12 April, 2024

The Royal Aeronautical Society has published three Air Traffic Management papers to support the future development of aviation

The Royal Aeronautical Society have published three briefing papers which cover Air Traffic Control Staffing in the UK, GNSS Services supporting the UK and ATM/ASM Contribution to Net Zero and Climate Change Issues.

The papers published by the Air Traffic Management Specialist Group aim to raise awareness of issues that are facing the UK aviation industry following our departure from EASA and in light of increased levels of air traffic post Covid. These areas need to be addressed to ensure the UK aviation industry meets the demands of future air travel, and develops the UK airspace structure towards a more sustainable and integrated airspace.

The ‘Air Traffic Control Staffing’ paper highlights that it is not currently possible for ATCO trained outside the UK, or UK military licensed ATCOs, to work in the UK without completing the entire basic training, regardless of previous experience. The paper recommends a challenge to current thinking for ‘on the job’ processes and to emphasise the benefits from the increased use of simulation in the ATCO training process.


The ‘GNSS services supporting the UK’ paper discusses issues for the UK civil aviation industry in which the UK, pre-EU Exit, had a strategic roadmap for GNSS based on ICAO developments and supported through our membership of both the EU Galileo and EGNOS space programmes. This included the successful rollout of stabilised 3-Dimensional instrument approaches down to CAT I minima at 18 aerodromes in the UK. The EU Exit has removed this capability.

The final paper ‘ATM/ASM Contribution to Net Zero and Climate Change Issues’ highlights the need for the government to set clear priorities for action that place environmental improvements in the ATM/ASM arena. The paper recommends that all ATM changes must demonstrate measurable improvements in terms of 3-D performance (climb /descent profiles) or track miles flown or, at least, no net increase in terms of CO2 (or equivalent) emissions.

Effective international collaboration will be required to deliver all these changes at both the regional and global level. The Society aims to promote the need for these changes to support the future development of UK aviation, aerospace and space.


The three papers can be found at the links below:


RAeS Chief Executive David Edwards said: “These Royal Aeronautical Society papers highlight the challenges that Covid and the UK’s exit from EASA has had on our industry, specifically in ATM and Airspace. These papers aim to educate and promote that the industry must look to address the concerns of our specialists to ensure we have an aviation industry which is fit for purpose, sustainable and safe. It is of paramount importance that we allow the UK to prosper post EASA membership in aviation, aerospace and space industries.


The Society has promoted its key paper on Contrail Management, published in 2023, which is a critical area of focus in reaching industry Net Zero targets by 2050. However, there is no one solution to making aviation sustainable. Airspace modernisation including ATM/ASM is crucially important in enabling the aviation industry to thrive in a sustainable way.”





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Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance have established component support agreement with Hawaiian Airlines

Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance, world-leading multi-product MRO services provider, is pleased to announce a landmark partnership with Hawaiian Airlines, further solidifying its position as a premier provider of tailored solutions in the aviation industry. This collaboration marks the commencement of a ten-year term contract, with a provision for a two-year extension, encompassing comprehensive component support for Hawaiian Airlines’ newly acquired Boeing 787-9 fleet.


The agreement between AFI KLM E&M and Hawaiian Airlines underscores the dedication to providing outstanding service and support. In this strategic partnership, AFI KLM E7M will offer repair and pooling support for Hawaiian Airlines’ twelve 787-9 aircraft, utilizing its extensive global network. In addition, Hawaiian Airlines will benefit from AFI KLM E&M’ state- of-the-art solution PROGNOS®, Predictive Maintenance for Aircraft, for enhanced operational efficiency and aircraft reliability.

‘We are thrilled to partner with AFI KLM E&M as our strategic 787 component support provider and join their large network of 787 customers’, expressed Jim Landers, Senior Vice President of Technical Operations at Hawaiian Airlines. ‘As a 787 operator themselves, they understand our goal to deliver safe and reliable aircraft to Hawaiian's network for on-time departures. We look forward to them exceeding our expectations.’

