Textron Aviation adds gravel kit for Cessna SkyCourier: Textron Aviation announced it is now offering a gravel kit for its new twin-engine, large-utility Cessna SkyCourier turboprop that gives customers the flexibility to operate their aircraft in and out of unimproved runways around the world. First deliveries of the SkyCourier with the installed option will commence later this month. The clean-sheet design aircraft achieved Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification in March 2022 with first deliveries following just two months later. This additional option for the SkyCourier paves the way for further use in global markets by a variety of customers, including government agencies, law enforcement and militaries, air ambulance operators, freight haulers, corporations and humanitarian organisations. The Cessna SkyCourier twin-engine, high-wing turboprop offers a combination of performance and lower operating costs for air freight, passenger and special mission operators. In addition to the freighter version, there is a 19-passenger variant of the SkyCourier that includes separate crew and passenger entries for smooth boarding, as well as large cabin windows for natural light and views. Both configurations offer single-point pressure refuelling to enable faster turnarounds.
Norwegian Air Shuttle implements NetLine/Crew portfolio: Lufthansa Systems announced that Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA signed a contract on the implementation of Crew Member System Interaction modules (CMSI) as part of the NetLine/Crew solution. The implemented CSMI modules include an Interactive Duty Plan (IADP), TripTrade functions as well as BidManagement solutions and provide Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA with the best digital communication between the crew planners and the crew members. The CMSI modules for NetLine/Crew are designed to support the airline’s digital communication strategy with its crew members by offering independent interaction possibilities for them with the crew planning system. This allows them to actively influence their roster and thus enhance their work-life-balance. With the IADP-App crew members can easily access the schedules and details of their roster as well as check-in directly to their shift. The TripTrade functions enable crew members to exchange rotations with each other within the legal framework of flight hours and working days. The NetLine/Crew solution optimises the crew members’ vacation day preferences and plans them accordingly.
JetHQ Opens North Texas Office: The North Texas private aircraft marketplace is home to young buyers with diverse backgrounds and mission requirements. To answer this growing market demand, JetHQ is applying a hands-on approach with a fresh perspective into its aircraft transaction and brokerage business, opening its first physical office in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, led by Cole White, Vice President of Sales in the Central United States. White and the JetHQ team, including Vice President of Marketing RJ Miller, will be based at Galaxy FBO at Addison Airport (KADS). The location puts JetHQ within easy distance for buyers in the prestigious North Dallas area and conveniently located for aircraft owners around the region. At the North Texas location, White and his team will be catering to young entrepreneurs and financial leaders. They will also tap into oil and gas companies throughout the state and businesses who use the growing Dallas-Fort Worth markets as a base for long-range and international trips. Those users are finding more and more frustrations with traditional airline service, including last month’s software outages.
AeroBrigham adds hanger space: Responding to a significant increase in demand, North Texas fixed and rotary-wing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider, AeroBrigham has announced the company will expand with new hangar facilities at the Decatur Municipal Airport (KLUD). The new facility will be used exclusively to support helicopters while the current facility will be dedicated to fixed wing MRO, support and completions. In addition to 45,000 square feet of additional floor space, AeroBrigham will also offer a sophisticated “down draft” type aircraft paint facility capable of handling transport category helicopters. Specialized aircraft painting technicians will operate the paint facility and this will complement the overall efficiency of aircraft refurbishment, reconfiguration and completions. The new floorspace will also allow continuing improvements for the support of both fixed and rotary wing customers at AeroBrigham.
CPaT wins deal with AlisCargo Airlines: CPaT Global, the world’s leading provider of distance learning for the airline and aviation industry, announced they have been awarded a new contract with AlisCargo Airlines, the only Italian intercontinental cargo airline. CPaT will be providing Aircraft Systems courseware and access to our Aviation Specialty Courses (General Subjects) tailored for AlisCargo’s Boeing B767 fleet. The only Italian intercontinental air cargo company, AlisCargo Airlines was founded in 2021 by a group of leading professionals in the aeronautical sector on a project by Domenico Alcide Leali, former founder of Air Dolomiti. The project was the most successful initiative of the Italian airline industry in recent decades, listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, acquired by Lufthansa in 2003, and is still operating with its own brand and livery.
