Lufthansa wants to acquire a 20% stake in state-owned Italian airline ITA Airways.....

Photo REUTERS/Remo Casilli

Germany's leading international airline, Lufthansa wants to acquire a 20% stake in state-owned Italian airline ITA Airways, the successor to Alitalia, and its partner MSC is bidding for a 60% stake, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.

The Italian state would initially keep the remaining 20%, the source said. The Lufthansa-MSC duo made their offer to acquire a majority stake in ITA on Monday.

MSC, also known as Mediterranean Shipping Group, has filed an offer together with Lufthansa and is awaiting the next steps, a company spokesperson said, declining to comment further.

The Italian Treasury did not reply to a request for comment on the sale process after the deadline for bids on Monday.

MSC and Lufthansa face a rival bid from U.S. financial investor Certares which is working with Air France-KLM (AIRF.PA) and Delta Air Lines (DAL.N).

Delta confirmed on Tuesday that it would not be a financial investor in ITA, but said in a statement that it would seek to build on an existing commercial partnership with ITA.

Air France-KLM declined to comment on ITA on Tuesday.

It has launched a 2.26-billion-euro ($2.4 billion) share sale to shore up its balance sheet and repay some French state aid, bringing it closer to repaying government pandemic support and meeting European Union conditions for participating in any future airline consolidation. read more

Italian media reports said the Alitalia successor was worth between around 1 billion and 2 billion euros. A Lufthansa spokesperson did not want to comment on the figures.

A decision is expected in the coming weeks about which of the two bidder groups will be invited to launch exclusive negotiations. Italy is aiming to complete a sale by the end of June.

 Reporting by Ilona Wissenbach, Zuzanna Szymanska, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Jonathan Saul and Giuseppe Fonte Writing by Paul Carrel Editing by Miranda Murray and Jonathan Oatis

Want me in your inbox? Follow here for email updates Air101 here.

Avia Solutions boss predicts aircraft shortage in lease market.....

As the COVID-19 wanes sluggishly, the aircraft leasing market is likely to experience an increase in demand. Mainly, this will result from the growing demand for new aircraft as more and more airlines try to provide expanded capacity for the snowballing numbers of passengers and the surge in demand for cargo aviation.

Current projections indicate that the aviation industry will inject up to £148 billion in funding the booming demand for new aircraft by 2023 and even more in the succeeding years. The need to acquire new aircraft to meet the requirements for increased aircraft capacity will likely push airlines to consider alternative ways to avoid the financial burden and other challenges of purchasing them. As a result, aircraft leasing may emerge as the most attractive option even for airlines seeking to increase their capacity, albeit temporarily.

Today, many airlines are less concerned about when demand will return. Indeed, the pressing question is how they will respond to the challenge of the increasing aviation demand. For many, passenger recovery would mean more aircraft departures and increased utilization which may have a net negative impact on pilot supply.

Regarding magnitude, the expected decline in global pilot supply will hit 34,000 pilots between now and 2025. However, the figure may clock at 50,000 in the worst-case scenario, signaling real challenges for small and big carries. The outright reasons explaining the pilot deficit problem include the increasing numbers of pilots going into retirement, defections, change of careers, furloughs, and fleet growth.

The pilot shortage problem may compel some airlines to enter into short-term dry lease agreements, where they hand over some of their aircraft to other companies with a bigger supply of in-service pilots rather than cancelling hundreds of flights due to flight shortages. However, an increase in demand for dry leasing by major airlines will ultimately cause a leasing deficit, as the number of carriers pursuing ACMI solutions exceeds that of airlines providing such services. Even with such big players like Lufthansa, which in their latest strategy is reactivating temporarily parked aircraft and the use of seasonal wet-lease capacities, might not be enough to meet the demand.

Conceivably, some airlines may experience aircraft shortages, given that part of their existing fleet cannot return to service because they require maintenance. As a result, this will push the demand for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services. Current forecasts indicate that the value of the aircraft MRO market will increase from £57.96 billion in 2021 to £79.47 billion by 2028 due to the growing demand for MRO services.

Arkansas' Central Flying Service under new management.

Arkansas’ oldest aviation firm, Central Flying Service of Little Rock, is under new management. Central Flying Service and Tricoastal Ventures, LLC, a capital investment firm dedicated to commercial aviation, announced this week that they have concluded the acquisition from the Holbert family, the founders and owners for the past 82 years. Tricoastal acquired 100% of the stock in the company, however other terms were not disclosed. Central provides flight training, aircraft sales, heavy maintenance for propeller-driven and jet aircraft including aircraft painting, interior refurbishment, and avionics upgrades and repairs out of several hangars on the west side of Adams Field.

 Departing CEO Richard Holbert is pleased with the new ownership team, including their experience and their approach. “We are proud to know that Central is in the right hands, and that the unique and lasting brand we created will continue to serve our great people and this community for decades to come,” he added.

The Company will be led by commercial aviation professionals Phil Jordan as Chief Executive Officer and Herb Knight as Chief Operating Officer, both of whom are Partners at Tricoastal. Central intends to capitalize on their existing capabilities, expanding to additional locations and adjacent markets. “We have big plans for the company, and we have the right team to maintain a culture of quality and excellence while extending our reach,” said Phil Jordan.