Paul-Antoine Vivet, Vice President Sales Americas at Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance, displayed his enthusiasm regarding the partnership, stating; ‘We are honored to have been entrusted by Hawaiian Airlines as their preferred MRO partner for their 787-9 fleet. This collaboration underlined our relentless dedication to delivering innovative solutions and unparalleled service excellence, further cementing our strong foothold withing the global aviation landscape.’

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WestJet and Calgary Flames Alumni Association sign two-year partnership

The partnership serves to support affordable youth programming and strengthen ties with local communities



WestJet and the Calgary Flames Alumni Association announced a new two-year partnership focused on unlocking new opportunities to give back to the community through enhanced access to sports for Western Canadian youth.  

"Our partnership with the Calgary Flames Alumni is founded on a mutual passion for engaging with and giving back to our shared hometown," said Jeff Hagen, WestJet, Vice-President, Commercial Development & Strategic Partnerships. "Through our long-standing relationship, we are proud to support the Alumni's initiatives to increase youth participation in sport."

Integral to the enhanced partnership announcement is WestJet's sponsorship of the Calgary Flames Alumni Hockey School, which aims to provide families with affordable access to hockey camp, with the goal of keeping youth in Western Canada active and engaged. Additionally, the camp gives the alumni group the opportunity to engage with school participants and pass down their extensive knowledge of the game.

British Airways introduces next-generation weather apps for air crew

British Airways will become the first UK airline to roll out two next-generation weather apps, to provide pilots and the airline’s flight planning teams access to real-time weather data, allowing them to better plan and mitigate the impact of weather on any intended flight route, in the moment.

Currently, teams rely on manually produced weather reports that are generated earlier that day. With access to the new apps, pilots and flight planning teams will be able to assess the impact of weather changes in real-time to better plan and adapt flight paths, making more operationally efficient decisions. 

The apps will provide real-time data from The Weather Company to pilots and flight planning teams to help better predict bad weather

This new technology will replace manually produced weather reports, and forms part of the airline’s £7bn transformation programme, as it continues to focus on increasing the use of new technology across its operation

The technology has been developed and configured to meet the exact needs of British Airways’ extensive route network, providing benefits across its short and long-haul operations, and will be introduced ahead of the busy summer season



The first app will give the airline’s pilots streamlined access to weather data from The Weather Company, offering comprehensive insights into weather conditions along flight paths both before departure and while in the air. Additional updates will utilise onboard Wi-Fi connectivity* to support real-time in-flight weather updates, further improving its functionality. 

The airline’s Integrated Operations Control Centre – the operational hub that keeps the airline running smoothly, will also have access to an app that - in the future - will work in conjunction with the new technology available to pilots, giving them precise information on weather changes.

René de Groot, Chief Operating Officer at British Airways, said: “It’s exciting that we’ll be the first UK airline to combine the technology of both apps, which will allow us to make even better operational decisions in the moment using real-time data. These applications represent a step-change in the quality of weather information we receive, and, in the future, will enable pilots to collaborate in real-time during a flight with operational colleagues on the ground, allowing faster decision-making for a variety of issues like diversion planning and recovery.”

South Korea's flag carrier and largest airline, Korean Air selects Ramco Aviation

Global Aviation software specialist, Ramco Systems announced its strategic engagement with Korean Air, a flag carrier of South Korea and its largest airline, to implement its flagship aviation software, Ramco Aviation Suite at Korean Air's Engine Maintenance Center.

Signs multi-million-dollar deal to accelerate tech transformation of its new engine maintenance complex – Asia's Largest Engine MRO Facility

The implementation of Ramco's Aviation Software will replace multiple legacy systems to streamline operations across current engine shops and planned expansion sites. With comprehensive MRO-specific functionalities, and integrated e-publications, Ramco Aviation will be the technological foundation for Korean Air. Ramco's robust Engine MRO solution will cater to the current and future expansion plans of the airline, thereby strengthening its aircraft engine maintenance capabilities and solidifying presence in the MRO segment.

Chan Woo Jung, VP & Head – Maintenance & Engineering Division, Korean Air, said "Airlines today are grappling with the need for efficient engine maintenance. These needs prompted us to embark on our ambitious journey to build Asia's largest engine maintenance complex and expand our capabilities to service more engine types. The implementation of Ramco's Engine MRO capabilities will help us enhance our facility's efficiency and precision and set new standards in engine maintenance, positioning us as a top MRO provider."

