How HCare support contracts have kept customers flying for 35 years

Photo Airbus

Thirty-five years ago, helicopter operators transporting energy industry workers to offshore oil and gas rigs in the North Sea faced a dilemma: how to achieve the highest possible helicopter availability levels in a competitive industry booming with demand, while keeping costs under control.  

One of the main players, Bristow Group found the answer for its fleet of Super Puma AS332 Mk1 helicopters: a relatively new approach to spare parts management called parts-by-the hour (PBH). In 1985, the operator signed up to become Aerospatiale’s (today Airbus Helicopters’) very first civil PBH customer.

Aerospatiale had first launched the concept with militaries such as the French Army. The company matured the idea and gained experience that would become transferable to the civil world. The premise of PBH was two-fold: ensure customers have access to needed parts as quickly as possible, thereby reducing aircraft downtime, in a budget-friendly manner.

To achieve these goals, Aerospatiale established on-site stocks at customer facilities and committed to replenishing these stocks with very short lead times. Customers enrolled in PBH would receive the needed part very quickly after an unscheduled need arose.  And instead of having customers pay for parts on an ad-hoc basis, which would be unpredictable and costly, Aerospatiale asked customers to pay an agreed-upon rate per flight hour, thereby spreading the cost over the life of the contract.

SPAINSAT NG programme successfully passes Preliminary Design Review (PDR)

Important milestone successfully achieved on schedule despite Covid-19

Spanish industry assumes leadership of communications payload for first time, including integration of both satellites’ payloads in Spain

Advanced technologies for Next Generation secure communications satellites

                                          The SPAINSAT NG programme, owned and operated by Hisdesat, has successfully passed the preliminary design review (PDR) of the payload and the full satellite, including PDR of Pacis 3 (PPP) elements. SPAINSAT NG is being manufactured by a consortium of four co-primes from Airbus in Spain and France, and Thales Alenia Space in Spain and France.  

This important milestone confirms the soundness of the preliminary design and technical capabilities of the SPAINSAT NG satellite system.

Despite Covid-19 related challenges, the teams managed to achieve this milestone in the expected timeframe thanks to their commitment to continue working at full capacity, combining remote work with face-to-face activity in the workplace.

Airbus delivers its first U.S.-assembled A220 from Mobile, Alabama

This was the week that Airbus delivered its first U.S.-assembled A220 aircraft from Mobile, Alabama, underlining the aircraft manufacturer’s role as a global aircraft producer and heralding the arrival of a new era in Airbus aircraft production in the United States. The aircraft was delivered to Delta Air Lines.

“The delivery of the first U.S.-built A220-300 is a historic moment that highlights Airbus’ growing industrial footprint in North America and makes us all extremely proud,” said C. Jeffrey Knittel, Chairman & CEO Airbus Americas, Inc. “We look forward to seeing passengers delighted by the experience of travelling on board this brand new A220-300 proudly built in Mobile, Alabama.”

AirAsia India welcomes its first Airbus A320neo

AirAsia India welcomed its first Airbus A320neo (new engine option), which arrived in New Delhi on 21st October 2020 from Airbus's production facility in Toulouse, France. 

The airline celebrated the induction of its 31st aircraft registered VT-ATD at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. AirAsia India’s first A320neo departed Toulouse at 1900 local time (20th October) and landed in New Delhi, one of the airline’s hubs at 0710 IST (21st October) with a crew consisting of senior pilots, cabin crew and engineers. 

Airborne Command & Control Community Marks the 60th Anniversary of its First Maiden Flight

An E-2D aircraft            Photo Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Shane Jackson

While the U.S. Navy celebrated its 245th birthday this October, the Airborne Command & Control Logistics Community marked a longevity milestone, the 60th anniversary of the maiden E-2 flight, Oct. 21.

On Oct. 21, 1960, the first flight of the E-2A occurred out of Bethpage, New York. Five years later, on Oct. 19, 1965, the U.S. Navy conducted its first E-2 deployment.

