Embraer unveils new hanger in Brazil: Embraer inaugurated new hangars at the Sorocaba Service Center, in the São Paulo countryside, doubling its useful area from 20,000 m² to 40,000 m². The unit, which completed eight years of operation in March 2022, now has four hangars, three of which are dedicated to maintenance, repair, and component overhaul (MRO) services and one to support fixed-base operator (FBO) operations. “There is consistent growth in the executive aviation segment in Brazil and we see great opportunities for the service sector in the coming years, aligned with our growth plans for both the Services & Support business unit and Embraer itself,” said Johann Bordais, President, and CEO of Embraer Services & Support. “This investment reaffirms Embraer’s commitment to serving its customers more comprehensively and with even better support.” Embraer Sorocaba has a complete portfolio of services for maintenance, interior refurbishments, hangarage, airport services, stopover assistance and aircraft preservation, in addition to approved workshops for various aeronautical components. Sorocaba Service Center also has the capacity to perform aircraft modifications, such as the conversion of Legacy 450 jets into Praetor 500 jets. Sorocaba Service Center has received nine certifications from national and international agencies, such as Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), serving the complete portfolio of jets produced by Embraer in the business, commercial, defence, and security aviation segments.
Aeromexico Connect tests Beacon platform: Aeromexico Connect has started to test the Beacon platform for key maintenance bases, which will extend for a few months. During this trial, Beacon will support all maintenance operations and accelerate aircraft’s return-to-service time by integrating the platform into the airline’s stations with further tests to include the roll-out to their on-call maintenance providers. Aeromexico Connect is currently one of the largest regional commercial operators in Central America. The program package that Aeromexico Connect selected to trial began mid-April and includes several undisclosed bases and users. The decision about hiring the service will occur after the trial period has concluded. The possible association will allow Beacon to expand the solution into the Latin American market and grow its commercial aviation segment. Meanwhile, Aeromexico Connect might be able to lead the commercial segment digitisation while enhancing the overall coordination and reduction of delays within their operations. “We are excited about the opportunity to trial this new era of aviation maintenance proposed by Beacon. Beacon has shared a belief that there is a more efficient way to manage our maintenance operation on a day-to-day basis. Today, Beacon is positioned to enhance communication within our operations and provide users the ability to join and connect to events at any given time. As our teams rotate between maintenance checks, we need to make active efforts to ensure our teams have access to the most up-to-date insights. Therefore, we are testing Beacon’s solution to improve our communication at any base and device,” said Cesar Garcia, vice president of Maintenance at Aeromexico Connect. The Beacon platform will continue to expand its footprint across the commercial market footprint, the number of aircraft served, stations supported, and its mission to reduce out-of-service time and delays for all types of aircraft across the globe.
Eve and Kenya Airways’ Fahari Aviation sign agreement to scale Urban Air Mobility: A subsidiary of Eve Holding and Kenya Airways’ subsidiary, Fahari Aviation, signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for up to 40 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles. The agreement includes joint studies through a working group to develop and scale the UAM market and a business model for cargo drone operations in Kenya. The project is expected to start deliveries in 2026. Eve’s eVTOL lift & cruise vehicle is electric-powered and the most practical design for efficiency and certifiability. Its multiple rotors are used to take off and land vertically, and at cruise altitude the rear propellers push the aircraft forward as in a wing-borne flight, providing a low-noise experience and making it easier to move within cities while avoiding traffic jams. “Urban air mobility is the future of transport and we are honoured to be the champions of this in the region. The journey to realise the dream of eVTOL vehicles in Kenya is on course, and the partnership with Eve is a key achievement for us as part of the strategy to adopt new technologies as a growth strategy for the sustainable development of Africa,” said Allan Kilavuka, Group Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Airways. Fahari Aviation has been focusing on innovative and sustainable solutions to address different issues, such as traffic jams, sightseeing, parcel delivery, agriculture and wildlife protection, and Eve’s zero-emission, low-noise and accessible eVTOL, together with its global experience, will benefit the development of air mobility in Kenya.