Western sanctions force Russian airlines to use ‘Christmas trees’ to keep aircraft in the skies

Aeroflot Boeing 737-800 aircraft ©AirTeamImages

Russian carriers, including Aeroflot, are having to cannibalise certain aircraft to provide sufficient spare parts to keep other aircraft in the skies. Western sanctions have seen an embargo on the supply of aircraft spare parts to Russia since its invasion of Ukraine. Not only has the sanction had an effect on Airbus and Boeing aircraft, but the Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100, which is assembled in Russia relies heavily on foreign spare parts. It is understood that countries which have not imposed sanctions on Russia are reluctant to provide any parts from their own airlines’ inventory for fear of secondary sanctions Read more

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CargoAir places order for 4th AEI B737-800SF freighter conversion

Aeronautical Engineers (AEI) is pleased to has released that Bulgaria-based CargoAir has ordered its 4th AEI B737-800SF freighter conversion. The aircraft, (MSN 30883) is slated to commence modification at the end of October 2022. All conversion related touch labour will be performed by the authorised AEI conversion centre, Commercial Jet in Miami, Florida. “The AEI B737-800SFs are part of our overall fleet revitalisation programme and will be used to incrementally replace our existing fleet of B737-300SF/-400SF freighters,” remarked CargoAir Purchase and Fleet Acquisitions Director, Angel Petrov. “AEI has the best B737-800SF conversion on the market with features and reliability that Read more

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Bombardier sells one Challenger 3500 jet

Air Corporate SRL has bought one Challenger 3500 jet ©Bombardier

Bombardier has announced the sale of one Challenger 3500 business jet to Italian-based operator, Air Corporate SRL. This will be the first company to offer the aircraft for charter in Europe. Introduced in 2021, the new Challenger 3500 aircraft offers a unique blend of performance, advantageous operating costs, ultimate cabin experience and smooth ride, making it an ideal choice for the European charter market. With its re-designed interior with intelligent and sustainably minded cabin features, the Challenger 3500 aircraft is elegantly crafted to combine comfort with function, fully elevating the passenger experience. “We’re thrilled to be adding the new Challenger 3500 aircraft to our fleet,” said Roano Grandi, President, Air Corporate SRL, alongside Jacopo Read more

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Frontier Airlines and Denver International Airport break ground on 14-gate facility

Ground-breaking at Denver International Airport ©Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines and Denver International Airport (DEN) celebrated a ceremonial ground-breaking for the new 120,000-ft² ground boarding facility on the east-end of Concourse A at Denver International Airport. The project includes the re-modelling of 83,000 ft² of space, along with a 37,000 ft² expansion area. The facility will feature 14 gates and an adjacent 8,000 ft² maintenance facility. “We’re thrilled to join with our partners at Denver International Airport and the City of Denver to break ground on this new facility, which will provide a beautiful, convenient, customer-centric experience for departing and arriving Frontier passengers,” said Barry Biffle, CEO of Read more

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Boeing to represent aviation sector in global alliance to help cut aviation emissions faster

©Boeing

Boeing will represent the aviation sector in a global alliance, jointly established by the U.S. Government and World Economic Forum to accelerate clean technologies and reduce carbon emissions. The First Movers Coalition (FMC) was created in late 2021 to leverage the purchasing power of major companies to speed up the pace of decarbonising industrial sectors such as shipping, chemicals and trucking. Boeing, a founding member of the coalition, will serve as the ‘champion’ for the aviation sector. As part of its new role, Boeing commits to supporting greater commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuels and advancing other low-carbon technologies. Scaling up Read more

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Mesa Air Group reports third-quarter fiscal 2022 results

Mesa Air Group has reported that total operating revenues in Q3 2022 were US$134.4 million, an increase of US$9.2 million (7.4%) from US$125.2 million in Q3 2021. Contract revenue increased US$9.2 million, or 8.4%. This was due to the return to normal rates from its partners, which were temporarily reduced last year related to the PSP programme. These were partially offset by a reduction in block hours. Mesa’s Q3 2022 results include, per GAAP, the recognition of US$6.8 million of previously deferred revenue, versus the deferral of US$1.9 million of revenue in Q3 2021. The remaining deferred revenue balance of US$22.7 million will be recognised as flights are completed over the remaining Read more

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Struggling SAS averts further strike as pilots agree to new pay deal

SAS ©AirTeamImages

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has managed to avert further damaging strike action as Norwegian, Danish and Swedish members of the pilots’ unions have voted to accept a collective bargaining agreement that was reached last month. In July the loss-making Scandinavian carrier had to cancel 3,700 flights during a financially disastrous 15-day strike which is estimated to have cost SAS over US$145 million during what would normally be one of the most profitable periods of the year. While the new deal involves lower wages and longer hours for pilots, SAS has agreed to rehire pilots that were laid off during the COVID-19 Read more

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American Airlines to invest in hydrogen-electric engine developer ZeroAvia

©American Airlines announced its investment in ZeroAvia

American Airlines has announced its investment in ZeroAvia, a leader in hydrogen-electric, zero-emission aviation. In addition to the investment, a memorandum of understanding provides American the opportunity to order up to 100 engines from ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric powertrain development programme. The engines are intended to power regional jet aircraft with zero emissions. “Our investment in ZeroAvia’s emerging hydrogen-electric engine technology has the potential to play a key role in the future of sustainable aviation,” said Derek Kerr, American Airlines’ Chief Financial Officer. “We are excited to contribute to this industry development and look forward to exploring how these engines can support the Read more

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Willis Lease Finance reports second-quarter pre-tax income of US$11.0 million

Willis Lease Finance has reported second-quarter total revenues of US$78.1 million. For the three months ended June 30, 2022, aggregate lease rent and maintenance reserve revenues were US$60.9 million and spare parts and equipment sales were US$6.8 million. The company reported increased total revenues in the second-quarter when compared to the prior-year period, primarily due to an increase in lease rent revenue and short-term maintenance revenue. The company generated US$11.0 million of pre-tax income in the second quarter of 2022 compared to $-(1.9) million in the comparable quarter of 2021. The book value of lease assets the company owns directly Read more

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Brussels Airlines improves half-year 2022 result by 38%

Brussels Airlines ©AirTeamImages

Brussels Airlines has closed its first semester of 2022 at -€89 million, an improvement of 38% compared to the previous year. The first months of the year were still impacted by the consequences of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, while June was marked by four days of flight disruptions due to strike actions. Inflation and high fuel costs continue to influence the airline’s results, but thanks to its restructuring, the airline is set up with a competitive cost position to face the future. In the first half of this year, Brussels Airlines welcomed 2.73 million passengers on board its flights. This is three-times Read more

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