Rotortrade expands services with RotorLease: Rotortrade has launched RotorLease, a new leasing line of services tailored to meet the evolving needs of the global helicopter market. Officially set to commence operations in Q3 2025, RotorLease is designed to provide unparalleled flexibility, competitive terms, and bespoke leasing solutions to operators worldwide. RotorLease offers a wide range of leasing options, including operational short or long-term leases, financial leases and transparent financial structuring. Additionally, all operations will align with country-specific approvals under the Cape Town Convention, supported by rigorous credit risk analyses. Offering flexibility, competitive terms, and access to helicopters from major OEMs like Leonardo, Airbus and Bell among others, RotorLease aims to empower operators worldwide to optimize fleet management and operational costs. With the launch of this new line of services, Rotortrade brings an additional service to its global customer base. Following the opening of the MRO service center in Tallard, France, in 2024, and the new MRO service center in Pittsburgh, USA, in early 2025, Rotortrade now offers a full range of services in the helicopter trading and leasing sectors, solidifying its position as a comprehensive solutions provider. RotorLease will operate globally, with a progressive focus on key regions such as Brazil, the Asia-Pacific and Europe. Leveraging Rotortrade’s extensive network of 18 dealerships worldwide and strong partnerships with leading industry players like Leonardo Helicopters, Airbus Helicopters, Bell Helicopters, Safran, and Pratt & Whitney, RotorLease ensures an unmatched level of service and expertise.
Flight Data Systems announces licensing deal with Honeywell: Flight Data Systems has entered into a licensing agreement with Honeywell Aerospace Technologies concerning the Honeywell Connected Recorder – 25 (HCR-25). This arrangement enables Flight Data Systems to retrieve data from the HCR-25 cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) utilising their Handheld Multipurpose Tool (HHMPI). This collaboration aims to minimise maintenance duration and expenses while enhancing data accessibility for airlines, operators, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers. The HCR-25 from Honeywell offers 25 hours of cockpit voice recording and meets the current requirements set by EUROCAE and the FAA for recorders. Operators gain advantages such as real-time data streaming and cloud-upload capabilities, which contribute to improved maintenance predictability and operational insights within flight operations. HHMPI facilitates effortless flight data retrieval and is crafted to optimize maintenance time via its intuitive interface alongside intelligent storage and downloading features tailored to specific tail numbers. It supports various manufacturer recorders—including HCR-25 from Honeywell—by utilizing OEM-specific cables, accessories, and software to deliver substantial cost savings to clients.
Emirates and Parsys design telemedicine station for inflight customers: Emirates has joined forces with Parsys Telemedicine to introduce next generation equipment that will enable customers to receive high-quality, speedy medical care in the air. Emirates has invested more than US$2.4 million in co-designing the new equipment set with Parsys, which will be rolled out to 300 aircraft over the next few years. The groundbreaking ‘telemedicine station’ has advanced features such as high-definition video conferencing, remote passenger assessment, secure data transmission and 12-Leads Telecardia ECG – enabling Emirates’ highly trained cabin crew to save lives in emergency situations. Emirates has always invested in high quality medical equipment, but the new Parsys kit is the result of a yearlong collaboration between Emirates and Parsys to create a bespoke inflight tool that is more efficient and reliable, more connected, and ultimately safer for Emirates’ customers. The best-in-class new system includes the Parsys Telemedicine Kit for Emirates and the Parsys Cloud. The kit is an integrated, portable telemedicine station designed for cabin crew to gather important information and vital signs, which can then be transmitted to Emirates’ Ground Medical Support – a dedicated team of medical professionals who sit in Emirates Group Headquarters in Dubai and are contactable 24/7. The kit includes several medical devices like a pulse oximeter, thermometer, blood pressure monitor, glucometer, and electrocardiogram (ECG).
