Vietjet to trial IATA Travel Pass for international flights: Vietjet announced it would trial the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Travel Pass, a mobile app to manage digital health credentials. The IATA Travel Pass will help passengers manage their travel health credentials in line with the prevailing government requirements for COVID-19 tests or vaccination. It consists of four modules – a global registry of health requirements, a global registry of testing centres, a lab app to securely share test and vaccination certificates with passengers, and a contactless travel app which enables passengers to create a digital passport and manage their travel documentation digitally. At all times, travellers remain in control of their data with their privacy protected as the IATA Travel pass does not store any data centrally. Before making a flight, passengers download IATA Travel Pass application, fill in information, and take a COVID-19 test at designated facilities. They will receive an “OK to Travel” if their travel health credentials meet the destination’s requirements.
GAMA and SAE International sign cooperation agreement: The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and SAE International announced the signing of an agreement to cooperate in the areas of general and business aviation, including advanced air mobility (AAM), electric/hybrid propulsion, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), rotorcraft, manufacturing, quality, maintenance, repair and overhaul to meet the demands of the evolving aviation landscape. The agreement sets the goals of increasing coordination, fostering innovation and safety, as well as promoting the development of SAE standards in aviation that serve the members of both organisations. By committing to consistent and cohesive efforts, the relationship between SAE International and GAMA will foster closer cooperation and increased benefits for the industry at-large.
SmartLynx adds new freighter: SmartLynx announced the introduction of the first freighter aircraft registered in Malta. The A321F, with the registration 9H-CGA, is the first aircraft of its type to be registered in Malta and is also the first of its type to be introduced to the SmartLynx line-up of A320 and A321 aircraft. SmartLynx – a member of the Avia Solutions Group, the largest aviation and aerospace business group operating in Central and Eastern Europe – is also proud of the aircraft’s new livery, specially commissioned to feature both SmartLynx and DHL branding. The new freighter will fly to Leipzig where it will commence operations in support of the Express Division of Deutsche Post’s DHL group. The partnership will further enhance DHL’s unit Co2 emissions by introducing the most fuel-efficient narrow-body aircraft in its class.
Cathay recognised for cargo performance: Cathay Pacific Cargo’s performance in 2020 has been recognised with two industry-wide high scores thanks to the readers of air logistics industry publication Air Cargo World The airline received the high score of 4.8 out of 5.0 points across all airlines for availability and quality of specialty cargo operations, and took home the highest overall score, which had a strong showing from Asia Pacific airlines, of 4.6 out of 5.0. The Air Cargo Customer Experience analysis is based on findings from the Air Cargo Excellence Survey, which Air Cargo World has organised every year since 2005. Forwarders, cargo agents and third party logistics providers are asked to nominate the best suppliers from the air cargo industry. The final rankings are based on a rating system that ranks airlines airports and other suppliers across a number of metrics, reflecting the views of air cargo industry professionals. Cathay Pacific Cargo came out top among Asia-Pacific carriers across several of these metrics, resulting in the outstanding carrier designation from Air Cargo World. Cathay Pacific also scored the highest among fellow Asia-Pacific carriers across several measures in the survey including “timeliness”, “available space”, “maindeck capacity”, “perishables”, and “network” along with its “specialty cargo” plaudit.
TrueNoord leases ATR72-600 to Silver Airways: TrueNoord, the specialist regional aircraft lessor, has signed a long-term operating lease with Silver Airways for an ATR72-600. The turboprop entered Silver Airways’ fleet at the end of May and is flying in Silver’s network within the southeast United States and the Bahamas. Prior to transitioning to Silver Airways, the ATR72-600 (MSN1038) was previously leased by TrueNoord to Nordica, the Estonian carrier. It was reconfigured to US specifications at ATR Francazal near Toulouse, France prior to its ferry flight to Florida. Silver Airways is a Part 121 U.S. certificated air carrier operating daily scheduled flights between gateways in Florida, The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and the Caribbean. Silver Airways is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with maintenance facilities in Orlando, Florida and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
First A350 delivery to new airline World2fly: World2fly, the new long-haul airline recently founded by the Spanish hotel company Iberostar, has taken delivery of the first of two A350-900s on lease from Air Lease Corporation, becoming the latest operator of the world’s most efficient large widebody aircraft. The airline, based on the Balearic island of Mallorca, will operate the two leased A350-900 aircraft on long-haul routes from Madrid to leisure destinations, such as Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), Cancun (Mexico) and La Habana (Cuba). World2fly’s A350-900s feature a modern and highly-comfortable single-class cabin layout with 432 seats. Passengers will enjoy more personal space, wide seats and absolute well-being on board and appreciate the latest-generation in-flight entertainment and connectivity. The A350 Airspace cabin is the quietest of any twin-aisle aircraft and offers passengers and crew the best flying experience.
