Asiana Airlines Orders 30 Airbus A350 Aircraft
July 16, 2008
Asiana Airlines of South Korea has signed a contract with Airbus for the purchase of
30 A350 XWB aircraft, plus 10 options. Delivery of the aircraft will begin in 2016 and the airline will take a combination of all three variants of the A350. The carrier will operate the aircraft on its regional and long haul routes.
“The A350 will play a key role in the Asiana fleet of the future,” said Park Chan-Bup, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Asiana Airlines. “In placing this order today, we are ensuring that we will remain at the forefront of the airline industry, offering our passengers the very highest levels of comfort while operating only the most modern, fuel-efficient aircraft.”
“We are pleased that Asiana has become the latest airline to select the A350 XWB, further strengthening the global customer base for this all-new aircraft family,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “With a fast-growing order book, the A350 is set to shape efficiency in the mid-size widebody category, with a step reduction of 20 per cent in fuel-burn and the lowest operating costs of any aircraft in its class. This will translate into very real economic advantages for operators such as Asiana, while at the same time reducing further the impact of aviation on the environment.”
The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family is Airbus’ response to widespread market demand for a series of highly efficient medium-capacity long-range wide-body aircraft. With a range of up to 8,300 nm / 15,400 km, it is available in three basic passenger versions: the A350-800 accommodating 270 passengers, the A350-900 seating 314, and the A350-1000 for 350 passengers in a typical three-class layout.
The A350 has the widest fuselage in its category, offering unprecedented levels of comfort, the lowest operating costs and lowest seat mile cost of any aircraft in this market segment. Powered by two new generation Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines delivering each up to 92,000 lbs of thrust, the A350 XWB Family is designed to confront the challenges of high fuel prices, rising passenger expectations, and environmental concerns. Orders for the aircraft stand at more than 350 from over 20 customers.
Felix Airways Orders CF34-Powered Bombardier CRJ Aircraft
July 16, 2008
FARNBOROUGH – July 16, 2008 – Felix Airways has ordered eight Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft, powered by CF34-8C engines. The engine order is valued at more than $90 million (USD). Delivery will begin in September 2008.
“The technology GE has incorporated into the CF34-8C engine has proven itself in the field, and we look forward to benefiting from the high reliability and durability of this engine as we begin operations,” said Mohammed Al-Arrasha, chief executive officer of Felix Airways.
“We are very pleased that Felix Airways has selected the highly reliable GE’s CF34 engines as the powerplant to launch its new operations,” said David Joyce, President and CEO of GE Aviation. “Felix Airways has assembled a talented staff, including Yemen Airways members who have extensive experience operating GE engines.”
Felix Airways is a new private share holding airline based in Yemen. The airline will operate domestic routes previously served by Yemen Airways and additional regional routes.
The CF34-8 family has more than 1,350 engines in services powering the Bombardier CRJ700 with the CF34-8C1 and -8C5B1 engines (13,800 pounds of thrust), the CRJ900 with the CF34-8C5 engine (14,500 pounds of thrust), and the EMBRAER 170/175 with the CF34-8E5 (14,500 pounds of thrust). The CF34-8C1 has incorporated technology from the -8C5 version to create a common engine for the CRJ700 and CRJ900. To date, 95 percent of the CRJ700 fleet is under contract for this upgrade. The CF34-8C5A2 variant (14,510 pounds of thrust) enters service on the CRJ1000 in 2009.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings. For more information, visit us at www.ge.com/aviation.
Saudi Arabian Airlines Reaffirms GEnx Engine Selection for Its Boeing 787 Fleet
July 16, 2008
FARNBOROUGH — July 16, 2008 — Saudi Arabian Airlines, the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, has reaffirmed its selection of the GEnx engine to power its Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The airline will be receiving 12 new GEnx-powered B787-9 aircraft from Aviation Lease and Finance Company (ALAFCO), with deliveries starting in 2014. Saudi Arabian Airlines will be purchasing eight aircraft and leasing an additional four from ALAFCO. The 24 GEnx engines will be supported with a long-term overhaul material agreement with GE Aviation.
“We would like to express our delight at the mutual cooperation and fruitful efforts with GE Aviation. Our relationship with GE is not the birth of today, indeed it had existed for several decades” said, His Excellency Engineer Khalid A. Al-Molhem, Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines.
“We are very pleased with Saudi Arabian Airlines’ selection of the GEnx engine to power their new Boeing 787-9 aircraft,” said, David Joyce, President and CEO of GE – Aviation. “The GEnx engine will provide significantly improved fuel efficiency, next-generation technology, and overall low cost of ownership for the airline new 787-9 fleet. We look forward to continuing to build on our strong relationship with Saudi Arabian Airlines for many years to come.”
