Air France-KLM launches a €2.256 billion rights issue to be subscribed in cash and/or by offsetting claims

Air France-KLM announced this week the launch of a capital increase with preferential subscription rights (the "Rights") to existing shareholders maintained to raise gross proceeds of €2.256 billion (the “Rights Issue”) through the issuance of 1,928 million new shares in Air France-KLM (the “New Shares”), to be subscribed in cash and/or by offsetting claims.

This transaction, which aims to strengthen the company’s equity and balance sheet, follows the 2021 capital increase and comes after new recapitalization measures were announced on February 17th. The net proceeds of the issue will be allocated to repaying the deeply subordinated bonds issued in April 2021 and held by the French State as well as strengthening the Company’s equity. As announced at full-year results on February 17th 2022, the Company intends to free itself from the conditions set by the European Commission’s temporary framework and will therefore allocate circa 1.7 billion euros to the repayment of the "Covid-19 recapitalization aid" granted in the form of undated subordinated notes (the "TSS État") issued in April 2021. The remainder will be allocated to reduce the Company’s net indebtedness.

This operation, together with the other contemplated measures to strengthen the balance sheet and the expected EBITDA recovery, will enable the Company to strengthen its financial trajectory. The Company’s sound financial liquidity position (€10.8 billion of cash at hand as of March 31st 2022) in a better oriented operational context for the Company, will enable the Company to further repay the French State Aid over the next quarters. The repayment of the State Aid will also improve the financing costs of the Company.

The Company confirms its objective to reduce its Net debt / EBITDA ratio, to reach circa 2.0x to 2.5x by 2023.

The French State, Air France-KLM’s largest shareholder (28.6%), has informed the Company of its intention to participate in the Rights Issue, so that its post-transaction shareholding remains unchanged. This subscription, should it occur, would be completed through offsetting claims held by the French State in respect of the deeply subordinated notes (TSS Etat) issued in April 2021 for an amount of circa 645 million euro.

The Dutch State has informed the Company that it intends to exercise its rights in proportion to its current shareholding in order for its shareholding to remain unchanged post Rights Issue, subject to obtaining the necessary approvals from the Dutch Parliament. In order to receive these necessary approvals in a timely manner, the Dutch State is also dependent on the timetable of the Dutch parliament.

DENSO, Honeywell Co-Develop E-Motor for Lilium’s All-Electric Jet

DENSO Corporation, a leading mobility supplier, and Honeywell, an aerospace leader, are co-developing an electric motor (e-motor) for the Lilium Jet. This is the first product developed by Honeywell and DENSO since formalizing their alliance, and it marks DENSO’s entry into the aerospace market. The two companies will work with Lilium, developer of the first all-electric vertical take-off and landing (“eVTOL”) jet, to integrate the e-motor into Lilium’s aircraft engines.

Electric aircraft are not only quiet and comfortable, but are also more sustainable as they do not emit CO2. As mobility becomes increasingly diversified, air mobility offers potential solutions to prominent transportation issues, such as traffic congestion in urban centers, CO2 emissions and transportation access in less populated areas.

Established in 2015, Lilium is creating a sustainable and accessible mode of high-speed, regional transportation for people and goods. Lilium has designed, built and tested technology demonstrators and invited the world to watch as they pioneer the next phase of flight. .

The e-motor for the Lilium Jet consists of a rotor and stator, weighing approximately 4 kg and having an output of 100 kW. The rotor and stator are uniquely designed to meet the small size and low weight necessary to achieve Lilium’s performance goals. This proprietary, high-performance system, on which the Lilium, Honeywell and DENSO teams have already been working for nearly two years, brings exceptional performance and reliability with zero operating emissions typically associated with commercial jet engines.

DENSO and Honeywell began joint research in 2019 and signed an alliance agreement in early 2021 to design, develop, produce and sell electric propulsion system products for electric and hybrid-electric aircraft.

