Qingdao Airlines committed to inflight internet: Qingdao Airlines announced that it is fully committed to expand and accelerate the deployment of high-speed in-flight satellite internet on its aircraft fleet. This follows the successful evaluation of the first commercial high-speed internet flight trial in China that was launched by Qingdao Airlines on July 2020. This marks a major milestone in this ground-breaking collaboration project whereby FTS is supplying the Xstream high-speed satellite inflight system while TD Link Technology is providing internet service operations. The Xstream system suite developed by FTS comprises of XstreamSAT satellite communication, XstreamLITE cabin Wi-Fi, and XstreamOP cloud management platform. It is the first China developed IFEC system to receive all three major international airworthiness STC certifications from FAA, EASA and CAAC. The system is integrated with China Satcom’s ChinaSat-16 Ka-HTS satellites and is capable of providing up to 150 Mbps bandwidth between aircraft and ground.
Emirates launches India humanitarian airbridge: Emirates has set up a humanitarian airbridge between Dubai and India to transport urgent medical and relief items, to support India in its fight to control the serious COVID-19 situation in the country. Emirates will offer cargo capacity free of charge on an “as available” basis on all of its flights to nine cities in India, to help international NGOs deliver relief supplies rapidly to where it is needed. In the past weeks, Emirates SkyCargo has already been transporting medicines and medical equipment on scheduled and charter cargo flights to India. This latest airbridge initiative takes Emirates’ support for India and for the NGO community to the next level. The first shipment sent as part of the Emirates India humanitarian airbridge is a consignment of over 12 tons of multi-purpose tents from the World Health Organisation (WHO), destined for Delhi, and coordinated by the IHC in Dubai. The freight division of Emirates has a close partnership with IHC, developed over several years of delivering relief materials to communities across the world impacted by natural disasters and other crises. IHC will support Emirates SkyCargo in channelling relief efforts to India through the airbridge.
Blue Dart forms Blue Dart Med-Express consortium: Blue Dart, India’s leading express logistics service provider and part of the Deutsche Post DHL Group (DPDHL), has formed Blue Dart Med-Express Consortium with the mission of revolutionising the delivery of vaccines and emergency medical supplies to the remotest parts of India with drones. Blue Dart Med-Express Consortium is part of the ‘Medicine from the Sky’ project in collaboration with the government of Telangana, World Economic Forum, Niti Aayog and Healthnet Global. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has granted the project with necessary exemptions and rights to fly drone flights on an experimental basis in Telangana. The aim is to assess an alternate logistics route in providing safe, accurate and reliable pickup and delivery of health care items (medicines, covid-19 vaccines, units of blood, diagnostic specimens and other lifesaving equipment) from distribution centre to specific location and back. Blue Dart is committed to improving the supply chain infrastructure and is fighting hard to combat the pandemic. Blue Dart Med-Express Drone flights will deploy an immersive delivery model to optimize the current healthcare logistics within Telangana. The model will enable deliveries from district medical stores and blood banks to Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), Blood Storage Units & further from PHCs/CHCs to Central Diagnostic laboratories.
FL Technics Engine Services becomes one-stop-shop for CFM56 engines: Following a successful start of operations in late last year, FL Technics Engine Services, a subsidiary of FL Technics, announced the addition of more EASA Part 145 approved services for engine repair and maintenance. In addition to previously available services that include Engine external examination, boreblending, engine preservation and storage services, QEC/LRU removal and installation, top case repair, and lease return services, FL Technics Engine Services will now offer its clients the full scope of crucial services for CFM56 family engines, related to Fan, Hot Section and Low-pressure turbine repair. The newly added services will be provided at a brand new fully authorised 3-bay quick-turn activities engine shop located at KUN/FEZ, next to FL Technics Base Maintenance hangar, offering clients a convenient one-stop-shop experience. “We are extremely pleased with this achievement that would have not been possible without significant efforts from our team and Transport Competence Agency (TCA). The addition of services allows us to offer and deliver tailor-made solutions to customers in a timely and convenient manner,” said Valerij Deveikis, CEO at FL Technics Engine Services.
