AAV News in Brief 9 April 2023

CargoAi facilitates eAWB transition and ISC2 with FWB and FHL features: CargoAi, airfreight’s fastest growing digital enabler, has launched a new feature to support its users with the paperless transition. Starting today, the 9000+ freight forwarders using CargoMART will be able to send FWB and FHL once the booking is made to 80+ airlines. While IATA announced the industry goal of achieving 100 percent eAWB by the end of 2022, this was not yet fully achieved. CargoAi aims to bridge the gap between paper and digital AWBs by facilitating the messaging for small and medium sized freight forwarders. The launch of the FWB/FHL feature also allows CargoMART users to send all information required for ISC2, to comply with the new European customs standards.  The feature is available for all leading airlines available on CargoMART such as Qatar Airways Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, Turkish Airways Cargo and 80+ other airlines that have been directly integrated. AMST selected by Airbus for flight simulation training devices: AMST has been selected by Airbus as a supplier for Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs). The agreement with Airbus is a first milestone of a future business collaboration between Airbus and AMST. This is also an excellent opportunity for AMST to further develop its commercial aviation pilot training business. AMST is strongly committed to making its specialised know-how available in an environment of highly standardised and regulated pilot training equipment. This enables training providers to differentiate and expand their capabilities. “AMST has a proven track record of 40 years in governmental aviation simulation and training. We are very proud that AMST has been selected as a FSTD supplier for Airbus following expansion of our portfolio with commercial aviation training solutions,” says Rainer Schlüsselberger, managing director of AMST. Corendon Airlines signs MRO deal with AFI KLM E&M: Corendon Airlines and AFI KLM E&M announced the signing of a new contract. AFI KLM E&M, a long-time partner of Corendon Airlines, will be in charge of shop visits for six additional CFM56-7B engines. Two of the engines are in service with Corendon’s Turkish fleet, while the other four are owned by its Maltese subsidiary Corendon Airlines Europe. The services will be performed at AFI KLM E&M’s engine shop in Amsterdam over the next several months. Corendon Airlines and its Maltese affiliate Corendon Airlines Europe operate a fleet of 35 Boeing 737-800 / MAX 8, offering flights and charter services to Europe, Asia and Africa. The Corendon Airlines network covers several dozen countries and destinations, including major airports in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and Turkey. Horizon Aircraft successfully completes wind tunnel testing: Horizon Aircraft announced that it has successfully completed initial transition flight testing of its “Cavorite X5” 50 percent scale eVTOL prototype in the ACE Climatic Wind Tunnel.  Horizon’s innovative and patented hybrid eVTOL concept allows the aircraft to fly 98 percent of its mission in a very low-drag configuration like a traditional aircraft and is one of the only eVTOL aircraft currently able to do so. Flying most of the mission as a normal aircraft is safer, more efficient, and will be easier to certify than radical new eVTOL designs. The unique aircraft can also operate in Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) or Conventional Take-off and Landing (CTOL) modes. The full-scale aircraft will be powered by a hybrid electric architecture that can recharge the battery array in-flight while providing additional system redundancy and flexibility. Horizon Aircraft will move to outdoor transition flight testing shortly as they continue the detailed design of their full-scale aircraft, anticipating final assembly for flight testing in 2025. Cirrus Aircraft launches Aircraft Configurator: Cirrus Aircraft said it has launched its aircraft configurator, a web-based digital tool, that allows customers to comprehensively explore the company’s SR Series and Vision Jet then select from a rich exterior colour palette and premium leather interior to further tailor the aircraft inside a dedicated hangar. The configurator inspires people to learn more about the aircraft product line, advanced features and invites them to make the aircraft uniquely their own. The configurator is a sleek 3D aesthetic tool that lets anyone discover, customise, save and share their favourite Cirrus aircraft and designs. “The aircraft configurator is another step in our evolution of delivering a connected, world-class experience for our customers,” said Zean Nielsen, chief executive officer of Cirrus Aircraft. “The configurator invites people to learn more about our