Airbus delivers the first A380 to Lufthansa
May 19, 2010
Sustainable growth with the quietest and most eco-efficient aircraft
Lufthansa has taken delivery of the first of 15 Airbus A380s ordered, with three more to join the fleet in 2010. Lufthansa will deploy its new flagship aircraft on routes to Tokyo, Beijing and Johannesburg.
During the handover ceremony in Hamburg, Lufthansa unveiled its new First Class cabin with eight generous seats on the upper deck. The upper deck is also equipped with 98 Business seats while the spacious main deck hosts 420 Economy Class seats offering a unique feeling of comfort and space. Lufthansa’s A380s are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines.
“With the A380 Lufthansa today receives its new flagship. The A380 is the most modern and environmentally friendly airliner today. It’s also exceptionally quiet, and that will make the A380 the preferred aircraft at metropolises such as London, New York, Tokyo and of course Frankfurt airport. While Lufthansa passengers will enjoy more space in all classes and the unique cabin comfort, the airline will profit from the unprecedented efficiency of the A380,” said Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders. “I thank Lufthansa for the excellent co-operation during the design and certification process of the A380.”
From the beginning of the A380 programme, Lufthansa and Airbus have worked closely on the aircraft design through to certification. Between 2005 and 2010 the A380 underwent several airport compatibility tests at Lufthansa’s home base in Frankfurt. In cabin safety evacuation tests, Lufthansa cabin crews successfully evacuated 873 people in just 78 seconds. Lufthansa was also a major partner during initial ground based ‘virtual’ flights and on the first real long-range route proving flights.
“Passengers can look forward to a very special flight experience on board the A380,” Wolfgang Mayrhuber, Chairman and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa said at the handover. “In cooperation with Airbus, we have developed many technical solutions regarding the cabin design and furnishings which are being given a world premiere in this aircraft. Our innovations in terms of cabin air, light systems, sound insulation and inflight entertainment make our A380 unique. Our pilots, technicians and service professionals have undergone intensive training and are thoroughly prepared for this new dimension in flying. They are all as excited about this aircraft as our passengers, who are now booking flights specifically with the A380.”
Lufthansa and Airbus have a long history of partnership. In 1976 Lufthansa took over the first Airbus A300B4. With 274 orders Lufthansa is today Airbus’ biggest airline customer. Nearly all Airbus family models are represented in the airline’s current Airbus fleet of over 180 aircraft.
Airbus spreads The Green Wave of awareness
May 13, 2010
Taking action to preserve nature and future innovations
In the countdown to the United Nations International Day for Biodiversity on 22 May, leading aircraft manufacturer, Airbus is mobilising its global network of more than 52,000 employees to celebrate The Green Wave, an ambitious programme established by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to encourage young people to engage with biodiversity.
As part of this worldwide initiative, the Airbus Corporate Foundation is set to launch a biodiversity volunteer programme that directly involves its employees with nature, endorsed by The Ministry of Environment, India. In association with Raleigh International, Airbus will announce the first employees selected from around the world to participate in a three-year biodiversity project in India.
Airbus teams will also be involved in a myriad of events with their local communities. From tree planting in Spain, Japan and Vietnam; to creating new gardens at the Airbus Innovation School in China; and encouraging wildlife to inhabit Airbus site areas in France.
In the UK, the Zoological Society of London will play host to the touring “See the Bigger Picture” biodiversity photo exhibition of photographs taken by children around the world, from a contest partnership between Airbus, the CBD Secretariat and National Geographic. Airbus employees will also join local schools and scientists taking part in the UK’s second annual “BioBlitz” – a 30 hour race against the clock to identify as many species of animals and plants as possible in one area.
In Germany, Airbus teams will be setting up hives for 100,000 bees at Finkerwerder Airport. Last year the bees produced 160 kg of honey – after 150,000 flights to 15 million flowers! Airbus teams are currently working on setting up a similar project in France.
Out of reach for even the longest-range Hamburg bee, Airbus Americas is partnering with the Explorium Museum in Mobile, Alabama to launch a biodiversity photography contest. The competition forms part of the build up to the forthcoming See The Bigger Picture exhibition, scheduled to visit Mobile as part of its international tour in September.
