GuestLogix launches the airline industry’s first In-Flight Box Office(TM) with Broadway ticketing service
July 31, 2008
Program with Shubert Ticketing to serve the 8 million tourists who fly
to
New York City to experience Broadway theater productions each year
TORONTO and NEW YORK, July 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – Toronto-based
GuestLogix Inc. (“GuestLogix” or the “Company”) (TSX-V:GXI), the leading
provider of on-board retail systems to the passenger travel industry, today
announced plans to launch an on-board Broadway ticketing service on flights
to the New York City area. The GuestLogix plan includes a multi-year
agreement with Broadway Inbound, a division of Shubert Ticketing, dedicated
to wholesale theater ticket distribution to the travel industry. Shubert
Ticketing is part of The Shubert Organization, Broadway’s leading theater
owner and provider of ticketing services throughout the U.S. The companies
expect this first-of-its-kind ticketing service to go live on-board a major
North American airline by late summer 2008.
David Andrews, Senior Vice President, Shubert Ticketing, said, “We are
pleased to be working with GuestLogix to drive this evolution in Broadway
theater ticket retailing. As tourists account for approximately $600
million in annual Broadway ticket sales, it is key for us to make it
extremely convenient for travelers to secure seats to our popular shows. We
look forward to working with GuestLogix to eventually expand this program
to serve venues in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Chicago.”
The In-Flight Box Office(TM) service will be offered through
GuestLogix’ Mobile Virtual Store(TM), the airline industry’s most popular
on-board retail solution. Airline flight attendants equipped with
GuestLogix’ proprietary wireless devices will complete ticket sales and
print vouchers to be redeemed for seat assignments at Broadway theater box
offices. GuestLogix and each airline will earn fees from on-board ticket
sales.
“Partnering with Broadway veteran Shubert to expand our in-flight
merchandising program to include theater tickets presents a significant
growth opportunity for GuestLogix,” said Tom Douramakos, President and CEO,
GuestLogix. “North American airlines currently generate less than a dollar
in on-board sales per passenger trip. However, with an average transaction
price of over $200, selling Broadway tickets provides additional ancillary
revenue streams and significantly increases revenue per passenger trip. By
offering new products such as this on-board, operators can improve
passengers’ travel experience, while offsetting rising operating costs and
strengthening their bottom line – a value proposition which we believe
should prove very attractive to any airline operator flying into the New
York City area or other U.S. cities where Shubert provides distribution
services.”
GuestLogix, in conjunction with Shubert’s wholesale ticketing platform,
Broadway Inbound, will market and merchandise the theater tickets available
for sale on-board. Tickets for shows that will be available for sale
through the in-flight service may include, but will not be limited to,
Chicago, Mamma Mia, Spamalot and The Phantom of the Opera.
About Shubert Ticketing
Shubert Ticketing is a division of The Shubert Organization; Broadway’s
largest theatre owner and operator, with additional venues in Boston,
Washington, and Philadelphia, and a provider of retail and wholesale
ticketing services nationwide. The Shubert Organization has been one of the
leading forces in American theatre over 100 years and is well-known for
extraordinary financial and operational stability. Drawing upon this wealth
of experience, Shubert Ticketing is at the forefront of the ticketing
industry, delivering innovative solutions for private label clients and the
many users of the Telecharge.com box office, call center, and online
environments.
About GuestLogix
Toronto-based GuestLogix is the leading provider of on-board retail
technology and solutions to the passenger travel industry. Through its
proprietary Mobile Virtual Store(TM) platform, the Company provides air,
rail and ferry operators the tools to become successful on-board retailers,
enhance service and drive ancillary revenue growth. With a customer base
consisting of world leading airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air
Lines, Ryanair, Germanwings and Alaska Airlines, GuestLogix maintains
contracts to serve more than half billion passenger trips annually. For
additional information please visit http://www.guestlogix.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are
based upon current expectations, which involve risks and uncertainties
associated with GuestLogix’ business and the environment in which the
business operates. Any statements contained herein that are not statements
of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking, including those
identified by the expressions “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”,
“expect”, “intend”, and similar expressions to the extent they relate to
the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not
historical facts, but reflect GuestLogix’ current expectations regarding
future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a
number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events
to differ materially from current expectations, including the matters
discussed under “Risks and Uncertainties” in the Filing Statement filed on
April 23, 2008 with the regulatory authorities. GuestLogix assumes no
obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the
reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the
forward-looking statements.
(C) 2008 GuestLogix. All Rights Reserved.