Stéphane Fymat, vice president and general manager of Urban Air Mobility, Honeywell Aerospace said: “Honeywell has been at the forefront of innovation in aviation for a century, and we are proud to closely collaborate with DENSO and help usher in the age of electric flight. Lilium’s innovation, combined with our experience in aerospace, will help to bring about cleaner, more sustainable ways for people to travel for centuries to come.”

VistaJet progresses its sustainability initiatives and calls on business aviation to accelerate transition to net zero

 VistaJet, the first and only global business aviation company, has renewed its commitment to cleaner aviation, its pledge to be carbon neutral by 2025, and its resolve to address sustainability issues in the industry. To capture the progress the company has made with its market-leading environmental sustainability initiatives, VistaJet has published “A 2022 Action Handbook for Change in Business Aviation”.

The whitepaper, which can be read in full here, was developed in collaboration with climate solutions provider and carbon project developer South Pole. It examines in detail how the aviation sector should respond to the climate crisis and identifies real solutions, including the most effective ways for private jet companies to minimize the industry’s carbon footprint. It also looks at aviation’s current and potential future environmental impact, analyses the industry’s plan and provides concrete recommendations for businesses in the sector. At a top-level, airlines need to:

Increase adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which is key to aviation’s decarbonization pathway and can reduce carbon emissions by up 85%;

Demonstrate transparency and progress through auditing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and report in line with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD);

Complement the reduction of greenhouse gas through investing in climate action projects that adhere to the highest standards and drive the transformation towards a net zero future, while also catalyzing positive impact on local communities.

VistaJet’s whitepaper also provides updates on the significant progress the company has made towards its 2025 carbon neutrality goal, how it manages climate-related risks, and how VistaJet goes beyond compliance with environmental regulations to provide a more sustainable flying solution for its customers. Since VistaJet’s last update in April 2021, the business has:

Maximized fleet optimization to improve fuel-efficient consumption by 8%;

Refined its fleet sharing model to continue driving fleet efficiencies;

Added 10 new Global 7500 aircraft, the first business jet to have a third-party verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD);

Worked to make the adoption of carbon offsetting by VistaJet Members grow to over 85%;

Ensured single-use items are kept to a bare minimum, having achieved an over 90% reduction in their use;

Continued to advocate externally for the widespread adoption of SAF in the industry;

Continued its policy of full transparency, publishing in full its GHG and TCFD reports.

Thomas Flohr, Founder and Chairman of VistaJet, said: “The business aviation sector finds itself at a critical juncture. Together as an industry we can reshape the way we conduct business, whilst providing an unparalleled level of service to our customers. We are proud of the progress we have made at VistaJet and we hope that others will take our recommendations to heart. Businesses are rightfully being held accountable for their environmental impact, and with the publication of “A 2022 Action Handbook for Change in Business Aviation” VistaJet hopes to not only showcase what we believe needs to be done and how it can be done but also demonstrate that transparency in action is key.”

For more information please visit: vistajet.com/sustainability

 

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Delta partners to create one-of-a-kind facility at MSP, supporting travel equity and training

Customers participating in the Navigating MSP program at Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport can now take part in a unique, try-before-you-fly mock cabin experience, aimed to support travel equity through a new, innovative pre-flight experience and training facility.

The new Travel Confidently MSP Education Center officially opened its doors on May 23, thanks to the donations, contributions and hard work of Delta Air Lines, The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) and the Airport Foundation MSP.

This one-of-a-kind facility, located near gate C16 in Terminal 1 at MSP, will enhance the Navigating MSP program by providing flyers with sensory, physical or cognitive disabilities, those with fear of flying, and service dogs a place to experience and become familiar with an aircraft cabin in a serene setting. It will also allow airport public safety professionals and airline support crews to further train in a realistic setting.

“We’re grateful for our ongoing partnership with the MAC and Airport Foundation MSP, who have furthered Delta’s efforts to create a world that is more inclusive and accessible for all,” said Mary Loeffelholz, Delta’s Vice President of Operations at MSP. “Giving back to our community is deeply rooted in Delta’s beliefs and values, and through the work of our people, we are very much looking forward to the ways that this facility will impact the MSP community.” 