aircraft, technology and safety systems and then design and share their dream aircraft. It’s a testament to our team’s continuous research and development of new technologies that make personal aviation more accessible.” Avolon updates on Q1 business: Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, issued an update for the first quarter of 2023, and published its 2022 Sustainability Report. The company said it executed 31 lease transactions comprising new aircraft leases, follow-on leases and lease extensions and delivered nine new aircraft and transitioned nine aircraft to a total of 13 customers. The company said it also: Sold two aircraft and agreed letters of intent for the sale of a further 13 aircraft and executed a $810 million term financing facility maturing in 2030, with a syndicate of 10 banks. Avolon also said its owned and managed fleet of 578 aircraft at quarter end, with total orders and commitments for 252 fuel-efficient, new technology aircraft and added three new customers during the quarter, for a total of 147 airline customers operating in 65 countries. De Havilland Canada builds strategic partnership with Fokker Services: De Havilland Aircraft of Canada announced that it has entered into a new agreement with Fokker Services Group, extending the existing De Havilland Component Solutions arrangement for an additional five-year term through December 2027. Fokker Services will continue to offer their expertise and services during this extended period. De Havilland Canada Limited has also announced that Fokker Services is providing third party logistical (3PL) services to support De Havilland Canada’s aftermarket business. Under the terms of the agreement, Fokker Services provides a 2,550 square-metre (27,000 square-foot) warehouse in Amsterdam and 3PL operations to support De Havilland Canada’s hub and spoke parts distribution model. The warehousing services provided by Fokker Services include Inbound Receiving, Put Away, Picking, Packaging and Shipping, as well as Quality Control. Honeywell and Lufthansa Technik enhance collaboration on AVIATAR: Honeywell and Lufthansa Technik AG are enhancing their collaboration on Lufthansa Technik’s digital platform AVIATAR to improve the customer experience in aviation analytics. Honeywell Connected Maintenance analytics are now being fully integrated into AVIATAR’s Predictive Health Analytics (PHA) suite, which will grow to more than 100 Predictors for multiple Airbus and Boeing aircraft types. Airline customers will benefit from AVIATAR’s unique interfaces to airline data, processes, maintenance and engineering systems, allowing a fleetwide management of multiple aircraft types. Building on the long-standing relationship between Honeywell and Lufthansa Technik, this new long-term agreement is beneficial for aircraft operators on the journey to digital technical operations (Tech Ops). Airlines can take advantage of an integrated single product offering designed to help reduce maintenance costs, technical delays and cancellations in airline operations. AVIATAR’s integrated data analytics capabilities, enriched with Honeywell Predictors, are part of a seamless digital product portfolio for airline Tech Ops. Lufthansa Technik also said Lufthansa Technik Turbine Shannon (LTTS) is continuing its rapid growth trajectory in Ireland with the official opening of its new Engine Parts & Accessories Repair (EPAR) facility in Shannon. The new 2,000 m2 state-of-the-art facility brings LTTS’ total capacity for aircraft engine maintenance and repair in the region to 10,000m2. This development enables LTTS to expand its portfolio by including Engine Manifolds among its specialist services. The primary function of Engine Manifolds is to distribute air or fluids for optimal engine performance. When manifolds become damaged or worn, they can diminish engine performance and lead to increased emissions. Sabre and American Airlines set to go live with NDC content: Sabre and American Airlines announced the availability of American’s NDC offers through Sabre’s global distribution system (GDS). Sabre-connected travel buyers, agencies and developer partners will be able to shop, book, and service American’s NDC content, including paid seats, through Sabre’s Offer and Order APIs, the agency point-of-sale tool, Sabre Red 360, and the online booking tool, GetThere. “We are committed to providing our customers with a modern, seamless retailing experience across all channels,” said Thomas Rajan, vice president, global sales at American Airlines. “Through Sabre’s network of travel retailers, we’ll be able to provide our enhanced, rich NDC content to travellers worldwide. This will open new business opportunities to American as well as our travel retail partners, and deliver a better, more tailored experience to the customers we all serve.” Farsound