|
|
|
|
Monday, January 7th, 2019
|
|
LATEST NEWS
|
|
|
|
|
Monarch Aircraft Engineering Limited (MAEL), following in the footsteps of fellow Greybull-owned enterprise, Monarch Airlines, has gone into administration. According to the liquidators KPMG, MAEL is “unsustainable in its present form,” and who also confirmed that attempts to restructure the firm had failed.
|
Monarch Airlines collapsed in 2017 with the loss of 1,800 jobs, leading to the cancellation of holidays for over 860,000 people.
Commenting on the situation, KPMG restructuring partner David Pike said that: "Following the administration of other Monarch entities in 2017, MAEL sought to build its customer base to replace the loss of business from the former airline.
|
"Through the insolvency of the airline however, the company inherited significant debts and claims. Every effort has been made to turn around the business, including launching a CVA which sought to resolve these legacy debts. "Unfortunately, following the CVA, a number of customers reduced or sought to terminate their relationship with MAEL, further adversely impacting the business."
|
The Unite union has accused Greybull of failing to discuss the impending failure of the company with MAEL employees and will be seeking legal redress. Unite regional officer Paul Bouch, said: "This is terrible news and a terrible way to start the new year for a group of highly skilled workers. Unite will be offering our maximum support to help those affected by this announcement.
"Unite will also be seeking an urgent meeting with the administrators KPMG and launching legal action on behalf of our members for compensation over a failure to consult."
|
Founded in 1967, MAEL employed about 579 staff across Europe and provided aircraft maintenance services across four main divisions - base maintenance, line maintenance, fleet technical support and a training academy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Southwest Airlines' Founder and Chairman Emeritus Herbert D. Kelleher has passed away on January 3, at the age of 87.
|
Southwest Airlines honored Kelleher as a pioneer, a maverick, and an innovator, whose vision revolutionized commercial aviation and democratized the skies. Kelleher has served as Southwest Airlines Executive Chairman from March 1978 to May 2008 and as President and CEO from September 1981 through June 2001.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Delta has reported operating performance for December 2018. The company carried a record 15.3 million customers in the month of December and an annual record 192 million passengers across its broad global network in 2018.
|
Total traffic in December increased 5.4% compared to the previous year, while total load factor was flat at 84.2%. Total capacity increased 5.4% compared to December 2017.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Swedish airline Braathens Regional Airlines, BRA, started the implementation of its new ATR Global Maintenance Agreement on first of January, following the signature of this milestone agreement with ATR in June 2018 that further strengthens the strong relationship between the two companies. Covering Braathens Regional Airlines entire ATR fleet of ten ATR 72-600s, this customized full-service package covers repair, overhaul, pooling services of Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) and transportation of LRUs to the airline’s facilities. The contract is for a period of five years.
|
After the commissioning of the GMA for the Braathens Regional Airlines ATR fleet, Christian Clemens, the CEO of Braathens Regional Airlines, declared: “With a large fleet of ATRs, we must be able to benefit from the most suitable services, with responsiveness and efficiency, in order to best operate our aircraft. The launch of this Global Maintenance Agreement signed with ATR is one step further in the bonds of trust that unite us.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Werner Aero Services has reported that Mr. Jerremy “Jeng” Gonzales has joined its Singapore team as a Business Development Manager to continue growing its Asia Pacific business.
|
Jeng has previously worked with major airlines and MROs in the region and possesses extensive knowledge and background in powerplant and fleet management, particularly in the A320 and ATR platforms. Jeng will be responsible for developing new strategic business in the Asian Pacific region as well as strengthening existing customer relationships.
|
|
|
|
|
|
JetBlue Airways has firmed up an order for 60 A220-300 aircraft, the larger model of the new A220 series.
|
“As we approach our 20th anniversary, the impressive range and economics of the highly efficient A220, combined with the outstanding performance of our existing fleet of Airbus A321 and restyled A320 aircraft, will help ensure we deliver the best onboard experience to customers and meet our long-term financial targets as we continue disciplined growth into the future,” said Robin Hayes, Chief Executive Officer, JetBlue.
