Daily2018-02-20

LATEST NEWS

Thursday, November 14th, 2019

Hong Kong political unrest forces Cathay Pacific to lower profit guidance again

Cathay Pacific Airways (Cathay Pacific), the flag carrying airline of Hong Kong has been forced, for the second time in under a month, to reduce its profit guidance owing to anti-government protests in the city which have forced schools, many businesses and transport links to shut down. The airline confirmed on Wednesday, October 13, that passenger numbers had fallen 7% for the month of October and instead of last months prediction that profit for the second half of the year would be “below” that of the first half of the year, this statement used the phrase “significantly below” the first six months’ HK$1,347 billion (US$172 million).

A number of analysts have already predicted that the carrier will post a loss for the second half of 2019. In the statement, Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Ronald Lam said: “Overall, we foresee a challenging remainder of 2019 for our airlines,”. “Looking ahead, our advanced bookings continue to show weakness in both inbound and outbound Hong Kong traffic for the rest of 2019, partly offset by moderately increased transit passengers via Hong Kong.”

According to Lam, Cathay Pacific reduced passenger flight capacity by 2-4% versus its original schedule between August and October and made further cuts of 6-7% for November and December. Reuters news agency reports that the carrier is expected to hold an analyst briefing on Thursday, the first under a new management team led by Chief Executive Augustus Tang after the airline’s former head, Rupert Hogg, resigned in August after a crackdown by China’s aviation regulator.

Beach Aviation

FAI welcomes 12th Learjet 60

Germany‘s Air Ambulance Specialist and Special Mission Operator FAI rent-a-jet AG, has acquired an additional Learjet 60 SE, MSN 312. The aircraft, tail number D-CFAQ, marks FAI’s 12th Learjet 60.

The aircraft will be refurbished by FAI Technik, FAI’s growing MRO division in Nuremberg. The refurbishment will feature an all new interior including VIP leather seating for seven to eight passengers in stylish shades of grey and high speed internet connectivity. This will be followed by a newly designed exterior paint scheme. This marks FAI Technik’s third Learjet 60 refurbishment project. It is anticipated that the aircraft will be available for sale from March 2020.

In other news, FAI Aviation Group Holding has decided to discontinue the AOC of one of its charter businesses, Fly Alpha. FAI will transfer its Premier 1A and King Air 350 aircraft onto FAI´s AOC.

BelugaXL receives EASA Type Certification

The BelugaXL has received its Type Certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) paving the way for entry-into-service by early 2020. The aircraft is an integral part of Airbus’ industrial system and a key enabler for production ramp-up requirements beyond 2019. The BelugaXL allows for 30% extra transport capacity being 7 metres longer and 1 metre wider than its BelugaST predecessor.

With the largest cargo bay cross-section of all existing cargo aircraft worldwide, the BelugaXL can carry two A350 XWB wings compared to the BelugaST, which can only carry one. With a maximum payload of 51 tonnes, the BelugaXL has a range of 4,000km (2200nm).

The aircraft gets its stamp of approval following an intensive flight test campaign that saw the BelugaXL complete more than 200 flight tests, clocking over 700 flight hours. In total, six aircraft will be built between 2019 and 2023, gradually replacing the current fleet of BelugaST transporters.

VAS

Improving air travel experience for passengers with disabilities

Last week, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) concluded its inaugural Global
Accessibility Symposium, the first event of its kind seeking to improve the air travel experience for passengers with disabilities.

Hosted by Emirates in their home city of Dubai, the Symposium welcomed guests from airlines, regulators and accessibility advocacy groups. The event is in line with an industry resolution agreed upon by IATA member airlines in June 2019, which commits to bettering the passenger experience for travelers with disabilities, both visible and invisible.

"This event showed that collaboration and feedback are crucial. Through this gathering and other initiatives, airlines are seeking to establish a better dialogue between industry, advocacy groups and passengers themselves. While the industry has had standards for persons traveling with disabilities for some time, we realize there are still gaps and we need to do more. We're excited to be
on this journey to make air travel more accessible and inclusive," said Linda Ristagno, External Affairs Manager at IATA.

