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Menzies Aviation wins contract with Wizz Air Abu Dhabi

By Featured, MRO

Menzies Aviation, the global aviation logistics specialist, has announced that it has won a contract with Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to provide a range of ground services at Kuwait International Airport.

This is the first contract with the airline outside of Europe and builds on Menzies’ existing relationship with Wizz Air, which spans across several European cities. As part of the new agreement, Menzies will deliver ramp, passenger, security and ticketing services for seven flights a week for the ultra-low-cost carrier in Kuwait.

Menzies has also secured a new European location with Wizz Air in Nice, where it will provide passenger ramp services for over 1,800 flights per year.

November 18, 2022

Ampaire’s Eco Caravan successfully completes maiden test flight

By Featured, Sustainability

Ampaire’s Eco Caravan, a nine-seat regional aircraft, successfully completed its first flight as a fully-integrated hybrid-electric propulsion system.

Expected to be the first electrified regional aircraft to enter into commercial service (certification in 2024), the Eco Caravan represents the first in a series of larger Ampaire hybrid-electric aircraft that will lead a transition to sustainable aviation.

Ampaire is already working with the FAA to certify the Eco Caravan in 2024 under a supplemental type certificate (STC).

The Eco Caravan upgrades the standard Cessna Grand Caravan with Ampaire’s integrated propulsion system of a compression ignition engine and an electric engine. A battery pack in a body fairing preserves passenger and cargo capacity for the aircraft.

The flight itself took 33 minutes, setting off from Camarillo Airport north of Los Angeles at 07:49 PST, where it climbed to 3,500ft at full power. Twenty minutes of that time was spent testing various power settings and studying temperatures and other readings before making a descent and approach back down to Camarillo.

“The Eco Caravan propulsion system performed just as expected,” said pilot, Elliot Seguin. “It was smooth and quiet. All temperature and power output readings were normal.”

The first in a new generation of sustainable electrified aircraft

The Eco Caravan’s propulsion technology is scalable to larger regional aircraft and, ultimately, to single-aisle airliners. Ampaire plans to rapidly roll out more powerful propulsion systems for larger aircraft, following a building blocks approach that will dramatically improve the sustainability of airline operations.

“As proud as we are of the Eco Caravan, we see it as a first step to larger hybrid-electric propulsions systems and ultimately zero-emission systems as energy storage technology advances,” said Ampaire CEO Kevin Noertker.

November 18, 2022

Deutsche Aircraft announces further key suppliers on road to D328eco programme launch

By Featured, Regional Turboprops

Announced at this year’s Aircraft Supplier Summit, Deutsche Aircraft has selected a number of further key suppliers to develop its D328eco programme.

Based on their time-to-market capabilities, supply chain resilience, sustainability across the life-cycle of the product and economic reality, these include Bucher Leichtbau AG, Elbe Flugzeugwerke and Reiser Simulation and Training.

Deutsche Aircraft has selected Bucher Leichtbau AG for the galley and partitions for the D328eco cabin, Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) will supply the floor panels for the D328eco fuselage, which will be designed by Deutsche Aircraft, and Reiser Simulation and Training GmbH [Reiser] will develop and provide the D328eco Engineering Cockpit Simulator, a fully instrumented flight deck connected to a high-fidelity aircraft simulation.

On the Bucher partnership, a Deutsche Aircraft spokesperson commented: “Since the beginning of discussions, Bucher has shown a clear understanding of our requirements. Their decades-long know-how regarding cabin interior monuments and lightweight construction whilst being open-minded regarding innovation and the brilliant finishing quality on the product makes them the perfect partner for the galley and partitions for the D328eco.” 

November 17, 2022

Azul Linhas Aéreas adds three more A330neos to its fleet

By Featured

Azul has signed a firm order for three A330-900s with Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, bringing the airline’s total fleet of A330neo aircraft to a total of eight.

The order will allow the carrier to further expand its international network and complement its existing A330 operations. The A330neo is one of Airbus’s widebody family that provides lower operating costs and reduced environmental footprint by combining enhanced technologies from the A350 with highly efficient Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines.