Saudi Arabian Airlines began its operations in 1945 with a single twin-engine DC-3 that had been presented to King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud as a gift by the then U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Today, it is one of the Asia’s largest airlines, operating a fleet of 98 aircraft to nearly 90 destinations. It operates flights to more than 60 destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.
Based in Kuwait, ALAFCO is a growing aviation lease and finance company with customers in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings. For more information, visit us at www.ge.com/aviation.
AirBlue Places $185 Million CFM56-5B Engine Order;
July 16, 2008
FARNBOROUGH, England — July 16, 2008 — Pakistan’s AirBlue has placed a $185 million order for CFM56-5B engines to power 14 Airbus A320 aircraft scheduled for delivery from 2009. In addition, airline has signed an integrated services package that will cover the maintenance, overhaul, and repair of this fleet.
CFM56-5B engines are produced by CFM International, the 50/50 joint company between Snecma (SAFRAN Group) and General Electric Company.
The details of the service agreement are not being disclosed at this time.
“AirBlue came to CFM and asked us to provide an integrated proposal: engines and services,” said Eric Bachelet. “The airline wanted to focus on its core efficiency of moving passenger; we were happy to work with them to achieve this goal. We look forward to growing this new relationship together.”
AirBlue was launched in 2004 and in 2007 carried one million passengers on domestic flights, or about 35 percent of the nation’s passenger volume. It launched a daily flight from Karachi to Dubai in 2005 and now operates 21 weekly flights from Dubai to four Pakistani cities. The airline plans to add 14 more flights from Pakistan to Dubai. AirBlue also operates a daily flight between Islamabad and Manchester, England, using Airbus A321 aircraft.
All of AirBlue’s new CFM56-5B engines will be in the Tech Insertion configuration. This technology will provide operators with a 1 percent improvement in fuel consumption over the life of the product, compared to the base CFM56-5B engine. This lower fuel consumption will also lower CO2, reducing these emissions by 200 tons per aircraft per year. Improved analytic design tools have also enabled CFM to further optimize the Tech Insertion combustor so that it will provide 25 percent lower NOx emissions.
Over the engine’s life cycle, Tech Insertion will also provide operators with longer time on wing and will lower maintenance costs by between five and 12 percent, depending on the thrust rating. These benefits are achieved through improvements to the high-pressure compressor and the high- and low-pressure turbines.
KLM Latest Airline to Achieve TRUEngineTM Status
July 16, 2008
FARNBOROUGH, England — July 16, 2008 — KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is the most recent customer to achieve the TRUEngine designation for more than 115 CFM56-3 and CFM56-7B engines in its fleet.
TRUEngine is a product of CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company of Snecma (SAFRAN Group) and General Electric Company.
“KLM Engineering & Maintenance is proud to be one of the first airlines to become a part of this program,” said Peter de Swert, senior vice president operations of Engineering and Maintenance for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.. “We put high value on the quality of our equipment and we find the TRUEngine concept interesting. To have a tool available to the industry that shows the engines, by serial number, that are maintained to the exacting standards recommended by the original manufacturer is a great resource for all of us.”
The TRUEngine designation will be available to all CFM56 engines meeting the criteria and several fleets of engines are currently being evaluated.
To qualify for TRUEngine status, the engine configuration, engine overhaul practices, spare parts and repairs used to service the engine must be consistent with CFM requirements for that engine model. In addition, all maintenance must comply with CFM-issued engine manuals and other maintenance recommendations. The qualification data is obtained through a combination of fleet operational and maintenance records.
Commercial jet engines typically are in service for more than 25 years and change ownership at least once in their operational life. The engine’s configuration, material content, maintenance history, and supportability impact overall value as it changes ownership.
The TRUEngineTM designation also facilitates CFM’s ability to provide technical support. Jet engines contain multiple, complex systems whose interactions must be carefully controlled. CFM’s engine support is built upon technical expertise for genuine CFM56 parts and configurations, as well as data gained from the vast operational history of the global CFM56 engine population.
CFM designs and continually improves the CFM56 family, the world’s most utilized commercial jet engine. Nearly 16,000 CFM56 engines are in commercial service powering several aircraft models, most prominently the Boeing 737 and Airbus 320 families, with nearly 500 operators worldwide.
LAN surcará cielos canadienses
July 16, 2008
La compañía chilena LAN Airlines, una de las principales aerolíneas en América Latina, dijo este martes que desde el 2 de septiembre iniciará operaciones a la ciudad canadiense de Toronto, con cinco vuelos a la semana.
