Boeing Rolls Out First 787 Dreamliner at Increased Production Rate

Boeing has rolled out the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner built at the rate of 10 airplanes per month. The airplane, a 787-8 and the 155th Dreamliner built, will be delivered to International Lease Finance Corp. for operation by Aeromexico.

The new 10 per month rate is the highest ever for a twin-aisle airplane. The 787 program has now increased its production rate three times in just over a year, including to five airplanes per month in November 2012 and seven per month in May 2013. 

"This rate increase reflects the continued strong demand for the 787," said Larry Loftis, vice president and general manager, 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "A disciplined approach that combined employee teamwork with technology was key to achieving the higher rate."

Boeing assembles and delivers 787s in two locations: Everett, Wash., and North Charleston, S.C.

"The entire 787 team is now focused on capturing efficiencies at this historic level of production, as well as meeting our commitment to increase the production rate to 12 per month in 2016 and to 14 per month by the end of the decade," Loftis said. 

To date, 115 787s have been delivered to 16 customers. The program has 1,030 total orders from 60 customers worldwide.

This airplane will be the fourth 787 operated by Aeromexico and will be used on the airline's

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Southwest Airlines reports full year net income of $805m

Southwest Airlines posted fourth quarter net income, excluding special items, of $236m compared to fourth quarter 2012 net income, excluding special items, of $65m. This exceeded the First Call consensus estimate of $.29 per diluted share. Fourth quarter net income was $212m which included $24m (net) of unfavorable special items, compared to net income of $78m in fourth quarter 2012, which included $13m (net) of favorable special items. For the full year net income, excluding special items, was $805 million compared to full year 2012 net income, excluding special items, of $417m. Full year net income of $754m, which included $51m (net) of unfavorable special items, compared to net income of $421m in full year 2012, which included $4m (net) of favorable special it

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FlightSafety appoints new Manager, Specialty and Enrichment Training Program

FlightSafety International announces that Marin Todorov has been promoted to Manager, Specialty and Enrichment Training Programs.

Marin will oversee the design, development and distribution of all specialty and enrichment training programs. This includes courses available at FlightSafety Learning Centers as well as those distributed through the company’s LiveLearning and eLearning programs.

He joined FlightSafety in 2006. Marin worked on the development of the company’s web-based training programs and provided technical assistance and guidance to FlightSafety’s eLearning team. He also developed utilities that facilitated the design and deployment of courses, and oversaw the Learning Management System.

FlightSafety International is the world’s premier professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems and displays to commercial, government and military organizations. The company provides more than a million hours of training each year to pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals from 167 countries and independent territories. FlightSafety operates the world’s largest fleet of advanced full flight simulators at Learning Centers and training locations in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Japan, South Africa, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

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Fliers grab discount offers; ticket sales soar by 500%

Discount in airfares offered by different airlines for a three-day period, it seems, is being grabbed by passengers, with travel agents and industry insiders claiming that ticket sales have increased by more than 400-500% in the past two days.

The discount war started after low-cost carriers, including SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir, announced their flash sales for those booking in advance. The battle became more intense when full-service carriers Jet Airways and Air India joined the competition.

Sources said about 70-80% bookings are still being done through travel agents and portals.
President of travel portal Yatra.com Sharat Dhall said, “The discounted airfares have definitely brought cheer to Indian travellers.”

Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Jaipur and Lucknow have been the top five destinations for Mumbaikars in the past two days.

SpiceJet and Air India, however, said sales figures would be available only after completion of the sales deadline on Thursday midnight.

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Zurich Airport Keen to Develop Navi Mumbai Airport

Zurich authorities showed interest in the Navi Mumbai airport which has got coastal, forest and environment clearances from the Central Government.

Officials of Zurich Airport and discussed the airport development plans in Pune, Nagpur and Navi Mumbai.

Zurich Airport Management has evinced interest in developing the proposed international airport at neighbouring Navi Mumbai.

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Qantas will launch partners for Aquire small business reward scheme

Qantas says its new Aquire business rewards scheme is off to a flying start, with close to 25,000 Australian businesses having already pre-registered ahead of the program's official debut in March.

Any business with an Australian Business Number (ABN) can register for the small business loyalty scheme and earn Aquire points as well as Qantas Frequent Flyer points.

Qantas' next milestone will be the announcement in early February of the first crop of Aquire partners.

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Air India to join Star Alliance in June, Tata-Singapore to follow

Air India could join the Star Alliance as early as June this year, according to a new timeline shared by none other than Star Alliance CEO Mark Schwab.

This will be Air India's second chance to join the Star Alliance group  as the airline coalition scrambles for a large piece of the growing Indian air travel market.

The Indian airline first signed on to Star Alliance in December 2007 but the process ground to a halt after almost four years, with the airline's application for membership suspended in July 2011.

After that, they will be ready to join straight away

Schwab also hinted that another Indian airline could soon join the Star Alliance family, although he allowed that no such discussions were currently taking place.

