Amadeus celebrates new NDC milestone with Qantas: Amadeus has started to deliver Qantas NDC-sourced content to pilot travel sellers to test booking, servicing through the Amadeus Travel Platform. These select travel agents can shop, book, and pay for NDC offers sourced from the Qantas Distribution Platform (QDP). This includes ancillary services not available via EDIFACT, special price offers, and fully integrated post-booking servicing like cancelling, and refunding an NDC booking. This marks a significant chapter for Amadeus’ long-term partnership with Qantas. In 2018, the airline joined Amadeus’ NDC [X] programme to make NDC content available in the Amadeus Travel Platform via the Qantas Distribution Platform. The two companies have worked hand in hand since then to make this a reality and bring the benefits of NDC to Amadeus’ global travel seller network.
IATA welcomes Rolls-Royce deal on aftermarkets: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Rolls-Royce have signed a joint statement that clarifies the engine manufacturer’s ongoing commitment to an open and competitive approach to its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. The document was finalised after several months of productive and collaborative dialogue on industry best practice for engine MRO services. Both organisations are aligned on four key principles that underpin the Rolls-Royce approach to the MRO ecosystem and are included in the official statement: Rolls-Royce does not prevent the development of legitimate non-OEM parts or non-OEM repairs by MRO providers and independent parts manufacturers, as long as they are approved by the appropriate airworthiness regulator; Rolls-Royce’s policy is to grant airlines, lessors and MRO providers non-discriminatory access to OEM parts, repairs and support (including access to Rolls-Royce Care); Rolls-Royce does not discriminate against airlines, lessors or MRO providers that use non-OEM parts or repairs; Rolls-Royce will not insist that airlines or lessors subscribe to Rolls-Royce services. Among those expected to benefit are airlines, aircraft and engine lessors, and organisations wishing to provide MRO services for Rolls-Royce engines.
BLR Airport inducted into ACI Roll of Excellence: Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru (KIAB/ BLR Airport) has been inducted into the Airports Council International (ACI) Director General’s Roll of Excellence for the year 2020 for consistently delivering superior customer service. Instituted in the year 2011, the Roll of Excellence recognises airports, which in the opinion of the passengers, have demonstrated strong commitment towards service quality. Since 2011, 58 airports have been inducted. In a letter to Hari Marar, managine director and CEO, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), Luis Felipe de Oliveira, director general, ACI World, wrote: “I am delighted to announce that Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru has been chosen by its passengers to join the Airports Council International (ACI) Director General’s Roll of Excellence. I am confident that you will continue to be a role model for airport service quality excellence and work with us to raise the bar in service standards and best practices within the industry.”
DHL Express delivers vaccines to Malaysia: DHL Express has delivered the United States government’s donation of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The arrival of around 1 million doses comes as part of a recent commitment by the US to assist with recovery efforts worldwide. This shipment is made possible via the COVAX global vaccine sharing programme that aims to accelerate global equitable access to immunisation against the pandemic. “We are deeply honoured by the trust that our customers have placed in us and I’m incredibly proud that the team has yet again stepped up to successfully deliver another batch of COVID-19 vaccines to Malaysia. As DHL Express continues to leverage our global network and strong medical logistics expertise to ensure that these life-saving vaccines arrive safely and promptly, we must also remind ourselves of the need for collaboration among various parties and countries to manage this public health crisis effectively,” said Ken Lee, CEO, DHL Express Asia Pacific. DHL Express arranged for the collection of the vaccines from facilities in the US before it was airlifted from the Cincinnati Hub to the DHL Express Subang Gateway, where it would be distributed to designated locations in Kuala Lumpur. From door-to-door, the journey spanned only four days in complete compliance with stringent handling and storage requirements.
BOC Aviation delivers 7 Boeing 737 jets to TUI: BOC Aviation announced that it has delivered the seventh of seven new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft for lease to TUI Travel Aviation Finance. All aircraft are powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines. Robert Martin, managing director and CEO of BOC Aviation, said: “We are delighted to work with our long-standing customer TUI, and to provide TUI with the most fuel-efficient, latest technology aircraft. Following the international recertification of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, we delivered all seven aircraft to TUI in just four months, which reflects a high level of teamwork on both sides. We look forward to developing our relationship with TUI further and remain committed to providing our customers with large scale financing solutions as well as technologically advanced aircraft.”
CALC receives BB+ IDR: China Aircraft Leasing Group (CALC) announced that it has been assigned by Fitch Ratings for the first time a Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of BB+. The outlook for the long-term IDR is stable. This came after the reception earlier of a Ba1 corporate family rating by Moody’s Investor Service and an AAA corporate rating from Dagong Credit Rating and the outlook is stable. Zhao Wei, chairman of China Everbright and CALC, said: “CALC has once again received overseas credit ratings, reflecting full recognition on the company’s integrated competitiveness and highlighting the company’s persistence in building strengths for its global operating lease businesses, its efforts in diving deep into the markets and persevering in establishing the most competitive aircraft asset management platform in the industry. As the largest shareholder, CEL is confident in CALC’s development prospects. We will continue to render abundant support based on our discreet strategic planning to steer CALC’s journey towards its goal of becoming a world-leading aircraft leasing full-industry-chain service provider and persistently creating value for shareholders and business partners.”
AIX Virtual announces attendees: The organisers of Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) have announced details of the airline buyers and exhibitors set to attend its new AIX Virtual event, which will take place online from 14-16 September 2021. The digital platform will enable aviation professionals from across the globe to come together for three days to conduct targeted business meetings, discover the latest products and services from the supply chain of cabin interiors and gain insights from sector experts via three streams of content. Representatives from more than 60 airlines have already expressed their interest in attending the virtual event, including Air France, Emirates, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways and United Airlines.
APOC acquires 4 Boeing 737 airframes: APOC has purchased four Boeing 737 airframes for tear down from a large US based legacy carrier. Built in 2008/9 the airframes have single operator traceability and were fully active until COVID-19. The aircraft are currently being parted-out in Marana, Arizona. It is anticipated that the first serviceable parts, including landing gear, will become available this summer. According to Jasper van den Boogaard, vice president Airframe Acquisition & Trading at APOC, the company continues to secure investment for the right assets. “APOC was quick to seize this multi-million dollar opportunity and we had secure financing in place to close the deal. Despite the constraints of COVID-19, we are very pleased to have closed this important deal. As airlines seek to right-size their fleets to balance demand with new inductions, opportunities will emerge to divest certain assets. When multiple airframe deals are under discussion it is important for airlines and lessors to co-operate with like-minded partners, such as APOC, who understand the dynamics in today’s changeable marketplace.”
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