“For 60 years, the E-2 has been the eye in the sky for the U.S. Navy,” said Capt. Michael France, Commander, Airborne Command & Control Logistics Wing, who has flown more than 4,700 hours flying 25 different aircraft. “The E-2 has continued to manage the airspace in both times of peace and in times of conflict, and we are grateful for every pilot, maintainer, and aircrew who have supported this community.”

During an interview, Rear Adm. John Meier, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic on the admiral’s All Things Naval Aviation podcast, France discussed the test pilot who flew the first E-2.

Air Asia India launches new routes connecting Mumbai with Goa, Chennai with Ahmedabad, Goa, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Jaipur with Kolkata

Air Asia India launches new routes connecting Mumbai  with  Goa, Chennai with Ahmedabad, Goa, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Jaipur with Kolkata

                         Building on its route network,  AirAsia India launched six new routes connecting Mumbai - Goa,  Chennai - Ahmedabad, Goa - Chennai, Mumbai- Chennai, Chennai - Visakhapatnam, and Jaipur - Kolkata. Patrons can book flights on the new routes that are now open for bookings. 

Identifying the demand forecast in the festive season and driven by its mission to enhance the air connectivity in the country,  the airline has embarked on a steady growth path as the travel industry recovers. With offerings such as ‘Flex Fares’, allowing guests the flexibility to change their travel dates an unlimited number of times at no additional cost, AirAsia India is focused on ensuring a convenient and hassle-free travel.

A pilot’s pilot: Honoring Capt. Mark “Tyler” Voss and his Gold Star family

Photo By Lori Bultman | U.S. Air Force Capt. Mark “Tyler” Voss perished in a plane crash near Chon-Aryk, Kyrgyzstan, while on his sixth deployment

By Rachel Kersey | 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

The Gold Star is known as the military honor no one wants. It commemorates the tragic death of a military member who has perished while engaged in combat against a hostile enemy.

On Friday, May 3, 2013, Capt. Mark “Tyler” Voss perished in a plane crash near Chon-Aryk, Kyrgyzstan, while on his sixth deployment, making his family a Gold Star Family who will be honored, along with many other families, annually on the last Sunday of September.

Marcelle “Marcy” Voss, Capt. Voss’ mother, celebrated his service and honored his sacrifice with seven other local families at an event hosted in a veteran-owned restaurant in Kerrville, Texas, the city she lives in. Though it has been seven years since her son died, she still finds ways to honor his memory and share his story.

Cathay Pacific Group announces corporate restructuring that will see more than 5900 jobs lost

  

The Hong Kong based Cathay Pacific Group has released details of corporate restructuring as the airline group struggles to cope with the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation market.  

Part of the major changes will see approximately 8,500 jobs being axed - around 24% of its established headcount. Through a recruitment freeze and natural attrition, the Group has been able to reduce this to 5,900 actual jobs (or 17% of its established headcount).

The restructuring will enable the Company to secure its future, so it can protect as many jobs as possible, whilst meeting its responsibilities to the Hong Kong aviation hub and its customers.

The Group will create a more focused, efficient and competitive business. It will do this by harnessing Cathay Pacific’s strengths and unparalleled customer experience while leveraging the potential of its low-cost carrier, HK Express.

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts honours military members with special savings

Military members, veterans and their families can save up to 15 percent off the best available rate and receive 

500 Wyndham Rewards bonus points

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with over 9,000 hotels across approximately 90 countries, is once again saying thank you to those who serve, offering special savings on upcoming stays and matching Wyndham Rewards® point donations to its preferred military non-profit partners.

Now through December 8, 2020, military members and their families can enjoy savings of up to 15 percent off the best available rate on stays at participating Wyndham hotels, plus 500 Wyndham Rewards bonus points. During that same time, Wyndham will match, one-for-one, all Wyndham Rewards point donations—up to 1 million points—made to its military non-profit partners, which include Hope for the Warriors, Fisher House Foundation, Armed Services YMCA and Operation Homefront. Each military non-profit partner will have point donations matched during the promotional period, up to 250,000 points.