Causeway Aero Group opens new facility: Causeway Aero announced that it has opened a new 7,000ft² production facility in Sligo in the northwest of the Republic of Ireland and is currently in the advanced stages of receiving EASA Part-21G approval from the Irish Aviation Authority. As the Lisburn facility is now outside EASA and approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, it also means that Causeway will be one of the few aerospace companies able to deliver against alternative approvals and Form 1, offering maximum flexibility for customers. In addition to having a readily available skilled work force, the strategic location is just a two hour drive from the company’s headquarters in Lisburn, Northern Ireland; from the aircraft leasing community in Dublin; and from the MRO cluster in Shannon. Part of the new facility has been taken over by Inter-Tec Aero, a new part of Inter-Tec Group, a long term partner of Causeway that has used its EASA Part-21J Design Organisation Approval to assist with a number of interior and seat projects. Inter-Tec is also the EASA ETSA holder for the Pitch PF3000 seat.
Air New Zealand to establish crew base in Brisbane: Air New Zealand has extended its agreement with the Australian government to operate flights between Norfolk Island and Australia from 30 August 2021 until the end of August 2023. Under the agreement, Air New Zealand will use its A320 aircraft to operate up to three flights per week from Brisbane and three flights from Sydney. Air New Zealand Chief Operating Officer Carrie Hurihanganui says the airline will establish a temporary pilot and cabin crew base in Brisbane until 30 November to ensure potential disruptions to the travel bubble will not affect continuity of services to Norfolk Island. “Prior to the trans-Tasman bubble opening, crew operating domestic flights in Australia were required to have been in Australia for 14 days or have arrived in Australia on a quarantine-free flight. This unfortunately resulted in us having to suspend services between Norfolk Island and mainland Australia in February. Having crew based in Australia will ensure we avoid disruption should the Australian border close again.”
Magnetic MRO signs partnership with Atlantic Jet Support: Magnetic MRO, a Total Technical Care and Asset Management organisation, has announced the recently signed partnership agreement with Atlantic Jet Support (AJS), Florida-based aviation supplier. Established in 2004, AJS has offered a full range of services to thousands of customers spanning commercial, corporate and general aviation, including parts supply, technical support, evaluation service and repair management. The partnership agreement covers spare parts sourcing and supply, technical support and repair management. Working under the new partnership, both companies will have an opportunity to expand spare parts offering and its maintenance capabilities and will improve the delivery times as the partnership allows to cover more locations worldwide.
EirTrade Aviation expands into the US: EirTrade Aviation, the aviation technical asset services and trading company, has opened a new facility in Dallas, Fort Worth. The 22,000 square foot facility will be headed by Bill Thompson who joined EirTrade in April 2021 and will complement EirTrade’s existing operations in Europe and Asia. Despite only having opened its doors last month, EirTrade shortly expects to receive its first CF6-80C2, RB211 and CFM56-7B engines into the facility.“Having a base in Dallas Fort Worth gives us a strategic advantage as most used aircraft material in the US is based in Miami, Chicago or Dallas,” comments Ken Fitzgibbon, CEO of EirTrade Aviation. “We were fortunate to have experienced significant growth over the last year despite the pandemic and we plan to continue to build on this momentum. Within the US we will be targeting both customers and sources for our material. Having Bill on board with more than 30 years’ experience in the US aviation aftermarket will enable us to build upon his established and trusted networks and connections. These will be imperative to our long-term ambitions and the expansion of this new facility is being fast-tracked. EirTrade will soon become as well-known in the US, Canada, Caribbean, Latin and South American regions as it is across Europe and Asia.”
GE and RJ partner on GE’s 360 Foam Wash: GE Aviation has awarded Royal Jordanian Airlines a technical license to use GE’s patented 360 Foam Wash system on its GEnx-1B aircraft engines. The technical license allows Royal Jordanian to perform 360 Foam Wash on its fleet of GEnx-1B engines for Boeing 787 aircraft completely on its own. GE’s 360 Foam Wash is an alternative to the water wash method. It restores engine performance leading to reductions in fuel consumption. The process involves injecting a specially-formulated, proprietary solution that removes dust and dirt particles in the engine. The system is self-contained, allowing it to be used inside maintenance hangars or outdoors. GE’s 360 Foam Wash is approved for use on multiple GE engine programs, including models of GE90, GEnx, CF34 and CF6.
VINCI Airports announces first carbon sink of Lyon airports: Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions and president of VINCI Airports, announced a local reforestation programme that will absorb residual emissions of Lyon-Saint Exupéry and Lyon-Bron airports, operated by VINCI Airports since 2016. The first project of this programme, conducted in partnership with the French National Forest Office and the Rhône Departmental Council, is located about 30 kilometres away from Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport, in the Cantinière forest. It consists in restoring, reforesting, maintaining and managing a 3.6-hectare plot of land with locally resilient species selected for their strong capacity to adapt to water stress and absorb CO2. This first forest carbon sink project will sequester more than 500 tons of CO2 over the plants’ growth period thanks to photosynthesis, and aims at achieving the Low Carbon Label certification. By developing other similar projects within a five-year framework agreement with the Rhône department, VINCI Airports will create a network of forest sinks in the Rhône region that will offset 100 percent of Lyon airports’ residual emissions. In support of the many decarbonisation actions underway, this programme will enable Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport to become the first commercial aviation airport in France to achieve net zero emissions by 2026.
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