The new space includes a permanently installed 33-foot-long mock aircraft cabin and 42 aircraft seats, donated by Delta, thanks to the innovative thinking of Delta First Officer Richard Kargel.

Upon learning that the wooden aircraft cabin, previously used to train Flight Attendants and Pilots' emergency evacuation procedures, was being replaced, Kargel knew there was an opportunity to repurpose the narrow-bodied trainer and its many components for a cause near and dear to his heart.

“My son, Shane, has autism, so I knew just how much a facility like this could improve the travel experience for him and so many others that live with sensory, cognitive or physical disabilities,” Kargel said. “With the full support of Delta leadership, along with the MAC’s vision for enhanced customer experiences, this idea became a reality in a way I never imagined. This facility gives us an opportunity to show people who never thought that they would travel, that it is possible. It gives families and flyers hope.”

In addition to the cabin, the Arts@MSP program, a joint program of the MAC and the Airport Foundation MSP, facilitated a community art project to enhance the visual experience of the new space. With this, the area became a blank canvas for local youth artists – Ethan Nevalainen, Athena Ali, Greta Kotz and Taylan De Johnette – from Juxtaposition Arts to create a stunning piece of artwork called “Equanimity,” which creates a relaxing and welcome atmosphere for the space.

The Travel Confidently MSP Education will be used to support MSP and community programs including: 

Navigating MSP: This program, offered by the MAC in partnership with the Airport Foundation MSP, Autism Society of MN and Fraser, offers free practice runs through the airport and on aircraft for children and adults who may experience discomfort when flying. This facility will be used when an actual aircraft is not available.

Service animals: Service animal trainers or owners in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region will be able to reserve use of this facility when they need to practice boarding and travel procedures with their service animals in preparation for a real flight. 

Public safety: MSP firefighters and police will be able to train to respond to passengers or crew emergencies on aircraft.

Airport services: Wheelchair service providers will be able to train to assist passengers who use aisle chairs in boarding or de-boarding aircraft, and cabin crew will be able to train to assist customers with use of on-board wheelchairs, designed for passengers to move to and from the lavatory.

“We are always looking for ways to build travel equity,” said MAC Chair Rick King. “It’s easy to take air travel for granted, but for many it presents unique challenges and requires different resources. The Travel Confidently MSP Education Center is one more way we can provide resources to the community and lower the barriers to flying for as many people as possible.”

 

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CDB Aviation Further Expands Relationship with Avianca

CDB Aviation has signed new lease agreements with Avianca for two Airbus A330-300 Passenger to Freighter and one A320neo aircraft.

The new agreements bring the total of CDB Aviation aircraft on lease to Colombia’s flag carrier to 8. In addition to the newly leased aircraft, the carrier is expected to take delivery of an additional five A320neos from the lessor between 2022 and 2023.

“We are very pleased to broaden our collaboration with the Avianca team through the addition of these aircraft to support their passenger and cargo businesses,” commented Luís da Silva, CDB Aviation Head of Commercial, Americas. “Both the fuel-efficient neo and P2F freighters are high-in-demand aircraft, which will help advance the airline’s strategy of equipping its fleet with environmentally sustainable, new technology aircraft, as well as supporting the growth of its cargo operations to capitalize on the booming demand for air freight within Latin America.”

Francisco Raddatz, Avianca's Vice President, Fleet, said: “We are happy to strengthen our partnership with CDB Aviation supporting our passenger and cargo fleet growth.”

Gabriel Oliva, CEO of Avianca Cargo, added: "We are pleased to announce the arrival of these aircraft to our cargo fleet. With their incorporation, we will not only offer greater capacity, but also an increasingly robust and flexible route network focused on the needs of our customers and facilitating trade between Latin America and the entire world. We reaffirm our commitment to continue boosting the economies of the region, serving as a strategic ally for our customers and the industries.”

