GKN Aerospace tests new turbine rear structure: GKN Aerospace engineers in Trollhättan, Sweden have successfully tested a new lightweight demonstrator of a Turbine Rear Structure (TRS) as part of the Clean Sky-2 Engines research programme. The purpose of a TRS is to manage the flow from the engine’s low-pressure turbine and maximize the axial thrust. It is a key component in improving the efficiency of an aeroengine. Innovative design and state-of-the-art manufacturing methods resulted in a shorter and lighter structure compared to a traditional TRS. This was achieved by using a novel metallic alloy with higher temperature capability, as well as both metal casting and 3D-printed technology. The optimized balance between aerodynamic performance, weight and mechanical properties demonstrates a significant (14 percent) weight reduction potential, contributing to lower carbon emissions of the engine. The complex component was manufactured with laser-welded assembly methods and additive manufacturing technology at GKN Aerospace’s Global Technology Centre in Sweden. Collaboration partners include the regional manufacturing technology centre PTC/Innovatum, while aerodynamic validation took place at a unique test facility at Chalmers University, funded by Vinnova through the SE NFFP programme. Brogren Industries (SME), also funded by Vinnova in the national SE Innovair programme INTDEMO MOTOR, provided supporting activities.
RUAG expands maintenance capacity for helicopter components: RUAG is strategically targeting new markets in the helicopter sector and investing in optimising the maintenance of dynamic components. The upcoming investments in the future of the dynamic component workshop at the Alpnach site will improve the ability to plan, adherence to schedules and reliability of maintenance work. At the Alpnach site, RUAG will strategically adapt to changing customer needs in the helicopter sector. The overhaul of dynamic components for the Super Puma, AS332 and AS532 MKI is one of the core competencies at this location. Improving throughput times in the component shop and the availability of spare parts needed at short notice are success factors for ensuring the shortest possible delivery times. By optimising internal processes and ensuring the availability of exchange parts and components, this key requirement can be met even better in the future. The ground-breaking ceremony for the new rotor blade shop took place in February.
Jet Aviation gains EASA approval for G650 MRO in Vienna: Jet Aviation announced that its maintenance facility in Vienna has received approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to perform line maintenance on Gulfstream G650 aircraft. Jet Aviation Vienna is a factory authorised service facility for Gulfstream series aircraft. The company received EASA approval for G500/G600 series aircraft in September 2021, shortly after redelivering its first base maintenance check on a Gulfstream G550. The maintenance facility operates from a 4,000 square-meter hangar facility, supporting scheduled and unscheduled maintenance as well as off-site AOG services for a wide range of mid-size business aircraft. Jet Aviation is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics with some 4,000 employees and 50 locations worldwide. Jet Aviation’s offerings include aircraft management, aircraft sales, charter, completions, defence, FBO, maintenance and staffing.
Embraer and German Airways extend pool programme: Embraer announced that it has signed a multi-year contract extension with German Airways for the Pool Programme. With this agreement, the customer will receive support for a wide range of repairable components for the airline’s fleet of five E190 jets. Currently, Embraer’s Pool Program supports more than 50 airlines worldwide. German Airways is a German airline and leader in the European wet-lease market. Currently, it serves several European airlines all of which utilize comfortable, highly economic, and modern E190 jets. Embraer provides support to airlines worldwide, with its technical expertise and its vast component services network. The results are significant savings in repair and inventory carrying costs and a reduction in warehousing space and resources required for repair management, while ultimately providing guaranteed performance levels. Embraer Services & Support’s portfolio offers a wide range of competitive solutions designed for each customer to support the growing fleet of Embraer aircraft worldwide and deliver the best after-sales experience in the global aerospace industry.
Jet2 orders CFM LEAP engines: UK based Jet2 announced it has selected CFM International’s advanced LEAP-1A engines to power its order for up to 75 Airbus aircraft. The order includes spare engines and a long-term services support agreement. Jet2 plc has been a CFM customer since 2002 and has selected the LEAP engine as part of its fleet renewal strategy. “We are pleased to extend our long-standing relationship with CFM, who have been a key partner of our continuous growth since our creation,” said Philip Meeson, executive chairman of Jet2. “The LEAP engine has been demonstrating significant improvements in terms of CO2 and noise emissions that will help us optimize our operations and provide a more comfortable customer experience. We are also going to increase the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) with the LEAP engine to address our ambitious sustainable goals,” Meeson added.
Emirates signs MOU with Sri Lanka: Emirates has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau at the Emirates Group Headquarters in Dubai. The agreement reaffirms the airline’s commitment to Sri Lanka and outlines mutually beneficial initiatives that will help revive the country’s trade and tourism industry. Ahmed Khoory, senior vice president Commercial West Asia & Indian Ocean at Emirates, said: “Sri Lanka remains a very key market in Emirates’ global network and the agreement signed today underscores our unwavering commitment to the country. We launched operations to Colombo more than 35 years ago, and our partnership continues to grow from strength to strength. We look forward to exploring mutually beneficial initiatives that will help revive the nation’s trade and tourism sectors and provide Emirates with an opportunity to serve market demand.” Under the agreement, Emirates and Sri Lanka Tourism will benefit from joint activities that will help enhance trade and tourism, including trade shows, trade familiarisation trips, exhibitions, and workshops.