LAN Airlines, con unidades de operación en Chile, Argentina, Perú y Ecuador, aseguró que para cubrir su nueva ruta internacional Santiago-Nueva York-Toronto utilizará aviones Boeing 767-300 de largo alcance.
“Estamos incorporando un nuevo destino en Norteamérica, que se suma a los puntos que la compañía actualmente opera en Estados Unidos,” dijo en un comunicado Armando Valdivieso, gerente general de pasajeros de la firma.
“A su vez, estamos brindando una nueva alternativa de carga a nuestros clientes exportadores e importadores,” agregó.
Honeywell & API Sign a Long-Term Material Management Agreement
July 16, 2008
MEMPHIS, TN–(Marketwire – July 16, 2008) – Aerospace Products International, Inc. (“API”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Aviation Services Inc. (
The inventory management capabilities of API’s ESP technology solution will track consignment inventory levels in real time and capture all usage information by serial/lot number and work order number in order to provide Honeywell with valuable data for management decisions.
ESP is API’s web-based inventory management service that capitalizes on easy-to-use technologies, including handheld barcode scanners and a hosted database, to allow customers to track inventory transactions, view global inventory status and automatically replenish stocks. Both Honeywell and API will capitalize on ESP’s automated replenishment and shelf-life management features to maximize product availability and generate increased cost-efficiencies. Implementation of ESP requires no IT investment. ESP is web-based and can be used from any computer with Internet access. API also helps implement ESP, including stockroom set-up, barcoding, and inventory planning.
The on-site API consignment inventory includes turbine engine ignition system piece parts and related materials in support of Honeywell’s exciter repair and overhaul operations.
“API’s Electronic Supply Program automates day-to-day procurement and inventory management functions while tracking all usage down to the serial number and work order line item, allowing API to focus on accurate forecasting and planning in order to deliver on our material availability guarantees,” says Dr. Ahmed M. Metwalli, API’s President and Chief Operating Officer. Furthermore, this supply chain automation combined with on-site, immediate inventory availability allows Honeywell to deliver high-quality repair and overhaul services at a lower cost and without any turn-around-time delays.
“We are proud to enter yet another long-term agreement with Honeywell, an industry leader, following the success of API’s support of Honeywell’s Aircraft Landing Systems MRO operations and T800 turboshaft manufacturing partnership with Rolls Royce.”
API offers worldwide customer service 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year (+1.888.API.24X7 or +1.901.365.3470 extension 2171) through strategically located distribution centers and partnerships in the USA, Canada, China, Philippines and Europe.
About Aerospace Products International
Aerospace Products International, Inc., headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., is the leading provider of innovative distribution and supply chain services for the aviation industry. API distributes aircraft parts and related products and components to manufacturers, maintenance providers, and operators of some of the most widely used commercial, corporate and general aviation aircraft. In addition to its product supply services, API offers the aviation industry extensive supply chain management and third-party logistics services and solutions, including forecasting and procurement services, inventory management, rotables management, and product sales. API also offers overhaul and repair services for brakes and starters/generators, and builds custom hose assemblies. Its parent company, First Aviation Services Inc., is a worldwide leader in providing services to the aviation industry. More information is available at http://www.apiworldwide.com and http://www.firstaviation.com.
Turkish Airlines Orders Mechtronix Ascent(R) XJ Trainer(TM) – First Airline to Order this Device to Conduct MCC Training in a Jet Environment
July 16, 2008
MONTREAL, July 16 /PRNewswire/ – Mechtronix Systems Inc. (MSI), the
fastest growing and third leading provider of flight training equipment in
the world, today announced the purchase by Turkish Airlines (THY) for the
advanced flight trainer, the Ascent(R) XJ Trainer(TM). THY plans to deploy
this cost-effective commercial jet Multi Crew Cooperation platform at its
ab-initio school by fall of 2008.
The new simulator will serve the airline by familiarizing its students
with the commercial jet flight deck, FMS, EFIS, performance and speed. THY
becomes the first airline in Europe to select the Ascent(R) XJ Trainer(TM).
In addition to providing a jet flight model, the device can later be
upgraded to a generic turboprop providing extra flexibility. The Ascent(R)
XJ Trainer(TM) also offers exceptional Full Flight Simulator comparable
visual system fidelity featuring a 180degrees Field of View. The airline
will be looking to obtain FNPT II MCC certification under JAR-STD 3A.
