AVALON

Avalon and AirAsia partner to create a transformational ride sharing platform in Southeast Asia

• AirAsia Aviation Group orders 100 VX4 eVTOL aircraft
• 90% of Avolon’s VX4 order book now placed

Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, announces that one of the world’s leading airline groups, AirAsia Aviation Group Limited (‘AirAsia’), has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to lease a minimum of 100 VX4 eVTOL aircraft from Avolon. These eVTOL aircraft will allow AirAsia to further revolutionise air travel by providing advanced air mobility to a whole new range of passengers, transforming how we all connect more efficiently in our everyday lives.

In addition to the eVTOL aircraft, Avolon, through its investment and innovation affiliate Avolon-e, will partner with AirAsia to commercialise zero-emissions eVTOL aircraft and develop an industry leading urban air mobility (‘UAM’) platform in Southeast Asia. Avolon and AirAsia will form a working group to pursue local certification, research potential market opportunities and infrastructure requirements for UAM. AirAsia will also leverage its successful travel and lifestyle mobile app, the AirAsia Super App, to help support and build an eVTOL ride sharing platform with Avolon.

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INMARSAT

An advanced new terminal for Inmarsat’s market-leading business aviation inflight broadband solution Jet ConneX, developed by Satcom Direct (SD), has moved a step closer to commercial service after successfully communicating over the air with an Inmarsat satellite. A complete prototype unit of the ground-breaking Plane Simple Ka-band Antenna System is scheduled for completion later this year, followed by design verification, testing, certification and its commercial service introduction in 2023.

Designed specifically to meet current and long-term connectivity needs in the business aviation market, the new Plane Simple Ka-band Antenna System optimises inflight Wi-Fi, particularly for super-mid to large-size jets, using Inmarsat’s current and upcoming Ka-band satellites. It offers a unique alternative to existing terminals used on private jets, with key features including a modern lightweight design with only two line-replaceable units and simplified wiring to enable quicker and easier installation and maintenance.

The tail-mounted terminal will utilise the vast combined experience and expertise of Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, and SD, the aviation solutions provider, in business aviation connectivity. Both companies worked closely throughout the development process, from designing the concept to producing a simple, cost-effective and future proof solution.

Kai Tang, Inmarsat’s Head of Business Aviation, said: “Since its commercial launch five years ago, Inmarsat’s Jet ConneX has established itself as business aviation’s gold standard inflight connectivity service. Satcom Direct has played a key role in that journey and through the development of this advanced new terminal, we are building on our partnership to ensure customers can utilise the world-class infrastructure we have in place today and the game-changing new capabilities we will introduce in the coming years. This includes the launch of six further satellites, consisting of four in geostationary orbit – adding speed, capacity and resilience – and two in highly elliptical orbit, enabling the world’s only commercial mobile broadband service for aircraft flying in higher elevations and across the Arctic.”

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ANUVU

Anuvu ,a leading provider of high-speed connectivity and entertainment solutions for demanding worldwide mobility markets, announced it has obtained the exclusive worldwide inflight distribution rights (outside of mainland China) for Hong Kong’s award-winning film Zero to Hero. The film is available for booking now, for passenger viewing in May 2022.

The inspiring true story of Hong Kong’s six-time Paralympic gold medalist sprinter, presented by One Cool Pictures, is directed and written by Jimmy Wan. It stars producer and Hong Kong Film Award and Golden Horse-winning actress Sandra Ng, who plays the athlete’s tenacious and loving mother. Zero to Hero has grossed over $3.6 million domestically, making it Hong Kong’s second-highest-grossing Chinese film of 2021.

Zero to Hero joins recent exclusive films Hi, Mom, Minari and First Cow in Anuvu’s series of unique and global media options, part of the company’s mission to help airlines deliver entertainment that is as diverse as their passengers and destinations.

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IMMFLY

Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, today announces that one of the world’s leading airline groups, AirAsia Aviation Group Limited (‘AirAsia’), has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to lease a minimum of 100 VX4 eVTOL aircraft from Avolon. These eVTOL aircraft will allow AirAsia to further revolutionise air travel by providing advanced air mobility to a whole new range of passengers, transforming how we all connect more efficiently in our everyday lives.

In addition to the eVTOL aircraft, Avolon, through its investment and innovation affiliate Avolon-e, will partner with AirAsia to commercialise zero-emissions eVTOL aircraft and develop an industry leading urban air mobility (‘UAM’) platform in Southeast Asia. Avolon and AirAsia will form a working group to pursue local certification, research potential market opportunities and infrastructure requirements for UAM. AirAsia will also leverage its successful travel and lifestyle mobile app, the AirAsia Super App, to help support and build an eVTOL ride sharing platform with Avolon.