Revolutionary PiperJet Makes Its Historic First Flight
July 31, 2008
First Pure Jet-Powered Design in Company’s History … Makes History
PiperJet’s First Flight Into History – The Company’s first pure fan jet design flies into history. (PRNewsFoto/Piper Aircraft) VERO BEACH, Fla., July 30 /PRNewswire/ — Piper Aircraft announced
today that its revolutionary PiperJet — the first pure, jet-powered,
turbofan design in the company’s 71-year history — made its first flight
at 11:11 AM today from Piper Headquarters in Vero Beach, Fla.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080730/CLW135 )
“Today marks the beginning of a new era for Piper Aircraft as the
company literally takes flight into a whole new realm of performance,
luxury and capability,” said Piper President & CEO James K. Bass. “With
this major milestone in the PiperJet’s development, we are witnessing our
future — one that is built on a strong and lasting heritage and reputation
for innovation and excellence.”
The PiperJet flew for one hour, reaching a maximum altitude of 10,500
feet and a speed of 160 KTAS as per the flight test plan.
The PiperJet incorporates many new design features, and its first
flight was focused on taking an early look at basic handling
characteristics.
The PiperJet is powered by a single Williams FJ44-3AP engine rated at
3,000 pounds of thrust. In the PiperJet application, the engine is de-rated
to approximately 2,400 pounds of thrust. Piper also has selected Garmin
International, Inc. to provide the state-of-the art avionics suite for the
PiperJet, with navigation, situational awareness and system information
delivered through state-of-the art technologies.
The six passenger PiperJet — with an option for either a seventh seat
or enclosable lavatory — offers a mission-capable profile and sensuous
luxury that set the standard in its class, with a range of 1,300 nautical
miles* and a full-fuel payload of 800 lbs.
Built using state-of-the-art design and manufacturing processes, the
PiperJet will feature the latest in integrated glass avionics, a luxurious
interior and advanced manufacturing techniques pioneered by Piper. Priced
from $2.199M (in 2006 USD with a CPI-W escalator), the PiperJet will
provide unbeatable value while delivering Piper’s legendary uncompromising
standards.
“The PiperJet is designed to be flown by a single pilot,” said John
Becker, Piper’s Vice President of Engineering. “Moreover, its innovative
design includes ample baggage and will be certified to a maximum operating
altitude of 35,000 feet, well above the weather while combining performance
with the latest safety technologies and features.”
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2011.
http://www.piper.com
SOURCE Piper Aircraft
GOL Requests Anac Approval For Corporate Reorganization
July 31, 2008
SAO PAULO, Brazil, July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — GOL Linhas Aereas
Inteligentes S.A. (“GOL”, a listed company enrolled under CNPJ No.
06.164.253/0001-87, N.I.R.E. 35.300.314.441, Bovespa: GOLL4 and NYSE: GOL),
the parent company of Brazilian airlines GOL Transportes Aereos S.A.
(“GTA”) and VRG Linhas Aereas S.A. (“VRG”), in compliance with Paragraph 4,
Article 157, Law no. 6.404/76 and CVM Instruction no. 358/02, announces
that it today submitted to the National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac) a
request for authorization for a corporate restructuring of its
subsidiaries, GTA and VRG (“Reorganization”), to combine them into a single
airline company (“Airline Company”).
The acquisition of VRG by GTI S.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of GOL,
was approved by the Brazilian Antitrust Agency (Cade) on June 25, 2008.
The proposed Reorganization, which aims to improve GOL’s operational
structure, will provide more efficient air transportation services through
the integration of GTA and VRG’s operations as the company explores
synergies, broadens and improves service offerings.
The proposed Reorganization will simplify the corporate structure of
GOL’s subsidiaries, maximizing administrative efficiencies, optimizing
revenues and reducing financial and operational costs, besides greater
operational flexibility.
Under the proposed Reorganization, the Airline Company will respect VRG
and GTA’s current rights and obligations, maintaining the “GOL” and “VARIG”
brands.
The effective consummation of the Reorganization is dependent upon
Anac’s approval, under the terms of Article 186 of the Brazilian
Aeronautics Code and other preceding conditions. GOL will continue to
release information regarding Anac’s decision and all progress with the
proposed Reorganization.
About GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A.
GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and Bovespa: GOLL4) is
the parent company of Brazilian airlines GOL Transportes Aereos S.A. and
VRG Linhas Aereas S.A. GTA offers over 640 daily flights to 56 destinations
connecting the most important cities in Brazil as well as the main
destinations in South America. VRG offers over 120 daily flights to 14
destinations in Brazil.
United Pilots: UAL Release on Sick Leave Lawsuit ‘Inaccurate, Alarmingly Misleading’
July 31, 2008
CHICAGO, July 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The United Chapter of the
Air Line Pilots Association can confirm that it is in receipt of a lawsuit
filed today in federal court by United Airlines against the union regarding
sick leave. ALPA attorneys are currently reviewing the complaint.
“ALPA cannot comment on the pending litigation at this time until our
attorneys have had the opportunity to review it,” said United MEC Chairman
Captain Steve Wallach. “A UAL press release issued today, however,
concerning the lawsuit contained inaccurate and alarmingly misleading
information. The United Chapter of ALPA believes this is not a constructive
approach to labor relations.”