CBD Executive Secretary Ahmed Djoghlaf said: “In this, The International Year of Biodiversity, it is vital that major global businesses such as Airbus support us in spreading awareness of the importance of protecting the rich biodiversity of the world we live in. I hope that Airbus’ work will inspire other businesses to work with us in raising awareness and developing sustainable solutions to protect life on earth.”
Airbus President and CEO, Tom Enders, said: “We already put a huge effort into tackling the 2% that aviation contributes to man made CO2 emissions. Our partnership with the CBD reflects our commitment to support those tackling the other 98%, such as the 17% from deforestation. Aeronautic engineers have been inspired by nature since the days of Leonardo da Vinci. Today, biomimicry continues to inspire solutions for greener flight. So we need to get better at learning from nature – it might just hold the key to our future as well as its own. That’s why we are using our global outreach to help the CBD raise awareness. I’m extremely proud that Airbus employees are playing their part in preserving it.”
Brazilian Alliance for Aviation Biofuels is Formed
May 13, 2010
Group is made up by airlines, biofuel researchers, biomass producers, and aviation manufacturers
São José dos Campos, May 10, 2010 – At a meeting held last May 6, in São Paulo, Brazil, the
Brazilian Alliance for Aviation Biofuels (Aliança Brasileira para Biocombustíveis de Aviação –
ABRABA) was formed. To start with, the group has the participation of ten organizations: Algae
Biotechnology, Amyris Brazil, the Brazilian Association of Jatropha Producers (Associação
Brasileira dos Produtores de Pinhão Manso – ABPPM), the Brazilian Aerospace Industry
Association (Associação das Indústrias Aeroespaciais do Brasil – AIAB), Azul Brazilian Airlines,
Embraer, GOL Airlines, TAM Airlines, TRIP Airlines, and the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry
Association (União da Indústria da Cana-de-Açúcar – UNICA). ABRABA expects that other
organizations will join the group, in order to contribute to the project.
The objective of the alliance is to promote public and private initiatives that seek to develop
and certify sustainable biofuels for aviation. The goal will be achieved through dialogues with
those who form public policies, as well as opinion makers, in order to obtain biofuels that are
just as safe and cost efficient as petroleum derivatives.
The worldwide concern about climate change has led to a growing demand for renewable
sources. Increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as uncertainty regarding the
availability of fossil fuels, emphasize the need of seeking new alternatives.
Civil aviation plays an essential role, within this context, because it produces around 2% of
the world’s manmade emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), according to the United Nations
Organization (UNO) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). For that reason,
companies and institutions connected with the industry have been involved with a variety of
activities and projects, in order to contribute to the development of alternatives that seek to
safely reduce GHG emissions, and bring greater energy efficiency to the world.
ABRABA believes that the use of sustainable biofuels produced from biomass is essential for
maintaining the growth of the aviation industry in an economy of low carbon emissions.
Brazil’s recognized capability for developing alternative energy sources, allied with its
knowledge of aeronautical technology, will result in significant gains for the environment,
while minimizing the impact on economic development.
Avianca reports passenger traffic growth of 20% in the first quarter
May 3, 2010
The Colombian member of the Synergy Group joint Venture with TACA reports its first quarter traffic grew by 20% over the same period last year. Load factor was 76.7% in the quarter compared to 73.2% last year.
ALTA Member Airlines Passengers increase 13.4% in March
May 3, 2010
The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) reports passenger traffic increased 13.4% in March with 10,937,004 passengers compared to 9,647,920 in the same month last year. Year-to-date passenger traffic is up 15.4% to 33,598,672 total for the year-to-date. RPKs were up 10.7% in March with ASKs up 4%, which moved the load factor up 4.2 points to 69.9%. Year-to-date RPKs were up 13.8% on capacity up 5.9% which moved the y/y load factor up 5.1 points to 74.0%. Cargo traffic had the greatest growth in March, with FTKs up 43.1% and year-to-date cargo traffic up 37.3%. Domestic passenger traffic led the system with an increase of 17.5% in March, followed by Europe, up 12.9% and Latin America up 9%. Year-to-date passenger traffic is up 18.9% followed by Europe at 15.3% and Latin America at 11%. Cargo traffic was highest in Europe at 129.4% in March and 113.4% year-to-date.
