Daily2018-02-20

Monday, December 10th, 2018

beachaviationsponsor2018-04-03

LATEST NEWS

Boeing launches longest-range business jet with BBJ 777X

Boeing Business Jets is launching the BBJ 777X, a new Boeing Business Jet model that can fly more than half way around the world without stopping.

"Our most exclusive customers want to travel with the best space and comfort and fly directly to their destination. The new BBJ 777X will be able to do this like no other airplane before it, redefining ultra-long range VIP travel," said Greg Laxton, head of Boeing Business Jets, at the bi-annual Middle East Business Aviation Association Show (MEBAA).

Customers can choose between two models: the BBJ 777-8 and BBJ 777-9. The BBJ 777-8 offers the longest range of 11,645 nautical miles (21,570 km) and a spacious 3,256 ft². (302.5 m²) cabin.

The BBJ 777-9 provides an even larger cabin measuring 3,689 ft² (342.7 m²), while still offering ultra-long range of 11,000 nautical miles (20,370 km). This model opens up almost unlimited interior design options to ensure ultimate comfort for long distance travel.

To demonstrate the versatility of the airplane's spacious cabin, BBJ unveiled interior concepts from three leading design firms: Greenpoint Technologies, Jet Aviation, and Unique Aircraft Design. Each concept shows how the BBJ 777X can be transformed to suit the tastes of any VIP customer.

The strength of the BBJ fleet of airplanes was highlighted at the air show as Boeing announced it recently booked another order for its BBJ MAX family. The order from an unidentified customer brings total orders for the BBJ MAX to 21.

GA Telesis

Norwegian reports strong passenger growth in November

Norwegian has reported strong passenger growth as it carried almost 2.9 million passengers in November, an increase of 14% compared to the same month in the previous year. The total traffic for November increased by 26%, driven by a 34% capacity growth. The load factor was 78.8%, down 4.9 points compared to November 2017.

Brazilian government joins Embraer in challenging court order against Boeing JV

On December 6, the 24th Federal Civil Court of São Paulo issued an order prohibiting the finalizing of any joint venture deal between Embraer and Boeing. However, the order does not prohibit both plane makers from continuing with plans for Boeing to take an 80% stake in Embraer’s commercial aircraft operations. In effect, the order is likely only to delay the creation of the joint venture until the new administration is in power under the leadership of president-elect Jair Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro has already made it clear he is in favour of the tie up between the two companies, while Embraer has stressed that the deal is vital for the company’s survival. Government approval is required as a legacy of the period when Embraer was state owned, prior to its privatization in the 1990s. The current legal action was brought against Embraer by four congressmen who are with Brazil’s left-wing Workers Party. However, it is not uncommon for labor groups in Brazil to use court challenges where major business deals are concerned, and this injunction is likely to be overturned.

In his ruling on the current order, judge Victorio Giuizio Neto cast doubt that the proposed deal would be good for Embraer's bottom line, stating in his decision that: "The reason is very simple, Boeing is not giving up anything" in this transaction. He added that the new company would threaten the rights of the Brazilian government because it would restrict its control over Embraer solely to the part of the company that will not be sold to Boeing.

The joint venture between Embraer and Boeing is seen as a logical move since the acquisition of 50.1% of Canada’s Bombardier C Series by Airbus, the C Series being the major competitor to Bombardier’s major share of the market for mid-size jets with a capacity of up to 150 passengers. The Bombardier-Airbus deal will see the French plane manufacturer take a full 100% stake in the C Series within five years.

TP Aerospace

IAI's Bedek Aviation Group and ATSG celebrated 70 full freighter conversions

IAI's Bedek Aviation group has concluded the 70th full freighter conversion for Air Transport Services Group.

Over the past 25 years the cooperation of the two companies unfolded to encompass a major part of the global P2F conversions market. Bedek performed DC-8 short-to-long duct pylon modifications and JT8 engine overhauls and QEC components and Bedek participated in the conversion program of B767-200 Passenger-to-Package-Freighter configuration, which was followed by the 767-200BDSF Passenger-to-Special-Freighter (SF) conversion program.

In 2009 Bedek started the B767-300BDSF conversion program, in partnership with Mitsui of Japan, under which over 60 aircraft have already been converted – most of them for ATSG, with the 767-300BDSF conversion program continuing at full steam ahead.

AVIAÂ partners with Jetex to launch Middle East supplier network

AVIAÂ, the international group purchasing organisation (GPO) for business aviation is expanding its presence in the Middle East with the signing of a new preferred supplier partnership with Jetex, a leading international ground handling specialist in the region.

The partnership commences with exclusive savings on full business aircraft handling, through select FBOs in Jetex’s global network.

AVIAÂ Business Development Director Matt Smith signed the partner agreement with Adel Mardini, CEO and President of Jetex flight support, at its flagship VIP Dubai South, Dubai World Central Airport FBO.

The agreement opens up a wealth of savings for AVIAÂ members, located primarily in the US and Europe, when using Jetex FBOs in the Middle East and selected European locations, including Paris, Barcelona, and Rome.

Revima

Munich Airport CEO Dr. Michael Kerkloh to retire at the end of 2019

Dr. Michael Kerkloh, who has served as the President and CEO of Flughafen München GmbH /Munich Airport (FMG) for over 17 years, will retire at the end of 2019.

Over his airport management career, Kerkloh came to be seen as one of the most experienced and respected experts in the industry, both in Germany and at the international level. Under his leadership, Bavaria's gateway to the world has taken its place alongside Europe's top-performing air transportation hubs – both in terms of traffic growth and commercial success.