In addition to speakers from airlines including British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Emirates and WestJet, presenters came from a wide variety of backgrounds such as regulatory bodies like the UK CAA, Canadian Transport Agency and Brazilian Ministry of Infrastructure; advocacy groups such as the Pineda Foundation / World Enabled, the European Network on Accessible Tourism, Open Doors Organization and Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People; as well as a number of industry partners including dnata and Heathrow Airport. Presentations were also given by representatives from Apple and Microsoft showing the importance of inclusive design and technological innovation.

The findings and results of this event will be used to build upon the existing IATA accessibility
strategy that will lead to clear deliverables, while continuing the dialogue with passengers, airports and governments.

"It is a step in the right direction, but the work isn't done. We will continue to facilitate the discussion and refine the industry strategy from here. However, we need governments to help by developing harmonized regulations, in consultation with industry and accessibility groups,
that provide clarity and global consistency. Working together will help ensure a safe, reliable and dignified experience that we owe to these passengers," said Ristagno.

ePlane

Danish carrier Jet Time extends PBH contract with AJW Group

AJW Group has extended its decade long power-by-the-hour (PBH) contract with the Danish airline Jet Time. The extension to the contract sees AJW continue to provide support for the airline’s current fleet of B737NG aircraft along with new additions to be introduced in the next 12 months.

AJW’s PBH offering guarantees the supply, repair and overhaul of rotable components with tailored programmes, to all fleets and sizes.

Jet Time is a Danish ACMI and Charter airline with its head office in Kastrup and bases
at Copenhagen, Billund and Helsinki Airport, operating on behalf of tour operators and other airlines throughout Europe.

Since the long term partnership began, AJW has supported Jet Time during its restructure and fleet transition from the Boeing 737 Classic to the 737 Next Generation.

1.4 million passengers flew with Austrian Airlines in October

About 1.4 million passengers flew with Austrian Airlines in October 2019, comprising an increase of 4.4% from the prior-year month. Traffic for the month climbed 1.5%, while capacity increased 0.5% compared to the previous year. The load factor for October increased 0.9 points to 82.8%.

TrueAero

Qatar Airways places US$4 billion Leap-1A engine order

Qatar Airways has ordered CFM International LEAP-1A engines to power its new fleet of 50 Airbus A321neo family aircraft. In addition, the national airline of the State of Qatar has also signed with CFM a Rate-Per-Flight-Hour (RPFH) support agreement to cover its entire fleet of LEAP-1A engines, including spares, for a combined total value of US$4 billion at list price.

Qatar Airways has been a CFM customer since 2015 and currently operates a fleet of eight CFM56-5B-powered A320ceo family aircraft. The first LEAP-1A-powered A321neo is scheduled to be delivered in 2020.

Conrad Chun appointed vice president of Communications for Boeing Commercial Airplanes

Boeing has appointed Conrad Chun as vice president of Communications for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, effective immediately.

Chun most recently served as vice president of Communications for Boeing Global Services where he was responsible for media relations, employee and executive communications, digital communications, government and customer relations, and product and services marketing
communications in support of Boeing's fastest-growing business unit.

In his new role, Chun will continue reporting to Anne Toulouse, senior vice president of Communications, and Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

SR Technics

CDB Aviation delivers A321neo aircraft to Brazilian airline Azul

CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., has delivered the first of two Airbus A321neo aircraft to Brazilian airline Azul S.A. The aircraft is the first A321NX version of the Neo-family, fitted with Airbus’ Cabin Flex option, to be operated by a Brazilian airline.

The A321neo, configured in a 214 single-class seat layout and powered by CFM International’s Leap-1A engines, will provide passengers with enhanced features.

The versatility of the A321neoNX will provide the right capacity for Azul’s expanding fleet and will avail the carrier of the new technology’s benefits, such as reduced fuel consumption and lowered unit costs, enabling more efficient operations in the future.

AAR

Avianor obtains A220 maintenance approval from Transport Canada

Avianor is pleased to announce that it has reached a highly important milestone and has received Transport Canada (TCCA) approval to add the Airbus A220-100 and A220-300 to its important maintenance capability list.

With this approval, Avianor can offer post-delivery modification services to operators of the Airbus A220 family of aircraft. With this addition of the Airbus A220 heavy maintenance approval, Avianor is strategically standing for the future.

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