Avolon VX4 Order book

In June 2021, Avolon ordered 500 VX4 eVTOL aircraft from Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) (‘Vertical’), valued at US $2 billion. Since announcing that order, Avolon placed 250 VX4 aircraft with Gol and Grupo Comporte in Brazil, up to 100 aircraft with Japan Airlines in Japan, and a minimum of 100 aircraft with AirAsia. As a result, Avolon has now placed up to 90% of its initial orderbook, underlining the demand for VX4 aircraft from the world’s leading airlines.

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TURKISH TECHNIC

Turkish Technic, a leading MRO company certified around the world as Part 145 and Part 21 J&G organization, and leading Swiss-based aviation and aerospace advisor, AMROS Global, have recently announced the signing of a commemorative certificate for the C-Check and lease-out operations of two Airbus A330. The maintenance will commence on the 1^st Quarter of 2022.

Turkish Technic has been a trusted partner for airlines, OEMs, and lessors for decades, supporting many local and international customers around the globe. This brand-new cooperation between Turkish Technic and AMROS Global further strengthens the MRO’s leading position in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul market.

On the signing of the commemorative certificate, CEO of Turkish Technic, Mikail Akbulut stated: ‘‘We are pleased by the confidence AMROS Global has placed in our services and determined to meet that trust with our diligent efforts. As a well-positioned MRO company with a wide range of aircraft and component capabilities under our belt, we look forward to turning this new collaboration into a long-standing partnership in the years ahead.”

 

Commenting on the new agreement, CEO of AMROS Global, Eros Tavani said; “The AMROS team is pleased to announce the collaboration with an additional highly qualified MRO Turkish Technic. AMROS’ aim is to provide our airline and lessor customers with professional transition MRO activities with high quality in a trusted environment, where timelines are a critical success factor. We are looking forward to a long-lasting and fruitful collaboration.”

Operating as a one-stop MRO company with high-quality service, competitive turnaround times, comprehensive in-house capabilities at its state-of-the-art hangars, Turkish Technic provides maintenance, repair, overhaul, engineering, modification, tailor-made PBH and reconfiguration services to many domestic and international customers at five locations.

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AIRBUS

• 611 commercial aircraft delivered in 2021
• Financials reflect strong operational performance group-wide
• Revenues € 52.1 billion; EBIT Adjusted € 4.9 billion; EBIT (reported) € 5.3 billion
• Free cash flow before M&A and customer financing € 3.5 billion; Net cash € 7.6 billion
• Record net income of € 4.2 billion; EPS (reported) € 5.36
• Dividend proposal: € 1.50 per share
• 2022 guidance issued

Airbus SE (stock exchange symbol: AIR) reported consolidated Full-Year (FY) 2021 financial results and provided guidance for 2022.

“2021 was a year of transition, where our attention shifted from navigating the pandemic towards recovery and growth. Thanks to the resilience and efforts of our teams, customers and suppliers, we delivered remarkable full-year results,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus Chief Executive Officer. “The strong financials reflect the higher number of commercial aircraft deliveries, the good performance of our Helicopters and Defence and Space businesses as well as our efforts on cost containment and competitiveness. Record net income and our efforts to strengthen the net cash position underpin our proposal to reintroduce dividend payments going forward. At the same time, we continue to invest in our strategic priorities and in the transformation of our company.”

Gross commercial aircraft orders totalled 771 (2020: 383 aircraft) with net orders of 507 aircraft after cancellations (2020: 268 aircraft). Included were the first A350 freighter orders, confirming customer demand for this new programme. The order backlog was 7,082 commercial aircraft on 31 December 2021 (end 2020: 7,184 aircraft). Airbus Helicopters booked 414 net orders (2020: 268 units), achieving a book-to-bill ratio well above 1 both in terms of units and in value. These included 52 H160s of which 30 were the first batch of H160M military versions for France’s Joint Light Helicopter programme. Airbus Defence and Space’s order intake by value increased to € 13.7 billion (2020: € 11.9 billion), representing a book-to-bill ratio of around 1.3. Included were key orders in the Military Aircraft business such as the in-service support of the German and Spanish Eurofighter fleets as well as good export momentum for the C295, A330 MRTT and A400M airlifter.