Major milestones in the Kerkloh years include the opening of Terminal 2 in 2003, the commissioning of the satellite terminal in 2016, and the decision to expand and upgrade Terminal 1. Under Kerkloh's leadership, Munich Airport has consistently ranked high in the World Airport Awards, announced annually by the respected Skytrax Institute in London, and has been chosen "Best Airport in Europe" 11 times.

Spanish airline ALBASTAR chooses Commsoft’s OASES

Commsoft jas released that Spanish airline Albastar has chosen to support its airline operations with OASES, Commsoft’s MRO IT system.

Albastar is a privately-owned Spanish airline, founded in 2010 by Italian and British entrepreneurs from the tourism and transport sectors to provide on-demand flight services in collaboration with major Spanish, Italian and other European tour operators. Based in Palma de Mallorca, Albastar operates mainly charter flights from its principal basis of Palma de Mallorca, Milan Malpensa and Milan Bergamo as well as seasonal services from Lourdes. The fleet to be supported by OASES will initially include four Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Renowned for its technical sophistication as well as its intuitive user interface, OASES is structured in a modular format to provide maximum flexibility and scalability and Albastar has opted for the Core, Airworthiness, Materials, Planning and Production modules with an option to add the Line Maintenance Control module at a later date. All modules will be accessed through Commsoft’s Private Cloud service, avoiding any need for the airline to invest in new hardware.

MTU

Lockheed Martin licenses IFS applications to service assets for US$3.5 billion US Army contract

IFS, the global enterprise applications company, has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin for 2,600 user licences of IFS Applications™ modules for supply chain management, warehouse management, purchasing and other functionality.

IFS Applications software will be a key tool for Lockheed Martin as they deliver on a seven-year, US$3.5 billion contract to globally sustain more than 300,000 fielded Training Aids, Devices, Simulators and Simulations (TADSS), including live-fire ranges and instrumentation systems in support of the US Army TADSS Maintenance Program (ATMP) contract.

IFS Applications will be used to ensure that materials, parts and resources are available to sustain these assets. As part of a subsequent phase, IFS will provide powerful scheduling capabilities for mobile technicians servicing the assets.

GKN Aerospace announces new £32 million Global Technology Centre in Bristol

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark and the Chief Executive of GKN Aerospace, Hans Büthker together have revealed plans for GKN Aerospace’s new Global Technology Centre in the UK.

The new centre - funded by a £17 million commitment from GKN Aerospace and a £15 million commitment from the UK Government, through the Aerospace Technology Institute - is expected to open in 2020. Once open the 10,000 m² facillity will host 300 highly skilled engineers, and will include collaborative space for research and development with universities, the UK’s CATAPULT network and GKN Aerospace’s UK supply chain.

The centre will focus on additive manufacturing (AM), advanced composites, assembly and industry 4.0 processes to enable the high rate production of aircraft structures. The GTC will maintain GKN Aerospace’s position at the forefront of technology development for the next generation of energy efficient aircraft. The facility will serve as a base for GKN Aerospace’s technology partnership in the Airbus’ ”Wing of Tomorrow” technology programme as well as new additive manufacturing programmes.

The Bristol centre joins a growing list of GKN Aerospace Centres of Technical Excellence around the world. Each centre has a unique technology focus - covering AM, thermoplastics and smart aero-engine systems - and is supported and linked by a clear digital strategy.

C&L Aviation

Leonardo S.p.A selects HEICO Component Repair Group as authorized repair center

HEICO Component Repair Group (Structures Division), a subsidiary of HEICO Corporation has been selected as an authorized service center. Under the agreement, HEICO Component Repair will perform modification and repair and overhaul of Embraer 170 and 175 fan cowls and air inlets (Inlet Cowls) by Leonardo S.p.A, the manufacturer of these parts.

Vladimir Cervera, VP/GM of HEICO Component Repair Group, Structures Division commented "We are excited to partner with Leonardo to service Embraer E170 & E175 inlet and fan cowls as an OEM authorized service center. Leonardo's quality products, combined with HEICO's emphasis on customer satisfaction, ensures the highest level of support for our shared airline customers. HEICO's commitment to service, and Leonardo's exceptional product design, provide operators with a foundation for greater fleet control and continued operation."

Avolon orders 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft valued at US$11.5 billion

Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, has announced an order for 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft valued at US$11.5 billion at current list prices.

Dómhnal Slattery, Avolon CEO, commented: “Our order for 100 A320neo family aircraft builds on our leading industry position and reflects our ambition to become the global leader in the sector. We are locking in growth well into the next decade and building on our existing order book of exclusively new technology aircraft. The scale of the order reflects the long-term commitment and strategic perspective of our shareholders.”

“We continue to see robust demand from our customers for the A320neo family. This is consistent with our own market research and global fleet forecast. Our order affirms our belief in the medium-term market outlook and the strong growth prospects for our business.”

Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer commented: “This order underscores the market appetite for the efficiency, reliability and passenger appeal of our A320neo family.”

“The A320 family of aircraft is a future-proof asset for investors and airlines alike. Avolon’s recent success is a testimony to its leadership’s dedication to our industry. Its commitment to Airbus reflects its profound market insights. I personally look forward to further extending this relationship as we go forward.”

Aircrafters

Finnair traffic performance in November 2018

In November, Finnair carried 980,100 passengers, 3.2% more than in the corresponding period of 2017. The overall capacity increased in November by 7.2%. Finnair's traffic grew by 2.1%. The passenger load factor decreased year-on-year by 3.8% points to 74.6%.

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