|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LATEST NEWS
|
|
Monday, October 17th, 2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
An Airbus A320neo has been delivered to China Eastern Airlines from the Airbus Tianjin Delivery Centre powered with a 5% blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The SAF came from China’s only certified SAF facility, SINOPEC Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company, a state-owned manufacturer and will be used in a blend for all further Airbus aircraft deliveries in China.
|
This particular SAF was developed from locally used cooking oil, while across the SAF industry it can be made from feedstocks ranging from used fat, oil and grease to municipal and forestry waste. Compared to fossil jet fuel, SAF has been demonstrated to result in an up to 80% reduction in CO2 emissions across the entire SAF lifecycle. At the moment, all Airbus commercial aircraft are capable of flying with an up to 50% SAF blend mixed with kerosene with the aim of being capable of 100% SAF use in flight by the end of this decade. Since March 2021, Airbus has successfully accomplished 100% SAF test flights on its A319neo, A350 and A380 aircraft.
|
“The first SAF delivery flight of Airbus aircraft in Tianjin marks a historic milestone for Airbus and particularly for us in China,” said George XU, Airbus EVP & Airbus China CEO.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the first time, a Boeing 777-300ER operated by Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) took off on a passenger flight with the AeroSHARK surface technology jointly developed by Lufthansa Technik and BASF. The fuselage and engine nacelles of the aircraft were recently fitted with approximately 950 m² of so-called Riblet films, which replicate the flow-efficient properties of shark skin in order to reduce drag. Flow simulations have already identified a savings potential of just over one percent for this type of aircraft. The first scheduled flights with the aircraft registered as HB-JNH will now serve to validate this savings potential in daily flight operations.
|
Thanks to its special surface structure of microscopic ribs - known as Riblets - AeroSHARK reduces the frictional resistance of this aircraft's outer skin by just over one percent, according to the calculations and flow simulations. As a result, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are also reduced by the same order of magnitude. For this Boeing 777-300ER of SWISS, this would equate to annual savings of around 400 tonnes of kerosene and more than 1,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
|
The AeroSHARK modification of the HB-JNH began at the end of August and culminated in several test flights on September 8, and 9. During these flights, it had to be demonstrated in detail that the AeroSHARK modification had no negative impact on the operational safety and handling of the Boeing 777.
|
As soon as the calculated savings potential has been validated in actual flight operations, the full-scale roll-out for launch customers SWISS and Lufthansa Cargo is planned to begin. Further Boeing 777s will then receive the AeroSHARK modification as part of regular maintenance layovers. Both airlines plan to have all their Boeing 777-300ERs and 777Fs successively fitted with AeroSHARK. This would make them the first passenger and cargo airlines worldwide to optimize a complete sub-fleet with this technology. When all of the current 11 Boeing 777s at Lufthansa Cargo and 12 at SWISS have received their AeroSHARK modification, they will reduce the Lufthansa Group's carbon footprint by more than 25,000 tonnes annually.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regional aircraft manufacturer ATR and Air Tahiti have signed a firm order for one ATR 72-600 aircraft and confirmed a deal for two ATR 42-600S' – for ‘STOL’ (Short Take-Off and Landing).
|
For over 65 years, Air Tahiti has been offering essential connectivity to the communities of French Polynesia. Strong supporter of the ATR for more than 30 years, operating a fleet of ten aircraft, it became the launch customer of the ATR 42-600S at the Paris Air Show in 2019. These additional aircraft will enable the airline to offer higher frequencies, but also higher capacity, as the ATR 42-600S' will enable access to destinations with short runways, like Maupiti, using 100% of the aircraft load capacity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virgin Atlantic has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330neo aircraft leased from Air Lease Corporation (ALC). The A330neo will play a crucial role in the company’s fleet transformation and also marks the 50th Airbus aircraft for the UK-based airline.
|
Virgin Atlantic will become the first operator of the type in the UK and has ordered 13 A330neo aircraft (six on lease from ALC) with an intention to expand the fleet to 16 eventually. The A330neo, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, brings double-digit lower operating costs per seat and has 25% less fuel burn and carbon emissions compared to previous generation competitor aircraft.
|
As with all Airbus aircraft, the A330neo also features a state-of-the-art cabin air system ensuring a clean and safe environment during the flight. The aircraft is configured to accommodate 262 passengers in three-classes including 32 upper-class seats featuring privacy doors and two of the carrier's new retreat suites.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kellstrom Aerospace, a leader in aviation life-cycle cost management solutions, and Spirit Airlines have entered into a multi-year agreement whereby Kellstrom Aerospace will provide technical advisory and end-of-life advisory services and Vortex Aviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kellstrom Aerospace, will supply engine hospital shop and field services maintenance for Spirit Airlines’ V2500-A5 engines covered under maintenance agreements.
|
Kellstrom will provide a variety of technical support services, including the option for on-site shop visit support, aimed at reducing Spirit’s maintenance costs and supporting the transition of Spirit’s fleet by optimising value realised from the retirement of end-of-life assets. Kellstrom will deliver best-in-class savings opportunities through the products and services offered by Kellstrom’s Technical Services Group (KTSG). Vortex Aviation will supply engine removal/installation, hospital shop visit and field services repairs, and lease return support.
|
“Spirit Airlines operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the industry and we look forward to adding the technical expertise of Kellstrom Aerospace and Vortex Aviation in a variety of support services as we continue to deliver the best value in the sky,” said Kirk Thornburg, Spirit Airlines’ Vice President of Fleet Management.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
APOC Aviation has appointed experienced aviation professional, Tracey Downes, as Head of Component Sales.
|
Having previously held senior positions at Aerospace Asset Trading and Nova Systems, Downes has a wealth of experience in the USM market, as well as detailed knowledge of airframe and engine disassembly. In this ‘hands on’ role, her key responsibilities will include growing the commercial team and developing new sales processes to streamline and optimise efficiency, as well as regular liaison and support for key accounts.
|
“Having worked in the USM sector for a number of years, I was aware of APOC's culture, values and innovative nature. It was these attributes, which are aligned to my personal and professional beliefs, that first attracted me to the business. After having met the team, I could see we were a good fit, so the decision to join was an easy one,” said Downes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Icelandic cargo airline Bluebird Nordic, a member of the Avia Solutions Group, is continuing its fleet expansion by receiving one more Boeing 737-800 freighter aircraft (BCF). This is the fourth such aircraft in the airline’s fleet.
|
The fleet expansion is Bluebird Nordic’s answer to the growing air cargo transportation demand that has skyrocketed over the past couple of years. Last year the company began its expansion by renewing its cargo fleet and adding Boeing 737-800 Freighters.
|
|
“We are excited to continue expanding our fleet with converted B737-800s,” said Audrone Keinyte, CEO of Bluebird Nordic. “The new aircraft have already proven to be great additions, ensuring reliable operations – with impressive range and payload for an aircraft of this size. In the upcoming months, we plan to receive four more aircraft, which will take us to eight -800s in our fleet, in addition to our B737 classic fleet.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
click here to download the latest PDF edition
|
|
|
|
click here to download the latest PDF edition
|
click here to subscribe to our other free publications
|
|
AIRCRAFT & ENGINE MARKETPLACE
|
click here to view in PDF aircraft and engines available for sale and lease
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interested in advertising with AviTrader?
|
|
Vice President Sales & Business Development
|
|
|
|
|