“With an expected resurgence in demand across Latin American markets we believe the planned growth initiatives of Avianca Group are very exciting as airlines are gearing up for a recovery with more versatile fleets, which are aimed to maximize network flexibility and improve efficiency and sustainability,” underscored Peter Goodman, CDB Aviation Chief Marketing Officer. “CDB Aviation’s commercial team continues to expand outreach across key markets, pursuing aircraft transactions through placements from our order book as well as identifying opportunities in the sale and leaseback channel.”

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Air Transport Services Group and GA Telesis to open engine maintenance facility at Wilmington Air Park

GA Telesis, LLC, a global aviation services integrator, and Air Transport Services Group, Inc. a leading provider of aircraft leasing and air cargo transportation and related services, announced they have reached an agreement with the Clinton County Port Authority (CCPA), JobsOhio and the Ohio Department of Development to open a 72,000 sq. ft. Specialized Procedures Aeroengine Hospital (SPAH) at the Wilmington Air Park in southwestern Ohio.

“The GA Telesis and ATSG joint venture’s decision to choose Ohio for its newest operation is great news for Wilmington,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “This investment attracts a world-class aircraft engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul operation business to Ohio and bolsters Wilmington Air Park’s attractiveness for future growth.”

The SPAH is projected to open in September 2022 and will be capable of inducting more than 200 aircraft engines per year, focusing on those manufactured by General Electric and CFM International.

“We are thrilled to be taking the next step in adding a U.S.-based SPAH to our capabilities,” said Russell Shelton, president of the Engine Strategy Group at GA Telesis. “We could not have accomplished this significant milestone without the strategic ATSG partnership and the cooperation of the Clinton County Port Authority and Wilmington Air Park,” he added.

This investment marks the first U.S. location for a GA Telesis SPAH and will provide a variety of engine services to global aviation customers from the Wilmington Air Park location. GA Telesis also operates a SPAH in Helsinki, Finland.

CDB Aviation Promotes Fiona Scott to Newly Created Role of Chief People Officer

CDB Aviation has announced the promotion of Fiona Scott to the newly created role of Chief People Officer.

 

In her new role, as a member of the CDB Aviation C-suite, Scott will be responsible for setting and overseeing the execution of the business' overall people strategy in line with its ESG goals, leading all aspects of talent acquisition and engagement, training and development, performance management, as well as building an agile culture of diversity, inclusivity, and personal growth.

“As a world-spanning and fast-growing platform, there is no doubt that people are our most valuable asset,” underscored Patrick Hannigan, CDB Aviation’s Chief Executive Officer. “Cultivating an inclusive and highly engaging culture, underpinned by an effective people organization, is the key to ensuring our company’s resiliency and delivering utmost value to our stakeholders. Fiona is well suited to lead the way in shaping our people organization as we continue to grow and build on our successes.”

Scott initially supported the company as a talent acquisition advisor and, in 2019, assumed the position of Head of Human Resources to lead the lessor’s strategic human resources (“HR”) and change management initiatives. She recalibrated the HR function to operate in a lean, compliant, and efficient manner, with strong corporate governance and an open channel of communication with the shareholder and C-suite.

“I am very excited to step into this expanded role to lead our people organization,” said Fiona Scott, CDB Aviation’s Chief People Officer. “The challenges of today’s workforce are aplenty, particularly for a company that operates in such a dynamic, globalized environment. At CDB Aviation, our people have always been our strategic differentiator, and we are fortunate to have a tremendous group of contributors. I look forward to driving programs that will support improved performance and ensure that we have a best-in-class workplace.”

With more than 20 years of experience in managing talent and operations, Scott has served in managerial and consulting roles at several organizations, both in Ireland and across Europe. In 2017, Airline Economics recognized her as one of the industry’s ‘40 under 40.’ Scott co-founded PropelHer, a grass roots initiative focused on the exchange of ideas, opinions, and experiences around topics relevant to the aircraft leasing industry. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Advancing Women in Aviation Roundtable (“AWAR”) and not-for-profit Aoibhneas. Scott is a graduate of Dublin City University. She earned a B.A. in International Marketing and Languages and is currently completing a M.Sc. in Talent, Leadership & HR Strategy.