As sister companies under Tricoastal ownership, American Kodiak (offering the Kodiak 100) and Volare Air (offering Tecnam aircraft) will engage Central to provide full-service, authorized maintenance for the growing family of Kodiak and Tecnam aircraft owners. In addition to aircraft sales and maintenance, Central will continue to provide Flight Training and Aircraft Management and Charter services in Little Rock.

Aerospace and Defense industry veteran Brian Raduenz has been named Chairman of the Board at Central. While not involved in day-to-day operations, he will provide strategic guidance and business advice. “We are honored to be entrusted with the legacy established by the Holbert family and maintained by the loyal employees in Little Rock,” Raduenz said. “Our focus right now is excellence in commercial aviation and sales, and in the future, I could see this platform getting more involved in defense work as well.”

Use the voucher code MAY22FREE to get free delivery in May from Help for Heroes.

Apply the code at the checkout for UK standard delivery. Not applicable to international or next day delivery. 

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.

Want me in your inbox? Follow here for email updates Air101 here.

Ethiopian Airlines to order five Boeing 777 Freighters

The largest and leading aviation group in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines has put in another order for Boeing 777 cargo planes. 

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr Mesfin Tasew said ”The addition of these five Boeing 777 Freighters into our cargo fleet will enable us to meet the growing demand in our cargo operation. While cementing our partnership with the Boeing Company with new orders, the growth of our freighter fleet takes the capacity and efficiency of our shipment service to the next level. We always strive to serve our customers with the latest technology aircraft the aviation industry could offer. Our Africa’s largest cargo terminal coupled with fuel-efficient freighters and well-trained cargo handling professionals will enable our customers get the best quality shipment service. Customers can rely on Ethiopian for wide-ranging cargo services across five continents.” 

Ethiopian Airlines currently operates a fleet of nine 777 freighters, which have a notional range of 4,970 nautical miles and can carry a maximum structural payload of 107 tonnes used on a network of 127 international destinations around the world with both belly hold capacity and dedicated freighter services.     

In early March 2022, Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines also announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the intent to purchase five 777-8 Freighters, the industry’s newest, most capable and most fuel-efficient twin-engine freighter. 

 

Use the voucher code MAY22FREE to get free delivery in May from Help for Heroes.

Apply the code at the checkout for UK standard delivery. Not applicable to international or next day delivery. 

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.

Want me in your inbox? Follow here for email updates Air101 here.

Strong booking flow, increased revenue, and lower cost, Play playing well.

Strong booking flow, increased revenue, and lower cost
Booking flow is strong and load factor growing

PLAY has carried approx. 230 thousand passengers to date with approx. 60 thousand passengers in the first quarter of 2022

The financial position of the company is strong. Cash and cash equivalents on the 31st of March amounted to USD 42.12 million. The equity ratio was 22% and the company has no external interest-bearing debt

EBIT was negative in the first quarter of 2022 in the amount of USD 13.3 million, as expected as the company has yet to reach economies of scale. The Omicron variant impacted revenue during the quarter and the war in Ukraine resulted in higher fuel prices towards the end of the quarter, impacting financial results negatively

PLAY has started the process of implementing fuel hedges

Cost of Available Seat Kilometer (CASK) excl. fuel is rapidly decreasing with the increased operation, and PLAY continues to work its way toward operational profit

Revenue (RASK) is increasing rapidly

During Q1, the main focus was on preparing for the airlines‘ operational ramp-up before the summer schedule and the hub-and-spoke operation, including hiring and training new employees, preparing 15 new destination airports, and adding to the fleet.

In January, PLAY carried 13,488 passengers with a load factor of 55.7%. In February the load factor was 67.1% and PLAY carried 19,686 passengers. The load factor was 66.9% in March and PLAY carried 23,667 passengers, which is a 20% increase from the previous month. A surge in COVID-19 cases at the end of 2021 caused hesitation amongst passengers to book their travel and had a negative impact on booking inflow for Q1.

Forward bookings continue to strengthen

Booking inflow started to improve in January, with 95% more sold seats compared to December 2021. In February, this positive trend continued with 59% more sold seats compared to January, despite the war in Ukraine. This improvement in booking inflow has continued into the second quarter of 2022, with 336% more sold seats in April compared to January, also reflecting more capacity. In April the load factor was 72.4% and we saw over 50% increase in passengers from the previous month.

Strong cash position and lower CASK

As expected, EBIT was negative in the amount of USD 13.3 million in the first quarter of 2022, as the company has yet to reach economies of scale. The Omicron variant impacted revenue during the quarter and the war in Ukraine resulted in higher fuel price towards the end of the quarter, both impacting the company’s financial results negatively.

PLAY continues to hold a strong financial position with cash and cash equivalents on the 31st of March amounted to USD 42.12 million. The equity ratio was 22% and the company has no external interest bearing debt.

