Lufthansa Group makes multi-million-dollar investment in AI Partnership with Hopper

Hopper ©LHG

Finalizing their third technology-related investment within a year and after investing in Fleet Logistics and cargo.one. startups, Lufthansa Group and the Lufthansa Innovation Hub have now invested heavily in a research alliance with Hopper which will be focussed on the subject of artificial intelligence. The two companies are looking to establish a long-term collaboration involving predictive analytics models and flight-demand forecasting. Hopper operates one of the world’s most innovative travel booking apps. By leveraging powerful machine learning and AI, Hopper’s proprietary technology accurately predicts flight and hotel prices. Additionally, the intention is to utilize AI to learn customer preferences at Read more

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Delta completes construction on engine test cell

Delta's new test cell will provide capabilities to test a new assortment of engines ©Delta

After breaking ground nearly 18 months ago, Delta completed construction on the world’s largest jet engine test cell this month. Standing 48 feet tall, with inlet and exhaust sections measuring 66 feet and 78 feet respectively, the test cell is capable of safely running a mounted, stationary engine at full power with 150,000 pounds of thrust. To compare, the airline’s current test cell has a 68,000 pound thrust capacity. The test cell will provide capabilities to test a new assortment of engines that will advance Delta into the future. With its 150,000 pound thrust capacity, the cell will open the door Read more

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Weston Aviation FBO open for Business at Gloucestershire Airport

Weston Aviation, the UK and Ireland based FBO and Business Aviation specialist have commenced operations and launched a new Business Aviation Centre and FBO at Gloucestershire Airport (EGBJ/GLO). The new facility and service officially opened its doors on the January 7, 2019 and the FBO has already welcomed a number of visiting aircraft and crews. The new FBO facility, located in the main terminal building, offers crew and passenger lounge facilities with direct ramp access for passengers and vehicles. Established in 1995, Weston Aviation is the second largest FBO network in the UK and Ireland in terms of locations with Read more

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GA Telesis Board appoints Norman Liu as Independent Director

GA Telesis’ Board of Directors will appoint Norman C.T. Liu as an Independent Board Member effective February 1, 2019. Liu brings over 35 years of experience in aviation financing, infrastructure investing and investment banking. He is the former Chairman, President and CEO of GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), a world leader in commercial aircraft leasing and financing. He retired from GE at the end of 2016 after 30 years of service and is currently a senior advisor to various companies in the infrastructure and aviation sectors.

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Cathay Pacific becomes easyJet Worldwide partner

easyJet has released that Cathay Pacific will be a new airline partner to its unique connections service, Worldwide by easyJet. easyJet customers will be able to connect seamlessly between easyJet flights across its European network flying into London Gatwick Airport and onwards on Cathay Pacific flights, initially between London Gatwick and Hong Kong once it is live on Worldwide in the coming weeks. Worldwide by easyJet has been consistently growing in popularity. Chicago is currently the most popular longhaul destination connecting through Rome while the Rome-Reykjavik connection is the most popular shorthaul connection. To date, more than 5,000 unique origins Read more

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CDB Aviation promotes Patrick Hannigan to President

CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., has promoted Patrick C. Hannigan, who has served as the company’s Chief Commercial Officer since January 2017, to the position of President, as part of the continued strategy to further strengthen executive management for the next phase of development. In addition to providing strategic leadership for the company as President, working with the CEO, the Board and other management to establish long-range goals and strategies, Hannigan will continue to lead the company’s commercial operations as Chief Commercial Officer.

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Elevate Capital Partners successful completes third aircraft transaction

In June 2018, Elevate closed on its first transaction, wherein it arranged, structured and managed the lease return of a Boeing 767-300ER (MSN 25449) from American Airlines, and subsequent induction into IAI Bedek (Tel Aviv) for cargo conversion on behalf of a major financial institution. The freighter conversion was completed in December 2018 and the aircraft commenced operations under lease with Cargojet Airways in January 2019.  In October 2018, Elevate closed on its second transaction, the acquisition of an Airbus A330-200 (MSN 343) on lease to Air Caraïbes Atlantique, which operates on routes between Paris and the Caribbean.  The transaction Read more

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British Airways to paint aircraft with much-loved designs from airline’s history

A Boeing 747 long-range wide-body four engined commercial jet airliner for the BOAC - British Overseas Airways Corporation ©British Airlines

As part of its 100-year birthday, British Airways will be painting four of its aircraft in much-loved retro designs from across its past, with the first confirmed as a Boeing 747 in a British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) design. The livery from the 1964 – 1974 BOAC era will adorn a B747, reg: G-BYGC. The aircraft will leave the paint shop in Dublin and arrive at Heathrow on February 18, before entering service the following day. This coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first Boeing 747 flight only a few days earlier. The BOAC 747 will be followed by Read more

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Asia Pacific Airlines acquires third 757-200 for PCF conversion

Asia Pacific Airlines has acquired B-757-200, MSN 25140. The acquisition was arranged by Aerolease Aviation and the asset has entered conversion at Flightsar Aviation in Jacksonville, FL with re-delivery expected in 120 days. The aircraft will return to service after conversion and will be joining two other Asia Pacific 757-PCF’s converted by Precision and operating in the Asia Pacific theatre.  Stated Precision’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Brian McCarthy “Asia Pacific’s transition from 727 operations to the 757 has been remarkable and has given them significant range and reach with the necessary. performance, flexibility and fuel savings to operate Read more

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easyJet reports £10 million cost impact of the drones at Gatwick

©AirTeamImages

easyJet has delivered a good performance in the quarter with robust customer demand driving passenger and ancillary revenue which is in line with expectations. Underlying revenue per seat was positive, including good ancillary revenue growth. This was offset, as expected, by the impact from last year’s one-off revenue benefits, the dilutive impact of flying at Tegel and new accounting standards delaying the recognition of revenue. easyJet has made good progress with its cost and operational performance but both were affected by the impact of drone activity at London Gatwick over the Christmas period. Total revenue in the first quarter to Read more

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