China still not ready to re-certify 737 MAX while COMAC C919 production nears lift-off

China Southern Airlines Boeing 737 MAX ©AirTeamImages

China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) remains one of the last major markets to withhold re-certification of the Boeing 737 MAX, with no clear indication being given of any anticipated timeline for the troubled jet to return to its skies. China was one of the first countries to ground the 737 MAX after two fatal crashes, the first involving Lion Air and the second involving Ethiopian Airlines. China has indicated it wants to examine and approve all changes to the 737 MAX software, while also having its pilots retrain on the new software, prior to awarding re-certification. Additionally, China wants investigations Read more

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GA Telesis signs agreement for acquisition of fleet of 777-300ER aircraft

GA Telesis has signed an agreement to acquire a fleet of 777-300ER aircraft, powered by GE90-115B engines, with an undisclosed seller. With the world’s leading aviation ecosystem and given the relative size of the acquisition, GA Telesis’ plan for this fleet will encompass a broad strategy of aircraft leasing, engine leasing, as well as airframe and engine part-out. GA Telesis has achieved great success with the 777 platform, from the world’s first-ever 777 part-out to the multitude of aircraft it has acquired and managed over the past decade. Most recently, GA Telesis acquired three aircraft from All Nippon Airways for Read more

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January passenger demand falls further

Hanover Airport, Germany ©AirTeamImages

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that passenger traffic fell in January 2021, both compared to pre-COVID levels (January 2019) and compared to the immediate month prior (December 2020). Because comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted all comparisons are to January 2019 which followed a normal demand pattern. Total demand in January 2021 (RPKs) was down 72.0% compared to January 2019. That was worse than the 69.7% year-over-year decline recorded in December 2020. Total domestic demand was down 47.4% versus pre-crisis (January 2019) levels. In December it Read more

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Mesa Air Group eyes international growth

American Eagle CRJ-900 operated by Mesa Airlines ©AirTeamImages

Mesa Air Group has entered into a conditional agreement with Gramercy Associates based in London, England, to develop a European-based joint venture. The joint venture will apply for a new Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) in the European Union using CRJ-900 aircraft with the goal of introducing a Capacity Purchase Agreement or ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) in passenger or cargo services in Europe. Gramercy Associates is headed by Tony Davis, former CEO of Tiger Airways and bmibaby. Under the agreement, Mesa will own 49% of the partnership once the Air Operator’s Certificate is obtained. The current plan is to Read more

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Recaro Aircraft Seating enters regional market with Embraer

Recaro is equipping Embraer E195-E2 and E-190 KLM Cityhopper aircraft with SL3710 (photo) and BL3710 seats ©Recaro Aircraft Seating

Recaro Aircraft Seating is entering the regional jet market with its first Embraer installation. The BL3710 and SL3710 seats will be retrofitted on the Embraer E190 and line fitted in Brazil on the Embraer E195-E2 for KLM Cityhopper, the regional arm of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.  “Expanding into the regional jet market is a tremendous opportunity for Recaro to grow our capabilities and strengthen our customer base,” said Dr. Mark Hiller, CEO and Shareholder of Recaro Aircraft Seating. “Embraer has been a fantastic party through this experience. I have great confidence in this move and our ability to rise to Read more

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ATS Texas Pneumatic Systems selected as Honeywell channel partner

ATS (Aviation Technical Services) has released that its subsidiary business of Texas Pneumatic Systems (TPS) has been selected by Honeywell to join Honeywell’s global channel partner network. This agreement enables TPS to be listed as a certified Honeywell repair station for select aviation parts, creating a partnership benefiting mutual customers surrounding the repair, overhaul, and service of a range of airframe and engine components and their related accessories.

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Jet MS acquires RAS Group and extends services to London Biggin Hill Airport

Vytis Zalimas CEO of Jet Maintenance Solutions

On February 26, Jet MS, a global provider of base and line maintenance services for business and regional aircraft, and a part of the global aerospace business group Avia Solutions Group, has acquired the U.K.-based RAS Group, comprising of RAS Completions and RAS Interiors. RAS Group is a long-established aircraft interior, exterior, and completions company specializing in interior repairs, manufacturing, and exterior paint refinishing for both VIP and commercial aircraft. Founded in 1996, RAS Group is based at London Biggin Hill Airport, a world-renowned center for international business aviation. RAS Group’s wide range of aviation services, including aircraft exteriors, VIP Read more

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Breeze Airways takes delivery of second Embraer E190 aircraft

Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) has delivered one Embraer E190, MSN 19000055, to Breeze Airways on lease. This is the second aircraft to deliver as part of a fifteen E190 aircraft lease agreement made with Breeze Airways. Breeze Airways is a new ultra-low-cost airline start-up scheduled for take-off in 2021. Breeze’s mission is to make the world of travel simple, affordable, and convenient by offering point-to-point flights from smaller, secondary airports, bypassing hubs for shorter travel times, and improving the guest travel experience.

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Canada’s CAE to buy L3Harris Technologies’ military training division in US$1.05 billion deal (updated)

©CAE

In a boost to its defense business in the U.S. market, the aviation training specialist CAE Inc (CAE) has agreed to buy L3Harris Technologies’ (L3Harris) military training division. It is expected the deal will augment the development of training systems for remotely piloted aircraft, submarines, fighter and bomber aircraft; the company is currently a major producer of full-flight simulators for both Boeing and Airbus and the deal will double its specialist’s defense business. It is anticipated that revenues will be split roughly 50:50 between defence and civil after the deal closes, as expected, in the second half of 2021. CAE Read more

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Meggitt awarded contract from Boeing to supply cockpit indicators for 737 MAX

Meggitt, a leading international company specializing in high performance components and sub-systems for the aerospace, defense, and selected energy markets, has signed a long-term agreement with Boeing for the supply of cockpit indicators on the 737 MAX. The contract covers a suite of cockpit indicators across all versions of the aircraft. This contract expands Meggitt content on the 737 MAX program, which already includes the engine and APU fire detection and suppression systems, electrical power conversion equipment, and elastomeric seals. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in Q2 2022. Meggitt Chief Executive, Tony Wood, said: “We are delighted to be expanding Read more

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