Más de 30 aerolíneas han confirmado su participación a la Conferencia ALTA 2008 de Preparación para el Manejo de Crisis
July 31, 2008
–Registros Limitados y Oportunidades de Patrocinio Disponibles en
http://www.alta.aero/crisispreparedness–
A EDITOR DE NEGOCIO:
MIAMI, 30 de julio /PRNewswire/ — Más de 70 ejecutivos del más alto nivel
representando a más de 30 aerolíneas ya se han registrado en la próxima
Conferencia ALTA de Preparación para el Manejo de Crisis y en la Conferencia
de Derecho Aeronáutico de las Américas que tendrán lugar en Miami el 10 a 12
de septiembre de 2008.
Para registrarse, quedan pocos cupos disponibles, y obtener información
sobre oportunidades de patrocinio visite http://www.alta.aero/crisispreparedness.
La Conferencia ALTA de Preparación para el Manejo de Crisis está diseñada
para educar y armar a los ejecutivos con las herramientas cruciales e
información necesaria para la preparación y aplicación de los planes de
preparación para el manejo de crisis específicos a la industria de la
aviación.
“Esta es una conferencia a la que debe asistir toda persona relacionada
con la preparación, manejo y esfuerzos para responder a cualquier crisis”,
manifestó el Director Ejecutivo de ALTA, Alex de Gunten. “Como industria
debemos estar preparados para responder efectivamente y manejar una gran
variedad de situaciones. Después de todo, no se trata de SI ocurrirá una
crisis, sino CUANDO”.
Más de 30 aerolíneas ya han confirmado su participación, incluyendo
ejecutivos de alto nivel de Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeroméxico, Air Canada,
Air Jamaica, Aires, Aserca, Delta Connection, Avianca, Caribbean Airlines,
Cayman Airways, Cielos Airlines, Copa Airlines, DHL, Emirates Airlines, Sky
Airline, Iberia, Icaro, LAN Airlines, LAN Argentina, LAN Perú, Liat Airlines,
Mexicana, Nature Air, Pace Airlines, Pluna, Santa Barbara, TACA, TACA PERU,
TAM-LINHAS AÉREAS, TAM Mercosur y Volaris.
Entre la gran lista de expertos en la preparación para el manejo de crisis
específica a la industria aérea, están invitados y confirmados como
conferencistas:
Robert Jensen – Kenyon Worldwide Disaster Management, Presidente
Jaime Daly – Lima Airport Partners, Presidente
Claudia Gómez Prieto – Sociedad Argentina de Psicología en Emergencias y
Desastres, Presidente
Jeremy Shebson – Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, Socio
Fernando Rockert de Magalhaes – GOL Transportes Aéreos, Vicepresidente
Operaciones*
Jerry Hendin – Alliance PR, Socio Administrativo
Larry Ganse – Copa Airlines, COO
Ed McLaughlin – FEI Behavioral Health, Vicepresidente Ejecutivo
Miguel Mojica – TACA, Director de Seguridad Aérea
Carlos Herrera – Santiago Airport, Director de Operaciones
Eric Mayett – Aeroméxico, Director de Seguridad*
Sharon Bryson – NTSB Office of Transportation Disaster Assistance,
Subdirectora*
Elizabeth Verdier – Boeing, Experta en Comunicaciones de Crisis
Marc Henderson – Miami-Dade Aviation Department, Gerente de Relaciones con
los Medios
David Rimmer – ExcelAir, Vicepresidente Ejecutivo
Marco Franca – PR Newswire, Vicepresidente Latinoamérica
Tom Costello – NBC News, Corresponsal Washington *
Don Phillips – anterior columnista sobre transporte del Washington Post y
del International Herald Tribune*
Gabriela Frias – Reportera Principal de Negocios, CNN en Español*
Joe Sharkey – New York Times, Reportero de Viaje por Negocios*
José Miguel Rodríguez – Avion Revue, Corresponsal Principal Latinoamérica*
Alan Levin – USA Today, Reportero Aeronáutico*
Steve Lott – IATA, Director de Comunicaciones NA
Robert McGeorge – IATA, Abogado General
Luiz Claudio Aguiar – TAM Linhas Aereas, Director Legal
Richard Gimblett – Barlow, Lyde and Gilbert, Socio
Jan VonFlatern – Airbus Americas, Abogado Senior*
Eduardo Iglesias – TACA, Vicepresidente
Greg Phillips – Willis Global Aviation, Asesor Seguridad de Aviación
Nacional
George Snyder – Marsh, VP Senior Aviación & Seguridad Aeroespacial &
Seguridad Aeroportuaria
Aileen Camacho – Gates and Partners, Socio Senior
Alan May – Aon, Director Administrativo
Enrique Beltranena – Volaris, CEO
*Por confirmar
La agenda de dos días incluye aspectos claves de la preparación y manejo
de crisis en caso de accidente aéreo, incluyendo lo que debe esperarse cuando
golpea una crisis; estudios de casos y lecciones aprendidas de incidentes y
accidentes anteriores; implicaciones operacionales y relaciones con las
autoridades gubernamentales encargadas de la investigación durante una crisis;
comunicaciones de crisis y trato con los principales involucrados y medios de
comunicación; requisitos legales e implicaciones relacionadas con la
investigación de un accidente; y manejo de riesgo y continuidad de las
operaciones durante una crisis, así como un taller de comunicaciones de crisis
y capacitación para los medios.
