Mesa and United Airlines to Invest in Archer Aviation to Decarbonize Air Travel

Mesa Air Group, working with United Airlines, has reached an agreement in principle with air mobility company, Archer Aviation, as part of the airline’s effort to invest in emerging technologies that decarbonize air travel.

In connection with the agreement, which remains subject to final documentation, Mesa will receive 20% of United’s warrant to purchase 14,645,614 shares of Archer’s common stock with a $0.01 per share exercise price such that Mesa will receive a warrant exercisable for 2,929,123 shares (the “Mesa Warrant”). The Mesa Warrant will be subject to vesting upon the achievement of certain milestones and conditions. Vesting occurs as follows, subject to vesting acceleration under certain circumstances:

The top 10 reasons to fall in love with Thailand ........

1. 
   Thai smile warms your heart

One of the reasons Thailand wins many hearts from all over the world is our smile and friendliness. Thai people are happily welcoming all the travelers to our home country just like you are one of our family members. No matter where you go or any trouble that you might get into, you are certain that you will always get the help you need. The services in Thailand also impressed many travellers. Friendliness and genuine hospitality is the real luxury nowadays.

2. Healthy and tasty Thai food 

Thai food is one of the healthiest and tastiest foods in the world. Cooking with nutritious   ingredients, fresh vegetables and healthy herbs yet packed with flavors is the highlight of the Thai cuisine. No wonder why Thai food is always among the favorite cuisines and Thailand is a heaven for vegan lovers thanks to the clever use of many kinds of veggies. The best thing when it comes to food in Thailand is its 24hrs access to food. You can find many kinds of food and food markets for almost 24 hours. 

3. Thailand is safe according to EU 

Council of the European Union has set up measures and recommendations for safe travel within the EU and outside the EU by following the current health situation and coronavirus resurgence globally. On the EU list of safe countries to travel to and to enter the Union, Thailand remains on this list since the beginning of the outbreak. This is thanks to the health situation in the country and the ability of the thai government to handle the pandemic effectively as well as the Thai people to follow the norms and the regulations set up by the government.

SAS and CFM sign engine purchase and services agreement

SAS has selected CFM International LEAP-1A engines to power its new fleet of 35 A320neo family aircraft ordered in 2018. This agreement also includes eight spare engines. In addition, SAS has signed with CFM a Rate-Per-Flight-Hour (RPFH) support agreement to cover its new fleet of LEAP-1A engines, including spares, as well as 15 additional LEAP-1A-powered A320neo on lease. 

This new agreement is part of SAS' fleet upgrade program that aims to improve efficiency and sustainability performances. SAS has been at the forefront of introducing technologies that reduce the impact of aviation on the environment, as well as choosing efficient engines to power its fleet.

"The new LEAP engines and long-term services agreement are an integral part of SAS´ strategic fleet upgrade and will continue to greatly improve our efficiency in our operations. Our goal is to be industry leaders in sustainable aviation, and we are to reduce emissions with 25 per cent by 2025, in comparison to 2005. This will mainly be enabled by using state of the art technologies allowing for lower fuel consumption and an increase in use of sustainable aviation fuels"  says Magnus Örnberg, Executive Vice President and CFO, SAS.

Drive-thru COVID testing comes to Chicago Airport

SG Blocks, Inc.  a leading designer, innovator and fabricator of container-based structures, today announced the opening of “Chicago Airport Testing,” a COVID-19 testing center in Des Plaines, IL. The testing center is overseen by SG Blocks’ joint venture partnership with Clarity Lab Solutions, titled Clarity Mobile Ventures, as well as with National Pain Centers, a nationally recognized medical practice.

In connection with the opening of the testing center, the Company will host a press event today at 11:00 a.m. Central Time. U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi and Illinois State Senator Linda Murphy will be in attendance. Senator Murphy commented, “I am thrilled to see a COVID-19 testing site open in Des Plaines and grateful that I could help organize the effort. Frequent testing is an important part of our fight against the virus, and if you feel under the weather or have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, I urge you to get tested. What's more, I hope the operational strategies we develop at this site will prove useful as our community ramps up its vaccination effort in the coming months.” 

Shell selects H160 for operation by PHI in Gulf of Mexico

           International energy group Shell has selected leading US offshore helicopter operator PHI to operate four Airbus H160s to service a support contract in the Gulf of Mexico.

The contract marks the entry into the oil and gas market of the H160 with a wealth of design features promising new levels of safety, comfort and schedule reliability in offshore operations.

The three companies – Airbus, PHI and Shell – are cooperating in a unique partnership. In a pioneering move, Airbus will provide one H160 ahead of final deliveries to PHI and Shell for a year-long route-proving programme to enable the operator and the final customer to familiarize themselves with the type’s advanced features and mitigate the normal challenges around entry into service.