unveils brand-new UK headquarters: Farsound announced it has moved into their new 58,000 sq.ft. headquarters in Brentwood Essex, UK. The state-of-the art facility is located close to Farsound’s old HQ building and has been designed and built entirely from scratch. The building, which is considerably bigger than Farsound’s previous HQ, has capacity for expansion, with scope to add mezzanine floors and additional facilities as the company grows and recruits more people across all departments and disciplines. The new HQ building has been designed with sustainability and eco-friendly construction at its heart. Solar panels on the roof provide electricity for power and lighting, EV charge points are installed in the car park for electric vehicles, and reclaimed greywater will be used for flushing toilets. Technology also plays a large part in the new facility with a focus on the latest IT and logistics systems. For example, the operations area in the new HQ building includes a £1.2 million robotic system for the automatic picking of aerospace parts. AAR to acquire nine Boeing 757-200 passenger aircraft: AAR, a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, announced its subsidiary AAR Supply Chain will acquire nine Boeing 757-200 passenger aircraft equipped with 18 Rolls-Royce RB211 engines from American Airlines. The assets have been most recently operated by American Airlines. “The acquisition of these aircraft and engines will enable AAR to continue to support the RB211-powered 757 cargo market,” said Brian Salvatori, AAR’s Vice President of Asset Trading. Loganair Expands at London Heathrow: Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, has announced that it is to expand at London Heathrow and has renewed its calls to the UK government to reform competition remedies to make slots at Heathrow permanently available for UK regional connectivity. The airline has secured access to 30 additional pairs of slots each week at Heathrow under a lease arrangement with British Airways, which takes effect in May 2023. The slots will enable Loganair to develop regional connectivity from UK domestic destinations to the UK’s premier hub, offering both point-to-point access into London itself and a broad range of new worldwide connections via Heathrow. The slot arrangement between the airlines comes as Loganair has once again asked the UK Government to initiate action with the European Commission to repatriate control of competition remedies dating back to 2012 under which these Heathrow slots were previously made available to other airlines – predominantly to fly domestic routes. Pipistrel boosts US distribution network: Pipistrel has expanded its US distribution network with the appointment of Lanier Flight Center as its distributor for five southeastern states. A leading aircraft sales, maintenance and training provider, Lanier Flight Center will be responsible for sales, service support and training for Pipistrel’s ultralight, light sport and type certified aircraft, including the Alpha Trainer, Velis Electro and Panthera. Lanier Flight Center will oversee sales and service in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. “The appointment of Lanier Flight Center covering this region underlines our commitment to establish a strong network of distributors that support the needs of our US based customers. As an authorized Cessna Pilot Center (CPC), Lanier Flight Center provides an exceptional experience to customers and we’re excited for them to join the Pipistrel family,” says Steve Mckenna, director of sales and marketing, Pipistrel. The partnership expands on Pipistrel’s existing distribution network, which was boosted earlier this year with the appointment of Lincoln Park Aviation (LPA) as Pipistrel’s distributor for 15 US states in the northeast. J&C Aero will provide CAMO support for 30 aircraft operated by Heston Airlines: J&C Aero, an international aviation design and production company, has signed a three-year contract with Heston Airlines on continuous airworthiness management of the European charter air carrier’s current and upcoming Airbus A320s and A330s. The new agreement also covers line maintenance, aircraft delivery, and cabin refurbishment services for the carrier’s growing fleet.   The new agreement expands the existing cooperation between J&C Aero and Heston Airlines under which J&C Aero’s team already provides CAMO support to the carrier’s nine Airbus A320s, as well as supports the airline with Line Maintenance, cabin interior design and production services. Over the next three years, Heston Airlines plans to gradually increase its Airbus fleet to 30 narrow and widebody aircraft the delivery, refurbishment, and maintenance of which will be provided by or with the support of J&C Aero. 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