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Airbus-built Copernicus satellite successfully passes Preliminary Design Review

Polar Ice and Snow monitoring mission CRISTAL on track

 

The Copernicus Polar Ice and Snow Topography Altimetry mission CRISTAL is clearly on track. Following an intensive review process the European Space Agency ESA has confirmed that the preliminary design of the satellite meets all system requirements.

CRISTAL will carry an advanced multi-frequency altimeter that will measure sea ice thickness and ice sheet elevations - key climate change indicators. The CRISTAL altimeter will for the first time measure snow coverage of the ice sheets which will improve data quality significantly compared to its predecessor CryoSat-2. These data will support maritime operations in polar oceans and contribute to a better understanding of climate processes.

The Preliminary Design Review (PDR) was organised using a new more collaborative format. As a first step an extensive review by over 60 ESA engineers of a comprehensive data package, established by more than 100 engineers led by Airbus took place over four weeks. In a second step the major findings were intensively discussed in an interactive way between senior level experts both on ESA and Industry side up to the successful completion of the review.

CRISTAL will also support applications related to coastal and inland waters and the observation of ocean topography. The mission will ensure the long-term continuation of radar altimetry ice elevation and topographic change records, following on from previous missions such as ESA’s Earth Explorer CryoSat, also developed by Airbus and working flawlessly for 12 years, well beyond its design lifetime. Monitoring the cryosphere is essential to fully assess, predict and adapt to climate variability and change.

Finnair wet leases an A320 from DAT for the busy summer season

Photo DAT

Finnair will lease an A320 aircraft and crew from DAT - Danish Air Transport for the busy summer season. The aircraft will be operating selected frequencies on Finnair’s route between Helsinki and Copenhagen in June, and on Finnair’s routes between Helsinki and Oulu and Helsinki and Lisbon between July and October.  

The flight deck and cabin crew for these flights come from DAT, and the flights have Finnair’s service concept.  

“We are preparing for a busy summer season, and this agreement with DAT supports our target of ensuring stable and reliable operations as travel is now picking up”, says Ole Orvér, Chief Commercial Officer, Finnair.  

Customers, who have a booking on a flight where the operating carrier changes from Finnair to DAT, will get a message about the change. In case customers wish to make changes to their reservation, they are asked to contact Finnair customer services for assistance.  

DAT is a Danish airline, operating regional routes in Denmark, Norway, Italy, Germany and Finland, and providing charter and ACMI services.  

 

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4 single engine aircraft and a glider are up for auction from just €150

SENASA, a state-owned company belonging to the Ministries of Finance and Transport (Spain), has launched a public auction, through Escrapalia, of 5 aircraft at a starting price of €150 euros each. 

These are two single-engine tow planes Avions Pierre Robin DR400-180R, two single-engine tow planes Socata Rallye 180T, and a two-seater glider ASK21 - Alexander Schleicher.

The Robin DR400, widely used in flying clubs, were manufactured in 1986 and is adapted for glider towing. The total flight time is 8575:05 FH and 7726:10 FH. The number of landings is 66,534 and 58,575 respectively.

The Socata Rallye 180T tow planes, manufactured in 1981, have a single piston engine, fixed-pitch propeller, cantilever low wing and fixed tricycle landing gear. The total flight time is 5365:15 FH and 4918:10 FH, and the number of landings made is 34,326 and 29,305 respectively.

On the other hand, the two-seater aeroplane is a T-tail. made of fibreglass, it is designed primarily for glide training. It is also valid for basic aerobatics training. Manufactured in Germany in 1987, the total flight time is 9009:29 FH, and the number of landings made amounts to 22,878. The lots also include spare parts.

All aircraft are registered and have valid documentation: airworthiness certificate, maintenance manual and technical datasheets, and comply with all applicable airworthiness directives. Both the interior and exterior condition of the aircraft achieved a score of 8 out of 10. In the case of the aeroplane, 7 out of 10.