Delta Sky Club levels up in Miami with major lounge expansion

On April 9, Delta Sky Club raised the curtain on its newly expanded Miami lounge. With the addition of nearly 4,000 square feet and 100-plus seats to the Club—a capacity increase of more than 50%— the Club now stands at just over 12,000 total square feet, ready to welcome around 300 guests.

“Miami is an important global transport hub, with increasing prominence in the Delta network,” said Claude Roussel, Vice President – Sky Clubs and Lounge Experience. “The expansion and renovation of the MIA Club helps us support the growth in this market and elevates the lounge experience to one suited to the profile of this vibrant city.”

The expansion’s design takes inspiration from Miami’s bright colors and sunny beaches. A new mosaic pays homage to the city’s classic Art Deco architecture, while the overall color palette reflects the nearby turquoise waters, blue sky, and white and gold accents seen in south Florida designs.

The Club expansion features a new service buffet and additional beverage station to support that higher guest volume. Seating in the expansion is tailored to the needs of the business traveler, with single-seat dining tables, a communal table with a charging source in the center, and power outlets at almost every seat. Throughout the Club, seating has been refurbished to match the elevated look of the newly added space.

The Miami expansion kicks off a year of growth for Delta lounges, with two new Delta Sky Clubs coming to Charlotte and Seattle and three highly anticipated Delta One Lounges opening in JFK, LAX and BOS. See the full list of openings here.


11 April, 2024

Nine new easyJet Fearless Flyer course dates across the UK for summer 2024

easyJet is bringing its Fearless Flyer course back for summer, to help nervous flyers take control and overcome their fears.
easyJet is bringing its Fearless Flyer course back for summer, to help nervous flyers take control and overcome their fears.
With courses starting from 21st April 2024 and taking place in Glasgow, Bristol, Manchester, Belfast, London Gatwick, Liverpool, London Luton, and Edinburgh as well as returning to easyJet’s new base Birmingham for the first time this year, customers now have a choice of nine airports across the UK to book their experience flight.

easyJet's summer 2024 Fearless Flyer Experience Flights are taking place on the following dates across the UK:

Airport

Date

Glasgow

Sunday 21st April 2024

Bristol

Saturday 27th April 2024

Manchester

Sunday 28th April 2024

Belfast

Saturday 11th May 2024

London Gatwick

Saturday 18th May 2024

Liverpool

Saturday 8th June 2024

London Luton

Sunday 9th June 2024

Edinburgh

Monday 17th June 2024

Birmingham

Saturday 23rd June 2024




For over a decade the course has helped over 12,000 phobics take to the skies after successfully completing the Fearless Flyer course, with the programme achieving over 95% success rate and it continues to be one of the best-priced aerophobia courses in the UK, starting at just £89 per person with the summer schedule providing options across the UK from April until the end of June.

easyJet’s Fearless Flyer course is divided into three main parts:

A virtual ground course, where an easyJet captain explains the unfamiliar sounds and sensations customers feel onboard an aircraft during take off, landing and during times of turbulence. In addition, Lawrence Leyton, a leading expert in the psychology of fear, teaches a unique set of mind techniques to help manage nerves.
A pre-flight one-hour ‘Meet the Team’ online Zoom session, where participants will be walked through the airport experience and what to expect. There will also be a participant Q&A session with the Fearless Flyer Team including an easyJet pilot, Lawrence Leyton and Course Director Mark Wein, who shares his tips and advice on how he overcame his own fear of flying many years ago.
And lastly, a special one-hour experience flight from the course airport, where customers put their new skills to the test whilst listening to a live commentary of the flight from the Fearless Flyer team.

A limited number of spaces on the courses are now available at fearlessflyer.easyjet.com 

Captain Maria Pernia-Digings, Lead Fearless Flyer Pilot Presenter, easyJet said:  “We’re delighted to be relaunching our renowned Fearless Flyer course for 2024 with summer courses now available to book across the UK. The courses have been running for many years with a success rate of over 95%. As one of the Captains presenting the course, I have seen first-hand how so many nervous flyers conquer their worries and fears about flying  and they are now enjoying traveling to all parts of the world for business, for holidays and visiting relatives. If you have a fear of flying, please come and join us and let us help you to spread your wings and change your life.” 