Quiénes deben asistir? Toda persona relacionada con la preparación para
el manejo de crisis y esfuerzos para responder a crisis en la industria
aérea, incluyendo aerolíneas, aeropuertos, autoridades de aviación civil,
ejecutivos de la industria aérea, ejecutivos encargados del manejo de crisis,
proveedores de productos y servicios para la respuesta a crisis, ejecutivos
encargados de los planes de emergencia, ejecutivos encargados de la asistencia
a familiares, fabricantes de aeronaves, aseguradores de aviación, corredores
de seguros de aviación, agencias gubernamentales, asesores legales y
ejecutivos de seguridad aérea y seguridad operacional.
Para información adicional y oportunidades de patrocinio, favor
comunicarse con la Gerente de Eventos ALTA, Sonya Lima, teléfono 1-786-522-
7824, e-mail slima@alta.aero, o con la Directora de Comunicaciones y
Presidente de la Conferencia de Preparación para el Manejo de Crisis en Caso
de Accidente Aéreo, Misty Pinson, e-mail mpinson@alta.aero.
Sobre ALTA
ALTA, http://www.alta.aero, se fundó en 1980 como una organización sin fines de
lucro. Sus aerolíneas miembros generan en conjunto ingresos por más de USD
19.000 millones al año, operan más de 800 aeronaves y emplean más de 70.000
personas en Antigua, Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil, Islas Caimán, Chile,
Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Jamaica, México, Antillas Holandesas, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Perú,
Venezuela, Uruguay, y en otras naciones a las cuales operan.
Las Aerolíneas Miembros son: Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico
Connect, Aeropostal, AeroRepública, Aerosur, Aires, Air Jamaica, Aserca
Airlines, Avianca, Caribbean Airlines, Cayman Airways, Cielos Airlines,
Click, Copa Airlines, Cubana, GOL, Icaro, LAB, LAN Airlines, Lan Ecuador, Lan
Perú, Mexicana, Nature Air, Pluna, Santa Bárbara Airlines, Sky Airline, TACA,
TACA Perú, TAM, TAM Mercosur, Tame, VARIG, VARIG LOG y Volaris. Además, ALTA
tiene cuatro Aerolíneas Asociadas – Air Canada, Continental Airlines, Iberia
y UPS.
FUENTE ALTA
More than 30 Airlines Confirmed to Attend ALTA’s 2008 Aviation Crisis Preparedness Conference
July 31, 2008
– Limited Registration and Sponsorship Opportunities Available at
http://www.alta.aero/crisispreparedness –
MIAMI, July 30 /PRNewswire/ — More than 70 top-level executives
representing more than 30 airlines have already registered for ALTA’s
upcoming Aviation Crisis Preparedness Conference and Aviation Law Americas
Conference taking place September 10-12, 2008, in Miami.
A limited number of spaces are available for registration, and
information on sponsorship opportunities is available at
http://www.alta.aero/crisispreparedness.
ALTA’s Aviation Crisis Preparedness Conference is designed to educate
and arm executives with the crucial tools and information necessary to
prepare and implement crisis preparedness plans specific to the aviation
industry.
“This is a must-attend conference for anyone associated with aviation
industry crisis preparedness, crisis management and crisis response
efforts,” said ALTA Executive Director Alex de Gunten. “We as an industry
must be prepared to effectively respond to and manage a vast array of
crisis situations. After all, it’s not a matter of IF a crisis will occur,
but WHEN.”
More than 30 airlines have already confirmed their participation,
including top-level executives from Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air
Canada, Air Jamaica, Aires, Aserca, Delta Connection, Avianca, Caribbean
Airlines, Cayman Airways, Cielos Airlines, Copa Airlines, DHL, Emirates
Airlines, Sky Airline, Iberia, Icaro, LAN Airlines, LAN Argentina, LAN
Peru, Liat Airlines, Mexicana, Nature Air, Pace Airlines, Pluna, Santa
Barbara, TACA, TACA PERU, TAM-LINHAS AEREAS, TAM Mercosur, and Volaris.