SmartLynx Airlines adds A330 to fleet: SmartLynx Airlines Malta, EU-based specialists in full-service ACMI aircraft leasing solutions, will add an Airbus A330 aircraft to its fleet. Five A330s will be modified to Zero LOPA by removing passenger seats and preparing aircraft for cargo flights. The planes are planned to be added to SmartLynx Airlines’ fleet during May and June. According to IATA, in April 2021, air cargo demand reached an all-time high and was up 9 percent compared to pre-COVID levels. The increased market demand for long-haul cargo operations prompted SmartLynx Airlines to grow their fleet and introduce the modified aircraft, able to transport cargo shipments, including vaccines and medical supplies, on long-haul flights. The global aircraft leasing platform CDB Aviation will be leasing out several Airbus A330 aircraft to SmartLynx Airlines.
Liebherr-Aerospace launches new service platform: Liebherr-Aerospace has launched a new customer service platform. The release provides an improved user experience and 24/7 access to new features.”Meeting customer expectations is the goal of the Service Platform project,” says Alex Vlielander, chief services officer, Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS. “Our new service platform provides online support and services tailored to the needs of our customers. It is bringing them increased efficiency and effectiveness by granting access to customised information quickly and in a highly secured environment.” The new platform features several brand-new functionalities, such as the “Repair Order Status” and “Technical Request” services, as well as an enriched range of training services for airlines and MROs with a new set of dedicated digital solutions. Customers can also exchange direct messages with experts in just a few clicks. Following the launch of the Customer Service Platform, Liebherr-Aerospace will be working on additional state-of-the-art services, to be made available throughout 2021 and 2022.
Rostec to present modernised Ka-32A11M at MAKS: Russian Helicopters (part of Rostec State Corporation) will present a modernised Ka-32A11M fire-fighting helicopter at the MAKS-2021 International Aviation and Space Salon, held in Zhukovsky near Moscow in July. The Ka-32 modernisation program includes a glass cockpit with an avionics system, more powerful VK-2500PS-02 engines and a new fire extinguishing system. The technical solutions used in the new glass cockpit of Ka-32A11M have already been tested on Ansat and Mi-38 civil multipurpose helicopters, and will facilitate the work with additional navigation, optoelectronic and search equipment that can be installed on the helicopter. Pilots will also be able to use night vision goggles. With the new VK-2500PS-02 engines, the rotorcraft will perform significantly better in hot and mountainous environments. According to design calculations, its load capacity in such conditions will increase by 1600 kg. The new SP-32 fire extinguishing system, developed by specialists from the National Helicopter Center Мil & Kamov and KAPE, has received a number of significant advantages over foreign counterparts. The new tank holds four tons of water and is divided into four compartments. The patented digitally controlled discharge system allows the flaps to be opened in pairs or alternately, and to adjust the opening angles, thereby increasing the water discharge time. The system automation allows to accurately take in 4 tons of water in 60 seconds, as well as add up to 400 litres of foam agent. It has also been adapted to use a water cannon. In addition, all SP-32 systems are electrically heated, which allows it to be used in unprecedented winter conditions at temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius.
Airbus resumes work on modernised A320 FAL in Toulouse: Airbus has resumed work on the modernisation of its A320 family industrial capabilities in Toulouse. This will provide Airbus with increased flexibility throughout its global industrial production system to respond to market recovery and future demand. The modernised, digitally-enabled A320/A321 final assembly line (FAL) will replace one of the original Toulouse A320 FALs. It will be installed in the former A380 Lagardère facility and should be operational by end 2022. Initial plans to introduce A321 production capabilities in Toulouse were put on hold at the outset of the COVID-19 crisis, following the decision to reduce commercial aircraft production by around 40 percent. Now, with market recovery in sight and a potential return to pre-COVID production rates for single-aisle aircraft between 2023 and 2025, Airbus is resuming its activities for the project. Hamburg and Mobile (Alabama) are currently the only Airbus production sites configured to assemble A321s. The modernised A320 family FAL in Toulouse will help improve the working conditions, the overall industrial flow as well as the quality and competitiveness by adding a new-generation assembly line to the Airbus single-aisle production system. This higher level of A321 production flexibility will also support entry-into-service of the A321XLR from Hamburg starting in 2023.
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