“We are delighted to have secured three more next-gen Airbus widebody aircraft which ensures the complete transformation of our fleet from old-generation to next-generation. We are focused on maintaining our widebody fleet stable while at the same time benefiting from the fuel efficiency savings from these aircraft,” said John Rodgerson, Chief Executive Officer of Azul. 

“We applaud Azul’s decision that shows their forward-looking strategy and proves the economics and performance of the A330neo are most compelling. The A330neo is the perfect tool to support Azul in expanding its fleet with the right-sized, modern widebody, leveraging the latest technology and efficiency and contributing to reducing CO2,” said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International.

Azul Linhas Aereas launched operations in 2008 and now serves 150 destinations within Brazil, and flies non-stop to the United States, Europe and South America.

The carrier received the Americas’ first A330neo in 2019 and operates 12 A330 Family aircraft. In the coming weeks, Azul will start operating four A350-900s to further expand its route offering and benefit from the Airbus commonality concept.

November 16, 2022

Hans Airways secures new investment and restructures, naming Nathan Burkitt as CEO

By Featured

Hans Airways has announced the successful completion of a new round of financing, satisfying existing financial obligations, which will enable it to progress plans to commence scheduled air services between Birmingham and Amritsar in India.

Hans Airways has satisfied the Civil Aviation Authority’s requirements for an Air Operator’s Certificate. The secured new investment will take the airline to the next stage towards satisfying the CAA of its financial viability and subsequent operating licence to provide revenue air services.

There has also been a management restructure. COO Nathan Burkitt now takes on the role of CEO from Satnam Saini, who continues with the airline as a Board director. Dr Barry Humphreys assumes the role of interim Chairman, succeeding Ruchir Verma.

The airline’s Board now comprises Dr Barry Humphreys, Jane Middleton, Dr Peter Malanik, Kirpal Jass, Indervir Jass, Satnam Singh Saini, Nathan Burkitt and Sulagna Roy as Company Secretary.

“Establishing a new airline is never straightforward, and there will inevitably be hurdles along the way. Hans Airways is now well-positioned to move forward. With growing evidence of strong demand for additional air services between the UK and India, supplemented by charter opportunities, we have every expectation of being able to launch,” commented Hans Airways Chair Dr Barry Humphreys.

“I am entrusting Nathan and his fine team to deliver my vision for Hans Airways.  It has been a long journey, and I look forward to continue supporting as Board director,” said Satnam Saini. 

November 15, 2022

Safran signs NacelleLife™ service contract with Avianca for its Airbus A320neo nacelles fleet

By Featured, MRO

Safran Nacelles has signed a 4-year agreement with Avianca for the support of the nacelles of its Airbus A320neo powered by CFM International* LEAP-1A turbofan engines.

17 A320neo aircraft are already in service, with major plans to rapidly grow the fleet already underway.

As part of this agreement, Avianca will have access to Safran’s shared pool of nacelle items, and the Columbian airline will benefit from guaranteed Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul solutions at the Safran Nacelles repair station in Indianapolis in the US.

Alain Berger, Safran Nacelles’ Executive Vice President – Customer Support & Services, commented: “I am delighted that Avianca is strengthening its trust in Safran Nacelles for their A320neo nacelle fleet, following their first contract announced in 2019. We are fully committed to delivering services that meet Avianca’s needs for their new generation aircraft.”

Albert Pérez, Avianca’s Vice President of Maintenance, said: “We know that punctuality is one of the most relevant attributes for our customers, and our priority at Avianca is to deliver on-time departures. In that sense, this agreement not only ensures the availability of our assets but also enhances our ability to react through Safran Nacelles’ strategic stocking locations. This agreement will also help us to keep our aircraft in flight, where they need to be and without disruptions, while at the same time being more efficient in terms of maintenance.”

November 15, 2022
Wizz Air

Wizz Air and OMV sign agreement to supply sustainable aviation fuel

By Featured

Wizz Air has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with OMV for the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) between 2020 and 2030.