AvAir Acquires Sabena technics Surplus Inventory

 

AvAir, an industry-leading inventory solutions provider for the aviation aftermarket, has entered an agreement with Sabena technics to acquire the MRO's surplus inventory, including both consumables and expendables in new condition.

This agreement covers both airframe & component surplus materials used for heavy maintenance on various AIRBUS family, ATR and C130 aircrafts. They will be made available to AvAir customers globally, as many aircraft are requiring maintenance checks to go back into service after being parked due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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IAG Cargo partners with SENATOR INTERNATIONAL to deliver over a million protective masks to Germany

IAG Cargo partners with SENATOR INTERNATIONAL to transport 1.7million medical-grade masks to Munich, Germany

In addition to the belly space, the special charter flight carried cargo in the cabin of a B777-200 passenger aircraft converted into a freighter

IAG Cargo continues to offer bespoke solutions for its customers

 

-IAG Cargo, the cargo arm of parent group IAG, has transported over a million protective face masks to Munich - following Germany’s new rules introduced last month requiring individuals to wear medical-grade face masks when in the workplace, public transport and in shops.

 

Pictured left is a Boeing 777-200 passenger aircraft converted into a freighter to charter a flight from Shanghai to Munich carrying over 17,000 boxes of face masks

 

Partnering with SENATOR INTERNATIONAL, a global logistics company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, IAG Cargo utilised a B777-200 passenger aircraft converted into a freighter to charter a flight from Shanghai to Munich carrying over 17,000 boxes (actual weight of 21.1 tons) of medical-grade face masks for the population of Germany. The flight took place in the week commencing 8 February.

 

FLYONE comes to London

In 2021, FLYONE - the largest Airbus operator in the Republic of Moldova - has confirmed it will start a new route to London.

Starting from March 2021, FLYONE Airline brings back in the schedule flights to one of the most popular destinations - London! This time with even greater pleasure to travel, as flights will be operated at Luton Airport.

The flight schedules, to and from London will be operated twice a week - Monday and Friday, and four flights a week from June, 2021 – Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday - according to a convenient schedule both for business trips and holidays or city -breaks:

- Chisinau (KIV) 20:30 - 21:30 London Luton (LTN)

- London Luton (LTN) 22:20 - 03:30 Chisinau (KIV)

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Air Canada reports an operating loss of $3.776 billion in 2020

Air Canada has reported an operating loss of $3.776 billion in 2020 compared to operating income of $1.650 billion in 2019 on total revenues of $5.833 billion, a 70% fall from 2019.

"With today's release of 2020 fourth quarter and full year results, we close the book on the bleakest year in the history of commercial aviation, after having reported several years of record results and record growth at Air Canada. The catastrophic impact of COVID-19 and government-imposed travel restrictions and quarantines has been felt across our entire network, deeply affecting all of our stakeholders. It has resulted in a 73 per cent decline in passengers carried at Air Canada during the year and an operating loss of nearly $3.8 billion. Yet, despite a year-long onslaught of bad news, uncertainty and challenges posed by constantly changing requirements, our employees valiantly served our remaining customers professionally and transported them safely to their destinations, operated hundreds of repatriation flights and our Cargo team transported essential Personal Protective Equipment to Canada and around the world. I commend them for their courage as well as for their tireless efforts in these exceptionally trying circumstances to position our company well for when we emerge from the pandemic," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada.

Bombardier Reports Full Year 2020 Financial Results

Bombardier has just reported its fourth-quarter and full-year 2020 results, provided guidance for 2021 and outlined a number of actions to drive profitability and productivity as the Company focuses exclusively on designing, building and servicing the world’s best business jets.

“With our strategic repositioning now complete, we are very excited to embark on our journey as a pure-play business jet company,” said Éric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier Inc. “Our unmatched product portfolio, world-class customer services network, and incredibly talented employees give us a strong foundation to build upon. We are encouraged by our momentum in the fourth quarter and are confident in the actions we are taking to navigate through the pandemic and better position the Company for a market recovery.”

Overview 2020 Financial Performance

Revenues from Business Aircraft activities reached $5.6 billion in 2020, reflecting a 3% year-over-year improvement, driven by the ramp-up in Global 7500 deliveries, which reached a record 16 deliveries in the fourth quarter, partially offset by the significant impact of COVID-19 on other programs and services revenues.       

Adjusted full year EBITDA and adjusted EBIT(1)  for continuing operations of $200 million and $(211) million, respectively, reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on deliveries and services, as well as a lower contribution of early Global 7500 units. Reported EBIT of $0.9 billion reflects the accounting gains on disposals of the CRJ and aerostructures businesses.

