General News

Airbus, Air France and DSNA, the French Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), have begun working towards the development of “most energy efficient flights”, following their inaugural demonstration flight from Paris to Toulouse Blagnac on the day of the Airbus Summit event. The aircraft flew an optimised trajectory, marking the first of a series of trials planned during 2021 and 2022 within the framework of the Single European Sky ATM Research Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU) “ALBATROSS” project.

Launched in February 2021, ALBATROSS is a large-scale initiative of major European aviation stakeholder groups led by Airbus. It aims to demonstrate, through a series of gate-to-gate live demonstration flights across Europe, the feasibility of implementing most energy efficient flights in the short term, by combining several R&D technical and operational innovations.

“ALBATROSS” follows an holistic approach by covering all flight phases, directly involving all relevant stakeholder groups (such as airlines, ANSPs, network managers, airports and industry) and addressing both operational and technological aspects of aviation and Air Traffic Management (ATM). Many solutions will be put into practice during the flight demonstrations, from new precision approach procedures to continuous climb and descent, a more dynamic management of necessary airspace constraints, sustainable taxiing and  sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) usage.

Thanks to the transmission of four-dimensional trajectory data, ATM will be able to optimise and better predict an aircraft’s trajectory, thereby enabling it to immediately and concretely reduce a flight’s environmental footprint.

Starting from September 2021, these live trials will involve around 1,000 demonstration flights, showcasing mature operational solutions with potential fuel and CO2 emission savings. First results are expected to be available in 2022.

Breathing technology expert Caeli Nova is signing a Co-Development Partnership Agreement with Airbus to enhance technical collaboration on Cordillera, Caeli Nova’s innovative new passenger emergency oxygen system, for use onboard Airbus aircraft.

Cordillera uses Caeli Nova’s patented technology to improve passenger oxygenation in the rare event of an emergency decompression. Cordillera extends the performance of existing oxygen systems by enabling the aircraft to safely divert at a higher altitude, therefore allowing airlines to operate the most direct air routes, often over high terrain, reducing flight times and therefore fuel usage and carbon emissions. In addition, Cordillera will deliver optimised payload planning especially for twin-engine aircraft and weight savings compared to existing legacy systems.

The collaboration between the two companies will enable the application of Caeli Nova’s technology to Airbus aircraft. Adopting the agile design methodology embraced by Caeli Nova, the environmental benefits and cost savings will be available faster for operators of Airbus aircraft.

Tim Wakeford, CEO at Caeli Nova says: “Over the past three years we have built a team that is able to adapt quickly and operate highly collaboratively to drive innovation forward. For example, in December 2020 we received initial Design Organisation approval from EASA following an intensive fourteen-month process, an achievement that can take companies significantly longer. We will be bringing this agile approach to our work with Airbus and look forward to seeing the results.”

As a result of the partnership, Airbus is able to take advantage of Caeli Nova’s dynamic approach when introducing new technology, ensuring that certification and installation are swiftly achieved, and delivering customers the benefits of this technology in an optimised time frame.

Venipak Group, an international parcel delivery company, expands services to help sustain the surging Eastern Europe’s demand in freighter cargo shipments. The direct cargo flight Riga-Hong Kong-Riga will cut down on transit time and costs for international businesses dependent on irregularities of current passenger flights and ocean shipment disruptions.

The ongoing COVID-19 restrictions have severely altered the passenger flight frequency worldwide, directly affecting global cargo shipments. International passenger flight demand in March 2021 decreased by 87.8%, compared to 2019 numbers, putting strain on international businesses, which use these flights to transport goods.

International trade difficulties like cancelation of international passenger flights, backlogs at shipping ports, doubled with local lockdown measures, have also been forcing businesses to shift their shipments from ocean transport to international airfreight transport. This overload brings forward issues like limited cargo space on flights and fixed flight schedules that constrain efficient cargo deliveries worldwide.

To help sustain the growing demand for air cargo transportation and lend a helping hand to businesses affected by the charter flight strain, international parcel delivery company Venipak Group is launching a direct freighter flight Riga-Hong Kong-Riga, starting from 18 September.

“We’re seeing a surge in demand in the Baltic region as well as Eastern Europe for more efficient shipment solutions that would connect Asia, Europe, and North America. The existing options at the moment just do not work,” said Justas Sabliskas, CEO at Venipak Group. “Many businesses suffer from the irregular and disrupted delivery times, and direct long-distance shipping flights are a rarity for the region. All of this adds to the heightened strain.”

