Ansat helicopters to transport patients with COVID-19 in isolation modules: Russian Helicopters (part of Rostec State Corporation) obtained approval from the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) for installing isolation units in Ansat multipurpose helicopters to transport patients with COVID-19. The modules will be installed on helicopters in their medical version. “Currently, about 30 Ansat helicopters have been supplied to regions for air medical services. To improve their performance during the pandemic, we have launched certification process, and obtained permission for installing isolation units for transporting patients. This does not require modification of an aircraft. Such equipment will provide more opportunities to use an aircraft for medical purposes,” said Rostec Executive Director Oleg Yevtushenko.
Qatar Airways looks to change fleet post-crisis: Qatar Airways has said it will likely change its fleet once the COVID-19 crisis has passed and aviation restarts in whatever the ‘new normal’ will be. Before the COVID-19 crisis, Qatar Airways was flying Airbus six types sof Airbus jets and two types of Boeing jets for a total fleet of more than 200 planes of eight different types. Qatar CEO Akbar al-Baker said in 2019 the carrier was planning to simplify its fleet with four aircraft families for passenger service: Boeing 777s, 787s, Airbus A350s and A321s. It was also planning to retire its A380s. Al-Baker said on a BBC programme that all 10 Qatar Airways A380s are currently grounded and would not return to service at least until mid-2021 ‒ or ever. The CEO also said the Gulf carrier was planning to fire around 20 percent of its employees.
AMAC announces new projects: AMAC Aerospace announced that a Bombardier Challenger 605 Head of State aircraft has entered AMAC’s hangar in Basel, Switzerland and will undergo a periodic inspection. AMAC was awarded further maintenance projects on three Bombardier aircraft. A privately-owned Bombardier Global 6000 will undergo an aircraft registration change for the owner and carry out a periodic inspection. On a Bombardier Global XRS, AMAC’s technicians will carry out an annual check on the privately-owned aircraft. A privately-owned Bombardier Global 5000 will undergo a six-month-check. AMAC will also carry out Service Bulletins tasks (SBs). A privately-owned Airbus ACJ319 has recently arrived in Basel to undergo a 6-, 12- and 25-month check. A second privately-owned Airbus ACJ319 will undergo a six-month check. Another Airbus ACJ319 will enter AMAC’s hangar doors in May. AMAC’s technicians will install a Ka-Band system for a seamless connectivity on board of the privately-owned aircraft.
Scoot mounts first freighter flight: Scoot mounted its first freight charter flight using a narrowbody A320 aircraft from Kunming to Singapore. The aircraft transported a total of 11.2 tonnes of cargo in both the belly hold and passenger cabin, including masks, supplements, as well as fresh flowers.
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