Chicago Jet Group gains STC nod for InSight upgrade: Chicago Jet Group (CJG) has received FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Universal Avionics’ (UA) InSight Flight Deck upgrade on the Dassault Falcon 900B. CJG’s unique STC solutions for the Falcon 900B Flight Deck upgrade are designed to allow operators to choose from a Phase One or Phase Two Package. Phase One replaces the NZ-2000 FMS by adding dual UA UNS-1Fw SBAS-FMSs including LP and LPV approach capabilities, a CVR-120A Cockpit Voice Recorder, and UniLink UL-801 Communications Management Unit. This solution offers capabilities for FANS 1/A+ CPDLC, European ATN B1, and Push-to-Load (required by the FAA for Domestic US CPDLC, departure, and en-route clearances). In Phase Two, the InSight Integrated Flight Deck Solution replaces the legacy EDZ-800 EFIS System with four UA InSight EFI-1040 Displays, dual Touch EFIS Control Display Units (ECDU), dual Alphanumeric Keyboards (ANK), and the Mid-Continent SAM MD-302 Standby Attitude Module, for a weight savings of more than 250 pounds. CJG’s STC options include upgraded dual integrated audio control panels, Iridium-based Safety Voice SATCOM for the cockpit, and enhanced LED Cockpit lighting. CJG’s two-phase installation offers Falcon 900B owner/operators flexibility in budget and downtime coordination. The most comprehensive installation offers both Phase One and Phase Two during a single downtime event.
Seefeld Group launches ‘Premiere Insight’ for business aviation: Consulting company Seefeld Group has launched Premiere Insight, a new analytical tool that augments intelligent advanced product planning by tailoring marketing research and forecasting to specific product and services development projects. Filling a need in the aviation marketplace for more robust and reliable predictions of market performance, the approach systematically listens to, and interprets, customer feedback. The resulting data delivers rich, new information related to end customer needs and market demand. This value-added insight is required for maximizing sales, reducing risk, and increasing confidence during product design, investment, and realisation. Designed for product development and marketing executives across all aspects of private aviation, Premiere Insight helps focus the lens on how companies can gain competitive advantage by enabling independent, informed decision making about all key design and marketing decisions, including product specification, market and brand positioning, target market determination, and sales messaging.
Rheinmetall demonstrates fully electric air start unit: Rheinmetall is introducing the world’s first fully electric air start unit, the Rheinmetall eMSU. The fully electric Rheinmetall eMSU is powered by lithium-ion battery packs that ensure maximum running time and minimal energy loss. It starts aircraft with zero emissions. The eMSU provides four starts on a single charge and can be charged in as little as one hour when plugged into a high-voltage DC charger. It can be charged from a regular power grid interface or any electric vehicle charging station. The Rheinmetall eMSU requires no warm-up or cool-down phase, assuring more efficient starts. Designed to thrive in harsh conditions, the eMSU features an integrated cooling system that keeps temperatures stable and prevents battery damage. The eMSU is operated through an intuitive touchscreen panel for settings and with real buttons for critical operations, a must for gloved operators.
AAR announces EAGLE fellowship programme: AAR announced a new fellowship programme with Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois. This initiative is part of AAR´s EAGLE Career Pathway Program, which focuses on growing the talent necessary to meet the maintenance demands of the future with a focus on five core values: Ethics; Airworthiness; Greatness; Leadership; Engagement. Fellowships, which include a cash award, will be offered to 10 students and recipients who will work a minimum of two years with AAR. The funds may be used to cover the cost of tuition, fees and material and are annually renewable. To join, Fellows must meet certain eligibility criteria, including being a current or prospective student at Rock Valley College enrolled in the Aviation Maintenance Program, and must intend to work at AAR´s Rockford MRO location upon completion of graduation.
Sabre and Emirates reach new distribution agreement: Sabre and Emirates have signed a new multi-year, worldwide distribution agreement. The new agreement will provide Sabre-connected travel buyers and agencies with access to Emirates’ content, through Sabre’s global distribution system (GDS), with immediate effect. Further to this, Emirates will create and distribute NDC offers through the Sabre GDS. The new contract will connect Emirates to a global network of travellers, while supporting its global vision to provide travel buyers and travellers with personalised offers. In addition to the new agreement, Sabre will continue to partner with Emirates on advanced retailing, data and analytics capabilities through a number of its industry-leading solutions in areas such as network planning, revenue optimisation and market intelligence.
