Etihad wins 4 economics awards: Etihad Airways has received four honours at the Airline Economics Aviation 100 Deals of the Year Awards 2021 at a ceremony in Dubai. Etihad Group Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas and Chief Financial Officer Adam Boukadida accepted the following awards on behalf of the airline: Middle East & Africa CEO/Industry Leader of the Year 2021 – Tony Douglas, Group CEO, Etihad Airways; Middle East & Africa CFO of the Year 2021 – Adam Boukadida, CFO, Etihad Airways; Middle East & Africa Capital Markets Deal of the Year – Etihad US$600 million Sustainability-Linked Transition Sukuk and Liability Management of 2021 maturity; Middle East & Africa Sustainability Financing Deal of the Year – Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) Loan for Etihad Airways
New flight inspection UAV from Primoco: Czech company Primoco UAV SE and Norwegian Special Mission AS teamed up together back in 2020 with aim to verify the potential of drone-based flight inspection. The result of mutual cooperation, a world-unique UAV equipped for flight inspection missions, was flight-tested in Iceland in August 2021. The trials represent the most comprehensive comparison of manned and unmanned calibration to date. Primoco customised its One 150 UAV with 150 kg maximum take-off weight, a plane fully compliant with latest EASA drone regulations. The plane was added with on-board flight inspection equipment, the UNIFIS 1000 RPAS (a modified version of the industry standard UNIFIS 3000), a set of antennas and other special components. The Czech and Norwegian companies started the tests at the Primoco airport in the Central Bohemia back in 2020 with remote support from Norway-based NSM and after initial tests of VOR signal receiving a fully-fledged test focused on ILS landing patterns was scheduled to take place. After detailed consultations both companies successfully performed the tests at Egilsstadir (BIEG) airport in Iceland in August 2021.
Nomad Technics completes A-check on an Airbus ACJ319: Nomad Technics has recently performed another maintenance event on an Airbus ACJ319. The work included an A-check as well as work required by standard Airbus airworthiness directives including software updates, forward and rear cargo seal modification, the execution of service bulletins and out of phase tasks, including zonal inspection, component replacement and battery overhaul. In addition, standard defect rectifications on engines and the hydraulic system as well as exterior paint brush-up and repairs on the aircraft’s VVIP seats and the cabin’s interior were completed. “We are excited that we have successfully completed another A-check on an Airbus ACJ319 aircraft and handed-over the aircraft to a very satisfied customer on time and on budget,” said Christian Sacker, director Quality, Safety & Compliance at Nomad Technics.
Ontic expands UK footprint: Ontic has completed the sale and licensing of certain legacy product lines from Triumph Group’s Staverton facility in the UK. The transaction includes the existing facility and select product lines associated with the site. The Staverton facility in Gloucestershire supports a range of platforms in the military, civil and marine markets including the Airbus A330, BAE Hawk and Tornado, as well as the weapon handling systems on a variety of submarines. This acquisition expands Ontic’s capacity in the UK following the successful growth of its existing facility in Cheltenham. Ontic maintains a global focus by supporting customers and licencing partners from manufacturing and MRO facilities in Chatsworth, California; Creedmoor, North Carolina; Plainview, New York; Cheltenham and Bolton in the United Kingdom, Singapore, and newly added Staverton.
Genesis orders B737-800 converted freighters: Genesis, the Dublin based aircraft leasing company, announced it has entered into an agreement with Boeing to convert two 737-800 aircraft into freighters. The first 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) will be completed and ready to enter into service in spring 2022 with a second aircraft ready to enter operations in early 2023. This move will allow Genesis to take advantage of the rapidly expanding global e-commerce market and in doing so will enhance the value and extend the life of its 737-800 fleet. Welcoming confirmation of the deal, Karl Griffin, CEO of Genesis said, “This new partnership with Boeing will enable Genesis to convert B737-800 aircraft by leveraging our existing portfolio in order to provide solutions to our expanding customer base and serve the growing eCommerce market well into the next decade.”
Aergo Capital finances widebodies on lease to Iberia: Aergo Capital recently completed the sale and leaseback of two widebody aircraft with Iberia. Aergo has now successfully closed the financing of these two Airbus A330-200 aircraft, bearing manufacturers serial numbers 1864 and 1882. Airbus Bank GmbH provided the financing for one of the aircraft (MSN 1864), which was arranged through Investec Bank plc and financing of the other aircraft (MSN 1882) was arranged by Ashland Place Finance LLC (“Ashland Place”), a commercial aviation financing platform. Both aircraft are subject to long-term leases with Iberia. Fred Browne, CEO of Aergo, said: “We are very happy to close the first financings with both financiers. The closing of these transactions demonstrates our ability to expand our profile of debt partners and we are very much looking forward to further developing our relationship with each party.”