EMBRAER AND AUSTRAL SEAL CONTRACT FOR 20 EMBRAER 190 JETS
April 18, 2010
Agreement announced in May 2009 is finalized and deliveries begin in July
São José dos Campos, April 9, 2010 – The contract for the sale of 20 EMBRAER 190 jets
to Austral Líneas Aéreas, of Argentina, was finalized. The agreement was announced in
May 2009, and was conditioned on fulfilling several requirements, which were finalized.
From the 20 jets on order, three were already included in the firm order backlog of the first
quarter of 2010, as “Undisclosed”.
The EMBRAER 190 jets ordered by the Argentine airline are of the Advanced Range (AR)
model, and can fly nonstop for 2,400 nautical miles (4,400 km). The passenger cabin
configuration, with four seats per row, is very comfortable and will have a total of 96 seats
divided into two classes: eight in the executive and 88 in the economy. Furthermore, all
passengers will have a modern inflight entertainment system with individual monitors.
Austral will use the aircraft mainly to substitute older jets on domestic routes, to increase
current flight frequencies, and to serve new cities. The modern and comfortable E-Jets will
allow the airline to fly any route within Argentina’s territory, nonstop.
The EMBRAER 190 is one of four models of the EMBRAER 170/190 E-Jets family and
entered operation in 2005. The broad customer base is comprised of 56 companies in 39
countries. With over 620 units in operation, these aircraft have transported 200 million
passengers worldwide.
Colombia ideal for investment
April 16, 2010
Speaking as he received the “Entrepreneur of the year” award from President Uribe from Colombia’s business publication La Republica, Efromovich stated: “The country’s results in its political safety and regulatory rules of the game, have created a record in debt payments and sustainable economy ahead of the region”. His Synergy Group, which includes Avianca, Tampa, Ocean Air, Aerogal and the Alliance with TACA is aiming to become the largest airline group in Latin America. Efromovich also announced new investments for a total of $8 billion in Colombia through 2014.
United Signs Firm Order for 25 A350 XWB aircraft
March 11, 2010
Airline becomes 33rd customer for newest Airbus model
United has formalized a commitment originally announced in December 2009, signing a firm order for 25 A350-900 XWB aircraft, the newest twin-engine widebody from Airbus. The aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Deliveries of the aircraft will begin in 2016 and run through 2019.
“This is the latest chapter in a very strong relationship that has spanned two decades,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer – Customers. “From the delivery of the first United A320 in November 1993 to today, Airbus and United have worked together successfully to weather challenging market periods. It’s a true testament to what the A350 XWB has to offer that one of the largest airlines in the world has selected it to be an instrumental part of their future.”
”With this order we are investing in United’s future, gaining a widebody aircraft that will help us reduce operating costs while still providing state-of-the-art comfort to our customers,” said John Tague, President of United Airlines. “The A350 XWB will also help us reduce fuel burn and our overall environmental footprint in comparison to older technology aircraft.”
Mark King, President – Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, added: “This represents a significant endorsement of our Trent XWB technology and its operational advantage. We are delighted that United Airlines has put its trust in the long-term performance advantages of Trent technology and TotalCare®.”
The A350 XWB is a new family of mid-size widebody airliners. The highly efficient aircraft brings together the latest in aerodynamics, design and advanced technologies to provide a 25-percent step-change in fuel efficiency compared to current aircraft in the same size category. The A350 XWB airframe will have 53 percent composite materials, lightening the weight thereby maximizing fuel economy. Featuring an entirely new, very quiet, cabin with extra space and comfort, passengers will enjoy more headroom, wide panoramic windows and more overhead storage area.
The three passenger versions have true long-range capability and flexibility. The A350-800 will fly 270 passengers in a three-class configuration 8300 nautical miles. The 314-seat A350-900 and 350-seat A350-1000 will offer similar long-range performance.
The order book for the aircraft type now stands at 530 aircraft. Final assembly of the first aircraft is anticipated in 2011, with the first delivery (of an A350-900) scheduled for 2013.
Volaris will launch service at Mexico City’s AICM airport on March 22
March 10, 2010
Mexico’s leading LCC will begin daily service between Mexico City’s AICM airport and Tijuana in Baja California on March 22.
VivaAerobus to begin service at Mexico City’s AICM airport in April
March 10, 2010
The Mexican LCC is planning to launch service at AICM airport with three daily flights to Guadalajara and Monterrey.
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