The freighter flight route is set up directly between Hong Kong and Riga with no transit stops in between, this way cutting down flight time to Baltics to two working days and significantly lowering the damage risk for cargo. The Boeing 737-800 BCF aircraft capacity allows shipping a wider variety of cargo, like dangerous (DGR), heavy, or with non-standard dimensions. Regular weekly flight schedules and fixed prices during the high season allow easier planning of budget, operations, production, and sales for the businesses. E-commerce customs clearance will add more extra capacity for the high season.

The company also noted that the interest and need for such direct freighter flights in the region have been massive — the flight has been completely sold out in two days. Goods from the Baltics and Poland like car parts and cosmetics are among the first cargo delivered from Riga to Hong Kong.

“We are pleased that Venipak has chosen Riga International Airport as its home for air cargo services, and we can also mark Hong Kong on our direct cargo flight destination map. This confirms that the ongoing work to develop and strengthen the Airport’s cargo segment is a step in the right direction and that our customers appreciate the potential of Riga Airport as a Baltic air hub, including in the air cargo sector. Riga Airport provides both the necessary solutions and growth opportunities for our customers’ business,” explained Artūrs Saveļjevs, a Member of the Board of Riga International Airport.

With the first flights planned to operate once a week, Venipak aims to increase the frequency to two flights per week and expand the freighter flights to Mainland China and the United States, as well as adding a route connecting Hong Kong with the West Coast of the USA in the future.

Lufthansa Technik has contracted additional engine shop visits from Russian
carrier Rossiya Airlines. Until mid-2022, the company will overhaul four
CFM56-5B engines at its engine shop in Hamburg, Germany.

“Lufthansa Technik’s offer for the supply of life-limited parts as well as
its recommendations for work scope planning and extensive warranty
conditions convinced us to entrust our German partner with the overhaul of
our CFM56-5B-engines,” said Sergey Starikov, the official representative of
Rossiya Airlines.
“We’re happy to continue our partnership with Rossiya Airlines with this new
maintenance contract for its CFM56-5B engines. The tender process by Rossiya
Airlines was highly competitive and challenging, and we’re delighted to have
met the high standards of our customer in this process,” said Stanislav
Mitin, Key Account Manager for Russia and CIS at Lufthansa Technik.

Lufthansa Technik has been providing engine services to Rossiya Airlines
since 2019, originally for the CF6-80 engine. Meanwhile, four engines of
this type have been overhauled.

Rossiya Airlines is part of Aeroflot Group. It is the largest operator of
the domestic-made aircraft Superjet 100 and the wide-body passenger jet
Boeing 747-400. In addition, Rossiya Airlines operates foreign-made
airliners of the Airbus A320, Boeing 737, and Boeing 777 series. Rossiya
Airlines participate in the Safe Travel international tourism security
program and was awarded the mark “Safe Travels SPB”. The airline is the
leader among Russian air carriers in terms of flight safety according to the
German research centre JACDEC, received the highest safety rating among the
world’s airlines according to the international rating agency Airline
Ratings, and took a leading position among domestic carriers in the
international Safe Travel Score.

• Abu Dhabi-based carrier to implement cutting-edge Amadeus Altéa Passenger Service System (PSS)
• New booking engine, mobile app, and self-service tools to empower guests and ensure a smooth experience at every step of the journey
• State-of-the-art merchandising and revenue management capabilities will offer travellers more options to customise their trip
• New functionality for travel agencies powered by Amadeus’ New Distribution Capability (NDC)

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, is set to embark on a major digital transformation following the signing of a landmark multi-year deal with Amadeus.

As part of the deal, Etihad Airways will implement the full Amadeus Altéa PSS suite, including web booking, revenue management and merchandising, data management and passenger servicing solutions. These technology products will be customised for Etihad over the coming years and will improve the experience of guests, staff, travel agents, Etihad Guest members, and corporate customers.

Etihad’s guests will see new web and mobile channels powered by Amadeus Digital Experience suite, offering the simplest user experience possible to purchase flight tickets and manage bookings. Advanced retailing capabilities will be developed collaboratively using machine learning to provide guests with bespoke offerings and personalise their travel experience.

To modernise retailing capabilities across sales channels, Etihad has also signed for Amadeus Altéa NDC (New Distribution Capability) and will work with Amadeus to distribute personalised travel offers to guests. Etihad will make its full range of NDC offers available to Amadeus travel sellers, allowing agents to see the features of Etihad’s award-winning product more transparently and the ancillaries that can be bought.

