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Wednesday, July 20th, 2022

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New lessor Abelo firms up on orders for 20 ATR turboprops at Farnborough Air Show

Newly formed Dublin, Ireland-based lessor Abelo has signed Heads of Agreement with ATR for ten brand-new ATR 72-600s. First deliveries of the ATR 72-600 are due to start in 2023. In addition, Abelo also confirmed a previous order for ten brand-new ATR 42-600Ss turboprop aircraft, this model being the Short Take-off and Landing, or STOL, variant. The order for the ATR 42-600Ss was originally placed by Elix Aviation back in 2019. However, in June this year new, fully fledged lessor Abelo was formed through the merger of Elix Aviation together with its 65-strong turboprop portfolio with ADARE Aviation Capital. Abelo is owned by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree”), which initiated the merger to enable further investment in the regional turboprop sector.

ATR has issued a new market forecast in which it predicts strong demand, worldwide, for turboprop aircraft over the next 20 years. Steve Gorman, Chief Executive Officer of Abelo, said: “We firmly believe that turboprops are the technology of today and tomorrow and this is why we are investing in the ATR platform. This new deal is further proof of our commitment to create growth and value for regional operators, providing them with the most modern, profitable and sustainable aircraft on the market.”

Stefano Bortoli, ATR Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Abelo is a perfect partner for ATR and a force to be reckoned with in the regional aviation market. With today’s order for 20 aircraft, they demonstrate their long-term confidence in our product family and shine a light on the many opportunities that exist for operators across the globe.”

SR Technics and Vietravel Airlines sign agreement for engine maintenance

MRO service provider SR Technics and Vietravel Airlines, the first travel airline in Vietnam, have signed two General Terms Agreements (GTA) at the Farnborough Airshow. One GTA is intended for CFM56-5B engine maintenance and another for engine lease support.

Vietravel Airlines, based in Ho Chi Minh city, currently operates three A321-200 aircraft with CFM56-5B engines and plans to grow to 25 aircraft in the next four years. The first scheduled engine shop visit is expected in the next year.

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BBAM orders nine more 737-800 BCF

Lessor BBAM Limited Partnership (BBAM) is growing its 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) fleet with a firm order for nine more 737-800BCF. The agreement brings BBAM’s 737-800BCF orders to 40 as strong demand for the single-aisle freighter continues.

BBAM will be the first customer to take delivery of a 737-800BCF conversion at a new conversion line set to open next year at KF Aerospace, an MRO provider in Kelowna, British Columbia. Last year, Boeing announced it would open two 737-800BCF conversion lines at KF Aerospace beginning in 2023. 

All-electric flying demonstrator VX4 assembled and delivered from GKN Aerospace’s Global Technology Centre in Bristol

GKN Aerospace has reached an important milestone in its partnership with Vertical Aerospace (Vertical), a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering zero-emissions aviation, by delivering the electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS) and integration expertise for Vertical’s first flying prototype of the VX4 all-electric demonstrator aircraft.

The VX4 is leveraging GKN Aerospace’s multi-technology expertise and its global footprint, with EWIS delivered from Hoogerheide, the Netherlands. Airframe assembly and EWIS installation was also completed at GKN Aerospace’s brand-new Global Technology Centre in Bristol , integrating various parts delivered by the global supply chain.

GKN Aerospace and Vertical announced their partnership in September 2021. Since then, the rapid design, manufacture and delivery of the EWIS has showcased GKN Aerospace’s ability to support the faster time-to-market of electric aircraft. The next step in the strategic collaboration between GKN and Vertical, will be manufacturing and integration of the Wing and EWIS for the certifiable aircraft. Design and development activities have already started and are progressing, as Vertical’s VX4 is targeting entry into service in 2025.

Korea Aerospace Industries signs parts supply contract with Incora

Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) has signed a parts supply contract with Incora on July 18, at the Farnborough International Airshow. The three- year contract is to support both KAI military programmes and commercial aerostructures work.

Incora is an established supplier to KAI of just-in-time supply chain services of C class parts and the new contract is to supply the KAI KUH-1, LAH and KAI’s commercial aerostructures work.

Incora has built a strong presence in the Korean aerospace sector both with OEM Tier 1 and 2 airframe and engine suppliers and in the MRO sector for customers including Korean Air. Incora has major facilities in China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia, enabling APAC customers to be supported efficiently through product availability.  

