NewsCommercial
PARIS 2019: GECAS chief expects leasing sector consolidation
The sprawling aircraft leasing community is bound to consolidate, though it is unlikely to get down to just a handful of players, the top executive of GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) said.
“I think rationalization of leasing companies will occur over time, [but] that doesn’t mean we’re going to go from 150 back down to five,” GECAS president and CEO Alec Burger said during an investors briefing at the recent Paris Air Show. “It’s easy to invest money. You’ve got to be able to get the money back.”
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ANALYSIS: Who ordered what at the Paris air show
Lower levels of business from the big-two airframers meant the Paris air show was one of the quietest in recent years for commercial aircraft order commitments.
Preliminary analysis shows 866 aircraft covered by these commitments, be they firm orders, letters of intent, options or the revealing of previously undisclosed customers.
LinkAirlines
Eurowings to exit long-haul market, halts Brussels Airlines integration
Following mounting losses and the June 16 profit warning, the Lufthansa Group announced sweeping changes for its Eurowings low-cost unit. The changes, made public at the airline’s June 24 capital markets day, are deep and wide-ranging. Most importantly, Eurowings will exit the long-haul market and will not integrate its sister company Brussels Airlines.
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EVA Air cabin crew strike overshadows 787-10 delivery
A strike by EVA Air cabin crews entered its fourth day June 24, causing widespread disruptions and overshadowing the delivery of the Taiwanese carrier’s first Boeing 787-10.
The airline, operating at around 40% capacity, has canceled more than 850 flights to date, affecting about 105,000 passengers. The Star Alliance member also suspended all bookings until June 29 in the wake of the first labor action by its cabin crew members.
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South Pacific carriers begin collaboration effort
Three members of the Association of South Pacific Airlines (ASPA)—Solomon Airlines, Nauru Airlines and Air Vanuatu—have launched a collaboration initiative in areas such as purchasing and safety, as they look for ways to address common business challenges. This initiative could be expanded to other member carriers, ASPA chairman and Solomon Airlines CEO Brett Gebers said during the group’s biannual conference in Christchurch, New Zealand.
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Qingdao Airlines takes sixth A320neo; Jiaodong airport nears completion
Singapore lessor BOC Aviation has delivered its first new Airbus A320neo to China’s Qingdao Airlines, which has six of the type. Three more are leased from Dublin-based AerCap and the remaining two are owned by the carrier, which also operates 14 A320ceos, with ages ranging from 1.8 to 5.2 years.
“This aircraft is the 20th aircraft in Qingdao’s fleet, which marks an important milestone in our company’s history. We are expecting our cooperation [with BOC Aviation] to be more in-depth in the future,” Qingdao Airlines CEO Wu Longxue said in a statement.
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Colombia’s Viva Air mines data to improve air travel
Colombia-based LCC Viva Air, through its innovation lab, is working with universities to harness data and develop new ways to increase revenue, improve the passenger experience and drive operational efficiency.
The airline wants to become the world’s first “open data” carrier by sharing its information and analyses, Viva Air Labs head of innovation Clyde Hutchinson said at the Future Travel Experience conference in Istanbul.
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CEO: UIA to restructure Kiev hub model; has no interest in alliances
Ukraine International Airlines is reviewing its hub system at Kiev Boryspil International Airport to improve efficiency and optimize its network.
“The hub is working well, but during the existing two arrival/departure waves the home airport is operating nearly at peak,” UIA CEO Yuri Miroshnikov told ATW. The current system has been in place for nearly seven years.
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Pakistan International Airlines eyes digital services
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is working to catch up with the digital ancillary services market as part of a roadmap it laid out three years ago.
“We carry a huge legacy. PIA is one of the oldest airlines in the world,” project manager-information and communication technology Osama Sheikh told ATW on the sidelines of the Future Travel Experience conference in Istanbul.
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HK Express to fly Hong Kong-Okinawa
Hong Kong-based low-cost carrier HK Express will launch Hong Kong-Okinawa flights on 26 September, joining two other compatriot airlines.
The flight will be operated daily with its A320 family aircraft, according to HK Express.
LinkAirports
Vienna Airport reports passenger record for first five months
Vienna International Airport (VIE) saw a record number of passengers in the first five months of 2019 and anticipates further growth as traffic increases, particularly in the LCC market.
Passenger numbers grew 25% year-over-year to 11.7 million. The main drivers continue to be LCCs as well as new long-haul services.
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Vienna Airport City to be start up hub for Plug and Play
Plug and Play, which spawned the likes of Google, PayPal and Dropbox, is to establish a ‘start-up hub’ at Airport City Vienna for innovative business ideas.
According to the airport, the future competitiveness of the business location strongly depends on good development opportunities for start-ups and company founders.
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Made in Scotland - Edinburgh airport unveils four new home grown shops
Four new Scottish retailers are setting up shop in Edinburgh Airport this summer, offering passengers from around the world a taste of Scotland.
Edinburgh-based Mademoiselle Macaron and COCO Chocolatier, as well as Isle of Skye Candle Company, will open units in the departure lounge.
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Pittsburgh International Airport to provide updated passenger experience
A new scheme will challenge the traditional ideas of passenger experience with customer social care, assisted by resources from Carlow University.
Pittsburgh International Airport and Carlow University have teamed up to develop a new proactive approach to improving the customer experience.
LinkMilitary
Bell touts advantages of 407GXi for US Navy trainer bid
Bell remains on course to secure US Federal Aviation Administration certification for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations on its 407GXi light-single ahead of a US Navy deadline in August.
Under its TH-XX programme, the service requires an IFR-capable helicopter, but does not specify whether it needs one or two engines.
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Berlin obtains modified A319 for arms control monitoring flights
Germany's defence ministry on 21 June took delivery of a converted Airbus ACJ319 to operate international arms control observation flights under the Treaty on Open Skies between NATO and nations of the former Warsaw Pact.
Lufthansa Technik adapted the former business jet over a 26-month period at its Hamburg base, which included installation of more than 150 modifications and a full overhaul, the MRO provider says.
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Aviation Quote
This fellow Charles Lindbergh will never make it. He's doomed.
- Harry Guggenheim, millionaire aviation enthusiast.
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Editor's Choice
Trivia
General Trivia
1. A pilot is practicing an on-pylon. He notices during the turn that the pylon is slipping ahead of the wingtip. He should
a. climb and reduce airspeed.
b. climb and increase airspeed.
c. descend and reduce airspeed.
d. descend and increase airspeed.
2. A pilot is practicing an around-pylon in a counterclockwise direction while under the influence of an easterly wind. On which of the following headings will rate of turn be greatest?
a. 090 degrees
b. 180 degrees
c. 270 degrees
d. 360 degrees
3. There are three types of airmets. A phonetic letter names each type. _____ refers to IFR conditions and/or extensive mountain obscurations; _____ is issued for turbulence, high winds, and low-level wind shear; and _____ advises of icing and freezing levels.
a. Airmet Sierra, airmet Tango, airmet Zulu
b. Airmet Tango, airmet Sierra, airmet Uniform
c. Airmet Uniform, airmet Zulu, airmet Sierra
d. Airmet Zulu, airmet Tango, airmet Sierra
4
. A U.S. military fighter pilot broadcasts the word Winchester. What is the significance of this transmission?
5. What was the first type of jet aircraft to fly nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean?
6. In the jargon of flight attendants, what is a thumper?