The airline will, in addition, implement the Altéa Departure Control Customer Management component of the suite, providing guests with real-time, personalised alerts of offers, services, and flight changes. The system will offer a higher level of service customisation and provide guests with a faster and simpler check-in process, which is more important than ever as travel rebuilds.

Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer, Etihad, says: “The aviation industry is going through a digital revolution, and Etihad Airways is committed to staying at the forefront of that change. With Amadeus as a partner, Etihad’s guests will be able to enjoy the best user experience possible as they book and manage their flights, with the ability to customise their travel to an unprecedented level. Etihad is also excited to push NDC forward as a means to offer a much richer, relevant and dynamic shopping experience to trade partners, and Amadeus is the perfect partner to support that strategy.”

Decius Valmorbida, President, Travel, Amadeus, says: “As the travel industry rebuilds, we are excited that Etihad Airways will be utilising Amadeus’ technology to support the airline in delivering its leading travel proposition. Open source, cloud-based systems and next generation retailing capabilities will be the engine powering recovery, and we are at the forefront of these technologies in the travel industry. We are very pleased to be working with such a dynamic carrier like Etihad and are excited about collaborating to create memorable travel experiences for its passengers.”

Rolls-Royce and Airlink have signed a TotalCare® service agreement for the AE3007 engines that power the South African airline’s fleet of Embraer ERJ135 aircraft. The agreement, which covers 28 aircraft, is an extension of service for a further 10 years, continuing the airline’s drive to maximise aircraft availability.

Textron Aviation has accomplished a major milestone with its newest twin-turboprop models, the Beechcraft King Air 360/360ER and King Air 260, as both aircraft achieved European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification and will begin deliveries to customers throughout the region.

 “EASA certification begins a whole new era for the Beechcraft King Air in Europe,” said Tom Perry, vice president of Sales for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. “The King Air has been the turboprop of choice throughout this region for more than five decades, and the new 260 and 360 will build on that legendary reputation. We have incorporated innovative and next-generation technologies that enhance the flying experience for an already proven aircraft.”

Renowned for their versatility and reliability, King Air turboprops have been a popular choice across Europe with more than 460 aircraft throughout the region. Nearly half of all King Airs in Europe is owned and operated in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

A typical King Air 360 flight with four passengers and a single pilot has a maximum range of 3,345 km (1,806 nautical miles), allowing it to complete flights such as London to Athens or Frankfurt to Moscow without stopping to refuel. Similarly, the King Air 260 has a maximum range of 3,185 km (1,720 nautical miles), allowing four passengers and a single pilot to take complete flights such as Rome to Madrid or Paris to Stockholm without refueling.

About the Beechcraft King Air 360/360ER and 260

The King Air 360/360ER and 260 models represent the next generation of the legendary King Air turboprop family, building on its reputation of versatility and reliability. The aircraft offers the latest technological advancements in the cockpit along with providing additional comfort to the passenger experience.

The King Air 360/360ER turboprop features the addition of the Innovative Solutions & Support (IS&S) ThrustSense Autothrottle. The autothrottle supports pilots in their critical mission of delivering people or cargo by automatically managing engine power from the takeoff roll through the climb, cruise, descent, and go-around phases of flight.

Another key addition to the cockpit is a digital pressurization controller, which automatically schedules cabin pressurization during both climb and descent, reducing pilot workload and increasing overall passenger comfort. The aircraft also has a lower cabin altitude at the aircraft’s certified ceiling of 35,000 feet, providing greater comfort for passengers, especially during longer flights.

The King Air 360 cabin, meanwhile, offers a stunning new look with craftsman-built cabinetry, partitions and side ledges, and high-quality finishes, along with a selection of six interior schemes. Other amenities that come standard on the King Air 360 include pull-out work tables, power outlets, USB charging stations, and a private aft lavatory.

The King Air 260 is also equipped with the IS&S ThrustSense Autothrottle system, as well as digital cabin pressurization. The aircraft now also features the Collins Multi-Scan RTA-4112 weather radar, providing pilots with a fully automatic system that is optimised to detect short, mid, and long-range weather.

The new King Air turboprops were introduced in 2020, with the Beechcraft King Air 360/360ER achieving U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in October 2020 and the King Air 260 in March 2021.