Vast’s Haven-1 aims to be the world’s first commercial space station connected by SpaceX starlink

Vast’s Haven-1, is scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station and will be equipped with SpaceX’s Starlink laser terminal providing Gigabit/s speed, low latency connectivity to its crew users, internal payload racks, external cameras and instruments.

“If you need to provide high-speed, low-latency, continuous internet connectivity on a space station in orbit in 2025, SpaceX Starlink is the only option,” said Max Haot, Vast’s CEO. “We expect their network and technology leading position to continue and accelerate over time, which is why we are excited to have the chance to partner with SpaceX on deploying their first laser connectivity for a space station.”

The Haven-1 crew will be able to connect their personal devices via Wi-Fi to the Starlink network and have unprecedentedly better internet connectivity on orbit to host outreach video calls and perform experiments and science with full, high-speed internet access. Even during crew rest time, they will be able to use high-speed internet.

“High-speed, low-latency connectivity on orbit for crew and critical scientific research is critical to any space station experience,” said Stephanie Bednarek, SpaceX’s Senior Director of Commercial Sales. “We are excited for Vast’s Haven-1 to be the first commercial space station to stay connected with Starlink.”

Vast and SpaceX have reached an agreement for SpaceX to provide Starlink connectivity to future Vast platforms beyond Haven 1, including connectivity for Vast’s next space station, which the company plans to bid for in NASA's upcoming commercial Low Earth Orbit destinations (CLDs) competition.

In May 2023, Vast announced that SpaceX will launch Haven-1, followed by two human spaceflight missions to the Haven-1 space station.

This new partnership between Vast and SpaceX will continue to create and accelerate greater accessibility to space and more opportunities for exploration on the road to making humanity multiplanetary.
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Airbus shareholders approve all resolutions at 2024 AGM

Airbus SE shareholders approved all resolutions at the Company’s 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 10 April in Amsterdam.

Resolutions included the renewal of the three-year Board mandate of Chairman René Obermann and those of fellow non-executive directors Victor Chu, Jean-Pierre Clamadieu and Amparo Moraleda. Mr. Obermann was formally reappointed Chairman of the Board at a Board meeting held after the AGM.

Dr. Feiyu Xu was appointed as a non-executive director following approval at the shareholder meeting. She replaces Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., who resigned with effect of the date of the AGM having served on the Board since 2013. Dr. Xu was appointed for a term of two years, corresponding to the remainder of Mr. Crosby’s mandate.

Enhanced Cessna high-wing piston aircraft flying into service

Textron Aviation has confirmed the entry into service of its enhanced Cessna Skyhawk, Cessna Skylane, Turbo Skylane and Turbo Stationair HD following first deliveries for each aircraft. These latest product investments aim to provide a modern and stylish tone that aligns with the newest Cessna Citation jets, while maintaining the renowned comfort, durability and performance of the iconic Cessna piston lineup.



The Cessna Skyhawk, Skylane, Turbo Skylane and Turbo Stationair HD are designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.

"These enhancements to the iconic Cessna piston family offer improved comfort, functionality and style,” said Chris Crow, vice president, Piston Sales. “Whether you're a student pilot or an experienced aviator, the extensive product lineup offers something to meet your needs, elevate your flying adventures and inspire the journey of flight."

With new features and design elements, the Cessna aircraft continue to be versatile and reliable tools that enable customers to fulfil a wide range of missions. The new interior designs include:

All-new comfortable seats with additional support and padding
Power headset jacks at every seat
A and C USB charging ports at every seat
Sleek, black instrument panels
Thoughtfully placed side and cell phone pockets throughout the aircraft
Integrated overhead air conditioning on equipped aircraft
A new center armrest available on certain models
When it comes to the exterior, owners can select from a variety of new modern exterior schemes to match their preferences.

