More international cargo flights for Air New Zealand: Air New Zealand has been awarded more international cargo flights under the government’s Maintaining International Air Connectivity (MIAC) scheme. With the scheme extended through to October, the airline will operate around 30 flights per week to 13 destinations including Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, as well as maintaining air connectivity with key Pacific ports. With the trans-Tasman and Cook Islands bubbles now well under way, these services are currently operating outside of the MIAC scheme. Air New Zealand General Manager Cargo Anna Palairet says it’s encouraging to have been awarded more flights under the government scheme. “MIAC is helping our import and export community maintain essential trade with key international markets during an extended period of disruption and we’re really proud to be part of making that happen. Operating these services also allows us to bring Kiwis home where other commercial services haven’t been able to operate. The New Zealand Ministry of Transport has done an outstanding job with the scheme and it’s fantastic to see it continuing to allow for stable support until passenger travel begins to pick up again.”
Pratt & Whitney working with Teledyne Controls: Pratt & Whitney, a division of Raytheon Technologies, announced it has signed an agreement with Teledyne Controls, a data delivery solutions provider that uses innovative technology to collect, manage and deliver aircraft data to more than 300 global airlines. This collaboration will enhance engine health management services offered to Pratt & Whitney powered aircraft, focused on Teledyne Control’s global customers. “Working with Teledyne Controls, Pratt & Whitney will expand its capabilities for collecting full-flight data to a larger population of aircraft. By using a service that many airlines already subscribe to, we will leverage an existing ecosystem to bring additional benefit to our customers,” said Joe Sylvestro, vice president of Global Aftermarket Operations at Pratt & Whitney. “These advanced engine parameter data points will paint a cohesive digital picture of aircrafts’ health, further enabling Pratt & Whitney to draw insights and provide predictive maintenance.” Teledyne Control’s data delivery solutions will expand the channels of customer data access for Pratt & Whitney and enhance the services offered through EngineWise solutions. As the OEM, Pratt & Whitney is committed to driving maximum engine reliability and performance through its portfolio of innovative, straight forward solutions and its world-class support network.
Lufthansa Technik supports Flair Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft: Lufthansa Technik and Canadian ultra-low-cost carrier Flair Airlines have signed a comprehensive Total Component Support (TCS) contract covering repair and overhaul of components for the airline’s fleet of Boeing 737MAX 8 aircraft. Up to 24 aircraft from the airline’s current and future fleet are included over a period of 10 years. Support for the aircraft started in April 2021. With the Total Component Support agreement, Flair benefits from an individual supply concept that enables short, rapid transport paths. The new contract also includes support for the aircraft’s Engine Related Components. Component support of the 737 MAX 8 fleet will be ensured through a home base stock in Toronto and Calgary.
Air Works offers 3D tech for aviation: Air Works, India’s largest independent MRO and aviation services major, has joined hands leading additive manufacturing-engineering services (AM-ESP) provider, Objectify Technologies, to serve the global aviation, aerospace, and defence industry by leveraging 3D technologies. This alliance marks a strategic shift in Air Works’ business focus as the company looks to not only expand its portfolio beyond aviation to aerospace and defence but to also transition from its role as an aviation services provider into an aviation solutions provider. As part of the collaboration, both Air Works and Objectify Technologies will identify and pursue business opportunities in the aerospace and defence industry, including the requirements of commercial, private jet owners, or operators, globally.
Genesis and Heston Airlines announce delivery of second aircraft: Genesis, the Dublin-based aircraft leasing company, announced the delivery of a second aircraft to Lithuanian headquartered Heston Airlines. The delivery follows Heston Airlines successfully obtaining their Air Operators Certificate (AOC) approval. Heston Airlines is now poised and ready to take advantage of the recovery in the Global Market with their first two aircraft ready to enter service. Reacting to the news, Pat Madigan, head of Commercial at Genesis, said “Genesis is delighted to deliver this second aircraft supporting the commencement of operations at Heston Airlines. We look forward to building on this achievement as markets recover with further expansion in the near future.” Jonas Rinkauskas, CEO of Heston Airlines said, “Heston Airlines has entered into global ACMI and Charter market. We are delighted to offer two Airbus A320 (LY-FJI & LY-VUT) for the commercial operations. What Heston Airlines have is a real dedicated group of professionals who are hugely talented and ready taking off to the skies.”
flydocs announces rebrand: flydocs, the digital asset management solution provider announced its rebrand toward a partner and digital innovation driven approach aligned to its new strategy. The rebrand which includes a new visual identity and brand story marks the next stage of flydocs’ strategic growth. After over a decade of being widely recognised as a global leader in digital records management for the aviation sector, flydocs now has ambitions of revolutionising the future of the commercial aviation asset lifecycle. In this new chapter, the brand identity takes on a more modern and minimalistic view to complement the simplified messaging that flydocs will be driving in the market to support its strategic ambition of becoming the Partner of Choice for its employees, customers and the wider aviation industry.
Emirates wins Best Airline Worldwide award: Emirates has been voted Best Airline Worldwide for the eighth consecutive time by the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2021. The airline also took home accolades for Airline with the Best First Class, and Airline with Best Economy Class. The wins demonstrate Emirates’ strategic approach to continuously improving the onboard and on ground experience, offering a safe customer journey across all touchpoints, leaving no detail behind, while ensuring it meets evolving customer expectations during the most challenging period the air travel industry has experienced. To maintain its industry leadership, the airline has also doubled down on its digital approach to modernise the air travel experience by fully launching and scaling up its biometric path and touchless check-in, providing further assurance and meeting the evolving expectations of customers for a safer, contactless travel experience. Today, from check-in to gate, customers have the choice to experience the future of travel at over 33 Emirates biometric checkpoints and close to 50 touchless kiosks across Dubai International Airport.