Japan Airlines signs deal for Thomas displays: Japan Airlines (JAL) has signed with Thomas Global Systems to equip the airline’s Boeing 767-300/300ER fleet with the TFD-7000 Series drop-in liquid crystal display (LCD) flight displays. The JAL award follows TFD-7000 Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). TFD-7000 Series displays provide a high-performance, cost-effective LCD retrofit that resolves critical issues around cathode ray tube (CRT) obsolescence, increases operational efficiency, and provides a growth platform for new functionality. TFD-7000 Series displays offer the only drop-in LCD solution available for Boeing 757/767 and 737 Classic aircraft. The TFD-7000 Series retrofit captures all the benefits of LCD technology in a proven solution with a growth platform for new functionality to support emerging airspace requirements, all while avoiding an extensive flight deck modification with its associated aircraft downtime and crew retraining costs.
GEODIS to open new facility in India: GEODIS announced the upcoming launch of a new multi-user facility at the LOGOS Logistics Estate in Luhari, 60 kilometres north of Delhi. This will support the rapidly growing needs of GEODIS clients within the retail sector. Developed by LOGOS, one of Asia Pacific’s top logistics property groups, the new purpose-built facility offers both a modern infrastructure and an extensive space that allows GEODIS to fully optimize its contract logistics offerings to the Indian market which is currently experiencing unprecedented demand. The shift towards online shopping and omnichannel platforms, accelerated by the pandemic, has compelled retailers to seek logistics operators who can provide the sheer capacity to manage large merchandise inventory, along with the necessary tools to ensure both real-time and end-to-end visibility. The 26,654 sqm warehouse will have a state-of-the-art storage system consisting of both selective and very narrow aisle (VNA) pallet racks. Equipped in this way, the new facility addresses retailers’ concerns regarding space availability and packing efficiency to ramp up order processing procedures.
Etihad Cargo expands African footprint: Etihad Cargo has expanded its pharma sector reach into Africa with the signing of a Service Legal Agreement (SLA) with Astral Aviation and Kenya Airways to provide reliable and cost-effective airfreight solutions across the continent. Operating a fleet of 14 freighters out of its Nairobi and Johannesburg hub, Astral Aviation services a network of 15 African destinations, which Etihad Cargo will leverage for increased vaccine distribution across Africa. Both carriers are members of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) and Pharma.Aero, whose joint Project Sunrays initiative offers cross-industry collaboration for pharma shippers managing complex vaccine distribution logistics. The SLA, a first Pharma Interline agreement, ensures Etihad Cargo partners are fully compliant with latest GDP and IATA Pharma regulations and standards, and guarantees processes, from booking to handling of such sensitive goods, are standardised and performed to the highest quality.
Goshawk increases unsecured revolving credit facility: Dublin-based aircraft lessor, Goshawk announced the extension and upsize of its unsecured revolving credit facility (RCF) from November 2022 to November 2024 with a syndicate of banks. The current facility of $1.2 billion will be increased to $1.4 billion with 18 participating lenders, including two new lenders, into the facility. Citibank acted as Sole Coordinator and Facility Agent for the transaction and O’Melveny & Myers LLP acted as legal counsel to Goshawk. The RCF is Goshawk’s core liquidity facility and is key to supporting the company’s ongoing business and future growth. The extension demonstrates Goshawk’s continued ability to raise finance as it prepares for the post-Covid recovery of the aviation sector.
Air2E confirms Bye Aerospace eFlyer 800 deposit: Bye Aerospace announced Air2E has executed a purchase deposit agreement for the all-electric eFlyer 800 for its AirTaxi operations and regional airline operations in Europe. “Air2E’s mission is to accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation and now with the eFlyer 800 we are another step closer to this aim.” said Norbert Werle, Air2E’s founder and CEO. “We intend to build an eFlyer 800 fleet for our AirTaxi service, which is already today the most economical individual flight solutions available. In contrast to large airline operations, small 4 to 10-seat airplanes are the ideal size for a regional network of on-demand flights, consequently providing the fastest road to sustainable and cost-effective individual air-travel with all-electric airplanes like the eFlyer 800.”