An impressive roster of crisis preparedness experts specific to the
aviation industry has been invited* and confirmed as speakers, including:
Robert Jensen – Kenyon Worldwide Disaster Management, President
Jaime Daly – Lima Airport Partners, President
Claudia Gomez Prieto – Sociedad Argentina de Psicologia en Emergencias
y Desastres, President
Jeremy Shebson – Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, Partner
Fernando Rockert de Magalhaes – GOL Transportes Aereos, Vice President
Operations*
Jerry Hendin – Alliance PR, Managing Partner
Larry Ganse – Copa Airlines, COO
Ed McLaughlin – FEI Behavioral Health, Executive Vice President
Miguel Mojica – TACA, Flight Safety Director
Carlos Herrera – Santiago Airport, Director of Operations
Eric Mayett – Aeromexico, Director of Security* Sharon Bryson – NTSB Office of Transportation Disaster Assistance,
Deputy Director *
Elizabeth Verdier – Boeing, Crisis Communications Expert
Marc Henderson – Miami-Dade Aviation Department, Media Relations Manager
David Rimmer – ExcelAir, Executive Vice President
Marco Franca – PR Newswire, Vice President Latin America
Tom Costello – NBC News, Washington Correspondent* Don Phillips – previously a transportation writer for Washington Post
and International Herald Tribune*
Gabriela Frias – Business Anchor, CNN en Espanol*
Joe Sharkey – New York Times, Business Travel Reporter*
Jose Miguel Rodriguez – Avion Revue, Chief Correspondent Latin America*
Alan Levin – USA Today, Aviation Reporter*
Steve Lott – IATA, Head of Communications NA
Robert McGeorge – IATA, General Counsel
Luiz Claudio Aguiar – TAM Linhas Aereas, Legal Director
Richard Gimblett – Barlow, Lyde and Gilbert, Partner
Jan VonFlatern – Airbus Americas, Senior Counsel*
Eduardo Iglesias – TACA, Legal Vice President Greg Phillips – Willis Global Aviation, National Aviation Safety
Consultant
George Snyder – Marsh, Senior VP Aviation & Aerospace Practice Safety &
Security
Aileen Camacho – Gates and Partners, Senior Partner
Alan May – Aon, Managing Director
Enrique Beltranena – Volaris, CEO
*TBC
The two-day agenda encompasses the key aspects of aviation crisis
preparedness and management, including what to expect when a crisis hits;
case studies and lessons learned from previous incidents and accidents;
operational implications and dealing with government investigating
authorities during a crisis; crisis communications and dealing with key
stakeholders and media; legal requirements and implications associated with
an accident investigation; and managing risk and maintaining operations
during a crisis, as well as a crisis communications and media training
workshop.
Who should attend? Anyone associated with aviation industry crisis
preparedness and crisis response efforts, including airlines, airports,
civil aviation authorities, aviation industry executives, crisis management
executives, contingency planners, corporate communications and public
relations consultants, crisis response products and services suppliers,
emergency response executives, executives responsible for family
assistance, aircraft manufacturers, aviation insurers, aviation insurance
brokers, government agencies, legal counsels, and safety and security
executives.
For additional information and sponsorship opportunities, contact
ALTA’s Special Events Manager Sonya Lima at 1-786-522-7824/slima@alta.aero,
or ALTA’s Director of Communications and Aviation Crisis Preparedness
Conference Chair Misty Pinson at mpinson@alta.aero.
About ALTA:
ALTA, http://www.alta.aero, was founded in 1980 as a non-profit airline
association. Its member carriers have total revenue of more than $19
billion, operate more than 800 aircraft and employ more than 70,000 workers
in Antigua, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia,
Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica,
Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay,
Venezuela, and in other nations the airlines serve.
Member Airlines: Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Aeromexico Connect,
Aeropostal, AeroRepublica, AeroSur, Aires, Air Jamaica, Aserca Airlines,
Avianca, Bahamas Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cayman Airways, Cielos Airlines,
Click, Copa Airlines, Cubana, GOL, Icaro, LAB, LAN Airlines, LAN Ecuador,
LAN Peru, Liat, Mexicana, Nature Air, Pluna, Santa Barbara Airlines, Sky
Airline, TACA, TACA Peru, TAM, TAM Mercosur, Tame, VARIG, VARIG LOG and
Volaris. In addition, ALTA includes four Associate Airlines – Air Canada,
Continental Airlines, Iberia and UPS.
U.S. Government Releases $1 Billion in Funding for Production of Six Lockheed Martin F-35B STOVL Aircraft
July 31, 2008
FORT WORTH, Texas, July 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The U.S.
Department of Defense has released $1 billion of funding to acquire six
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL)
aircraft as part of the second Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract
for the F-35.
The LRIP 2 contract, worth $2.2 billion for a total of 12 aircraft, was
awarded in May. At that time the government authorized six conventional
takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35As, with release of $933 million, and gave
provisional approval for the STOVL jets pending certain requirements. Those
stipulations were met by the first flight of the initial F-35B test
aircraft on June 11 and by completion of a propulsion system review on July
22. The government exercised the option for the STOVL aircraft and released
the $1 billion on July 22.
The government had previously released long-lead funding of $158
million in July 2007 for the 12 LRIP 2 aircraft. An additional $110 million
of sustainment options remains to be authorized in the 4th quarter of 2008.