Consolidated order intake by value increased to € 62.0 billion (2020: € 33.3 billion) with the consolidated order book valued at € 398 billion on 31 December 2021 (year-end 2020: € 373 billion). The increase in the backlog value mainly reflected the strengthening US dollar.

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BOEING

• ANA Extends Boeing Maintenance Performance Toolbox for Entire Fleet
• Japanese carrier: Digital maintenance information greatly reduces complexity of managing multiple airplane types, increases efficiency
• Nearly 350 customers rely on Maintenance Performance Toolbox to support their engineering and maintenance operations

Boeing announced at the Singapore Airshow that All Nippon Airways (ANA) has signed an extension for Boeing’s Maintenance Performance Toolbox for another five years. The Japanese carrier has used the Boeing digital solution the past eight years to manage maintenance information for its entire fleet of aircraft and engines.

Maintenance Performance Toolbox allows operators to simplify their maintenance operations by enabling them to manage, distribute, process and view intelligent maintenance documentation in a uniform digital format through a single interface, regardless of aircraft manufacturer or engine type.

“The adoption of Maintenance Performance Toolbox is one example of how we have streamlined our maintenance processes through digital tools,” said Hajime Kaneko, Vice President of the Digital Transformation Portfolio Management Department at ANA. “It has greatly reduced the complexity of managing maintenance information for multiple airplane types across our entire fleet. We’ve seen efficiency improvements in our maintenance operations, and we’ll continue to use Maintenance Performance Toolbox to take advantage of those benefits.”

Nearly 350 airplane operators and their MRO providers rely on Maintenance Performance Toolbox to support their engineering and maintenance operations. ANA and other airlines have deployed its full-fleet capabilities on maintaining their Boeing and non-Boeing aircraft.

“ANA was a development partner for Maintenance Performance Toolbox and was the first customer to go live with the platform’s full-fleet capability in 2013,” said Duane Wehking, Vice President of Digital Aviation Solutions for Boeing Global Services. “We look forward to continuing to grow and improve Maintenance Performance Toolbox through our collaboration with ANA in support of streamlining their maintenance operations.”

Boeing is also partnering with AIRDO, an affiliate of ANA, to provide cabin modification services for 767 airplanes in its fleet. As part of the agreement, Boeing will execute the design engineering, certification and supply of parts required for completion.

For more information on Boeing Maintenance Performance Toolbox, visit Boeing Maintenance Performance Toolbox | Boeing Services

Also From Boeing:

Western Global Airlines Purchases Two Boeing 777 Freighters

• Global cargo carrier expands all-Boeing fleet with first order of new-production freighters
• Adding capacity to meet growing e-commerce and express cargo demand

Boeing and Western Global Airlines today announced a firm order for two 777 Freighters, the first new-production freighters for the all-Boeing cargo operator based in Estero, Fla. The order was finalized in January 2022 and is currently listed as unidentified in Boeing’s order backlog. The agreement also includes an additional purchase option.

Boeing’s market-leading 777 Freighter is the world’s largest, longest-range and most capable twin-engine freighter currently flying, with the lowest trip cost and highest reliability of any large freighter. With a range of 4,970 nautical miles (9,200 kilometers), the 777 Freighter can carry a maximum structural payload of 107 metric tons (235,900 pounds), while reducing fuel use and CO2 emissions compared to prior airplanes. This capability and exceptional efficiency translate into significant savings for cargo operators, with fewer stops and associated landing fees.

Boeing has forecast that the global freighter fleet will grow by 70% in the next 20 years, with freight carriers such as Western Global supporting a rapidly expanding global e-commerce business and evolving supply chains.

Having flown to over 400 airports in 135 countries on six continents, Western Global Airlines currently owns and operates a fleet of 21 747-400 and MD-11 Freighters, providing contracted turn-key transport services around the globe for a variety of blue-chip logistics companies, e-commerce platforms, and US Department of Defense

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OTHER NEWS

• OK, this is probably going to get us in trouble; however, we had to tell you about the most popular video on YouTube. Yes, it is #babyshark, and we just can’t get it out of our heads so here we go: Baby Shark Dance | #babyshark Most Viewed Video | Animal Songs | PINKFONG Songs for Children – YouTube By the way, this has nothing to do with IFE and if you don’t want the song to resonate in your memory – DON’T WATCH IT – and don’t blame us, we warned you!
• Bet you never heard of the this issue with computers based of a theft problem: How a stolen capacitor formula ended up costing Dell $300m | Dell | The Guardian
• And a poem:

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Have a nice day on,
2/22/22