NAS Daily 24 DEC 19

airtrainer 24 Dec 19, 11:05

News

Commercial

Boeing CEO Muilenburg steps down, board chair Calhoun to assume top job
Boeing has named board chair David Calhoun its next chief executive in succession to Dennis Muilenburg, who has resigned from the company.
Muilenburg has left his chief executive and board posts effectively immediately, though Calhoun will not take the struggling company’s reins as CEO until 13 January 2020, Boeing says in a 23 December media release.
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Embraer delivers first Praetor 500, to Flexjet
Embraer has delivered the first Praetor 500 midsize jet, handing over the aircraft to fractional business jet ownership company Flexjet.
The milestone comes just two months after Cleveland-based Flexjet ordered the aircraft as part of a $1.4 billion deal with Embraer.
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Intense scrutiny on Boeing overshadows unaddressed lessons from 737 Max crashes
Boeing’s 737 Max updates have largely addressed concern about the aircraft’s flight control system, however broader risks involving pilot training and aircraft maintenance remain unresolved, say aviation safety experts and commercial pilots.
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Bombardier G5500 and 6500 gain FAA certification
Bombardier says that its Global 5500 and 6500 have received FAA certification, completing its approval requirements in three of the world’s major jurisdictions and allowing it to begin delivery of the aircraft to customers.
Transport Canada and EASA certificated the Global 5500 and 6500 within a few weeks of each other earlier this year.
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Boeing CEO shuffle seen as another step toward Max certification
The departure from Boeing of former chief executive Dennis Muilenburg could bring the company one step closer to getting the 737 Max back in the sky, analysts say.
But Muilenburg’s resignation, announced 23 December, caught some observers off guard and spurred speculation that more leadership shifts may be in the works.
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Airlines

Grounded SpiceJet 737 freighters return to service
SpiceJet has returned three Boeing 737-700 freighters to service following resolution work provided by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
“We wish to update that these three grounded B737 freighter aircraft shall return to our operations effective December 23, 2019 basis the resolution provided by IAI,” says the company in a stock exchange filing.
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Poor prospects for Thomas Cook Group creditor dividends
Liquidators of Thomas Cook Group have warned that most of the company’s divisions are unlikely to return a dividend to creditors following its collapse in September.
The official receiver says that the group collapsed with around £9 billion ($11.6 billion) in total liabilities.
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Court rejects Ryanair attempt to stop operations chief’s EasyJet switch
Ryanair has instructed its lawyers to “immediately appeal” a decision by the Irish High Court to reject the airline’s attempt to prevent former operations chief Peter Bellew from joining UK-based rival EasyJet early next year.
The Irish low-cost carrier argued that a 12-month non-compete clause prevented Bellew from joining EasyJet until 2021.
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Jet Airways reissues calls for expression of interest
Collapsed Indian carrier Jet Airways is relaunching its expression of interest (EOI) process, in its ongoing bid to attract new investors.
This appears to have been decided at the committee of creditors’ sixth meeting, held on 17 December.
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SMBC places A321neo with Air Busan
SMBC Aviation Capital has placed one A321neo with South Korean low-cost carrier Air Busan.
The aircraft comes from the lessor’s orderbook and will be powered by CFM International Leap engines. It is scheduled for delivery in February 2021.
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Airports

Seoul Incheon to increase slots next year
Seoul Incheon International plans to boost inbound tourism by increasing the number of slots come 2020.
Incheon is operating at close to capacity and the operator says that this causes restrictions on new and additional flights.
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Military

Taiwan, USA proceed with F-16V deal
Taiwan has confirmed that the US Foreign Military Sale of 66 Lockheed Martin F-16Vs to the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) is in the implementation stage, after both sides signed the letter of offer and acceptance (LOA).
Ministry of National Defense (MND) spokesperson Major General Shih Shun-wen announced on Saturday 21 December that the LOA for an arms package consisting of the F-16Vs, main battle tanks and anti-tank missiles was signed by both parties a week earlier on December 13.
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Lockheed Martin awarded $7bn contract to maintain F-22 fleet
Lockheed Martin was awarded a five-year contract worth $7 billion for maintenance of the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter.
The contract is an option exercised by the US Air Force (USAF) from its ongoing sustainment deal with Lockheed Martin, the Department of Defense says in an online notice on 20 December. This additional five-year contract will extend the service’s contract work with Lockheed Martin through 31 December 2032.
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