StandardAero buys Asian Surface Technologies: StandardAero announced that it has signed an agreement with joint venture partners Pratt & Whitney, a division of Raytheon Technologies (RTX), and SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) for the purchase of 100 percent ownership stake in Singapore-based component repair facility, Asian Surface Technologies Private Limited (AST). AST was founded in 1994 to provide overhaul services for the PW4000 jet engine fan blades and specialized thermal spray coating services for the aerospace and oil & gas industries. Over the past twenty-seven years, AST has provided high technology hard face coatings and component repairs to customers in the Asia-Pac region and around the world. In 2017, StandardAero acquired PAS Technologies including a 40.8 percent stake and management control of AST. The transaction marks the final acquisition of 100 percent ownership of AST and will enable StandardAero to grow its Asia footprint to better serve engine OEM and airline customers throughout the Asia-Pac region.
Emirates Group Security, ICAO team up on diploma: Emirates Group Security (EGS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to provide ICAO-recognised Diploma programmes by EGS and Edith Cowan University. The agreement will see the two organisations working closely on capacity building for the industry. The Ground Handling Diploma programme is the first initiative of the Emirates-ICAO collaboration. The programme offers industry-focused subjects on ground handling operations and management, contemporary aviation issues, safeguarding the aviation industry, aviation logistics and passenger handling services. The course encapsulates the fundamentals of ground handling ramp, baggage, airside load, security, catering, labour and equipment, along with developing practical management skills. Aviation professionals who complete this programme will receive a certificate of completion bearing both Emirates and ICAO emblems. Emirates Group Security and ICAO will look into jointly developing and delivering other training and academic courses under the ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS programme.
Turkey’s iGA Istanbul Airport chooses ADB SAFEGATE: Turkey’s iGA Istanbul Airport has added ADB SAFEGATE’s Safedock T1 advanced visual docking guidance systems (A-VDGS) and SafeControl Apron Management (SAM) system to support automated docking of aircraft in all weather conditions and improve parking accuracy. With the integrated solution the airport can share accurate real-time flight and turn information to achieve safer, smoother and more efficient turnaround and apron operations. ADB SAFEGATE has supplied 151 Safedock T1 A-VDGS as part of a turnkey contract which included design, supply, installation and a two-year agreement for 24/7 maintenance supported by a local team. Safedock T1 A-VDGS is equipped with a digital laser and patented 3D scanning technology which provides unmatched accuracy and availability needed to automate the aircraft docking process. The technology accommodates all aircraft types, tight parking spaces and even the most complex gate layouts while providing the quickest and safest way to park aircraft.
Two new contracts for Liebherr Analytics Solutions: Liebherr-Aerospace has signed agreements with two new airlines, expanding its existing cooperation with airBaltic, a Latvian carrier, and Swiss International Airlines, based in Zurich and Geneva. airBaltic offers numerous destinations throughout Europe, Scandinavia, Russia and the Middle East with a modern fleet of Airbus A220 aircraft. Swiss International Airlines connects Switzerland to Europe and to the rest of the world, operating a combination of Airbus A220, A320, A321 and other long- range aircraft. Both airlines will benefit from Liebherr-Aerospace’s set of predictive maintenance algorithms and other trend monitoring applications, combined with advanced technical support, bringing added value to the maintenance of their full-scope of Liebherr products: bleed, air management, landing gear and flight control system components.
Leonardo signs first ESG-linked credit facility signed: Leonardo has signed a new revolving credit facility, the first to be ESG linked, with a pool of international and national banks. The ESG-linked Revolving Credit Facility (ESG-RCF), signed for €2.4 billion, is divided into a tranche of €1.8 billion with a maturity of five years and a tranche of €600 million with a maturity of three years. The new RCF replaces the two existing Revolving Credit Facilities, reducing the overall cost of funding available for the Group’s financial needs and extending the maturity until 2026. In line with both Leonardo Sustainability strategy, at the basis of the Industrial Plan, as well as the Long-Term Incentive Plan, the RCF is linked for the first time to specific ESG indicators, including the reduction of CO2 emissions through the eco-efficiency of industrial processes and the promotion of women employment with degrees in STEM disciplines. These ESG parameters are also contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are the basis of ca. 50 percent of the group’s investments.
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