Aquila Air Capital, Astral in leasing deal: Aquila Air Capital, a specialty finance platform focused on commercial aerospace, announced the signing of operating leases for three Boeing 757-200F freighter aircraft with Astral Airlines. SkyExec Capital Jets acted as arranger and will service the lease during the term. The aircraft are expected to be delivered to Astral starting in November 2021, upon completion of their scheduled maintenance. Aquila Air Capital is a specialty finance platform focused on providing asset financing in partnership with industry participants as well as purchasing and leasing aircraft, engines and other aviation equipment. The company is a trusted partner to all players in the value chain, from buyers and sellers of assets to operators in need of creative and timely solutions for their critical business needs.
ALSIM AL250 for Air Munich Aviation: ALSIM, the global flight simulator manufacturer headquartered in France, is strengthening its presence in Germany as Air Munich Aviation, located in Jesenwang airport, nearby Munich, has recently bought an ALSIM AL250 simulator. The AL250 simulator addresses initial phase training needs (PPL, CPL, IR/ME) and is SEP/MEP re-configurable simulator certified as an EASA FNPT II. In addition, it offers both classic and glass cockpit instrumentation for each flight model at the simple flick of a switch. This device has been extremely well received since its creation and more than 65 of these have already been installed and are in successful operation worldwide. Air Munich Aviation AG was established over 40 years ago. Providing training ranging from UL to ATPL to approximately 100 per year, we placed ourselves as one of the biggest ATOs in southern Germany.
MENA Technics opens office in Saudi Arabia: MENA Technics, the technical arm of MENA Aerospace Enterprises, has officially opened a branch office in Al Khobar, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Through its new premises, MENA Technics is able to extend its suite of turnkey service offerings to new customers in Saudi Arabia. Those services include certification, design, analysis, and consultancy solutions for a wide range of aircraft and helicopters, as well as aircraft spare parts supply, and also vendor representation. Anil Kumar Dinesan, acting general manager and group CFO of MENA Aerospace Enterprises, said, “It is a remarkable achievement to extend MENA’s footprint to another country, beyond its headquarters in Bahrain and its presence in the UAE. Regardless of the setbacks imposed by the global pandemic, MENA has endured and even managed to thrive, continuing to build up its project portfolio with successful implementations, and investing in new projects as well.”
Australia’s Rex rolling out Wi-Fi: Australian regional carrier Rex announced the progressive rollout of Wi-Fi on the airline’s fleet of Boeing 737-800NG aircraft. Intelsat’s 2Ku Wi-Fi systems have been installed on four of the fleet of six jets in the 737 fleet and the remaining will be similarly equipped in a few months. “In this day and age business and leisure travellers want to remain connected whether they are on the ground or in the air,” Mayooran Thanabalasingam, Rex’s general manager, Information Technology and Communications, said. “And as our passengers return to the skies from Monday as we restart our domestic network after the lockdowns we expect their need for connectivity will be greater than ever before.” Business Class travellers will enjoy complimentary internet Wi-Fi throughout their journey. Passengers in Economy will also enjoy free internet Wi-Fi until the end of November after which they’ll be able to access the internet for a small fee. Rex passengers will also have access to a new Inflight Entertainment (IFE) portal featuring inflight information, weather and a variety of free-of-charge TV shows and movies which will all be refreshed on a regular basis.
GEODIS wins ‘Best Logistics Service Provider – Project Cargo’ award: Hong Kong-based GEODIS announced it was awarded the ‘Best Logistics Service Provider – Project Cargo’ award at the 2021 AFLAS Awards. The Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) annual awards celebrate exemplary leadership and relationship management as well as top-notch solutions within the industry. The awards set the benchmark for service provider excellence amongst air and shipping lines, airports, and seaports, as well as third-party logistics and other associated industries. “Our Project Logistics services are centred around innovation and designing ways in which we can re-configure our customers’ needs and dilemmas into a seamless, cost-effective and reliable road map,” said Chris Cahill, managing director, North Asia Sub Region. “We are honoured to have these ongoing efforts recognised and will continue to deliver quality solutions that can carry our customers’ businesses forward.”
Collins Aerospace leading UK composite collaboration: Collins Aerospace has formed a United Kingdom (UK)-based collaboration to help deliver complex-shaped composite components for the next generation of aircraft with a focus on system simplification, weight reduction and cost competitiveness. These improvements can help drive down the overall cost of manufacturing while increasing the competitiveness of the UK’s aerospace industry as it supports global green initiatives leading to weight reduction and lower carbon emissions. The four collaborative partners – Collins, Composite Integration, Crompton Mouldings and Bitrez – have been awarded a four-year, $3.6 million grant to develop Next Generation Complex Composite Components (NGC3) in alignment with the UK’s Aerospace Technology Institute’s (ATI) innovation strategy: Accelerating Ambition. The team will develop integrated composite component technology for future commercial aircraft that will feature composite wings rather than metallic. Composite aircraft will require new complex fuel pipes, flexible integrated transmission shafts and braided pressure vessels featuring technological innovations in tailored resin systems, advanced braiding and Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM).