“We look at our purchase of the Ascent(R) XJ Trainer(TM) device as a
smart investment for MCC training that will give our pilots a unique and
early perspective in the training process on how to handle jet aircraft”,
said Baki Boztepe, Director of flying academy at THY. “Our fleet consists
of various aircrafts and we need efficient technology that can be used for
MCC training in a jet environment meeting our goal by effectively
integrating and developing the best pilots in the industry. With the
Ascent(R) device, we will have a truly economical and flexible machine
serving our ab-initio needs while freeing up our other full motion
simulators to perform the essential functions such as type rating and
recurrent training.”
“We are very pleased to provide a world class airline in the region
like THY with technology that is truly tailored to improve their pilot
provisioning programs,” said Mechtronix President Mr. Xavier Herve. “With
this sale, Mechtronix continues to show that it is providing the best and
most cost effective products to growing markets like Turkey and others
around the world that value high quality pilot supply. Our development of
jet transition devices and its growing demand in the market demonstrate
that we are a true leader in providing tools ideally suited to obtain a
high level of proficiency for new pilots.
About the Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines (THY), with a fleet of 102 aircrafts; organizes
flights to a total of 140 airports including 108 international and 30
domestic lines. The carrier offers passengers the opportunity to reach 162
countries out of 965 airports. In order to keep alive its brand equity,
which provides a serious advantage in terms of competition, Turkish
Airlines focuses on the investments that support this brand equity such as
offering quality, entertainment systems within the aircrafts, comfortable
seats, aesthetics, quality of presentations and investing in highly
qualified personnel. THY follows the technological innovations and, with
its developing and growing fleet, invest heavily on the training of its
employees. THY, with the awareness and responsibility being a flag carrier
of Turkey, regards flight safety and service quality as its two
indispensable items. For this reason, it continues its studies for flight
safety and service quality without any interruptions. The studies,
evaluated by Startrax; recognized THY for the title holder of a four stars
airline. THY is planning to expand 10 new routes in 2008, maintaining its
target of becoming a regional leader and a global airline company prominent
in Europe which is preferred for its service quality, trustworthiness and
competitive power.
About Mechtronix Systems Inc. (MSI)
Headquartered in the Montreal aviation hub, Mechtronix Systems Inc.
(http://www.mechtronix.com) is the fastest growing designer and manufacturer of
flight simulators. Backed by Canada’s largest institutional investor,
Mechtronix ranks in the top-3 of the global flight simulator market, with a
presence in America, Europe and Asia. Through 20 years of passion and
dedication, Mechtronix has developed a unique expertise and proved
extensively its vision and leadership for flight training. Worldwide
customers include major training organizations such as CAFUC (China), JAL
training center (California), KLM Flight Academy (Holland), University of
North Dakota (USA) and the University of Zilina (Slovakia). It offers a
full range of products from full flight simulators to flight training
devices setting new industry standards for higher fidelity, reliability,
cost efficiency and safety.
SOURCE MECHTRONIX SYSTEMS
New C-130J Super Hercules Configurations and Technologies Unveiled at Farnborough Air Show
July 16, 2008
FARNBOROUGH, England, July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Lockheed Martin
(NYSE: LMT) officials briefed reporters today at the Farnborough Air Show
about new configurations and new technologies for the C-130J Super
Hercules. Attendees where given insight into the new HC-130J and MC-130J
configurations, recently selected by the U.S. Air Force to replace the
aging fleets of both Air Combat Command and Special Operations Command
aircraft. Additionally, three new technologies related to mission planning,
mapping and GPS systems were also unveiled.
“Tactical air mobility requirements are both constant and changing,”
said Ross Reynolds, vice president of C-130 Programs for Lockheed Martin.
“For years, the C-130 has been the mainstay for tactical air mobility and
now the Super Hercules is evolving to meet new requirements associated with
twenty-first century operational environments. Presenting new customers,
new roles, new missions and new technologies gives us tremendous pride in
this amazing aircraft.”
The new HC and MC configurations are based on the proven KC-130J
operated by the United States Marine Corps. The capabilities of the KC-130J
very closely match the requirements for HC/MC-130 missions and will require
very little modification. The KC-130J is performing at or above
expectations in operational service in Southwest Asia as the tactical
tanker for Marine Corps fighters and helicopters. The air-to-air refueling
mission of the KC-130J is very similar to the requirements set out by the
Air Force for the HC/MC-130 program.
Three new technologies were also unveiled that will be included in the
baseline configuration of all new C-130Js:
— Global Digital Map Unit built by Israel’s Elbit Systems will enhance
tactical operations and provide far more data to the crew.
— TacView Portable Mission Display built by Canada’s CMC places
mission functionality at the flight crew’s fingertips and vastly improves
mission and in-flight re-planning.