|
JetBlue’s existing Airbus fleet includes 193 A320 and A321ceo aircraft in operation, with an additional 85 A321neo aircraft on order.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boeing will upgrade all 17 of Spain’s CH-47D Chinook helicopters to the F-model configuration, adding features such as the digital automatic flight control system, common avionics architecture system and advanced cargo handling to align that country’s fleet with those of other nations.
|
This is the first order from a non-U.S. customer placed through a contract Boeing and the U.S. Army signed in July. That contract covers six new F-models for the U.S. and options for up to 150 more Chinooks for U.S. and international customers. Deliveries to Spain begin in 2021.
|
The CH-47F is a twin-engine, tandem rotor, heavy-lift helicopter. In addition to the U.S. Army and Special Operations Forces, Chinooks are currently in service or under contract with 19 international defense forces. It can fly at speeds exceeding 175 mph and carry payloads greater than 21,000 lbs. In 2017, Boeing and the U.S. Army announced development of CH-47F Block II, which will incorporate a new rotor blade, redesigned fuel system, improved drivetrain and structural improvements to the fuselage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
NovAtel® announced the award of a contract from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to design, produce and deliver 40 next-generation Ground Uplink Station (GUS) Signal Generators to support the FAA’s safety of life WAAS navigation service. The contract also includes ongoing engineering support services for NovAtel’s complete portfolio of Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) products deployed by the FAA, including the WAAS G-III reference receiver platform. The FAA has relied on NovAtel's safety-critical SBAS technology for over 20 years starting with NovAtel's first-generation WAAS reference receiver that was created in the 1990s.
|
Developed by the FAA, the WAAS network is a safety-critical navigation aid that allows aircraft to use the US Global Positioning System (GPS) for all phases of flight. Every time an aircraft takes off or lands within the WAAS coverage area, NovAtel technology is generating and processing data that allows aviators to make precision approaches to any airport. Since the program’s inception, NovAtel has provided the FAA with technology that delivers high-precision GPS receiver measurements and navigation information from WAAS Reference Stations (WRS) and the GUS infrastructure.
|
Under this new contract, NovAtel will help modernize the WAAS network by upgrading and extending support for the network’s GUS infrastructure. The next-generation of GUS Signal Generators, which are designed specifically for SBAS ground uplink systems, will include independent L1 and L5 signal paths to precisely control the frequency and phase of L1 and L5 code and carrier for dual-frequency SBAS. A GUS receiver system based on the WAAS G-III receiver platform will also be released along with the Signal Generator to complete the modernized GUS control loop.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AAR has released that its Board of Directors has appointed Sean Gillen as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective January 7, 2019.
|
Gillen will succeed Michael Milligan and will report to President and Chief Executive Officer John Holmes. He will have responsibility over the financial, accounting, tax, treasury and investor relations functions at AAR.
|
He joins AAR from USG Corporatio, a construction materials company based in Chicago with annual net sales of US$3.2 billion, where he served as Vice President and Treasurer. Prior to USG, Gillen spent nine years in investment banking with Goldman Sachs in their Global Industrials Group.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Avation, the commercial passenger aircraft leasing company, and ATR confirm Avation has entered into an options exercise to acquire a further eight new ATR 72-600 aircraft for scheduled deliveries between 2020 and 2022.
|
Jeff Chatfield, Executive Chairman, commented: “This order for eight additional aircraft extends Avation’s order book and firm delivery horizon and continues the business growth in regional turboprops out to 2022. In addition to this order, the company has maintained its purchase rights and price protection over a further 25 aircraft extending to December 2025. We equally confirm our willingness to potentially convert some of our orders and or options to the freighter version which we foresee to have a positive outlook. We believe that the market for the ATR 72-600 will continue to be strong as the aircraft is the most fuel-efficient aircraft in its class and dominates sales in its market segment. Avation is satisfactorily positioned as one of a few Lessors with a modest number of forward positions to offer to our airline customers.”