First Airbus Eurostar Neo satellite is born

First Airbus Eurostar Neo satellite is born

Both main satellite modules successfully mated

Eurostar Neo: increased payload capacity and more efficient power and thermal control systems for video connectivity

                     Airbus Defence and Space has successfully completed a key milestone in the manufacturing of the first Eurostar Neo satellite, with the successful integration of the Service and Communication Modules of EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13F. 

Airbus’ Portsmouth team delivered the EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13F Communications Module to Toulouse at the start of January 2021 where it joined the Stevenage and Toulouse produced Service Module. The EUTELSAT HOTBIRD 13F satellite is now beginning its final series of tests in preparation for its launch.

Airbus and Air Methods sign additional HCare support contract for fleet of 80 EC135s

 

Air Methods Corporation has signed another HCare support contract with Airbus Helicopters Inc., this time to cover its fleet of EC135 helicopters – the largest HCare contract signed with any civil customer to date.

The order expands the number of Air Methods aircraft covered by Airbus support and services to 111, making Air Methods the largest HCare-covered single-operator civil helicopter fleet in the world.

“Safety and being ready and available are the keys to the success of our critical care mission,” said Leo Morrissette, EVP Operations. “To support our high demand operation, we value strong working partnerships with industry OEM’s and this contract formalizes and optimizes the process between Air Methods and Airbus in order to focus on delivery, results, and a path to continuous improvement.”

10 reasons to fall in love with Thailand once more

1. 
   Thai smile warms your heart

One of the reasons Thailand wins many hearts from all over the world is our smile and friendliness. Thai people are happily welcoming all the travelers to our home country just like you are one of our family members. No matter where you go or any trouble that you might get into, you are certain that you will always get the help you need. The services in Thailand also impressed many travellers. Friendliness and genuine hospitality is the real luxury nowadays.

2. Healthy and tasty Thai food 

Thai food is one of the healthiest and tastiest foods in the world. Cooking with nutritious   ingredients, fresh vegetables and healthy herbs yet packed with flavors is the highlight of the Thai cuisine. No wonder why Thai food is always among the favorite cuisines and Thailand is a heaven for vegan lovers thanks to the clever use of many kinds of veggies. The best thing when it comes to food in Thailand is its 24hrs access to food. You can find many kinds of food and food markets for almost 24 hours. 

3. Thailand is safe according to EU 

Council of the European Union has set up measures and recommendations for safe travel within the EU and outside the EU by following the current health situation and coronavirus resurgence globally. On the EU list of safe countries to travel to and to enter the Union, Thailand remains on this list since the beginning of the outbreak. This is thanks to the health situation in the country and the ability of the thai government to handle the pandemic effectively as well as the Thai people to follow the norms and the regulations set up by the government.

Air Canada gets approval to take over Transat group despite dire warnings from Competition Bureau

Air Canada gets the green light for Transat takeover.....

In a shock move, we're told at the direct request of Justin Trudeau, the government of Canada has given its approval for Air Canada to take over the Transat group despite dire warnings from the competitions bureau.

The Competition Bureau has warned the purchase of Transat by Air Canada would be bad for consumers "Eliminating the rivalry between these airlines would result in increased prices, less choice, decreases in service and a significant reduction in travel by Canadians on a variety of routes where their existing networks overlap."

Yet, on Thursday evening the government approved the purchase without any significant remedies, conditions, or clauses, giving many cause for concern, including the boss of rival airline WestJet.

OAG's monthly frequency and capacity stats are out now

The Frequency and Capacity Statistics Report for February 2021 is now available with commentary from OAG's expert Analysts and additional information regarding the impact of Covid-19. 

With data sourced via Schedules Analyzer, the report contains facts and figures for the following categories, including a year on year comparison:

      •  Seats by Region

      •  Top 20 Country Pairs

      •  Top 20 Airlines

      •  Top 20 Airports

Capacity for the month of February is currently 47.4% below February 2020, and 14.3% (35 m seats) lower than last month. Each major region has seen capacity fall vs January 2021. In comparison to February 2020, only North East Asia saw an increase, due to the timing of when capacity began to fall in 2020 in China.

The greatest decrease in the last month has been seen in Asia Pacific where carriers have taken 17.3m seats out of the schedule. Much of this is in North East Asia, where an 18% reduction month-on-month equates to 14.2m fewer seats this month. Reductions in China (-11.9m) and Japan (-1.5m) account for most of this lost capacity. 

Download a copy of the report here. 


Flight Database & Statistics | Aviation Analytics | OAG

First UPS’ A300 facelift completed

Airbus has handed over the first completed cockpit upgrade for UPS Airlines’ fleet of 52 A300-600 Freighters. The aircraft (MSN868), revitalised with state-of-the-art Honeywell cockpit avionics, was redelivered to UPS on 3rd February at Airbus’ U.S. facility in Mobile Alabama following the certification by EASA on 22nd December 2020 and by the FAA on 5th January 2021. This is the first time that such a complex upgrade has been performed on the A300. UPS expects to have the entire fleet converted by peak season of 2022.