STC for the EpiShuttle on aircraft type CL-600 obtained by FAI: FAI has obtained supplementary type certification (STC) for the EpiShuttle on the aircraft type CL-600 after undergoing comprehensive tests on flammability, rapid decompression, and patient evacuation. The test was passed without any complaints or remarks. Since FAI has installed the EpiShuttle in the Bombardier Challenger 604 on a Spectrum Aeromed MedBase with a fixed adaption to a Spectrum Aeromed Cargo Stretcher, they no longer considered the EpiShuttle to be “loose equipment” compared to other mobile medical equipment. Due to this FAI wanted to obtain an STC for the CL-600-2B16 aircraft that included the EpiShuttle. FAI in coordination with EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) and a development company defined the requirements for the STC and necessary test procedures was developed.
Scoot expands Europe network to London Gatwick: Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced a new service between Singapore and London’s Gatwick Airport via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. In addition to being the sole low-cost carrier (LCC) to operate non-stop flights between Bangkok and London, this will also be the airline’s first entry into the United Kingdom (UK). Scoot’s service via Bangkok complements the existing non-stop services operated between Singapore and London Heathrow Airport by Scoot’s parent, Singapore Airlines. Scoot’s new service will commence with flights from 16 December 2021 and be followed by three-times weekly seasonal scheduled services from March 2022, with a further review and potential increase in frequency based on demand and regulatory approval. All will be operated by Scoot’s widebody Boeing 787 Dreamliners offering both Economy and ScootPlus cabins.
Emirates to increase Melbourne services to daily operations: Emirates is increasing its Melbourne service to a daily offering, serviced by a B777-300ER from 2 December. The increase from four times weekly operation to a daily service is a sign of the strong demand the airline has witnessed for its services following the easing of international travel restrictions in Victoria and New South Wales. Since the announcement of the return of international travel to Australia, Emirates has seen a third of all inbound bookings to the country come from travellers from the United Kingdom, as well as demand from its hub Dubai and across Europe. Bookings to Victoria contribute approximately one third of the total seats booked while the remaining two thirds are mainly attributed to Sydney. The United Kingdom is also the most popular destination for Australians booking outbound travel, in addition to Dubai, Pakistan, and European cities. Emirates continues to see a growing number of bookings to Tel Aviv, a destination which is already proving popular with Australian travellers, since announcing the upcoming route launch, starting on 6 December.
Jet Luxe Releases the INVICTUS PARTNERSHIP: Jet Luxe has announced the launch of the INVICTUS PARTNERSHIP, which it claims is a new way to access private aviation. Gabriel Madrid, Founder and CEO said, “The market has nothing like INVICTUS. This is not a jet card, it’s not fractional ownership, and it’s not a traditional membership. It is a new, niche, and highly exclusive partnership with just four opportunities per jet. With INVICTUS, we pass on our significant buying power to the customer and we give access to a closed, private fleet without the financial commitment or depreciation risk associated with fractional ownership. We have meticulously developed the model to be completely flexible, dynamic, and with guaranteed availability year-round, worldwide.”
Embraer and multiSIM collaborate on training: Embraer and multiSIM, a Netherlands-based start-up company that develops simulators for collaborative crew training based on a highly scalable software framework, signed recently a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to discuss a potential partnership for defence and dual-use training solutions. The potential agreement may include joint research, technology development and innovation, for Embraer products and programs. The collaboration with multiSIM follows Embraer global knowledge network strategy based on connection with startups focused on advanced technologies, by creating mutually beneficial partnerships. In October of 2021, Embraer signed a MOU with Fokker Services and Fokker Techniek to explore opportunities for a broad range of activities in the Defense, Commercial and Support markets, looking to leverage their respective expertise and capabilities in new projects.
CPaT Announces new Contract with Serene Air: CPaT Global announced it has been awarded a new contract by Serene Air. CPaT will be providing enhanced tailored Aircraft Systems courses for the Airbus A330 and Boeing 737NG, as well as CPaT’s Interactive Diagrams and General Subjects catalogue. Serene Air is a growing Pakistani airline that started providing flight services in 2017. In 2020, Serene Air was awarded Brand of the Year. Owning seven fleets serving nine destinations around the world, Serene provides flight services to and from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Causeway Aero Group supporting UltraFan: Causeway Aero Group has been chosen as a supply chain partner with Rolls-Royce in developing composite components within the LUCIA (Large UltraFan Composites Integrated Aerostructures) project for the UltraFan advanced engine demonstrator. LUCIA is co-funded by the UK Government through the ATI Programme. UltraFan is designed to deliver up to 100,000lb thrust, making it a scalable engine technology capable of powering both narrowbody and widebody aircraft, and makes extensive use of advanced materials It will set new standards in terms of gas turbine efficiency – 25 percent more fuel efficient than the first generation of Trent – and sustainability, with the capability to run on 100 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Pete Hinds, VP Engineering & Business Development at Causeway, explains that as well as the usual accessories mounted externally on the composite fan case, the demonstrator will also be heavily instrumented for ground testing at the new Testbed 80 at Rolls-Royce in Derby, UK, the world’s largest indoor engine test facility. The first run of UltraFan in Derby is scheduled for 2022.
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