JetBlue renews deal with Sabre: Sabre announced the multi-year renewal of JetBlue’s SabreSonic PSS agreement. The agreement also extends the carrier’s long-term distribution agreement to continue offering its content on the Sabre GDS. Sabre will help JetBlue deliver a more tailored customer experience and capture additional revenue opportunities through its PSS. Through the Sabre GDS travel marketplace, JetBlue will distribute its flights and services to Sabre’s extensive global network of travel buyers. This will allow Sabre-connected corporate, leisure and online travel agency subscribers to deliver even more choice and value to their travellers. JetBlue is also investing in Sabre’s Digital Connect and Digital Experience products to enhance the booking and post-booking experience for customers. The carrier is also leveraging the Dynamic Rewards product to enable expended loyalty capabilities. JetBlue is also renewing their subscription to PRISM, a powerful solution that automates, aggregates and analyses corporate sales information globally. Its forecasting function also allows each airline’s sales organisation to model changes to contracts and optimise the right measures to help drive optimal business revenue.
Air Astana resumes Astana-Beijing flights: From 18 March 2023, Air Astana will resume flights from Astana to Beijing with a frequency of two per week on Wednesdays and Saturdays and a further increase set for summer. The flights will be operated on Airbus A321LRs. In addition, from 2 March 2023, the airline will increase the frequency of flights from Almaty to Beijing to four times a week with plans to increase this to daily flights during the summer season. These will be operated on Airbus A321LR and Airbus A321neo. Adel Dauletbek, Vice President for Marketing and Sales at Air Astana, said: “As we begin to navigate the summer season, the airline is gradually increasing its capacity in China to meet the growing demand of the country with the largest economy and population. Our passengers have the opportunity to travel on comfortable Airbus A321LR and A321neo aircraft. We are confident that these flights will be in demand by passengers who are heading to China for business, tourism and other purposes.”
Klasjet introduces refurbished 737-300: KlasJet, a corporate jet charter company, has introduced a newly refurbished Boeing 737-300 luxury aircraft for the UK market. The aircraft is stationed at one of London’s airports on a floating fleet basis and is ready for operation. The aircraft is characterised by KlasJet’s sleek interior and exterior design upgraded with premium materials and has been equipped with 68 seats – four seats more than a typical luxury 737-300. Lukas Petrauskas, CCO of KlasJet notes that this is one of the main features of the refurbished aircraft. “The increased capacity allows for more passengers to travel on a single flight, which is particularly useful for large groups traveling to various events – from business meetings and expos to sports competitions and more. The comfort aspect has been upped with extra cushioned seats and comfort head rests, while the more ergonomic construction offers spacious seat recline, relaxing footrest, and a convenient folding table. Passenger comfort is at a centre for us, that is why we pay exceptional attention to cabin crew trainings as well. Taught by professionals at the top of their craft, the cabin crew is equipped to provide the best service possible.”
Vistara starts services to new Goa airport: Vistara has commenced services to Goa’s Manohar International Airport (New Goa International Airport), connecting it to Bengaluru with direct daily flights, along with 6x weekly flights to and from Mumbai. Vistara already flies to Dabolim Airport (Goa International Airport) from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, said, “At Vistara, we remain committed to offering better connectivity to our customers by densifying our domestic network. The commencement of our operations at the Manohar International Airport will enhance our footprint in Goa and will enable us to better facilitate the growing traffic. We are certain that customers looking for direct connectivity to North Goa will appreciate the option of flying India’s most loved airline.”
For Editorial Inquiries Contact:
Editor Matt Driskill at matt.driskill@asianaviation.com
For Advertising Inquiries Contact:
Head of Sales Kay Rolland at kay.rolland@asianaviation.com