“Getting these STOVL aircraft into production quickly is critical to
supporting the USMC’s aviation recapitalization objectives,” said Dan
Crowley, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and F-35 program general
manager. “The F-35 Fighter Production System now has all 19 SDD aircraft
and the first two LRIP 1 aircraft in flow. We will continue to ramp-up
until we reach a peak rate of one F-35 per working day in the middle of the
next decade.”
Long-lead funds of $197 million for LRIP 3 were released on May 14 for
19 additional F-35s. The LRIP I contract for the first two F-35A production
aircraft was finalized and issued in July 2007.
The U.S. Marine Corps is expected to operate about 340 F-35Bs. The
United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and the Italian Air Force
and Navy also will operate the STOVL variant, which will be the world’s
first STOVL aircraft to combine stealth with supersonic speed.
The first F-35A test aircraft has completed 45 flights and the first
F-35B has flown nine times, with both planes demonstrating high reliability
and exceptional performance. Nineteen other F-35s are in various stages of
assembly, including the first two production-model jets scheduled for
delivery to the U.S. Air Force in 2010.
The F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role, 5th generation stealth fighter.
Three F-35 variants derived from a common design, developed together and
using the same sustainment infrastructure worldwide will replace at least
13 types of aircraft for 11 nations initially, making the Lightning II the
most cost-effective fighter program in history.
Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial
partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable
F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE
Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.
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.
Serco Awarded Air Traffic Control Top Honors
July 31, 2008
Twelve Years of Delivering Safety and Service Excellence to 1.6 Million ATC Operations Earns Serco Prestigious FAA Contract Tower Service Award
RESTON, VA–(Marketwire – July 30, 2008) – Serco Inc. was awarded the Willie F. Card Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Contract Tower Service Award for delivering air traffic control safety and service excellence at the Phoenix Goodyear Tower in Arizona. Serco has been awarded this honor four of the past six years.
The fourth busiest single runway operation in the United States, the Phoenix Goodyear Tower successfully managed more than 190,000 error-free operations in 2007, representing an 86% increase in traffic over the previous two years. Serco’s Air Traffic Controllers reported an unprecedented zero errors in more than 1.6 million operations since they assumed responsibility for the tower’s operations from the FAA in 1996.
The Phoenix Goodyear Tower was recognized #1 among a pool of 240 Federal Contract Towers.
“The Goodyear Tower manages a blend of general aviation and military operations and is a high intensity training environment that encounters a lot of foreign student pilots,” said Serco’s Vice President of Transportation Mike Henry. “This tower is representative of our commitment to safety and customer service excellence.”
Previous Serco Willie F. Card Award tower winners include Lewiston, ID (LWS) in 2003, Williams Gateway (IWA) in 2004 and Jackson Hole, WY (JAC) in 2005.
Nominations for the Willie F. Card Award are reviewed by a panel of judges consisting of one representative from the FAA Contract Tower Program Office in Washington, United States Contract Tower Association Policy Board, National Business Aviation Association, National Air Transportation Association and the Regional Airline Association.
About Serco Inc.
Serco is a $5 billion global management services company that enables government, military and commercial customers to improve processes, achieve mission objectives and exceed ever-increasing public service expectations. Its North American unit, Serco Inc., based in Reston, VA, designs and delivers integrated lifecycle transportation management, engineering, logistics and human capital management solutions to military, federal civil agencies, state and local government and commercial customers. Visit www.serco-na.com to learn more about Serco.
Mais de 30 companhias aéreas confirmadas para a edição de 2008 da Conferência de Preparação para Crises de Aviação da ALTA
July 31, 2008
31 de julho de 2008 09:54 HORALOCAL
Opções limitadas de registro e patrocínio estão disponíveis em
www.alta.aero/crisispreparedness
MIAMI, 31 de julho /PRNewswire/ — Mais de 70 altos executivos
representando mais de 30 companhias aéreas já se registraram para as
próximas Aviation Crisis Preparedness Conference (Conferência de
Preparação para Crises de Aviação) e Aviation Law Americas Conference
(Conferência Pan-americana de Direito de Aviação) da ALTA, a serem
realizadas entre 10 e 12 de setembro de 2008 em Miami.
Restam poucas vagas, e informações sobre oportunidades de patrocínio
podem ser encontradas em www.alta.aero/crisispreparedness.
A Conferência de Preparação para Crises de Aviação da ALTA está
projetada para educar e armar executivos com as ferramentas e
informações cruciais necessárias para preparar e implementar planos
de preparação para crises no setor de aviação.
“Quem quer que esteja associado à preparação para crises, à gestão de
crises e aos esforços de resposta a crises no setor da aviação
precisa participar desta conferência”, disse o diretor-executivo da
ALTA, Alex de Gunten. “Nós, como um setor, precisamos estar
preparados para responder e gerenciar de forma eficaz uma ampla gama
de situações de crises. Afinal, não se trata de SE uma crise ocorrerá,
mas de QUANDO”.