Hilton Effect Foundation Reveals 2020 Grants and Achieves $1 Million in Global COVID-19 Community Response Efforts

23 grants awarded to organizations worldwide to help build stronger and more inclusive communities

 The Hilton Effect Foundation announced today its 2020 Hilton Effect grantees, which include community-based organizations playing a direct role in COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts. Through these grants and donations already made by the Foundation, which serves as Hilton’s primary philanthropic arm, the Foundation has now awarded more than $1 million dollars in COVID-19 community response efforts.

“A core part of the Hilton Effect Foundation’s work is to support our communities around the world through both good times and bad,” said Kate Mikesell, president, Hilton Effect Foundation. “From the very start of the pandemic, we have been listening to community leaders about the direct and indirect challenges they are facing as a result of COVID-19. Based on their feedback, we have focused our grants on driving inclusive recovery and strengthening community resiliency.” 

Alaska Air Group reports third quarter 2020 results along with COVID-19 updates and extends blocked middle seats through Jan. 6, 2021

The Alaska Air Group Inc has reported a net loss of $431 million in the third quarter of 2020 its latest results how.   The carrier is struggling to cope with the effects of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.  Its reported loss excludes the impact of payroll support program wage offsets, special items and mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, the company reported adjusted net loss of $399 million, compared to adjusted net income of $326 million.

"We are gaining momentum as we climb our way out of this crisis," said Air Group CEO Brad Tilden. "Each of the last six months has been better than the month before in terms of flights offered and passengers carried, and to date, we've kept our net debt unchanged. Alaska has competitive advantages that continue to serve us well in this crisis, and we are fighting this battle with the most passionate and dedicated employees in the business."

IAG cuts even more capacity for the rest of the year.....

IAG, the owner of British Airways is planning more stinging cuts to its winter schedule as  "high uncertainty of the current environment" remains.

IAG has seen revenues slump by 83% to €1.2 billion during the third quarter of this year, the same period last year, the group was raking in €7.3 billion in 2019.  Capacity shrank by 78.6%, while passenger numbers fell by 88%.  All of which has left the group reporting an operating loss of around €1.3 billion this quarter. 

Because of the falling demand, increased entry and quarantine conditions, the group has said that capacity for the rest of this year will be "no more than 30%" of the 2019 levels and that looks set to continue until we're well in to 2021.

IAG’s chief financial officer, Stephen Gunning, aid: "Recent overall bookings have not developed as previously expected due to additional measures implemented by many European governments in response to a second wave of Covid-19 infections, including an increase in local lockdowns and extension of quarantine requirements to travellers from an increasing number of countries.  At the same time, initiatives designed to replace quarantine periods and increase customer confidence to book and travel, such as pre-departure testing and air corridor arrangements, have not been adopted by governments as quickly as anticipated."

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British Airways Boeing 747 gets new lease of life as a film star!

Coming in for its last ever landing....G-CIVW                    Photo Dunsfold Aerodrome 

Whilst British Airways may have thrown its Boeing 747s on the scrap heap because of the downturn in business following the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. At least one of these majestic aircraft will get the new lease of life ........ as a film star!

The aircraft, registration G-CIVW, took off from Cardiff Airport this afternoon where it had been in storage and headed to its new home, Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.  The four-engined jet did a slow and low flypast before coming into land and now it will be preserved as a film and tv set.

Photo SurreyLive/Grahame Larter

Jim McAllister, Chief Executive, Dunsfold Aerodrome, said: “The 747 is a unique and important piece of aviation history and we are excited to be taking delivery of this retired aircraft at Dunsfold Aerodrome. Whilst G-CIVW will no longer fly, the aircraft will be preserved and given a new lease of life in the world of TV and film, training and special events.”

Photo Dunsfold Aerodrome 

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