Asked if India's new Tata-Singapore Airlines joint venture was be a prospective candidate – considering that Singapore Airlines is one of Star's mostly prized members – Schwab suggested that Tatat-SIngapore Airlines should start operating first, then cryptically added that "it is not necessarily an obvious choice... we will have to see who adds value to the Alliance."

 

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8 new Airbus aircraft for Cebu Pacific this year

Cebu Pacific is expecting the delivery of 8 new Airbus planes this year, as part of its ongoing refleeting program.
The new acquisitions will augment its current fleet of 48 planes: 10 Airbus A319s, 28 Airbus A320s, 2 Airbus A330s, and 8 ATR 72-500s.

"The A330s will be utilized to expand our long-haul operations. We will continue to bring the benefits of low-cost travel to even more travelers.

The budget airline is also scheduled to take delivery of 14 more Airbus A320s, 30 Airbus A321neos and 4 Airbus A330s between 2014 and 2021.
Cebu Pacific's refleeting program costs $4 billion or P180 billion.

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ILFC concludes 281 lease transactions and orders 165 new aircraft Last Year

International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), a wholly owned subsidiary of American International Group (AIG), completed a total of 281 lease transactions in 2013 including both extensions and new leases of aircraft from ILFC’s portfolio. Furthermore, during 2013, the company ordered 165 new aircraft, purchased 38 aircraft (including the aircraft delivered on sale-leaseback agreements), sold 40 aircraft, and committed 14 aircraft to part-out. In 2013, ILFC enhanced its regional presence by expanding offices in Dublin and Singapore and further optimized.

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JSC UTair Aviation once again selects AJW Aviation for additional power-by-the-hour support

AJW Aviation has once again been selected by Russian airline JSC UTair Aviation to extend its power-by-the-hour support contract for an additional twenty A320 and three B767 aircraft. The initial contract which was signed in April 2013 was to provide power-by-the-hour support for the airline’s fleet of thirty-seven B737-500 and B737-400 aircraft.

AJW support contracts offer wide-ranging and flexible component coverage; expert advice and recommendations on minimising home base stock requirements, and world class logistics, including AJW’s highly regarded and award winning 24/7 AOG service. Serving a global base of more than 800 airlines, AJW is the ideal partner for airlines and MRO organisations requiring fully integrated support solutions and seeking to achieve competitive advantage.

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Global Aviation & Services Group and SkyLink Aviation Agreement Brings ‘Western Standards’ Aviation Services to “the New Libya”

  SKYLINK Aviation has inked an agreement to deepen its relationship with Global Aviation  and Services Group (GASG), a privately-owned Libyan international cargo and passenger airline, in an effort to grow the Strength  and sevices in Libya.

The companies has working together for more that 10years and their new "National Air Transportation initiative" will extend aviation services and bring an upgrade Aviation standards to industries.

This completely changes the level of  quality and safety.

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ABU DHABI AIR EXPO 2014

3^rd consecutive International Exhibition of General Aviation

25, 26, 27 February 2014

 

 Al Bateen Executive Airport, Abu Dhabi - UAE

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EADS North America Test and Services Division acquire by Astronics

EADS North America’s Test and Services division (EADS T&S) for approximately $53m in cash plus a net working capital adjustment. Astronics Corporation, a leading provider of advanced technologies for the global aerospace and defense industries, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets and liabilities of EADS North America.

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Rockwell Collins reports first quarter 2014 earnings per share of $0.96

Rockwell Collins reported first quarter fiscal year 2014 earnings per share of $0.96, an increase of 2% from earnings per share of $0.94 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2013. Total sales for the first quarter of 2014 were $1.07bn, an increase of 1% from $1.06bn for the same period in 2013. As previously announced, the company completed the acquisition of ARINC on December 23, 2013. ARINC contributed $6m of inorganic sales to the first quarter of 2014.

Rockwell Collins stands to gain sales as jet owners update I T and entertainment systems on older aircraft, Ortberg said. He said he also expects to see sales rebound after the debut of new models such as Bombardier’s Learjet 85, which missed a target to enter service in 2013. 

Aviation Manufacturers Association trade group. Ortberg said smaller companies, whose purchases typically drive that market segment, are refurbishing older planes and won’t begin placing new orders until they see robust revenue gains.

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Qatar Airways pulls out of Cyprus Airways' London Heathrow slot deal

Qatar Airways has withdrawn from a EUR20 million (USD26.3million) deal with Cyprus Airways  to acquire one of the latter's two Heathrow slots. According to the Cyprus Mail, the Gulf carrier withdrew after receiving a "better offer" from another undisclosed aviation firm following the leak of the agreement's details to the press at large. Nyras Aviation Consultants, which brokered the deal between the Cypriots and the Qataris, allegedly "scolded" the Cyprus Airways board for divulging the arrangement terms. QR executives are also said to been "put off" the sale citing a violation of the deal's confidentiality clause. Nyras also warned that the incident had damaged Cyprus Airways' reputation and would "probably" affect future negotiations

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