— CMC’s InegriFlight commercial GPS Landing System Sensor Unit
fulfills the C-130J program’s requirement for an Instrument Flight Rules,
civil-certified Global Navigational Satellite System.
In the United States, Air Mobility Command, Air Education and Training
Command, Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard units fly
C-130Js. The Marine Corps operates KC-130J tankers and the Coast Guard
flies the HC-130J. Air Combat Command and Special Operations Command have
ordered new fleets. Around the world C-130J operators include the Royal Air
Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Italian Air Force and Royal Danish Air
Force. Norway, Canada and India have ordered new C-130J fleets.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000
people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design,
development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced
technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2007
sales of $41.9 billion.
SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
Boeing and Alenia to Support Italy’s First Composite Industrial Recycling Plant
July 16, 2008
Agreement establishes framework for recycling aircraft composite waste into
reusable materials
FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The
Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) and Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company,
today announced that they are joining forces to help establish Italy’s
first composite recycling facility, which will be located in Southern
Italy. Together with partners Milled Carbon (based in Birmingham, U.K.),
Karborek (based in Puglia, Italy), and ENEA (Italian National Agency for
new Technologies Energy and the Environment), the two companies have signed
a letter of intent to apply their expertise and work with academia to
advance industry knowledge surrounding the recycling of composite airplane
parts into reusable materials for manufacturing. Financial terms were not
announced.
The composite recycling facility, which is expected to be operational
in mid- to late 2009, will be in Italy’s Puglia region, near the Alenia
Aeronautica manufacturing center and its supply chain production centers.
When fully operational, the center is expected to process an average of
1,000 metric tonnes (1,102 tons) of composite scrap annually and add
approximately 75 jobs to the regional economy.
Boeing, which is pioneering the use of composites as the primary
structure on the 787 Dreamliner, and Alenia, a major 787 partner, will
support the project by partnering to advance associated knowledge and
technologies and reuse of recycled aircraft parts and manufacturing
materials. Both companies will work together to process carbon fiber scrap
material from all of the Alenia facilities and related supply chain
facilities. Over the longer term, Boeing and Alenia will work closely with
Italian industry and academia to develop additional markets for the reuse
of the carbon fiber, which could include automotive, civil engineering,
sporting goods, nautical and other industrial applications in Italy and
across Europe.
“High-value composite materials are playing an increasingly significant
role in aviation’s ability to develop lighter, more fuel efficient and
environment friendly aircraft,” said Billy Glover, Boeing Commercial
Airplanes managing director of environmental strategy. “Through this
agreement, we are proactively developing technologies and capabilities
today that will allow us to responsibly recycle our precious resources, and
help meet rising demand for high-quality composite material.”
Working collaboratively with Boeing, Milled Carbon has demonstrated the
ability, in a pilot industrial plant, to process cured and uncured
composite parts on a continual feed that extracts high-quality carbon
fibers. The recycled material potentially can be used for noncritical
structures such as interior linings, galley and seat parts and tools that
can benefit from stronger, lighter-weight materials.
ENEA, the Italian Research Institute, has long worked with Karborek to
develop recycling process technologies for the recovery of carbon and glass
fiber from composite materials. ENEA and Karborek each has separately
developed prototypes of complementary technology.
“Alenia Aeronautica is very aware of the importance of product
sustainability, and as the use of composites grows, so does the importance
of recycling these materials,” said Alenia Chief Technology Officer Nazario
Cauceglia. “In light of this, we have engaged with Italian research
organizations and other companies to make this project a reality. It is
encouraging to see the partners already so well advanced in the development
of the project.”
Boeing and Milled Carbon are both members of the Aircraft Fleet
Recycling Association (AFRA), an international nonprofit organization
dedicated to developing industry best practices for the responsible
recycling of end-of-service aircraft and their parts. The new joint venture
is also anticipated to become an AFRA member and ultimately bolster the
organization’s capabilities in the area of composite recycling.
Alenia Aeronautica S.p.A. is a major Boeing partner producing 787
composite fuselage barrel sections and the horizontal stabilizer.
The Boeing Research & Development of Italy (BR&DI) was established in
Southern Italy in early 2008 with a primary mission of engaging Italian
industries, academia and research centers in technological innovation and
industrial growth.
Milled Carbon is the provider of the industrial plant blueprint and
operational recycling processes. The company has worked with Boeing to
develop this capability through years of development and pilot program
testing.
Karborek, located in Lecce, is teaming with Milled Carbon with regards
to the building and operation of the composite recycling plant.
ENEA, Italy’s largest technology research institution for energy and
environment, brings extensive recycling process experience.
SOURCE The Boeing Company
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