Etihad announces recruitment drive: Etihad Airways is hosting a major recruitment drive, seeking up to 1,000 individuals to join the airline’s cabin crew. The international recruitment days will take place in 10 different cities across the UAE, Middle East and Europe, including Egypt, Lebanon, Russia, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. Employees laid off due to the pandemic are welcome to apply through the airline’s alumni programme, which is currently advertising the positions available. Captain Jihad Matta, head of Crew Performance and Support, Etihad Airways, said: “I am pleased to say Etihad is in a position to be able to start hiring cabin crew again. The last 18 months have been incredibly difficult, however there is much to be positive about as travel restrictions ease and we ramp up operations to meet growing demand. A critical part of this is rebuilding our cabin crew team.”
ADB SAFEGATE completes acquisition of Protec Automation: ADB SAFEGATE has acquired Protec Automation GmbH, which specialises in airfield lighting control systems, power technologies and services in the field of industrial automation. The deal was closed in Mannheim, Germany. The move to acquire first started as the companies partnered with key customers, and it quickly became evident that aligning formally made sense for customers. Laurent Dubois, CEO of ADB SAFEGATE, said, “The acquisition of Protec Automation fits into ADB SAFEGATE’s strategy to strengthen its base in Europe and advance its ability to service customers. By purchasing Protec Automation, we expect to build upon the core capabilities of both companies, particularly in systems engineering and services. This acquisition furthers ADB SAFEGATE’s goals and we look forward to the exciting times ahead for our customers and our newly formed team.”
Luxaviation launches commercial operations in Malta: Luxaviation Group has been granted a Maltese Air Operator Certificate (AOC) which was issued by the Maltese Civil Aviation Directorate in July 2021. Karol Gueremy, managing director, Luxaviation Malta, said: “This new Maltese operation builds on our global aviation services network, and comes at a time when we are all so excited about travel opportunities returning. We’re giving business jet owners yet another attractive option for aircraft registration, asset management and commercial operation.” Luxaviation Malta will be part of the pilot phase of the European Business Aviation Association’s Standards & Training for Aviation Responsibility and Sustainability (EBAA S.T.A.R.S.) initiative. The goal is to develop and introduce sustainability standards and certification across the business aviation value chain – from aircraft operators and ground handling providers to support services such as brokers, maintenance facilities and law firms.
Air Calédonie signs GMA extension for ATRs: ATR and Air Calédonie announced a five-year extension of their Global Maintenance Agreement (GMA). The contract will cover Pool and Repair for Line Replaceable Units for the airline’s four ATR 72-600 aircraft. This extension will also see additional Line Replaceable Units P/N and Propeller Services added into the contract. Air Calédonie uses its ATR aircraft to provide essential connectivity throughout New Caledonia’s entire domestic network of archipelagos, supporting passengers to access economic and educational opportunities, as well as supporting the provision of healthcare. Through the GMA, ATR has contributed to reducing operators’ maintenance costs and boosting their operations for over 20 years.
APOC acquires first CFM56-5b for upcycling: APOC has purchased its first CFM56-5b engine for immediate part-out. It is one of a range of engines that the business is sourcing to augment the new spare parts division and will comprise the complete array of components for overhaul including LLPs, fan blades, HPT and HPC blades. The part-out will be undertaken by GA Telesis and is anticipated to be completed within the month. “APOC is able to offer A320 family aircraft operators’ customers flexible green-time engine leasing solutions, so we need a range of assets to meet these varying needs” says Anca Mihalache, vice president Engine Trading & Leasing. “We already part-out engines that come off-lease as they become unserviceable, but as a fairly new department we are also buying engines directly for part-out and we have an impressive target for the acquisition and dismantlement of engines over the next five years.”
GKN Aerospace developing electric fan thruster: Under the project, which spans over one and a half years, GKN Aerospace and KTH (the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology) will together develop fan technology for smaller regional aircraft. The project will study aerodynamic design, performance, noise and manufacturing technology for a nested fan powered by electricity, either from batteries, hydrogen fuel cells or even more conventional hybrid propulsion solutions. The proposed propulsion solution with a nested fan instead of a conventional propeller offers significant advantages in three main areas: safety, noise level and engine installation. By rapidly demonstrating fan technology for electric aviation, the EleFanT project will accelerate the pace of electric aviation development and position the participants for international aero-engine and aircraft development projects.
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