Aero Strategies Group chooses PacSim FTD: New market entrant Aero Strategies Group (ASG), based out of Raleigh, North Carolina has chosen New Zealand manufacturer Pacific Simulators (PacSim) as their first Flight Training Device supplier. ASG is a pilot training centre focused on bridging the flight training/proficiency gaps faced by flight crews and operators within the industry. PacSim will supply one of their ProJet PS4.5 FTD’s which is ideal for this type of application. The PS4.5 FTD is a fully enclosed cockpit based on the Boeing 737NG. Utilising state of the art ProSim737 avionics software and made from an original Boeing cockpit and flight controls the PacSim FTD provides all the systems required to deliver an accurate and high-level training outcome.
RACQ LifeFlight Rescue completes critical missions: RACQ LifeFlight Rescue’s Queensland fleet of helicopters completed a record 2,022 critical missions for the fiscal year ending 30 June 2020. This large undertaking equates to over 4,700 flight hours. In its last financial year, crews across the state responded to 224 motor vehicle accidents, a 15 percent rise from the year before. High despatch reliability, achieved through proper aircraft and engine maintenance, is crucial for successfully achieving more missions. The Queensland rescue service’s fleet includes five Leonardo AW139 and three Bell 412 helicopters; all powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PT6 turboshaft engines. RACQ LifeFlight Rescue has aeromedical bases in Brisbane, Bundaberg, Sunshine Coast, Mount Isa, Roma, and Toowoomba in Australia. Its engineering and maintenance operation is based at Brisbane’s Archerfield Airport, but the organization boasts line maintenance facilities throughout Queensland, as well as in Victoria. The LifeFlight engineering operation also maintains six AW139s for the organization’s sister company, StarFlight Australia. Three of StarFlight’s AW139s are operated by Victoria Police’s Air Wing.
Constant Aviation continues pace of Challenger 604 modernisations: Constant Aviation said it has completed its industry-leading 33rd modernisation of the Bombardier Challenger 604’s flight deck. Constant Aviation has completed more Challenger 604 avionics modernisations than the rest of the industry combined, with 80 percent of the total, making it the most experienced installer of Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion avionics for one of the most popular super midsized aircraft. “As the industry’s most experienced installers of Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion for the Challenger 604, we help extend the life of one of the most popular and durable aircraft, protecting owners’ investments and preserving resale value,” said David Davies, Constant Aviation CEO. “Our efficiency in installing these systems minimizes downtime, controls cost and returns the aircraft to service in the shortest timeframe possible.”
Micro Nav completes testing with Ethiopian Airlines Group: Micro Nav has completed provisional site acceptance testing (PSAT) with Ethiopian Airlines Group in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Airlines Group (EAG), supported by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), awarded GECI Group in partnership with Micro Nav, a contract to supply a BEST 3D tower and radar simulator at the EAG premises in Addis Ababa. The simulator was installed by GECI, including newly developed functionality to support the EFPS hardware that EAG are planning on implementing in their operational environment within the next 12 months. The simulator enables EAG to validate their procedures and learn how to use EFPS in the training environment. PSAT was carried out with a representative from ICAO in attendance, and is now followed by a period of ‘Operational Readiness Demonstration’ during which the customer gets to use the simulator before the final site acceptance with the prime contractor, GECI.
Barfield and Global Crossing Airlines sign full PBH deal: Barfield, a subsidiary of Air France KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) in the Americas, entered in an agreement to become a PBH repair and pool support centre for Global Crossing A320/A321 fleet. “We are excited to support Global Crossing as they build their operations. This is proof that our flexibility to adjust a program to meet their operations requirements was extremely important. We look forward to this opportunity to work with such a dynamic operation,” said Hervé Page, CEO of Barfield. “We are honoured to work with Barfield, part of AFI KLM E&M. They provided us a complete solution for our needs and provided the total flexibility that we need as a small airline with big growth plans,” said Ed Wegel, chairman and CEO of GlobalX. “As a multimillion-dollar agreement, this is a key strategic vendor relationship we have developed with Barfield.”
Antonov Airlines transports dismantled jet from Brazil: Antonov Airlines has transported parts for an aircraft in cooperation with DB Schenker Brazil from Viracopos, Brazil to Miami, USA, with one week’s notice for planning and executing the project. The cargo was dismantled into consignments with dimensions that met the AN-124-100 aircraft specifications filling six wooden crates. They included 15m long wing sections and two sections of fuselage measuring 12m long. To handle the dimensions of the cargo, special loading equipment designed and manufactured by Antonov Airlines was used in conjunction with two external cranes as well as forklifts to ensure smooth and safe loading and unloading of the cargo. “Thanks to the expertise of our in-house engineers, strong communication channels with the customer, and the flexibility of both parties on the solutions for cargo transportation, Antonov Airlines was able to plan and deliver this cargo within the tight deadline to the highest safety standards,” said Ivan Bozhko, commercial executive, Antonov Airlines. Antonov Airlines operates seven AN-124-100 with up to 120-tonnes payloads – two with a payload up to 150 tonnes, the largest turboprop-powered aircraft AN-22 with a payload up to 60 tonnes, as well as the 250-tonnes payload AN-225 “Mriya”, the largest cargo aircraft in the world.
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