Avion Express partners with Eurowings: Global ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) operator, Avion Express, has announced a new partnership with Lufthansa Group’s Eurowings, a leisure airline headquartered at Cologne Bonn Airport. The cooperation to wet lease 11 A320 aircraft will start at the beginning of the IATA summer season 2022. Avion Express was nominated as the long-term ACMI partner for Eurowings, which currently flies to more than 100 destinations across Europe as part of its present flight schedule. With the pent-up travel demand continuing from last year, the partnership reflects booming numbers in holiday bookings for the upcoming summer season in 2022. Eurowings is a market leader operating from the airports of Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart, and Cologne Bonn, and currently has a fleet of 100 aircraft. With a focus on affordable products and services, the airline offers a large number of non-stop flights within Europe. Eurowings’ extensive route network and 11 international bases – including Palma de Mallorca on Europe’s number one vacation island, Mallorca – the airline is Germany’s largest leisure air passenger carrier, employing 3,500 people across the continent.
David Wajsgras named Intelsat CEO: Intelsat, operator of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial network, has tapped David Wajsgras, as its next chief executive officer (CEO). Effective 4 April, Wajsgras succeeds Stephen Spengler, who announced his planned retirement in October. Wajsgras has two decades of experience at the senior executive management level, providing operational, strategic and financial leadership in both the commercial and defense industries. He most recently served as president of the global, $7.5-billion, advanced-technology Intelligence, Information and Services (IIS) business at the former Raytheon Company, now part of Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX). Before joining Raytheon as chief financial officer, Wajsgras was executive vice president and chief financial officer at Lear Corporation and held other key operations and leadership roles.
Emirates to increase services to Perth: Emirates is increasing its Perth services gradually to reach daily flights by 1 May. Emirates’ increase in services comes as Western Australia re-opened its borders recently and in response to pent up demand for both inbound and outbound travel. As travel once again returns to normal for fully vaccinated passengers, Emirates services will operate at 100 percent capacity on the Perth – Dubai route, with flights to be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a three-class configuration. The wide-body aircraft operating flights EK420/421 will offer eight seats in First Class, 42 lie-flat seats in Business Class and 304 seats in Economy Class. Tickets can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or via both online and offline travel agents. Emirates is increasing its services to the Western Australia point in phases, gradually stepping up frequency from the current three weekly flights to seven by May.
Nauru’s 12-pointed star returns to the skies: Nauru’s national airline has unveiled a fresh livery design inspired by the Republic’s flag, as it welcomed the first new generation Boeing aircraft to its fleet. The president of the Republic of Nauru, Lionel Aingimea, debuted the new livery design in Townsville, revealing Nauru’s distinctive 12-pointed star representing its tribes and people, with the national colours extending along the aircraft’s body and to the wings. Nauru Airlines Chairman Dr Kieren Keke said it was a privilege to have Nauru’s president receive the Airline’s latest aircraft to complement the Pacific carrier’s fleet, VH-INU, a New Generation Boeing 737-700. Keke said the entire fleet would soon be sporting Nauru’s colours and national star. “The waves flowing along the body of the aircraft are symbolic of the Pacific Ocean and reflect Nauru Airline’s historic and ongoing ability to connect the small island nations of the Pacific with Australia and beyond.”
ADB SAFEGATE lines up deal at Chicago O’Hare: The Chicago Department of Aviation is installing ADB SAFEGATE’s Safedock Advanced Visual Docking Guidance Systems (A-VDGS) to ensure safe and precise aircraft parking on Terminal 5 gates at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). The deal comes amid a large-scale expansion project at Terminal 5, aimed at improving efficiency and reducing delays. The project is expected to increase gate capacity by 25 percent, adding 10 new gates and upgrading existing gates to accommodate larger aircraft. ADB SAFEGATE was awarded the contract by electrical contractor, Gurtz Electric Co. In 2016, the Chicago Department of Aviation first installed 16 Safedock A-VDGS on Terminal 5 gates in place of older technology. Terminal operator, Chicago Airlines Terminal Consortium (CATCo), which manages the gates and ramp staff at Terminal 5, have utilised the Safedock A-VDGS technology since 2016. The new contract includes 20 additional Safedock systems.
Air Astana announces 2021 profit: Kazakhstan’s Air Astana Group recovered from a loss-making 2020 to declare a profit after tax of US$36.1 million in 2021. Total airline revenue increased by 92 percent to US$756 million. It carried a total of 6.6 million passengers, an increase of 79 percent and the highest in its history. Its full-service arm carried 3.5 million passengers whilst its low-cost subsidiary FlyArystan carried 3.1 million passengers. Freight carriage grew by 27 percent. President and CEO Peter Foster stated that the group “recovered from the effects of the global pandemic far quicker than expected. Domestic traffic was strong and FlyArystan, in what is effectively its first full year of operation given that 2020 was partially a write-off, posted very strong growth and a small profit. Regional international yields firmed, and new ‘lifestyle’ routes to tourist destinations exceeded all expectations.”
Avion Flight Training Centre in Greece unveiled: Dutch full flight simulator manufacturer Avion Group has unveiled Koropi as the location of its newest training centre in Greece. The facility in Koropi is located within 10 minutes of Athens International Airport. The new centre will feature the Avion A320 Level D Full Flight Simulator, the only one of its kind in Greece. Avion has started construction work preparing the existing facility for pilot training. Starting from August, Greek airlines and approved training organisations no longer have to send their crew abroad for Airbus A320 flight training. “Being able to train at your home base means huge savings on travel expenses,” explains Erik Varwijk, CEO of Avion Group. “We are thrilled to open our Athens flight training centre this summer and feel warmed by the support we have received.” The state-of-the-art facility will house briefing rooms, classrooms, and a crew lounge. The Avion A320 Full Flight Simulator has the Airbus Standard 2.0 CEO and NEO configurations available. The simulator will be EASA qualified. With energy savings of up to seventy percent, Avion’s training device is the most sustainable full flight simulator available worldwide.
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