This MoU gives the low-fare carrier the opportunity to purchase up to 185,000 tonnes of SAF, which ensures Wizz Air can progress with its plan to reduce CO2 intensity per passenger.

OMV is implementing numerous measures to help deliver its ambitious strategic sustainability goals, and SAF is a key technology for the decarbonisation of the aviation industry. The goal involves increasing SAF production to as much as 700,000 tons in 2030, done in line with OMV’s ambition to become a net-zero company by 2050 at the latest (for Scopes 1, 2 and 3).

Owain Jones, Development Officer at Wizz Air, said: “We have achieved our market-leading sustainability position by continued investment in innovative technology and operating the most up-to-date aircraft in the most efficient way. […] The new MoU is testament to our commitment to ensuring that by choosing to fly with Wizz Air, our customers are making the most responsible choice of air travel available.”

Nina Marczell, OMV Vice President Aviation, Fuel Distribution & Public Sector: “I am very pleased that the cooperation between OMV and Wizz Air will help us achieve our respective strategic sustainability goals. With Wizz Air, we were able to gain a strong international partner.”

Wizz Air
November 15, 2022

Lufthansa Technik carries out world first Performance Restoration Shop Visit of a LEAP-1A engine

By Featured

Lufthansa Technik is carrying out the world’s first Performance Restoration Shop Visit (PRSV) of a LEAP-1A engine.

The LEAP-1A engine, owned by Swedish Charter company Nova Airlines (Novair), will give Lufthansa Technik the perfect opportunity to help to identify further design requirements for component repair.

Novair signed a long-term contract for engine services in 2019, becoming Lufthansa Technik’s first-time customer for the new engine type. Lufthansa Technik already have extensive experience with this engine type, which include a number of Quick Turns/maintenance being performed on individual modules.

The PRSV serves to restore the performance of the engine, and this shop visit gives Lufthansa Technik the opportunity of being the first maintenance organisation in the world to analyse the new engine type under real operating conditions.

“It is with great expectations that Novair now submit its first LEAP-1A to Lufthansa Technik for performance restoration,” said Thomas Krook, Director Technical Operations at Novair. “We look forward to Lufthansa Technik not only delivering the baseline product, but as seen in the past – developing knowledge and methods for sending engines back to us with the highest possible return of investment in the shop visit.”

“The first Performance Restoration Shop Visit of a LEAP-1A engine marks another major milestone for us. I would like to thank our launching customer Novair for the trust they placed in us and for the opportunity to further expand our technical support for them and all other customers,” said Derrick Siebert, Vice President Commercials Engine Services at Lufthansa Technik

November 14, 2022

AviLease delivers first two Airbus A320neos to flynas

By Featured

AviLease has successfully delivered the first two of a 12 Airbus A320neo order to Saudi low-fare carrier, flynas. 

The rest of the aircraft are expected to be delivered by the end of 2023. The delivery itself is testament to the rapidly expanding Saudi-Arabia aviation sector, which will witness the region’s fastest passenger traffic growth through to 2040.

Edward O’Byrne, Chief Executive Officer, AviLease, said: “Today marks a significant moment in our story, and speaks to the operational pace and excellence we have set for ourselves at AviLease. From day one, we have focused on getting down to business, and these two deliveries, within four months of beginning operations, are testament to that.”

Bander Almohanna, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, flynas, said: “As one of the leading low-cost carriers in the region, we only seek partnerships that can significantly enhance our services. Our agreement with AviLease is designed to support our continued, sustainable growth plans through a modern and efficient fleet, equipping us for the foreseeable future.”

November 14, 2022

SKY express teams up with baby food company

By Featured

Greek Low-fare carrier SKY express has announced a collaboration with leading baby food company, GERBER ®.

As part of a continued commitment to meet the needs of the modern traveler, from the 12th November, for a month, all children between the ages of two to five will get a complimentary pack of GEREBER organic cereal bites; organic snack with cereals, fruits and vegetables, without added sugar, salt, preservatives and dyes.

November 11, 2022