|
Avation PLC (AVAP: LSE) is an aircraft leasing company, headquartered in Singapore, owning and managing a fleet of commercial passenger aircraft which it leases to international airlines across the globe.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aerospace Engineering Solutions (AES Global), a UK based aerospace design and certification organisation, has obtained Egyptian Civil Aviation Regulations (ECAR) Part 21 approval from the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) Approved Design Organisation.
|
The approval (certification number ECAA/AW/AE/I0151/R0) demonstrates that AES Global is in compliance with all regulatory requirements to perform design activities for Egyptian registered aircraft and will give their customers access to the company’s catalogue of over 2000 approved changes.
|
AES Global also hold EASA and GCAA Part 21J Approval.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On 1 January, Soeren Stark joined the Executive Board of Lufthansa Technik AG with responsibility for Technical Operations, Logistics & IT. He was appointed to this position in September 2018 by the company's Supervisory Board. Stark, who has a degree in business engineering, will assume responsibility immediately for fleet services, base maintenance, components, logistics, IT and quality management. In this function, he will also serve as the accountable manager correspondent to EASA Part 145, EASA Part 21/G and EASA Part M.
|
Stark has worked in various Lufthansa Group companies. Most recently, he served on the Executive Board of Lufthansa Cargo. Prior to that, he headed both the aircraft overhaul and logistic services divisions at Lufthansa Technik, among other things. On the Executive Board of Lufthansa Technik AG, Stark succeeds Dr. Thomas Stueger, who served the Board for more than 14 years and retired in December.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has launched a new production line for skins for the F-35 wings.
|
The line was established following Lockheed Martin’s decision to expand the skins’ production and its selection of IAI as the subcontractor responsible for the manufacturing.
|
IAI's board has approved the construction of the new production line in 2015. The 20-year program is expected to yield revenues of hundreds of millions of dollars, with shipments expected from the beginning of 2019. The first shipments will be of some 700 kits with potential for additional orders at a later stage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
HAECO Xiamen, a member of the HAECO Group, has successfully conducted a trial to perform aircraft inspection assisted by drones within the company’s facilities, working closely with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Xiamen Airport, Xiamen Air Traffic Management Station and other local authorities.
|
Drones provide a safe, accurate and efficient tool to assist in aircraft visual inspection outside the hangars when necessary, for areas such as vertical and horizontal stabilisers, upper surfaces of the fuselage, and wings, providing a high-definition traceable visual record of aircraft exterior conditions when required.
|
HAECO Xiamen has developed a set of approved general technical instructions and operating procedures for the drone-assisted aircraft inspection operated by licensed staff. The drones, fitted with the latest collision avoidance technology, are programmed to operate at a predefined distance from the aircraft surfaces and within predefined geofences to ensure safe operations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The U.S. start-up airline code-named “Moxy” has signed a firm order with Airbus to purchase 60 A220-300 aircraft.
|
Moxy is the new airline venture led by David Neeleman, one of the industry’s most innovative entrepreneurs and founder of JetBlue Airways. In addition to JetBlue, Neeleman also founded Azul Brazilian Airlines and is the controlling investor in the revitalization of TAP Air Portugal.
|
Plans for Moxy, a low-cost airline, were unveiled at the Farnborough International Air Show in July.
|
“The A220-300 is the right airplane for a new airline that will be focused on passenger service and satisfaction,” said Neeleman. “With a low cost of operation and spacious cabin, the A220 will allow us to provide passengers with lower fares and a high quality, comfortable flying experience. The A220’s ability to operate profitably in thin, underserved markets across a broad spectrum of ranges is unique.”
|
The order was completed the final week of December. Airbus will produce the A220-300 at a new U.S. assembly facility in Mobile, Alabama. Construction of that plant, to be located adjacent to the existing Airbus A320 assembly facility, will begin later this month.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
click here to download the latest PDF edition
|
|
|
|
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
February 19 - 20, 2019 – Palma de Majorca, Spain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
