOC is considering selling part of the material in ‘As Removed Guaranteed Repairable’ condition providing engine MROs with the opportunity to overhaul the parts themselves. Other components will be repaired by APOC for stock and these will be available in the first quarter of 2021. According to Jim Nypels, Engine Materials Sales & Trading – APOC Read more

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Textron Aviation introduces King Air 260 to renowned turboprop line-up

King Air 260 in flight ©Textron

Textron Aviation is launching a new era for its renowned Beechcraft King Air 200 series aircraft with the introduction of the Beechcraft King Air 260 turboprop. Featuring the latest technological advancements to the cockpit and improvements in the cabin, the King Air 260 reflects the company’s continued commitment to making substantial investments to its current products. Assembly production for the King Air 260 is already underway, and certification and deliveries are expected in early 2021. The announcement comes on the heels of the recently introduced Beechcraft King Air 360, which features the latest enhancements to the cockpit and cabin. The King Read more

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Republic of Mali orders additional Airbus C295

The Republic of Mali has placed an order for an additional C295 airlifter ©Airbus

The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Mali has placed a firm order for an additional Airbus C295 airlifter in the transport configuration. This second aircraft, to be delivered in 2021, will supplement the first C295 already in operation since December 2016 which has already accumulated 1,770 flight hours and transported more than 38,000 passengers and 900 tons of cargo in less than four years of operations. This new order also includes an integrated logistics support package with spare parts for the two aircraft and training for flight crews and mechanics. This acquisition is in response to the urgent Read more

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