Mais de 30 companhias aéreas já confirmaram participação, inclusive
altos executivos da Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeroméxico, Air Canada,
Air Jamaica, Aires, Aserca, Delta Connection, Avianca, Caribbean
Airlines, Cayman Airways, Cielos Airlines, Copa Airlines, DHL,
Emirates Airlines, Sky Airline, Iberia, Icaro, LAN Airlines, LAN
Argentina, LAN Peru, Liat Airlines, Mexicana, Nature Air, Pace
Airlines, Pluna, Santa Barbara, TACA, TACA PERU, TAM-LINHAS AÉREAS,
TAM Mercosur e Volaris.
Diversos especialistas em preparação para crises no setor da aviação
foram convidados* e confirmados como palestrantes:
Robert Jensen, presidente da Kenyon Worldwide Disaster Management
Jaime Daily, presidente da Lima Airport Partners
Claudia Gomez Prieto, presidente da Sociedad Argentina de Psicología
en Emergencias y Desastres
Jeremy Shebson, sócio da Barlow Lyde & Gilbert
Fernando Rockert de Magalhães, vice-presidente de operações da GOL
Transportes Aéreos*
Jerry Hendin, sócio-gerente da Alliance PR
Larry Ganse, diretor operacional (COO) da Copa Airlines
Ed McLaughlin, vice-presidente executivo da FEI Behavioral Health
Miguel Mojica, diretor de segurança de vôos da TACA
Carlos Herrera, diretor de operações do Aeroporto de Santiago
Eric Mayett, diretor de segurança da Aeroméxico*
Sharon Bryson, vice-diretor do Escritório de Assistência em Desastres
de Transporte do Conselho de Segurança de Transporte dos EUA (NTSB)*
Elizabeth Verdier, especialista em comunicações de situações de crise
da Boeing
Marc Henderson, gerente de relações com a mídia do Departamento de
Aviação de Miami-Dade
David Rimmer, vice-presidente executivo da ExcelAir
Marco Franca, vice-presidente da PR Newswire para a América Latina
Tom Costello, correspondente da NBC News em Washington*
Don Philips, ex-redator de transporte do Washington Post e do
International Herald Tribune*
Gabriela Frias, âncora de negócios da CNN en Español*
Joe Sharkey, repórter de viagens de negócios do New York Times*
Jose Miguel Rodriguez, correspondente-chefe da Avión Revue na América
Latina*
Alan Levin, repórter de aviação do USA Today*
Steve Lott, chefe de comunicações da IATA na América do Norte
Robert McGeorge, advogado-geral da IATA
Luiz Claudio Aguiar, diretor jurídico da TAM Linhas Aéreas
Richard Gimblett, sócio da Barlow, Lyde and Gilbert
Jan VonFlatem, advogado-geral da Airbus Americas*
Eduardo Iglesias, vice-presidente jurídico da TACA
Greg Phillips, consultor de segurança do setor americano de aviação
da Willis Global Aviation
George Snyder, vice-presidente sênior de segurança física e
patrimonial dos setores de aviação e aeroespacial da Marsh
Aileen Camacho, sócia sênior da Gates and Partners
Alan May, diretor-gerente da Aon
Enrique Beltranena, CEO da Volaris
* ainda não confirmados
A agenda de dois dias compreende os aspectos mais importantes da
preparação e gestão de crises de aviação, como o que esperar quando
ocorre uma crise, estudos de caso e lições tiradas de incidentes e
acidentes anteriores, implicações operacionais (como lidar com
autoridades governamentais de investigação durante uma crise), a
comunicação em situações de crises e o tratamento com as principais
partes envolvidas e a mídia, as exigências e implicações legais
associadas à investigação de um acidente, a gestão de risco e a
manutenção de operações durante uma crise, a comunicação em situações
de crise e um workshop de treinamento de mídia.
Quem deve participar? Quem quer que esteja associado à preparação
para crises e a esforços para resposta a crises no setor da aviação:
companhias aéreas, aeroportos, autoridades de aviação civil,
executivos do setor de aviação, executivos de gestão de crises,
planejadores de contingência, consultores de comunicações
corporativas e relações públicas, fornecedores de produtos e serviços
de resposta a crises, executivos de respostas emergenciais,
executivos responsáveis por assistência familiar, fabricantes de
aeronaves, seguradoras do setor de aviação, corretoras de seguros de
aviação, organismos governamentais, advogados e executivos dos
setores de segurança física e patrimonial.
Para mais informações e oportunidades de patrocínio, entre em contato
com a gerente de eventos especiais da ALTA, Sonya Lima, pelo telefone
1-786-522-7824 ou pelo e-mail slima@alta.aero. Também é possível
falar com a diretora de comunicações da ALTA e presidente da
Conferência de Preparação para Crises de Aviação, Misty Pinson, pelo
e-mail mpinson@alta.aero.