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Airbus and CFM International launch flight test demonstrator for advanced open fan architecture

Airbus and CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines, are collaborating to flight test CFM’s cutting-edge open fan engine architecture.

The Flight Test Demonstrator aims to mature and accelerate the development of advanced propulsion technologies, as part of CFM’s Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engine (RISE) demonstration programme, on board an Airbus A380. The flight test campaign will be performed in the second half of this decade from the Airbus Flight Test facility in Toulouse, France. Ahead of the A380 test flights, CFM will perform engine ground tests, along with flight test validation at GE Aviation’s Flight Test Operations centre in Victorville, CA, U.S.A.

The flight test programme will achieve several objectives that could contribute to future engine and aircraft efficiency improvements, including: enhanced understanding of engine/wing integration and aerodynamic performance as well as propulsive system efficiency gains; validating performance benefits, including better fuel efficiency that would provide a 20%* reduction in CO2 emissions compared to today’s most efficient engines; evaluating acoustic models; and ensuring compatibility with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).

Thales and VoltAero bring innovative data collection and computing solutions to Cassio electric-hybrid aircraft

Thales and VoltAero have announced a cooperation to pursue innovative airborne data collection and computing solutions that promise significant enhancements for the autonomy, sustainability and operability of VoltAero’s Cassio electric-hybrid aircraft family.

Thales’ FlytLink Edge Computing system enables real-time processing of imagery from on-board cameras with artificial intelligence supporting such functions as the detection of obstacles and air traffic.

The initial validation of such technologies is now underway using VoltAero’s Cassio 1 testbed aircraft.

Thales installed a demonstrator of its FlytLink Edge Computing system on Cassio 1. This ultra-compact computer, natively connected to the cloud, enables the collection and real-time transmission of data from onboard sensors and avionics, along with the processing of data in flight or on the ground using the latest-generation algorithms, as well as the hosting of applications that facilitate piloting tasks.

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Embraer receives new orders from Porter Airlines and Alaska Airlines

Porter Airlines has placed a firm order for 20 Embraer E195-E2 passenger jets, adding to its existing 30 firm orders. Porter will use the E195-E2 to extend its service to destinations throughout North America. The deal, with a list price value of US$1.56 billion, brings Porter’s orders with Embraer to a total of up to 100 E195-E2 aircraft, with 50 firm commitments and 50 purchase rights. In 2021, Porter ordered 30 Embraer E195-E2 jets, with purchase rights for a further 50 aircraft, worth US$5.82 billion at list price, with all options exercised.

Furthermore, Alaska Airlines Group announced plans to grow its regional fleet with an order of eight new additional E175 jets and options for 13 more. The E175 aircraft will fly exclusively for Alaska Airlines under a capacity purchase agreement (CPA) with Horizon Air. The value of the contract, including options, is USD $1.12 billion based on list price. Horizon’s new 76-seat aircraft from this order will be delivered in Alaska’s livery and three-class configuration over the next four years starting in Q2 2023.

Flynas selects Safran’s wheels and carbon brakes on Airbus A320 fleet

As part of this long-term agreement, which is an extension of a partnership of more than ten years, Safran Landing Systems will supply Flynas, the Saudi air carrier and a leading low-cost airline in the Middle East, with the wheels, brakes, and carbon heat sinks to equip its Airbus A320neo fleet.

Safran Landing Systems brakes designed for the Airbus A320neo family provide unequalled performance in terms of efficiency, weight and endurance, thanks to the new SepCarb®IV carbon material and Anoxy®66 oxidation protection systems, which offer ever longer service life and greater reliability. Besides, its optimized weight contributes to the reduction of operators’ fuel consumption and therefore CO2 emissions.

Flynas recently announced that the company's Board of Directors had agreed to increase the volume of new orders for aircraft to 250 aircraft, with which Flynas aims to become the first low-cost airline in the Persian Gulf to enable the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reach its goal of 100 million annual tourists by 2030.

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Aviation finance professionals team up to launch aircraft lessor FWCAS

A group of seasoned aviation finance executives have teamed up to launch FWCAS, a new aircraft investment and leasing platform. FWCAS will offer customised aircraft leasing solutions to airline customers globally. Its fleet
will focus on the most desirable, technologically-advanced commercial passenger aircrafts, from Airbus and Boeing. FWCAS will seek to actively grow its fleet and position itself to help customers reduce their carbon emissions by investing in the latest aviation technology.