Textron Aviation's investment in the Cessna piston aircraft lineup demonstrates the company’s continued enthusiasm and support for pilots worldwide, whether they are pursuing training ambitions or planning their next adventure. The company remains dedicated to delivering cutting-edge technology and exceptional craftsmanship to the aviation community. The new interior designs will be unveiled at the highly anticipated 2024 SUN ‘n FUN event in Lakeland, Florida.
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The St. Joe Company and InterMountain Management, LLC Announce the Opening of the 121-Suite Residence Inn by Marriott Panama City Beach Pier Park

The St. Joe Company and InterMountain Management, LLC announce the opening of the 121-suite Residence Inn by Marriott Panama City Beach Pier Park (“Residence Inn”). The hotel is located at 15900 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach, FL 32413 in the popular Pier Park® shopping and entertainment district.


Managed by InterMountain, the pet-friendly hotel features 121 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom guest suites with full kitchens, equipped with a full-sized refrigerator, stovetop, microwave, dishwasher and coffee maker. Complimentary amenities include hot breakfast, Wifi, on-site parking, grocery delivery services, outdoor pool and fitness center. The convenient location is ideal for families traveling on vacation as well as for business travelers, as guests will be within walking distance of the nearby Pier Park district, white sand beaches and the Frank Brown Park sports complex and event site.

Residence Inn is the second extended-stay hotel in Panama City Beach owned by a partnership of St. Joe and InterMountain, preceded by the 124-suite TownePlace Suites by Marriott® Panama City Beach Pier Park (“TownePlace Suites”).

“Our joint venture with InterMountain has produced two great Marriott-branded hotels in the popular Pier Park area,” said William Brock, Vice President of Commercial Real Estate for St. Joe. “As Panama City Beach continues to position itself as a year-round destination for families, this new hotel will provide visitors with another extended-stay option and supports our goal of having lodging and hospitality offerings to meet every traveller’s needs and price point.”

Delta Air Lines releases its March Quarter financial results

Delta Air Lines has reported financial results for the March quarter and provided its outlook for the June quarter.  

"Thanks to the extraordinary work of our 100,000 people, Delta is delivering the best operational reliability in our history, and we have widened the gap to our competitors.  We were thrilled to recognize their efforts with $1.4 billion in profit sharing payouts during the quarter," said Ed Bastian, Delta's chief executive officer.

"For the March quarter, we delivered record revenue on outstanding operational performance, enabling strong earnings growth.  We anticipate continued strong momentum for our business, and in the June quarter, we expect to deliver record revenue, a mid-teens operating margin and earnings of $2.20 to $2.50 per share.  We remain confident in our full year targets for earnings of $6 to $7 per share and free cash flow of $3 to $4 billion."

March Quarter 2024 GAAP Financial Results

  • Operating revenue of $13.7 billion
  • Operating income of $614 million with an operating margin of 4.5 percent
  • Pre-tax income of $122 million with a pre-tax margin of 0.9 percent
  • Earnings per share of $0.06
  • Operating cash flow of $2.4 billion
  • Payments on debt and finance lease obligations of $712 million
  • Total debt and finance lease obligations of $19.4 billion at quarter end

March Quarter 2024 Adjusted Financial Results

  • Operating revenue of $12.6 billion, 6 percent higher than the March quarter 2023
  • Operating income of $640 million with an operating margin of 5.1 percent
  • Pre-tax income of $380 million with a pre-tax margin of 3.0 percent
  • Earnings per share of $0.45
  • Operating cash flow of $2.5 billion
  • Free cash flow of $1.4 billion
  • Adjusted debt to EBITDAR of 2.9x, down from 3.0x at the end of 2023
  • Return on invested capital of 13.8 percent on a trailing five quarter average, up 2.8 points over prior year

Financial Guidance


FY 2024 Forecast

Earnings Per Share

$6 - $7

Free Cash Flow ($B)

$3 - $4

Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR

2x - 3x




2Q24 Forecast

Total Revenue YoY

Up 5% - 7%

Operating Margin

14% - 15%

Earnings Per Share

$2.20 - $2.50


1Non-GAAP measures; Refer to Non-GAAP reconciliations for historical comparison figures

Additional metrics for financial modelling can be found in the Supplemental Information section under Quarterly Results on ir.delta.com.