SENASA has also launched 4 Magicar Ultra, Ultra1 and Ultra 2 class trailers for auction. Their year of manufacture is 2002. They are offered for sale at a minimum price of 150 euros each.

Open day

Escrapalia, from the Surus Group, has organized an open day so that interested people can inspect the aircraft and tow planes. It will take place on June 13, morning time, at the Ocaña airfield (Toledo), located 60 km from Madrid (Spain).

Auction until June 16

Open until June 16, the online auction is open to professionals and individuals from any country by registering for free at Escrapalia. A deposit of 2,500 euros is required to place bids. The deposit will be returned at the end of the auction to all non-winning bidders and deducted from the winners' final invoice.

Escrapalia specializes in the auction of aeronautical and military equipment. It managed the last voyage of the emblematic aircraft carrier Príncipe de Asturias, among other projects for the Armed Forces, and other Public Administrations, as currently the Ministry of Justice. Always with the aim of finding a "second life" for all the assets it manages.

For more info....

 

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Fancy your own Boeing 737-400?

Fancy your own Boeing 737-400?  Now you can own your very own Boeing 737-400 that has a long history with THAI

The aircraft can be made into an aeroplane café to attract customers or set it up in a cool resort, and it will be auctioned at the price you want to pay.....

 

Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 3:00 PM.
https://www.facebook.com/tgwarehousesale/?ref=page_internal
 TG Warehouse Sale Open as usual.
 THAI Head Office Building 2, 1st
Floor, https://goo.gl/maps/rzuPLRDHvvmfHfpW8
 monday to friday 09.00-15.00


THAI Aircraft Trading

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Airbus commits to extending ACH130 Aston Martin Edition production following the rapid market success

Airbus commits to extending ACH130 Aston Martin Edition production following the rapid market success

Frederic Lemos, Head of Airbus Corporate Helicopters and on the right Cathal Loughnane, Head of Aston Martin Partnerships with the ACH130 Aston Martin Edition and Aston Martin DB 11 Superleggera at the EBACE show. Photo Lorette Fabre

Airbus Corporate Helicopters has committed to continuing production of the ACH130 Aston Martin Edition after selling out almost the entire initial production run faster than expected.

The distinctive and stylish helicopter is a special version of the ACH130 featuring a range of interior and exterior designs created by Aston Martin which has captivated the imagination of helicopter owners who appreciate the thrill of piloting and the pleasure of driving luxury sports cars. It is on display at booth Z43.

Little more than two years after launch ACH has sold all but one of the 15 helicopters covered by its initial production commitment. Orders have come from across the world including South East Asia, Europe, Latin America, New Zealand and North America.

Now ACH has decided to commit to producing another 15 examples to address the continuing interest in the ACH130 Aston Martin Edition.

Head of ACH Frederic Lemos said: “There’s no question that bringing together our values of excellence and quality with Aston Martin’s commitment to high-performance automotive ellegance has resulted in a helicopter that always excites customers. But we really did not imagine that the market would move so fast, so I’m delighted to be able to commit to these future production slots and I look forward to talking to interested customers at EBACE.”

Aston Martin’s Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman added: “As an ultra-luxury brand, Aston Martin is passionate about collaborating with designers and engineers from other disciplines to create special products that represent both our brand values and design ethos. We are delighted with the high interest in the ACH130 Aston Martin Edition and look forward to continuing our fantastic relationship with ACH.”

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Help for Heroes Charity helps to rebuild the lives of those with injuries and illnesses sustained while serving in the British Armed Forces. No matter when someone served, H4H give them the support they need to lead active, independent and fulfilling lives. They provide support to the whole family to help them all cope with the challenges they face. Long-term recovery is more than repairing damaged bodies and minds; it’s about rebuilding lives.

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Akasa Air shows off first new 737 MAX jet

Akasa Air, India’s newest airline that aims to be dependable offering warm and efficient customer service, reliable operations, and affordable fares is getting ready to fly with its first Boeing 737 MAX jet.