Sobre a ALTA:
A ALTA ( www.alta.aero ) foi fundada em 1980 como uma associação sem
fins lucrativos entre companhias aéreas. As companhias integrantes
têm uma receita combinada total de mais de US$ 19 bilhões, utilizam
mais de 800 aeronaves e empregam mais de 70 mil trabalhadores em
Antígua, Argentina, Bolívia, Brasil, Ilhas Cayman, Chile, Colômbia,
Costa Rica, Cuba, Equador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica,
México, Antilhas Holandesas, Nicarágua, Panamá, Paraguai, Peru,
Uruguai, Venezuela e outros países atendidos por elas.
Companhias aéreas integrantes: Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeroméxico,
Aeroméxico Connect, Aeropostal, Aero República, AeroSur, Aires, Air
Jamaica, Aserca Airlines, Avianca, Bahamas Air, Caribbean Airlines,
Cayman Airways, Cielos Airlines, Click, Copa Airlines, Cubana, GOL,
Icaro, LAB, LAN Airlines, LAN Ecuador, LAN Peru, Liat, Mexicana,
Nature Air, Pluna, Santa Barbara Airlines, Sky Airline, TACA, TACA
Peru, TAM, TAM Mercosur, Tame, VARIG, VARIG LOG e Volaris. A ALTA
também possui quatro companhias aéreas associadas: Air Canada,
Continental Airlines, Iberia e UPS.
A700 Very Light Jet is Again on Track for FAA Certification
July 31, 2008
AAI Acquisition, Inc. Announces New Leadership and Certification Plans
Englewood, CO – July 31, 2008 – AAI Acquisition, Inc. (AAIA), a U.S. company and the successor to the former Adam Aircraft Industries, announced today that significant steps have been made in its plan to resume operations. Key to the comeback is the naming of veteran aviation executive Jack Braly as the new president and CEO of the company. AAIA purchased the assets and intellectual property of the former Adam Aircraft from the bankruptcy court in April 2008. Adam Aircraft declared bankruptcy in February, 2008.
AAIA also announced that it has completed its business organization process and will focus on FAA certification of its A700 very light jet (VLJ) from its headquarters at Centennial Airport in Englewood, Colorado. Certification is projected for early 2010.
“We are working diligently to gain certification of the A700, with the goal of getting this jet into production,” said Braly at EAA Airventure in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Braly said the FAA has given the company notice that the A700 certification basis has been accepted, and AAIA has resumed the testing process.
AAIA is the first U.S. investment by the partnership of Industrial Investors Group and Kaskol, two Moscow, Russia-based private equity firms. The investors were made aware of the opportunity by former Colorado Governor Bill Owens, who serves on the board of directors of another one of Industrial Investors Group’s holdings. In a two-step approval process, AAIA’s purchase of the assets of Adam Aircraft first gained approval of the bankruptcy court, and then in July, 2008, from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Braly said AAIA has begun recruiting and hiring. The company already has 150 employees, many of whom previously worked for Adam Aircraft. Braly said the advantage to AAIA is that the retained employees have intimate knowledge of the design and capabilities of the A700, which will be key to remaining FAA related activities in the certification process. AAIA’s plans show employment levels growing to around 300 by the end of 2008, and to over 500 by the end of 2009.
AAIA, working with the FAA’s Denver Aircraft Certification and Los Angeles Manufacturing Inspection District Offices, quickly re-established the A700 as an FAA-approved project. This allowed AAIA to successfully perform several structural tests and resume the manufacturing of test articles. At the time of bankruptcy, approximately 80-percent of the company’s structural test requirements and 50-percent of the FAA’s required structural tests had been completed.
“This has been a timely and impressive transition toward producing the best VLJ on the market,” said Braly. “We are working hard to capitalize on the testing that had already been completed, in an effort to gain FAA certification as quickly as possible. That is the critical piece in moving toward production. Our goal is to sell a safe and dynamic airplane. Everything we are doing is working toward that goal.”
With extraordinary efforts from the engineering and flight test teams, as well as the quick reorganization of AAIA, the A700 flew again on Thursday, June 26, 2008, less than 40 working days after AAIA occupied company headquarters. Since that time, the A700 has completed several additional flight tests.
Braly confirmed that AAIA has no plans at this time to resume production of the A500 piston twin aircraft, of which only a few were delivered by the former Adam Aircraft.
Braly said he and AAIA will provide future updates on the progress toward FAA certification, as well as a new marketing plan to position itself as a crucial player in the VLJ industry. Full-scale production is planned to begin shortly before certification is achieved, but customer-ordering protocols and potential delivery dates still are to be determined.
Braly had been in retirement after serving as president of Sino Swearingen Aircraft (San Antonio, Texas), Rockwell’s North American Aircraft Modification Division (Los Angeles, California) and Beech Aircraft (Wichita, Kansas). He was recruited to AAIA by the top management of Industrial Investors Group and the returning management team at AAIA.
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