|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LATEST NEWS
|
|
Monday, January 27th, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
A year later than projected, Boeing’s 777X twin-engine wide-body jetliner has finally taken to the skies after two further days of delays owing to bad weather conditions. This is the first new jet the American planemaker has produced since the ill-fated 737 MAX and took to the skies and all eyes will now be on the FAA and the certification process for the 777X after accusations of an all-too-cozy relationship between Boeing and the FAA.
|
Having taken off from its assembly line north of Seattle approximately four hours earlier, the jet touched down at Boeing Field at 2 p.m. local time, ironically drawing to a standstill alongside scores of undelivered 737 MAXs which were standing idly by as a less-than-subtle reminder of the current problems Boeing is facing.
|
The 777X is the larger of two 777 variants being produced and will officially be called the 777-9. It will compete against the Airbus A350-1000, 360-passenger wide-body jet, and will be the largest jet in operation when it enters into service next year with an extended wingspan of 251’ 9” (76.7m) and a length of 229’ (68.9m). To enable it to be parked in bays for narrow predecessors and to also increase fuel efficiency, the carbon-fiber wings of the 777X have a foldable tip, allowing the wingspan to be reduce by approximately 23’ to 212’ 8” (64.8m). The jet is powered by two of General Electric’s larges jet engines, the GE9X high-bypass turbofan that is so big that for testing, it had to be mounted on a 747-400 Jumbo. The engine has been described as being “wide enough to swallow a 737 MAX fuselage.”
|
Sales of the 777X have so far disappointed with only 300 orders so far received and what some see as an uncomfortable reliance on Middle East carriers who have ordered the most aircraft. Emirates originally placed an order for 150 of the variant, but have since reduced that number to 115, while Qatar Airways have an order for 60 units in place. Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, All Nippon Airlines and Singapore Airlines have all ordered 20 777X aircraft, while British Airways has recently placed an order for 42 of the jets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Air France is extending its business class service to customers on its domestic network, on departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and the French regions, which will also be available on short-haul flights connecting the French regions to international destinations(.
|
With this move upmarket, Business class customers with a connection on a long, medium or short-haul flight to or from the French regions will now enjoy seamless Business class service at no extra cost throughout their trip.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eirtech’s Technical Operations department combines its CAMO and Technical Services departments to provide a more comprehensive service for its global customers.
|
The comany therefore has appointed Seán Dooley as Head of Technical Operations within the Eirtech organisation. In this role he will oversee the operation of both the Technical Services and CAMO departments in order to ensure an overall seamless product offering for customers globally.
|
Declan Lenane will remain as CAMO Manager and will continue to be responsible for all Part M Technical matters, Ciaran Murphy will remain as Technical Services Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boeing has completed its first flight of the 777X powered by two GE9X engines on Januar 25.
|
GE Aviation has been designing and testing the GE9X since 2013. In preparation for the first flight, GE Aviation previously conducted 72 test flights of the GE9X totaling more than 400 hours on its Boeing 747 flying test bed in Victorville, CA. To date, the GE9X program has completed more than 4,100 hours of ground and air testing, as well as 6,500 cycles.
|
GE Aviation is wrapping up certification testing for the GE9X and expects the engine to be
certified later this year. Eight GE9X engines and two spares have been produced to support the Boeing test program. Engines for the first three aircraft have been delivered and the balance will be in Seattle in the coming weeks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Norwegian has implemented a new hand baggage policy, starting January 24.
|
“Norwegian’s business model is based on giving our customers freedom of choice and that is also the basis of this new policy. All customers, regardless of ticket type, can bring one underseat bag to be stored under the seat in front of them. If customers don’t need any additional hand baggage, they can choose our LowFare ticket at no additional costs. Those who wish to bring an additional overhead cabin bag can do so at a small additional cost prior to departure or choose a different ticket type when booking their ticket,” said Cecilie Nybø Carlsen, VP Product Management at Norwegian.
|
As a part of the new policy, Norwegian has increased the size of the underseat bag, increased the weight of checked baggage from 20 to 23 kilos and increased the total combined weight of hand baggage for Flex and Premium tickets from 10 to 15 kilos.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amadeus, a travel technology and service provider for airlines and the global travel industry, is a new business partner of BARIG (Board of Airline Representatives in Germany). Through this agreement, Amadeus enters BARIG’s forum for communication, joining more than 100 national and international member airlines.
|
"We welcome Amadeus as a new business partner," states BARIG Secretary General Michael Hoppe. "Technology is one of the vital components for sustainable success today, as the current development of modern innovations in distribution and the IATA standard NDC prove. We are pleased to strengthen the BARIG business partner segment ‘Technology & Innovation’ with Amadeus and, thus, to considerably enhance our expertise in this area."
|
Amadeus operates globally in over 190 markets and, in constant cooperation with the travel
industry, develops professional IT solutions for airlines among others. In 2018 alone, Amadeus processed more than 580 million bookings for over 1.8 billion airline customers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
CAVU Aerospace has received FAA Air Agency Certificate, SR6R638D, for its CAVU Component Repair station based in Mesa, Arizona. With this approval, CAVU Component Repair will have the capability to repair airframe components, accessories and landing gear in accordance with its operation specifications.
|
CAVU's 80,000 ft² facility is equipped with state-of-the art tooling and machinery. It will offer quality repair on flight controls, flap tracks, flap carriages, and landing gear for most Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier and Embraer aircraft types. Its repair capabilities will be expanded in the future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HAECO ITM, a member of the HAECO Group, has reached an agreement with NokScoot Airlines (NokScoot) to provide inventory technical management support for the company’s six Boeing 777 aircraft.
|
The scope of the agreement includes access to HAECO ITM’s component pool, component exchange, repair management, engineering and AOG support in accordance with its guaranteed delivery time and service level. NokScoot will benefit from a tailored inventory management programme, allowing them to focus on their operations, thanks to HAECO ITM’s commitment to providing customised and cost-effective solutions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holiday airline Condor has found a buyer. Polish Aviation Group, who owns a 100% of LOT Airlines, will take over Condor. In a press release the Group said that the combination of LOT and Condor will create one of the leading European aviation groups carrying about 20 million passengers per year.
|
Condor will continue to act under its current leadership while gaining from expanded connectivity and operational synergies between the airlines. It is intended that the bridge financing provided by the KfW and guaranteed by the German Federal Government and the State of Hessen will be repaid in full.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
click here to download the latest PDF edition
|
click here to subscribe to our other free publications
|
|
AIRCRAFT & ENGINE MARKETPLACE
|
click here to view in PDF aircraft and engines available for sale and lease
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 24 - 26, 2020 - London, UK
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