Akasa’s youthful personality, employee-centric philosophy, tech-led approach, and culture of service will be a key part of the carrier's growth as it seeks to make a big mark on India's commercial aviation industry. 

Akasa Air has placed a firm order of 72 Boeing 737 MAX aeroplanes, powered by CFM fuel-efficient, LEAP-1B engines. With a fleet of 737 MAX jets, Akasa plans to have the youngest and greenest fleet in the Indian skies.

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Help for Heroes Charity helps to rebuild the lives of those with injuries and illnesses sustained while serving in the British Armed Forces. No matter when someone served, H4H give them the support they need to lead active, independent and fulfilling lives. They provide support to the whole family to help them all cope with the challenges they face. Long-term recovery is more than repairing damaged bodies and minds; it’s about rebuilding lives.

Air Models have a range of aircraft models, including some special 737 MAX models, including this one in the colours of flydubai.  

Other airlines featured include Air China,  Xiamen Air and China Southern 

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Bombardier Introduces Global 8000 Aircraft........

The Canadian firm Bombardier has unveiled its latest business jet offering, the Global 8000 which is said to be the world’s fastest and longest-range purpose-built business jet, with the industry’s healthiest cabin for safety, comfort and performance.  The jet has a range of 8,000 nautical miles and a top speed of Mach 0.94, making routes between Dubai-Houston, Singapore-Los Angeles, London-Perth and many others all possible. 

“Today, Bombardier solidifies once more its position as the leader in business aviation with the newest member of the industry-leading Global family,” said Éric Martel, Bombardier’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The Global 8000 aircraft leverages the outstanding attributes of the Global 7500 aircraft, providing our customers with a flagship aircraft of a new era. We remain unmatched, which for an innovation-focused team like us, is great.”

The Global 8000 aircraft performed a demonstration flight in May 2021 with a Global 7500 flight test vehicle. The aircraft, accompanied by a NASA F/A-18 chase plane, repeatably achieved speeds in excess of Mach 1.015, a key step in enabling a maximum Mach operating speed (MMO) of M0.94 and becoming the fastest business jet in the world and the fastest in civil aviation since the Concorde. 

The Global 8000 business jet features a cabin in with the lowest cabin altitude in its class of 2,900 feet when flying at 41,000 ft. It is also equipped with Bombardier’s Pũr Air and advanced HEPA filter technology for the cleanest cabin air and the fastest fresh air replacement.

The new Global 8000 aircraft has an available Principal Suite with a full-size bed and a stand-up shower in the En-suite. Revolutionary cabin entertainment control and connectivity, the intuitive nice Touch CMS and OLED touch dial, Bombardier’s l’Opéra directional audio sound system and available 4K monitor, also ensure passengers will receive an unrivalled cabin experience.

In the cockpit, the Global 8000 aircraft features the renowned Bombardier Vision flight deck with its next-generation fly-by-wire technology and blend of cutting-edge avionics with exceptional ergonomics and aesthetics for remarkable comfort and control.

 

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Ryanair cabin crew member sacked for drinking on flight from Poland to London Stansted

A steward that worked for Lauda Europe, a subsidiary of budget airline Ryanair has been sacked after photos of him downing drinks during a flight went viral and complaints to the captain. 

Sam Thompson, 26, was captured having a whiskey and glugging down a  miniature bottle of wine in the galley whilst working as cabin crew.

According to a report in the Sun,  Thompson was caught after a passenger asked him for a drink and he is alleged to have said "Shush, don’t tell anyone but I will have one, too" and downed a small bottle of Jack Daniels.

A few photos and a video were taken and Thomson, who appeared drunk according to the passenger, as he glugged down the rose wine. The captain was informed and Thompson was arrested upon arrival and failed a breath test. 

Essex Police confirmed that a male had been arrested and charged with “performing an aviation function, namely being a member of cabin of an aircraft during flight, when their ability to do so was impaired because of drink”. 

Ryanair said “Lauda Europe has investigated a reported individual cabin crew breach of this strict policy. The cabin crew member in question no longer operates for Lauda Europe.”

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