10 April, 2024

WestJet to operate new non-stop, twice weekly seasonal service between Fredericton and Calgary

Beginning June 20, 2024, the Canadian airline WestJet will operate a new non-stop, twice-weekly seasonal service between Fredericton and Calgary. 

"The addition of service between Fredericton and Calgary is a testament to our ongoing commitment to deliver on our promise to expand our service in Atlantic Canada through critical east-to-west connectivity, which has been met with strong community support," said Andrew Gibbons, WestJet Vice-President of External Affairs. "The route we are celebrating today will not only foster enhanced business and leisure ties but further strengthen the connection between the vibrant and unique economies in both Fredericton and Calgary."

Route

Frequency

Start Date

End Date

Departure

Arrival

Calgary-Fredericton

2x weekly

June 20

October 28

9:15

17:00

Fredericton-Calgary

2x weekly

June 20

October 28

17:50

20:05

"We're delighted to welcome WestJet's non-stop route from Fredericton to Calgary," said Johanne Gallant, President and CEO of the Fredericton International Airport Authority. "YFC is a growing airport in a thriving region, and this new flight brings the connectivity families, businesses and visitors are looking for."

"WestJet's new Calgary-Fredericton service will be great news to a growing number of Albertans looking to vacation in the Fredericton and the rest of the Maritimes," said David Seabrook, Director of Tourism for the Fredericton Capital Region. "The connections between family and friends in the two provinces are historically very strong and this new route will be great for those wanting to plan a visit to New Brunswick's Capital City this summer."

Summer 2024 schedule reinforces WestJet's leading leisure position for Atlantic Canada

RTX's Pratt & Whitney announces North American Technology Accelerator

RTX's Pratt & Whitney has released details of its North American Technology Accelerator (NATA), a commercial and military aftermarket operations centre of excellence based in Florida. The NATA will have dedicated floor space, equipment and resources for the development and industrialization of technology insertion programs that will support the company's global maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) network.


The accelerator projects in Florida are primarily focused on material restoration and process automation including advanced repairs, digital inspection, adaptive processing, and coating and masking for compressor and fan parts, blades, cases, and more. The benefits of these technologies will reduce cost, material demand, and environmental impact, while decreasing turn times, improving throughput, and delivering value to customers. 

"NATA combines data science with people know-how and state-of-the-art automation to help address customer pain points such as inventory management and part availability, while accelerating our improved repair capabilities and efficiency to better serve our customers," said Kevin Kirkpatrick, vice president, Aftermarket Global Operations at Pratt & Whitney.

Key projects include additive repairs for critical GTF engine components. With this new additive repair technology alone, Pratt & Whitney expects to recover $100 million worth of parts over next five years to support GTF MRO ramp.

Global aviation leaders to meet in Riyadh for the 2024 Future Aviation Forum

The Future Aviation Forum (FAF) returns to Riyadh from 20-22 May 2024, bringing together 5,000 experts and aviation leaders from over 100 countries, including ministers, regulators, manufacturers, airlines, and airports. The Forum will find solutions to the sectors main challenges, inviting attendees to vote in person on what they see as the biggest challenge in aviation, with results announced on the final day. 

The Forum, which saw the signing of more than 50 agreements and $2.7 billion in deals during the 2022 edition, will feature globally significant commercial announcements, including equipment orders, connectivity announcements and supplier partnerships, and awards ceremonies recognizing achievements and innovation in aviation.

More than 5,000 aviation experts and leaders from over 100 countries to attend, including ICAO, IATA, ACI, all major global manufacturers, airlines and airports.

FAF24 will propose a plan to solve aviation’s biggest challenge, and feature awards recognizing achievements and innovations in global aviation.



Hosted by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, the Forum will be centered on the theme: Elevating Global Connectivity. 


His Excellency the President of GACA, Abdulaziz-Al Duailej, said:   “The 2024 Future Aviation Forum will once again unite global aviation leaders to solve aviation’s biggest challenges, including manufacturing supply chain issues, capacity constraints and the development of human capital across the world. Saudi Arabia is committed to providing global leadership on these issues.

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