The FWCAS management team comprises a highly experienced group of former GECAS executives, who have more than 90 years of collective experience in the aircraft leasing industry. The team is led by CEO Jonty Nel and includes Liam Creaven, who joins as Chief Technical Officer, Simon Siganto who will serve as Chief Legal Officer and Pat Laffan as Chief Financial Officer.

Nel, CEO at FWCAS, commented: “We’re excited to return to the aircraft leasing market with FWCAS, where we’re investing selectively in the most in-demand, technologically-advanced aircraft platforms. We will help airlines provide an extraordinary passenger experience at lower operating costs, and with reduced carbon emissions.”

ST Engineering secures Boeing 787 component MBH™ agreement to support Turkish Airlines

ST Engineering's commercial aerospace business has signed a Component Maintenance-By-the-Hour (MBH™) agreement with Turkish Technic, the MRO arm of Turkish Airlines group companies, serving airlines worldwide.

Under the multi-year agreement, ST Engineering will provide component support to Turkish Airlines’ fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft starting from August this year. The comprehensive and customised services include component repair management with a dedicated consignment stock in Istanbul. ST Engineering will also make available a regional component pool to support Turkish Airlines. In addition, this new agreement includes reciprocal repair work with Turkish Technic.

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Wencor extends purchase agreement with ALP Aviation through 2027

Wencor, LLC and Alp Havacilik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. (Alp Aviation) have signed a multi-year purchase agreement, whereas Wencor will provide consumable and expendable (C&E) parts to support ALP Aviation’s production requirements. The parties held a signature ceremony during the Farnborough Airshow in Hampshire, England.

Alp Aviation and Wencor have enjoyed a partnership for 20+ years. The new MY10 Sikorsky contract will extend this relationship through 2027. Wencor will support ALP's requirements through its many OEM authorised distributorships, demand planning and JIT supply chain services through its local stocking facilities.

“We are thrilled to expand our relationship with ALP that we have enjoyed for over two decades,” said Wencor CEO, Shawn Trogdon. “We look forward to utilising our broad product offerings and best-in- class service levels to support ALP Aviation and its customers for years to come.”

Ascendance Flight Technologies signs first letters of intent for hybrid-electric VTOL Atea

Ascendance Flight Technologies, the French start-up specialising in low-carbon aviation, has opened its order book. It has received its first purchase intentions from operators in the U.S., Asia and Europe for a total of 245 units of Atea, its five-seat hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. These letters of intent (LOI) confirm the sector's interest in the hybrid technology, endurance and versatility of the aircraft. Atea is a low carbon alternative to the helicopter, intended for regional use and will go into production in 2025.

Hybrid-electric technology and distributed propulsion: for Ascendance Flight Technologies, these technical choices are the safest and fastest solution to move towards a new, cleaner and more sustainable air mobility. They are the centrepiece to its strategy and the development of its high-performance solutions dedicated to a new generation of aviation: Atea, a multi-use hybrid-electric aircraft and Sterna, its patented modular hybrid propulsion system. With its focus on decentralized aviation or decarbonization of existing aircraft, Ascendance anticipates and develops agile solutions that will impact the future of mobility. Since its founding in 2018, the young company has steadily and rigorously met several key milestones of its ambitious development schedule.

Embraer and BAE Systems announce collaboration for C-390 Millennium and Eve eVTOL

Embraer and BAE Systems have announced at the Farnborough Airshow the signature of two memorandums of understanding (MoUs), which expand the footprint of both companies in the global defence market, by setting out the basis for a collaborative relationship.

The first MoU aims to establish a strategic partnership between BAE Systems and Embraer to collaborate in Middle Eastern markets for C-390, with an initial focus on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The second MoU confirms an intent to create a joint venture to develop a defense variant of Eve’s electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle.

The C-390 Millennium and its air-to-air refueling configuration, the KC-390, are the new generation of multi-role military transport aircraft already delivering unrivaled mobility and cargo capacity, rapid re-configurability, high availability, improved comfort, and flight safety, as well as reduced operational costs through its life cycle—all in a single platform.

For the eVTOL collaboration, the companies intend to create a joint venture that will bring together the complementary skills of Embraer and BAE Systems to pursue the potential development of a defence variant, with Eve being the platform provider.
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Tamar Jorssen
Vice President Sales & Business Development
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (788) 213 8543
Tamar