Dnata secures ground handling license at Zürich Airport: Dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, has been re-awarded the license to provide ground handling services at Zürich Airport (ZRH) in Switzerland. The extension follows a competitive public tender conducted by the airport operator and secures dnata’s position at ZRH for another seven years. Dnata currently serves 40 passenger and cargo airlines in Zürich with a team of over 500 employees, safely handling over 35 aircraft turnarounds and 150 tonnes of cargo every day. The company’s recent investments at the airport include the rollout of its digital cargo management system, One Cargo, which automates key business and operational functions, including safety and quality monitoring, reporting and ULD management, with an integrated, cloud-based platform. It also invested in advanced ground support equipment (GSE), increasing the share of electric vehicles in its fleet to 42 percent. In addition, dnata recently announced that it would boost its cargo handling capacity by over 50 percent at ZRH. Having signed a lease agreement with the airport authority, the company is planning to operate its new 9,500m² advanced warehouse facility as the sole occupant. The facility is already under construction and expected to open in early 2027.
Broward Aviation Services acquires CFM56-5A engine for part-out: Broward Aviation Services (BAS) has acquired a CFM56-5A engine for part-out and disassembly will be completed by the end of March. With this purchase, BAS will increase its engine assets base of a niche market engine that has parts commonality applicable to the 5B and 7B engine variants which are suitable for the A320 family and 737NG. Previously operated and maintained by Air Canada, this engine (ESN731680), will be parted-out at BP Aero In Dallas and the process is likely to take about 4 weeks. “We’re already marketing some of the LLPs” says Dennis Amaty, Co-Founder & President of the BAS Group of companies. “We will undertake some immediate drop shipments; the remaining stock will go in AR (as removed) condition into stock at European hub facilities. Some parts will be repaired by Jet Air MRO – a BAS Group Company – in Florida.” According to Anca Mihalache, Managing Director of AERO CARE, specialist engine adviser to BAS, “The engine market is tough for buyers right now but with the right partnerships and approach we can develop our stock of high-demand assets for customers. Turn-around times for shop visits and parts shortages remain unexpectedly high, and our research supports the market appetite for this -5A material. However, with older engines, it is essential to take extra care with the documentation as requirements have changed over time and BAS is meticulous about meeting today’s standards. The organisation has a specially targeted list of operators for this material due to the global scarcity and the continued on-wing time for these venerable CFM56-5A engines.”
MagniX launches new engine range for electric helicopters: MagniX announced the launch of a new range of lightweight, high-speed electric engines. HeliStorm engines are ideally suited for helicopters, from light single engine to larger hybrid-electric twin engine rotorcraft, as well as for airborne power generation. Combined with magniX’s Samson batteries, HeliStorm engines enable the company to offer a complete electric solution for rotorcraft. The first engine in the range provides peak power of 330kW at a weight of just 75 kg. With this new range of engines, magniX is leveraging its years of experience across many flight test programs, including two separate integrations with Robinson R44 helicopters. The first electric Robinson R44 helicopter powered by a magniX motor flew on 4 June 2022 at the Los Alamitos Army Airfield in California. This was a significant milestone in the development of electric aviation and subsequent tests went on to deliver the world’s first point-to-point flight of an electric helicopter. “The helicopter market represents a tremendous opportunity for magniX, as the strengths of our technology align well with the market need,” said Reed Macdonald, CEO of magniX. “magniX’s HeliStorm engines expand upon our existing world leading capabilities and deliver a step change in performance, reliability, and value for our customers. We look forward to bringing our innovative technology to another segment of the aviation industry.”
AEGEAN discloses new order for the A321neo: EGEAN, the largest Greek airline, has disclosed an order with Airbus for an additional eight A321neo aircraft. The aircraft will enable AEGEAN to further grow its networks and support its expansion plan. With this latest aircraft order, AEGEAN’s total direct orderbook with Airbus stands at 60 A320neo Family with 37 aircraft already delivered. Dimitris Gerogiannis, AEGEAN’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The expansion of our investment plan with the additional order of eight Airbus A321neo aircraft is essential for achieving our growth objectives and further enhancing the competitiveness of our operations. It is also clear that we have a strong preference for the larger-capacity and extended-range version offered by the A321neo type, which will soon represent two-thirds of our Airbus fleet.” Benoit de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business said, “We are delighted that AEGEAN has once again chosen the fuel-efficient A321neo. This decision underscores AEGEAN’s commitment to operational excellence and enhancing the passenger experience. We value our collaboration with the largest Greek airline and look forward to continuing our partnership, supporting their growth plans within Europe and beyond.”