PLAY has been successful in keeping costs down and CASK has been decreasing with increased operations. PLAY anticipates positive operating results in the latter half of this year with CASK excl. fuel steadily decreasing. PLAY foresees to reach its goal of CASK excl. fuel under 4 cents in summer 2022.

Loss amounted to USD 11.2 million for the first three months of 2022 compared to 0.4 USD million for the same period last year, before PLAY started flight operations.

Steps taken towards implementing PLAY‘s fuel hedging policy

PLAY has started the process of implementing its fuel hedging policy. A fuel hedging agreement has been made with Skeljungur which is in line with the hedging policy. A first conservative step has been taken in implementing the policy, and the volatile economic and world situation will be continued to be monitored closely for further steps to be taken. However, the fuel surcharge put in place in March manages to mitigate a notable portion of the fuel price increase.

Changing our fleet mix due to higher fuel prices

In the summer 2022, PLAY was planning to have three Airbus A321neo, one Airbus A321neo Long Range (LR) and two Airbus A320neo. Due to the high price of fuel, PLAY has decided to change its fleet plan for summer 2022, and instead of leasing an Airbus A321neo LR, PLAY will lease an Airbus A320neo at more favorable terms, thus securing an even lower cost base in the long term. As a result, the planned three times weekly Orlando service that was supposed to start on 30 September 2022 will not commence. Following this change, PLAY’s fleet in summer 2022 will consist of three Airbus A321neo and three Airbus A320neo.

Expanded network ensures increased utilization of aircraft and other resources

In the second quarter of 2022, PLAY will expand its network as new destinations in Europe and North America are added. In April, PLAY launched service to Baltimore/Washington D.C. and Dublin. So far in May, PLAY has launched services to Prague, Boston, Lisbon, Gothenburg, and Brussels. From now until the end of May, PLAY will launch services to Stavanger, Malaga, and Trondheim. In June, PLAY will launch services to Palma de Mallorca, Bologna, and New York.

The total number of seats on sale in the second quarter of 2022 will be 167% more than the company offered in the first quarter of 2022. This expanded network will result in improved utilization of aircraft and other resources. As a result, PLAY’s unit cost (CASK), excluding fuel and costs related to emissions units, is expected to be considerably reduced in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the previous year.

“As we close the first quarter of 2022, we see and feel a growing demand in the market and a great response to our new destinations. PLAY has clearly gained momentum, market share, and strength very quickly. After a challenging winter, it is good to see this positive feeling materialize in an increased load factor and a growing number of passengers month after month. This quarter, we took steps towards expanding our fleet, staff number, network, and we are confident that we are increasing our capacity at the right time as market demand has clearly recovered. PLAY will start operations to twelve new destinations in Europe and the U.S in May and June. This means that in summer 2022, PLAY will serve 26 destinations on both sides of the Atlantic, so it is safe to say that we have some very exciting times ahead. PLAY is heading into the spring and summer with a strong booking and financial position. We expect that utilization will continue to improve in the coming months with the addition of the VIA market to PLAY’s network as we have started connecting cities in Europe and the United States. The team at PLAY has worked tirelessly towards the goal of launching the transatlantic operation as well as our many new European destinations, and it has been great to watch all the pieces come together thanks to their precision, professionalism, and skills,“ says Birgir Jónsson, CEO.

 CONDENSED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  1 January - 31 March 2022

R01 - Fyrirmynd að uppsetningu lítils endurskoðaðs ársreiknings

Use the voucher code MAY22FREE to get free delivery in May from Help for Heroes.

Apply the code at the checkout for UK standard delivery. Not applicable to international or next day delivery. 

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.

Want me in your inbox? Follow here for email updates Air101 here.

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

 

Use the voucher code MAY22FREE to get free delivery in May from Help for Heroes.

Apply the code at the checkout for UK standard delivery. Not applicable to international or next day delivery. 

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.

Want me in your inbox? Follow here for email updates Air101 here.

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.”

 

Use the voucher code MAY22FREE to get free delivery in May from Help for Heroes.

Apply the code at the checkout for UK standard delivery. Not applicable to international or next day delivery. 

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.

Want me in your inbox? Follow here for email updates Air101 here.

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.”

Use the voucher code MAY22FREE to get free delivery in May from Help for Heroes.

Apply the code at the checkout for UK standard delivery. Not applicable to international or next day delivery. 

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.

Want me in your inbox? Follow here for email updates Air101 here.

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.

Use the voucher code MAY22FREE to get free delivery in May from Help for Heroes.

Apply the code at the checkout for UK standard delivery. Not applicable to international or next day delivery. 

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.

Want me in your inbox? Follow here for email updates Air101 here.

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.  

 

Use the voucher code MAY22FREE to get free delivery in May from Help for Heroes.

Apply the code at the checkout for UK standard delivery. Not applicable to international or next day delivery. 

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.

Want me in your inbox? Follow here for email updates Air101 here.

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....

 

Use the voucher code MAY22FREE to get free delivery in May from Help for Heroes.

Apply the code at the checkout for UK standard delivery. Not applicable to international or next day delivery. 

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.

Want me in your inbox? Follow here for email updates Air101 here.