A valuable ‘facelift’

The enhancements transform the A300-600 cockpit to confer the maximum operational flexibility and capabilities – bringing it close to current generation of aircraft. Key to achieving this is the advanced new integrated avionics system supplied by Honeywell, which is based on its Primus Epic suite.

The four large 10x8 inch LCD main displays and the new colour multi-function control & display unit (MCDU), which replace several analogue instruments, are the most immediately visible changes to grace the A300-600’s upgraded instrument panel. Other new ‘under the hood’ items include: a new flight management system (FMS); support for a worldwide navigation database; a new multi-mode receiver (MMR) incorporating the latest GPS-based satellite navigation systems; a digital datalink for communications with air traffic control (ATC); a central maintenance computer; and a digital weather radar system with turbulence detection and windshear prediction – among numerous other capabilities.

 

JetBlue Announces Leadership Appointments

This week JetBlue announced several leadership appointments, which began rolling out last year, as the company fills key roles to help manage the airline through the recovery from coronavirus by generating customer demand, maintaining its cost performance, and running a safe and efficient operation.

Jayne O’Brien is JetBlue’s head of marketing and loyalty, responsible for the airline’s brand, marketing and advertising, e-commerce, TrueBlue® loyalty program, as well as its highly awarded onboard product.

She brings a wealth of global travel and marketing experience to JetBlue. She previously served as senior vice president of global brands at Intercontinental Hotel Group; managing director, USA for Scenic – Luxury Cruises & Tours; and chief marketing officer for Dubai Properties Group, part of Dubai Holding. Her professional background also includes extensive airline industry experience from an 18-year career with British Airways in a number of operations and marketing leadership positions in the Americas and Europe, culminating in the role of Head of Global Brand & UK Marketing.

British Airways expands the trial of mobile travel health app, VeriFLY to all inbound international flights to the UK

British Airways expands the trial of mobile travel health app, VeriFLY to all inbound international flights to the UK from February 15, optional for all eligible customers

British Airways started trials with VeriFLY originally on flights between London and the US during February

VeriFLY certifies test certificates and required travel documentation on a personal mobile device

British Airways’ parent company, IAG, is also engaged with IATA in the development of its IATA Travel Pass app

In response to tightening border controls by the UK government, British Airways has today announced it intends to increase its trial of the VeriFLY digital health app across all International flights operating into the UK.

The expansion, which will come in to effect from February 15, is designed to help those eligible to travel to navigate the changing entry requirements and facilitate a seamless journey by ensuring customers are ready to fly and have the appropriate documentation in place, before departing for the airport.

The trial is part of the airline’s ongoing work to explore digital health travel wallet and document verification solutions which help customers and support the government in ensuring conformance with the UK’s entry requirements.

The news also comes as IATA’s Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac this week reaffirmed that it was working closely with IAG, British Airways’ parent company, on its IATA Travel Pass app which is being developed to launch in the coming weeks.

A flying laboratory for future technologies

Flight testing is a critical step to analysing the maturity and measuring the performance of future aircraft technologies. Through its flight test platforms, Airbus Flightlab puts these technologies to the test. Today, the Flightlab team is focused on expanding its ecosystem to offer even more flight test platforms—including those from commercial aircraft and helicopters.

In a hangar in Colomiers, France—about 12 kilometres west of Toulouse—an A350 is slowly but surely being transformed. Along the air inlet, multiple optical fibres have been installed. An on-board system, capable of carrying out in-flight measurement of engine emissions, is being prepared for activation. And a variety of sensors, from Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) to optical ice detectors, has been placed on board.

All of these modifications prove this particular A350 is not like the others seen on today’s runways: in fact, it is an Airbus test aircraft.

“You can’t test tomorrow’s aircraft technologies on today’s in-service aircraft,” explains Thierry Fol, Cross-Divisional Airbus Flightlab Leader. “And advanced modelling is not enough to deliver proof of concept either. We need flight testing in a real-world environment.”

JetBlue starts flights to Miami and Key West

JetBlue has announced the start of new service in Miami and Key West, Fla. with the airline’s first flights arriving in each city earlier today. The move brings JetBlue’s award-winning service and low fares to more travelers in South Florida and introduces new markets to customer bases in the Northeast and on the West Coast.

“Florida has always played a key role in JetBlue’s success story and that continues today – on our 21st anniversary – as we introduce our low fares and award-winning service to Miami and Key West,” said Andrea Lusso, vice president network planning, JetBlue. “Together these new destinations offer customers more choices, diversify our flying and enhance JetBlue’s broader presence in South Florida.”